In the expansive lore of the Dragon Ball franchise, few movie-exclusive antagonists have commanded as much respect and fascination as Cooler. As the eldest son of King Cold and the older brother of the galactic tyrant Frieza, Cooler represents a more calculated, disciplined, and lethal branch of the universe’s most feared bloodline. While Frieza’s reign was defined by ego and cruelty, Cooler brought a professional, pragmatic approach to interstellar conquest.
Origins and Background
Cooler was first introduced in the 1991 theatrical feature Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge. Unlike his brother, who was pampered as the favorite child of King Cold, Cooler spent his life honing his combat prowess and overseeing his own independent sector of the galaxy. This sibling rivalry is a cornerstone of his character; Cooler often viewed Frieza as a spoiled brat whose arrogance would eventually lead to the family’s downfall.
His backstory is famously tied to the destruction of Planet Vegeta. While Frieza personally oversaw the genocide of the Saiyan race, Cooler watched from his spaceship. He observed a lone Saiyan pod escaping the planet—carrying the infant Kakarot—but chose not to intervene, viewing the oversight as Frieza’s mistake to rectify. This decision would eventually come back to haunt him when that same Saiyan grew up to defeat his brother and threaten the family legacy.
Appearance and Character Design
Designed by Akira Toriyama, Cooler’s aesthetic is a refined variation of his brother’s fourth form. In his base state, he possesses a sleek, purple-and-white muscular frame with a distinct biological helmet. However, Cooler’s most iconic contribution to the series is his “Fifth Form.”
Upon transforming, Cooler grows significantly in size and develops jagged armor-like protrusions on his shoulders and legs. His face becomes encased in a retractable mask, leaving only his piercing red eyes visible. This design was intended to make him appear more predatory and battle-hardened than Frieza, emphasizing his focus on physical martial arts over raw energy output.
Character Traits and Personality
Cooler is defined by a cold, professional pragmatism. While Frieza takes pleasure in the suffering of his enemies, Cooler views killing as a necessary business transaction. He is notably more level-headed and less prone to the fits of rage that often clouded Frieza’s judgment. This discipline is also reflected in his leadership; he commands the “Cooler Armored Squadron,” an elite trio of warriors who show him genuine loyalty, contrasting with the fear-based hierarchy of the Frieza Force.
Signature Techniques
Cooler’s fighting style is aggressive and efficient, utilizing a mix of high-speed rushes and devastating energy attacks. Some of his most notable techniques include:
- Supernova Cooler: A massive, sun-like sphere of energy similar to Frieza’s Death Ball, but significantly larger and faster, capable of incinerating entire planets.
- Death Laser: A concentrated beam fired from the eyes or fingertips, used for precise executions.
- Shadow Kick: A high-speed movement technique where Cooler disappears and reappears to deliver a crushing blow to his opponent’s midsection.
- Warp Kamehameha Counter: Cooler is one of the few villains shown capable of flying through an opponent’s energy blast to deliver a physical strike, demonstrating his immense durability.
Major Arcs and Evolution
The Revenge of Cooler
Following Frieza’s defeat on Namek, Cooler travels to Earth to restore his family’s honor. Despite his superior tactical mind and his formidable Fifth Form, he is ultimately overwhelmed by Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation. The battle concludes with Cooler being blasted into the sun by a Kamehameha, seemingly ending his reign.
The Return of Cooler (Meta-Cooler)
Cooler’s legacy was extended through the Big Gete Star, a sentient mechanical planet that fused with his remains. Reborn as Meta-Cooler, he became a collective of mass-produced, metallic clones capable of instant regeneration and data-sharing. This arc highlighted his transition from a biological threat to a technological nightmare, requiring the combined efforts of Goku and Vegeta to overcome.
Cultural Impact
Despite his non-canonical status in the primary Dragon Ball Super timeline, Cooler remains a fan favorite. His popularity has ensured his inclusion in almost every major video game, from the Budokai Tenkaichi series to Dragon Ball FighterZ. He represents the “what if” of the Frieza family—a warrior who took his potential seriously and sought to reach the absolute peak of his biological limits.
Do you want to see how Cooler stacks up against the rest of the multiverse? Check out our other character guides to compare the power levels of the galaxy’s most dangerous warriors!