Death is more like an annoying hiccup than a final curtain call in the Dragon Ball realm. Created by Akira Toriyama, this epic saga subverts the solemnity we usually associate with the end of life.
The Dragon Balls—those magical orbs with resurrection powers—have changed the game entirely. Whether you’re a hero or a villain, death is rarely the end of the road; it’s more like a detour.
With so much back-and-forth between the land of the living and the afterlife, you might be wondering which characters have chalked up the most frequent flier miles on this cosmic journey. Well, allow me to enlighten you.
In most storytelling traditions, including Western comics, death is a weighty matter, often irrevocable and profoundly impactful.
But Dragon Ball has turned that notion on its head. Here, the Dragon Balls are like a universal life insurance policy that never runs out. They’re used so often to bring characters back from the dead that it’s become a regular plot device.
Seriously, some characters have kicked the bucket so many times they probably have a loyalty card for the Other World by now.
And don’t think this life-and-death carousel is limited to the good guys. Villains get in on the action, too. Gather those Dragon Balls, make your wish, and voila!
Your arch-nemesis is back, and the cycle of fighting resumes. Furthermore, we’re not just talking about death tolls in a single timeline.
Alternate realities and what-ifs also count in these stats. In Dragon Ball, death is an equal-opportunity experience.
Ready to delve into this peculiar relationship Dragon Ball has with mortality? It’s a fascinating exploration that will give you a whole new perspective on how the series plays fast and loose with one of the most immutable laws of nature.
This is one list you won’t want to skip because, in Dragon Ball, understanding the nuances of life and death can elevate your fan experience to a whole new level.
Goku: Died 2 Times
In the expansive world of Dragon Ball, Goku is a character who has become synonymous with resilience, heroism, and, paradoxically, mortality.
This isn’t your standard tale of an untouchable protagonist; Goku has met his demise on two seminal occasions involving sacrifice for the greater good.
The first instance occurred during a critical confrontation with Raditz, Goku’s malevolent brother. Raditz arrived on Earth with designs of conquest, prompting Goku to make a decision that was as courageous as it was heartbreaking.
Gripping his brother to immobilize him, Goku enabled Piccolo to unleash a devastating energy attack. The act killed both brothers but saved the planet.
A set of mystical artifacts, known as the Dragon Balls, was subsequently used to resurrect Goku, reuniting him with loved ones and enabling him to confront additional threats, such as Nappa and Vegeta.
In a subsequent chapter of his life, Goku found himself pitted against Cell, a bio-engineered monstrosity. In a moment replete with tension,
Cell initiated a self-destruct sequence that threatened Earth and everyone on it. In response, Goku employed Instant Transmission to relocate himself and Cell to King Kai’s distant planet, far from Earth.
The ensuing explosion resulted in the loss of multiple lives, including Goku’s. This time, Goku remained in the afterlife for approximately seven years, eventually returning due to the benevolence of Elder Kai.
According to the series’ official timeline, Goku has met his end twice. However, the story arcs sprawl across various scenarios where Goku faces death in additional, less conventional circumstances.
Some interpretations of the series even suggest he’s died up to eight times, depending on how one categorizes certain events.
In Dragon Ball Online, a storyline presents Goku and Vegeta embarking on a final duel in space, following which they are never heard from again.
Additionally, during the Future Trunks Saga in Dragon Ball Super, Goku briefly succumbs to an attack from the assassin Hit, only to revive himself with a strategically planned Ki blast.
It’s also pertinent to touch upon a more unsettling episode in Dragon Ball Super where Goku Black takes Goku’s life, an alter ego manifested by Zamasu.
Moreover, in an alternate timeline featured in the series, Goku faces a lethal heart disease, his life saved only by a time-traveling Future Trunks and a dose of essential medication.
In summary, Goku’s various experiences with death amplify his bravery, self-sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the protection of Earth and its inhabitants.
His resurrections, whether facilitated by Dragon Balls or intricate plot mechanics, are not mere narrative conveniences; they encapsulate the spirit of a character who is ever-defiant in the face of overwhelming odds.
Goku’s relationship with mortality thereby elevates him from a mere combatant to a symbol of enduring courage and resolve.
Yamcha: Died 3 Times
Yamcha is the desert bandit turned Z Fighter who’s seen his share of ups and downs. Especially downs if we’re talking about how many times he’s met his end.
