Dragon Ball Cooler: The Overlooked Tyrant of the Frieza Family

Cooler, a prominent character from the Dragon Ball movies, is the older brother of the infamous Frieza and a member of the powerful Frost Demon race. While not part of the main anime or manga canon, Cooler’s appearances in Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge and Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler have made him a fan-favorite villain. His blend of cunning intelligence, ruthless power, and unique transformations distinguishes him as one of the franchise’s most memorable movie antagonists.

This article explores Cooler’s origins, appearances, abilities, and his impact on the Dragon Ball universe.

1. Who is Cooler?

1.1. Relationship to Frieza

• Cooler is introduced as Frieza’s elder brother, sharing his sibling’s thirst for power and dominance.
• Unlike Frieza, Cooler exhibits a calm and calculating demeanor, often mocking his younger brother’s arrogance.

1.2. Motivations

• Cooler seeks revenge against Goku for the defeat of Frieza, viewing it as a stain on their family’s reputation.
• His desire to surpass Frieza drives his relentless pursuit of power and destruction.

2. Cooler’s Appearances in Dragon Ball

2.1. Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge

• In this 1991 film, Cooler arrives on Earth with his Armored Squadron to avenge Frieza’s defeat at the hands of Goku.
• Cooler reveals his ability to transform beyond Frieza’s final form, achieving his Fifth Form, a transformation unique to him.
• Despite his overwhelming power, Cooler is ultimately defeated by Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation, which marks a pivotal moment in the film.

2.2. Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

• Cooler returns in the 1992 sequel, now as Meta-Cooler, a cybernetic version of himself created by the Big Gete Star, a sentient machine.
• The film takes place on New Namek, where Cooler enslaves the Namekians and uses the Big Gete Star to mass-produce Meta-Cooler clones.
• Cooler is defeated when Goku and Vegeta destroy the Big Gete Star’s core, severing Cooler’s connection to his clones.

3. Cooler’s Powers and Abilities

3.1. Unique Transformations

• Cooler’s Fifth Form enhances his strength, speed, and durability, giving him a more menacing and armored appearance compared to Frieza’s forms.

3.2. Meta-Cooler

• After his defeat, Cooler merges with the Big Gete Star, becoming Meta-Cooler. This form grants him cybernetic enhancements, near-limitless regeneration, and the ability to mass-produce clones of himself.

3.3. Techniques

• Death Beam: A precise and deadly energy blast, similar to Frieza’s technique.
• Supernova: A massive energy sphere capable of obliterating planets.
• Instant Regeneration: As Meta-Cooler, he can regenerate from severe damage almost instantly, making him nearly invincible.

4. Cooler’s Armored Squadron

Cooler is accompanied by his elite task force, the Armored Squadron, which consists of:

• Salza: A blue-skinned swordsman and the de facto leader of the squadron.
• Neiz: A reptilian fighter with electric-based attacks.
• Dore: A large and muscular alien specializing in brute strength.

The squadron supports Cooler in his mission to eliminate Goku but is ultimately defeated by the Z Fighters.

5. Cooler’s Legacy in the Dragon Ball Franchise

5.1. Video Games

• Cooler has appeared in numerous Dragon Ball video games, including:
  • Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series.
  • Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, where players can fight alongside or against Cooler.
  • Dragon Ball FighterZ, where Cooler’s Fifth Form and cinematic attacks are highlighted.

5.2. Non-Canon Status

• While Cooler is not part of the main Dragon Ball canon, his popularity ensures his continued inclusion in spin-off media and games.

5.3. Influence on Other Characters

• Cooler’s unique Fifth Form and personality serve as inspiration for other antagonists in the Dragon Ball universe, emphasizing intelligence and strategy alongside raw power.

6. Fun Facts About Cooler

• Name Origin: Like other members of his family, Cooler’s name follows the theme of refrigeration, complementing his brother Frieza and father King Cold.
• Voice Actors: Cooler is voiced by Ryūsei Nakao in Japanese (who also voices Frieza) and Andrew Chandler in the English dub.
• Fan Popularity: Despite his non-canon status, Cooler often ranks high in fan polls for favorite Dragon Ball villains.

Conclusion: Cooler’s Place in Dragon Ball History

Cooler is a testament to the Dragon Ball franchise’s ability to create compelling and powerful antagonists. His calculated demeanor, unique transformations, and connection to Frieza add depth to the series’ lore. Though he exists outside the main storyline, Cooler’s appearances in movies and games have left a lasting impression on fans.

Whether as the vengeful Fifth Form warrior or the relentless Meta-Cooler, Cooler remains a fan-favorite villain who exemplifies the Dragon Ball series’ blend of action, strategy, and larger-than-life characters.

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鳥山明さんの大ファン

鳥山明さんの作品をこよなく愛するドラゴンボールが好きな漫画オタクです。世の中のアニメ全般が好きで、クリエイターの皆様を応援しています。