Few characters are as instantly recognizable as Piccolo, the green-skinned Namekian warrior who started as a main antagonist in Dragon Ball only to turn things around in Dragon Ball Z to become one of Earth's most reliable allies. Despite his unique traits and the fact that he's been a constant in the franchise for decades, Piccolo has often been overlooked in favor of more bombastic characters like Vegeta and Goku. There's no doubt that the Z-Fighter has played an important part in the series as a whole, particularly when it comes to his relationship with Gohan, but he's done far more than play foster father.
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Piccolo's stern demeanor and quiet nature haven't always been popular with all fans of the franchise. Still, over the years, many have come to appreciate what the character has contributed to the plot, with many of his best moments featured in numerous battle compilations, and many critics applauding his character development. When looking back at the Dragon Ball franchise's long history, these Piccolo moments certainly stand out.
First Fight With Goku
The Dragon Ball series is full of action-packed tournaments, allowing fans to see dream match-ups between popular characters and deciding once and for all who's more powerful once and for all at any given point. During the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, which took place during the finale of the original Dragon Ball series, Goku took on the Namekian in a lengthy and particularly brutal brawl, with Piccolo eager to get his revenge after Goku killed his father.
It's hard to remember how simple earlier fights in the series were, given how overpowered many characters have become in recent releases. While Piccolo utilized his ki blasts and wicked punches in rapid succession, Goku was named the victor after he revealed that he had learned how to fly at the very end of the bout. Even though the fight ended in his defeat, it gave viewers a hint of what they could expect from the green-skinned warrior in the future, and many fans still consider it one of the best tournament scenes in the franchise's history.
Overcoming Frieza’s Second Form on Namek
Frieza remains one of Dragon Ball Z's most iconic villains, and for good reason. His incredible power and boundless cruelty made him seem impossible to defeat during the beginning of the Frieza Saga, and Piccolo had more cause to hate the monster than most. He had managed to wipe out nearly all Namekians during his hunt for the Dragon Balls, making Piccolo the only surviving warrior of his race.
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While victory was a pipe dream, Piccolo decided to take on Frieza's second form after fusing with Nail, another of his kind and Planet Namek's strongest warrior. Though he remained on top for a good portion of the fight, the monster's next transformation proved to be too much for the proud fighter. This fight was particularly tense, as Piccolo's death would have resulted in the loss of two Dragon Balls. Given that Gohan, Vegeta, and Krillin were helpless against Frieza at this point, it took major guts for Piccolo to step forward, and his boldness during this scene gave him plenty of new fans.
Blowing Up the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to Trap Super Buu
Dragon Ball Z's Buu Saga managed to successfully blend drama with comedy, and many such instances of the latter came during Buu's numerous battles with Gotenks. While the pair were locked in fierce combat within the confines of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Piccolo made a split-second decision that managed to save the planet: destroying the door to the chamber, which served as the only way in or out of the bizarre pocket dimension. Given that Buu can regenerate at a rapid speed, this seemed to be the only way to contain him while the Z-Fighters searched for a new plan of attack.
In the end, this move was ineffective, as Buu managed to squeeze his way out through a dimensional rift. However, it did buy the good guys some much-needed time, and Piccolo's quick thinking and willingness to put himself at risk in order to save the planet make this one of the most memorable moments to come out of the Buu Saga as a whole.
Fusing with Kami
Fusion is a major tool in the Dragon Ball franchise, and one of the most impactful examples came during the Android/Cell Saga. With Goku down for the count due to his heart disease, Cell takes an opportunity to absorb the peaceful residents of nearby Gingertown in West City as the other characters watch in horror. Lagging behind in power when compared to Vegeta, but desperate to help, Piccolo decides to permanently fuse with Kami, becoming equal to a Super Saiyan in overall strength.
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Piccolo then takes it upon himself to challenge Imperfect Cell to a fight, which is anything but easy, as the creature quickly shows his ability to use the Z-Fighters' own attacks against them. The Namekian largely dominated his first encounter with the villain, something many fans of the character were happy to see.
The Android 17 Fight
Soon after fusing with Kami, Piccolo, the "Super Namekian" challenged the Androids after they arrived at Kame House to find and destroy Goku. While Vegeta took on Android 18, the green warrior stood up to Android 17, who was quickly stunned to find that they were evenly matched. Up until this point, the robotic combatant had been a complete and utter powerhouse, but Piccolo quickly gave him a run for his money in what many longtime fans call one of the best fights in the entire Dragon Ball Z anime series.
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During the two-episode-long fight, Piccolo reveals his new Hellzone Grenade technique, a variation of Scatter Shot that has Android 17 running for cover. Unfortunately, the fight ends without a proper winner, as the two are soon forced to fight on the same side to take on Cell. In the end, Android 17 may have snagged victory due to his lack of exhaustion and constant focus, but Piccolo definitely commanded the cool side of this matchup.
Killing Goku and Raditz
Dragon Ball Z certainly started off with a bang, as Episode 5 featured one of the most shocking moments in franchise history. Five years after Goku defeated Piccolo at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, the Namekian returns to, once again, get his revenge. However, Goku is already tied up defending the Earth from Raditz, prompting Piccolo and the Saiyan to team up against this terrible threat. To make things worse, Raditz lets the duo know that two more even more powerful warriors, Vegeta and Nappa, were on the way.
Eventually, Goku manages to trap the villain in a body lock, after which Piccolo shoots his Special Beam Cannon attack. This manages to kill both Raditz and Goku, which, strangely enough, kicks off the Namekian's new journey as one of the Z-Fighters. Thanks to Kami, Goku is resurrected a year later via the Dragon Balls. During his absence, Piccolo takes Gohan under his wing, training him for the arrival of the stronger Saiyans and setting the stage for the Vegeta Saga.
Transforming Into Orange Piccolo
In 2022, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released in theaters, becoming the final film in the franchise to be produced by Akira Toriyama before his death. The movie follows Piccolo and Gohan as they seek to save the world from the newly reformed Red Ribbon Army, tapping into new abilities and becoming even stronger along the way. One of the standout moments from the film centers around the Namekian's new form, dubbed 'Orange Piccolo.' This transformation sees Piccolo's body become bulkier, taller, and vastly more powerful, with many fans happy to finally see the character finally reach his full potential after so many years.
Piccolo's ability to unlock this transformation was due largely to his connection to Kami, and the Dragon Balls and Shenron by extension. In terms of total power, his strength has surpassed that of the Red Ribbon Army Android Gamma 2, though he still doesn't hold a candle against Cell Max, the final antagonist of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Still, it's exciting to imagine what the future holds for Piccolo now that he has discovered this new power.
Dying to Save Gohan
Sometimes, strength means knowing your limits and not fighting back, especially when it comes to keeping a loved one safe. Given the time Piccolo spent with Gohan after Goku's death in the early episodes of Dragon Ball Z, it's no surprise that the pair formed a bond. This connection was truly solidified when the Namekian chose to defend the young boy from Nappa's Bomber DX blast during the Saiyan Saga, sacrificing himself to save Goku's kindhearted son.
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This powerful moment proved how much Piccolo had grown since his first appearance. The stakes were also higher than they seemed, as with Piccolo's death, the Dragon Balls on Earth vanished, prompting a trip to Namek to get them back. Piccolo continues to guard Gohan throughout the series, and the young boy is still seen as the biggest catalyst that inspired the Namekian's change from villain to protagonist.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First TV Show
- Dragon Ball
- Latest TV Show
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First Episode Air Date
- February 26, 1986
- TV Show(s)
- Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball DAIMA