Once a formidable foe who could square off with Goku in the early “Dragon Ball” days, Yamcha gradually took on the unfortunate role of a punching bag for new villains to demonstrate their prowess.
His journey from a major deuteragonist to a supporting tritagonist across “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” and “Dragon Ball Super” has been, well, fascinating. Not to forget, he does make occasional cameos in “Dragon Ball GT.”
So, how many times has Yamcha died? Three times, each showcasing the series’s escalating stakes and ever-shifting power dynamics.
His first death is as cinematically dramatic as they come. During a battle against Nappa, one of the Saiyan henchmen, a Saibaman, clings onto him and pulls off a self-destruct. Imagine going out because a little green creature decides it’s a kamikaze moment. But Yamcha got a resurrection ticket courtesy of the Namekian Dragon Balls. Back from the Other World, he was!
Death number two involved less pyrotechnics and more, well, dessert drama. Majin Buu makes a grand entrance at Kami’s Lookout and turns Yamcha into chocolate. Then, he eats him. Being transmuted into confectionery is certainly one way to go. It’s good that the Namekian Dragon Balls had his back again, reviving him and Buu’s other victims.
As for the third time, it’s a bit tricky because the storyline couldn’t seem to make up its mind. In the History of Trunks special, Yamcha succumbs to a brutal kick to the neck.
Ouch, right? But in the original anime, he’s offed by an energy blast to the gut from one of the Androids. Now, whether it’s a kick or a blast, he didn’t stand much of a chance either way.
Once a formidable desert bandit and later a Z Fighter, he’s one of Earth’s most potent human defenders. Sure, he retired by the latter half of “Dragon Ball Z,” mainly because he found himself outclassed by the Saiyans and their increasingly menacing foes.
Still, when a new catastrophe beckons, Yamcha is there, however, overmatched, offering a helping hand and proving that he’s a steadfast ally in his own quirky, repeatedly-dying way.
Whether you remember him as Bulma’s ex-boyfriend or Puar’s lifelong best friend, Yamcha’s various runs-in with death exemplify the Dragon Ball universe’s cavalier attitude towards mortality.
After all, when Dragon Balls are in play, the end is often just another beginning.
So here’s to Yamcha, who might not have the best survival record but certainly has one of the most intriguing life (and afterlife) stories in the Dragon Ball canon.
Tien Shinhan: Died 3 Times
Tien Shinhan, a compelling figure in the “Dragon Ball” universe, brings more to the table than the average Earthling.
Not only is he one of the strongest humans, but he’s also part Triclops, descended from an alien race, adding a dash of the exotic to his already enigmatic persona.
Originally on a vengeful quest against Goku for embarrassing his mentor, Mercenary Tao, he eventually had an ethical change of heart, thanks to Master Roshi. In layman’s terms? He switched teams, choosing to ally himself with the Z Fighters.
Tien Shinhan’s life—and let’s not forget his deaths—are as complex as the Tri-Beam technique he often employs. He has died three times, which makes you question these Z Fighters’ mortality rate.
The first time Tien clocked out was during a showdown with Nappa. Enraged by the loss of his best friend, Chiaotzu, he went all-in on a Tri-Beam attack, literally putting every ounce of energy into it.
The move did zip against Nappa, and Tien was so drained he met his maker right then and there. Luckily, the Dragon Balls granted him a do-over.
His second death was a real show-stopper—or should we say, a real Earth-stopper? That rambunctious Kid Buu went on a planet-exploding spree; unfortunately, Earth was on the hit list. Kaboom.
Every human, including Tien, was instantly annihilated. But fret not. The Dragon Balls came through yet again, hitting the cosmic undo button.
Now, for his third death, the scriptwriters threw in a twist, a plot variant, if you will. In the original anime, Android 18 sends him to the pearly gates with a well-aimed energy blast to the chest.
However, the “History of Trunks” special has a slightly different take: Android 18 delivers a ferocious gut punch that lights out for Tien. So, whether by energy blast or superhuman punch, death number three was courtesy of Android 18.
Lest we reduce him to a casualty statistic, let’s remember Tien is also a dedicated martial artist who spends most of his days training with Chiaotzu, his BFF.
Even if he knows he’s outmatched, he isn’t one to sit out a fight, especially when Earth’s future is at stake. And let’s face it, whether he’s standing up to foes that are galaxies out of his league or refining his techniques in some secluded spot, Tien Shinhan remains an enduring part of the Dragon Ball saga.
So here’s a salute to Tien, a remarkable martial artist, an even better friend, and the man with the unique distinction of being one of the most resurrected characters in “Dragon Ball.”
We can’t wait to see what life, or perhaps another life, has in store for him next.
Cell: Died 3 Times
In “Dragon Ball” Universe not all villains are created equal, and Cell certainly stands as a testament to that notion.
Engineered as the magnum opus of Dr. Gero, this multi-gene-spliced terror keeps the Z warriors, especially Gohan, on their toes.
But here’s the kicker: Cell, despite his villainous robustness, has taken a couple of trips to the other side, facing death more than just once or twice.
Okay, let’s break it down. In the primary timeline, this bio-engineered juggernaut meets his first untimely demise while he’s still incubating in a test tube.
Picture it—Krillin and Future Trunks unleash their energy waves, effectively reducing Cell to cellular mush before he even gets to take his first breath.
Then there’s another Cell—call him “Alternate Reality Cell,” if you will—hailing from a timeline without Androids 17 and 18.
His plan involves some Marty McFly-level time travel, but Future Trunks has none of it. With a Heat Dome Attack, Trunks ensures that this variant of Cell gets zapped out of existence.
Yep, it’s pretty clear Future Trunks is a pro at dealing with timeline nuisances.
But the one that most fans probably have seared into their memories is our main timeline, Cell. Ah, this is the one who meets his spectacular end at the hands of Gohan and his Earth-shattering Kamehameha.
Even Cell’s regenerative abilities had to wave the white flag, completely incinerated by the sheer force of Gohan’s attack.
But let’s not ignore the nuances here. This isn’t just a mad scientist experiment gone awry. Cell is essentially an amalgam of the universe’s greatest warriors—think Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and King Cold all rolled into one.
His design came about from cell recombination, courtesy of a remote tracking device scouring Earth for these exceptional genetic traits.
In some alternate timeline, Dr. Gero’s supercomputer took the reins to complete this “perfect warrior,” imbuing him with an audacious objective: to dominate the world and fill every living being with dread over his immense capabilities.
So, you might say Cell’s legacy is more complicated than your standard issue villain. Not only does he have these multiple “lives,” but there’s also the matter of him being reduced to a single cell on more than one occasion.
Some might argue that these count as additional deaths, although his regenerative prowess always managed to save the day—or rather, ruin everyone else’s day.
In the grand scheme of things, Cell’s multiple deaths make him a formidable adversary and an enduring icon in the “Dragon Ball” lore.
From different timelines to failed plans of world domination, each defeat only amplifies the legend of this complex antagonist in the Cell Saga.
Frieza: Died 4 Times
If Android 17 is the comeback kid, then Frieza must be the villain who just won’t quit. Seriously, he is like a boomerang, always circling back no matter how many times he’s defeated or killed.
Intrigued? Strap in because Frieza’s tale is a labyrinthine roller coaster of triumph, defeat, and repeated mortality—or should we say immortality?
Initially making his debut as the ultimate antagonist, Frieza sets the bar pretty high when it comes to cosmic malevolence.
A descendant of Chilled, the younger brother to Cooler, and the scion of King Cold, Frieza inherits the family business—an imperialist army—and rapidly becomes the universe’s most feared emperor.
With a rap sheet that includes the Genocide of the Saiyans, he’s a megastar in the galaxy of galactic tyranny.
So, about the dying part—Frieza’s first ticket to the afterlife is punched by none other than Future Trunks. Talk about making an exit; Trunks dices him into bits and vaporizes the pieces with an energy blast.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Earth, he reappears in “Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn,” only to face the business end of Gohan’s fist. Boom, back to the land of the dead, he goes.
You’d think that’d be it, but no. Cue the re-entry music. Frieza is resurrected by his devout follower Sorbet, thanks to the Earth’s Dragon Balls, at the start of “Dragon Ball: Resurrection’ F.'”
However, Goku—being Goku—nails him with a Dash Kamehameha, banishing him back to hell. Are we detecting a pattern here?
But the revolving door of Frieza’s life and death takes another spin. This time, he comes back as a sort of frenemy. In a jaw-dropping move, he fights alongside Goku and his crew in the Tournament of Power to save Universe 7.
Of course, it’s not without a catch—Frieza gets to be resurrected as part of the deal. And guess what? Goku keeps his promise and brings the interstellar despot back to life. Again.
Frieza’s frequent resurrections and transformations aren’t just for show; they illustrate his ability to adapt and evolve.
Each time he returns, he comes back stronger, often with a new form or technique up his sleeve. It’s not merely about power; it’s about ambition and a relentless drive to rule.
From being a key antagonist in sagas like the Frieza Saga and Golden Frieza Saga to a complex player in the Universe Survival Saga, Frieza remains one of the most nuanced, enduring, and, let’s face it, resilient characters in the “Dragon Ball” series.
His recurrent clashes with Goku and his friends turn into a frenzied tango of morals, power plays, and cosmic chess.
Each round may end, but the game is far from over. So, in the grand theater of celestial conflicts, where heroes rise, and villains fall, Frieza keeps rewriting the script for what it means to be truly indomitable.
Chiaotzu: Died 4 Times
In the sprawling saga of “Dragon Ball,” a universe rife with Herculean brawls and existential crises, Chiaotzu might not be the first character that pops into your head when you think of tenacity or combat prowess.
But let’s give credit where it’s due; despite not being the most powerful Z Fighter, he’s built a reputation for being somewhat of a Houdini when it comes to cheating death.
Chiaotzu, or Chaoz in the original Japanese version, started off as a pupil of Master Shen. Back in those days, the guy was a bit sadistic.
Imagine using his psychic abilities to cheat and unleash severe burns on an opponent just for the thrill of it. Over time, though, he morphed into a valiant psychic martial artist and the best buddy of Tien Shinhan—someone you’d genuinely want by your side in a pinch.
The irony? This loyal friend has a bit of an academic shortfall, struggling with elementary math and missing the punchline of some basic jokes.
His favorite pastime? Enjoying a movie or savoring tenshindon—a dish, interestingly enough, that Tien was named after.
Let’s get back to the intriguing subject of his mortality. His first tangle with the Grim Reaper came courtesy of King Piccolo. Chiaotzu thought he could outmaneuver the demonic king by wishing for his death through the Dragon Balls.
Spoiler alert: he couldn’t. King Piccolo zapped him with a devastating energy wave, cutting his wish and life short. But, like a proverbial phoenix, Chiaotzu rose from the ashes, resurrected by the Dragon Balls.
You’d think one close call would be enough, but not for our little risk-taker. Round two involved an explosive showdown with Nappa.
Chiaotzu latched onto the Saiyan brute and activated his self-destruct mode, hoping to take Nappa down with him. While the gamble was valiant, it didn’t pan out.
Nappa shrugged it off, but Chiaotzu couldn’t; he perished alone. Once again, he was revived, this time via the Namekian Dragon Balls.
Round three in the death arena was a mass event. When Kid Buu decided to go full apocalyptic and blow up Earth, Chiaotzu was among the casualties.
No worries, though—the Namekian Dragon Balls were enlisted once more, and he was brought back to life along with everyone else on Earth.
In the alternate, dystopian future crafted by Trunks, Chiaotzu met a final, irrevocable end. In this timeline, he and the other Z Fighters were massacred by Android 17 and 18. No Dragon Balls could undo that fate.
So what’s the takeaway? Well, life for Chiaotzu is a bit like a seesaw, oscillating between gallant heroics and gut-wrenching sacrifices.
He’s not just a sidekick or a weaker team member; he’s a complex character whose loyalty, flaws, and, yes, multiple deaths add nuanced layers to the “Dragon Ball” narrative.
At the end of the day, his moral evolution and frequent resurrections provide a captivating sidebar to the main action, underscoring the essence of friendship, loyalty, and the eternal quest for strength.
Inhabitants of Planet Earth in Universe 7: Died 4 Times
You know you’re in a rough neighborhood in the multiverse when your planet’s been decimated, not once, but a whopping four times!
Welcome to Planet Earth in Universe 7, a hotspot in the “Dragon Ball” series where the Grim Reaper basically has a VIP pass.
Let’s break it down. For starters, we had Buu—the big, bad, bubblegum guy—who laid waste to Earth in a catastrophic event that could only be described as an existential “Oops!”
But fear not, the Namekian Dragon Balls, those shiny, magical orbs of resurrection, played their part. Voila! Earth and its inhabitants were back on the multiverse map.
Then we get Golden Freeza, a villain so blingy and devious he could give any rapper’s jewelry a run for its money. Freeza didn’t just aim to defeat Goku; he wanted a complete destruction of Earth. Talk about drama!
Enter Whis, the ultra-cool angelic attendant to Beerus. Quick with his celestial remote control, he rewound time, creating an opening for Goku to change the ill-fated trajectory of Freeza’s final attack.
Flash forward to “Dragon Ball Super,” where Earth faces its ultimate doom in Future Trunks’ timeline. Zamasu, with his god-complex, turned up to eleven and didn’t just target Earth.
Oh no, he decided to erase the whole Universe. The only option? Zen-Oh, the King of All, had to lay down the cosmic law and wipe everything out, Zamasu included.
Yep, we’re talking about an existential hard reset button.
And let’s not forget “Dragon Ball GT,” where Earth gets caught in the catastrophic ripple effects of the Black Star Dragon Balls.
A bit of a stretch, but hey, the Earth survived—thanks to a strategic wish to Porunga, the dragon of the Namekian Dragon Balls. It’s like cosmic musical chairs over here!
Adding some context for the uninitiated: Earth in Universe 7, known as Chikyū or Dragon World, is a planet as diverse as they come.
From humans, demons, and aliens to majins and other cosmic oddities, this place is the epitome of a universal melting pot. It’s home to our beloved Z Fighters and serves as the stage for the grand cosmic opera that is the “Dragon Ball” series.
The Earth in Universe 7 has been through the wringer since the series first took off in the ’80s. So, if you think you’ve got it tough, spare a thought for this poor planet and its battle-hardened inhabitants.
The highs, the lows, the exhilarating triumphs, and the heart-wrenching defeats—they’re what make “Dragon Ball” a tale for the ages.
Android 17: Died 5 Times
In the riveting “Dragon Ball” universe, Android 17 carves out a name for himself as a formidable fighter and one of the franchise’s top comeback kids—racking up a total of five deaths and a handful of revivals.
Intriguing, isn’t it? Crafted by Dr. Gero and sharing DNA with his twin sister Android 18, Android 17’s rollercoaster of life—and death—is anything but dull.
Let’s rewind a bit. Android 17’s first existential hiccup came at the hands (or should we say cells) of Cell. Now, Cell wasn’t content with mere defeat; he absorbed 17 and self-destructed on King Kai’s planet for good measure.
However, 17 made a sensational reappearance, courtesy of Krillin’s Dragon Ball wish to bring back all of Cell’s victims. What a way to return, am I right?
Then, enter Kid Buu, a little guy with an explosive personality. This menace obliterated Earth, taking Android 17 with it.
However, the Namekian Dragon Balls were tapped for a universal reset, resurrecting the Earth’s population, including our android anti-hero.
Android 17’s alternate reality selves weren’t so lucky. In one version, he gets wiped out by Future Trunks—part of a double play where Trunks was cleaning house in Cell’s timeline.
After Cell’s defeat, Trunks jetted back to his own timeline, where the Androids were causing havoc, and knocked 17 off his perch yet again.
Unfortunately, for these iterations, no Dragon Balls came to the rescue; their timelines simply ceased to exist.
Let’s talk about “Dragon Ball GT,” where Android 17 was cast in a darker shade. In a twist of fate, he found himself brainwashed by Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu, fusing with a doppelganger called Hell Fighter 17 to evolve into Super 17.
It took Goku’s Dragon Fist to put an end to this rampage, but even then, the real 17 managed to betray his manipulators and aid Goku.
Following the destruction, the ever-handy Shenron Dragon Balls were employed to bring back all the victims, including Android 17.
When you tally it up, Android 17’s multiple deaths give him a unique spot in the annals of “Dragon Ball” history, turning him into a fascinating study of resilience, evolution, and, dare we say, immortality.
After all, how many times can one cheat death and live to tell the tale?
Piccolo: Died 5 Times
Let’s dig into the life and multiple deaths of one of “Dragon Ball” ‘s most compelling characters: Piccolo. This Namekian warrior has bitten the dust an astonishing five times throughout the series.
Yeah, you read that correctly: FIVE times. He’s practically the Sean Bean of the “Dragon Ball” universe.
Let’s start with the first curtain call, shall we? Piccolo bravely met his end in battle against Nappa, shielding Gohan from a lethal attack.
The stakes were sky-high, and emotions were volatile. In that dire situation, he chose friendship over survival—a compelling development for a character who started as a mortal enemy of Goku.
Next up is Piccolo’s clash with the malevolent Majin Buu. When it looked like the heroes had the upper hand, Buu went berserk and blew up Earth.
Yep, our green-skinned friend was caught in the crossfire. But wait, there’s more! His third demise happened in a showdown against Frieza, again to protect Gohan.
Notice a pattern here? Three heroic exits, and each one reversed thanks to the magical Dragon Balls.
But what about the timeline splits, you ask? In Future Trunks’ dystopian world, Piccolo wasn’t so lucky. He was taken down by the Androids and didn’t come back.
Talk about a grim fate. And lastly, in the divisive “Dragon Ball GT,” he made the ultimate sacrifice to save Earth from the Black Star Dragon Balls’ catastrophic side effects.
This time, though, he didn’t get a do-over. He turned down the opportunity for revival to prevent future calamities. Truly a hero’s hero.
So, who is this repeatedly-deceased legend? Piccolo, or Ma Junior, if you’re into nicknames, is a Namekian and the final reincarnation of King Piccolo.
He was initially a ruthless adversary to Goku in the “Dragon Ball” series, particularly during the Piccolo Jr. Saga. But, as life would have it, he metamorphosed from a dastardly villain into one of Earth’s mightiest protectors.
He trained Gohan, formed bonds stronger than Super Glue, and joined the ranks of Earth’s Z Fighters. All this evolution and it took dying a few times for him to get there.
Confused? Well, Piccolo’s life—or lives, rather—is complex, to say the least. He started off as a foe to Goku, only to become an integral part of the Dragon Team and a central figure in Gohan’s upbringing.
He’s a complex character with a penchant for heroic sacrifices. He went from being the “bad guy” to saving the day more times than one can count, even if it meant meeting his maker again and again. And again.
Krillin: Died 5 Times
In the labyrinthine universe of Dragon Ball, where characters are more resilient than cats with their nine lives, Krillin takes the cake—or perhaps the senzu bean—for his recurring dance with death.
And let’s face it, it’s become a bit of a fandom meme. Even the newcomers know that if someone’s biting the dust this season, it will probably be our bald-headed martial artist friend.
Now, let’s sift through the legacy of Krillin’s five deaths. The first death ticket came courtesy of Tambourine, a monstrous offspring of King Piccolo.
In what seemed like a harmless tournament arc, Krillin’s abrupt murder signaled to viewers that this series wasn’t just fun and games but a matter of life and death.
Then there was Frieza, the space dictator with zero chill, who took Krillin out with an explosive attack that could put Fourth of July fireworks to shame. It also unleashed Goku’s Super Saiyan form, so, silver linings, anyone?
For death number three, cue Majin Buu, the bubblegum-hued antagonist. He didn’t just kill Krillin; he turned him into a snack, a chocolate bar, to be exact, before promptly devouring him.
It was a moment of poetic absurdity that made you question the boundaries of this animated universe. Each one of these demises was followed by a Shenron-guided resurrection, thanks to the Dragon Balls.
In Dragon Ball GT, even if it’s not strictly canon, Krillin met his maker twice more. The first time was by the hands of Android 17, which stung, considering that’s his wife’s brother.
The second happened in an alternate future terrorized by the same Android 17. Both instances were an emotional gut punch, especially because Krillin’s role had shifted from just Goku’s best friend to a devoted husband and father.
Dragon Ball isn’t just about battles; it’s a sprawling narrative that toys with the very concept of mortality. For most characters, death is but a minor inconvenience, something that can be rolled back with the right set of magical orbs.
But no one serves as a better testament to this narrative elasticity than Krillin. He’s been through the ringer multiple times and remains one of the series’ most enduring figures.
While often overshadowed by planet-busting foes and god-like fighters, Krillin is no pushover. He’s a Z Fighter through and through, with chops honed under Master Roshi alongside his lifelong best bud, Goku.
Despite facing threats that would send most people running for the hills, Krillin stands his ground, even when that means facing an untimely (or repetitive) end.
As a father to Marron and husband to Android 18, he even took a break from his warrior lifestyle to give family life a go, though not permanently.
So, when you’re catching up on Dragon Ball episodes, and Krillin is zapped, exploded, or turned into dessert, remember, this guy embodies resilience in a world teetering between chaos and redemption.
It’s like he’s the series’ punching bag, and its heart all rolled into one. He adds humanity to a universe jam-packed with celestial beings, time travelers, and dragon gods.
As long as Dragon Ball exists, Krillin will likely be there, for better or worse, in life and… well, you know the rest.
