is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball media franchise created by Akira Toriyama.
He is first seen in chapter #161 , published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on February 9, 1988, as the reincarnation of the evil Piccolo Daimaō, who was positioned as a demonic antagonist of the series.
However, it is later revealed that he is in fact a member of an extraterrestrial humanoid species called Namekians, those able to create the series' eponymous wish-granting Dragon Balls.
After losing to Son Goku, Piccolo decides to team up with him and his friends in order to defeat newer, more dangerous threats, such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, Beerus, Zamasu, Jiren, Broly, and Moro.
He also trains Goku's eldest child Gohan in martial arts, with the two forming a strong bond.
Piccolo is one of the most popular and recognizable characters of the Dragon Ball franchise.
The character has been consistently well received by fans and video game publications, with high placements in multiple "top" character lists and popularity polls.
The character has also inspired Naruto manga author Masashi Kishimoto, as well as an internet meme  which became popular in Japan in 2013.
Creation and development
Piccolo, more specifically his parent Piccolo Daimaō, was created by Toriyama as he wanted to have a villain who would be a true "bad guy."
Prior to his creation, nearly all the previous villains in the series were considered too likable.
His editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, stated he introduced Toriyama to evil historical figures for inspiration.
Piccolo Daimaō was created after he told the author how Roman Emperor Nero enjoyed watching people suffer.
However, the Shenlong Times issue #2, a bonus pamphlet given to some buyers of the Daizenshuu 2: Story Guide guidebook, says that the character was modeled after Torishima himself.
After creating Piccolo Daimaō, Toriyama noted that it was one of the most interesting parts of the series and that he became one of his favorite characters.
Although Piccolo's transformation from a villain to a hero was considered by Toriyama to be cliché, he still felt excited when drawing him, noting that despite having a scary face, he still looks appealing.
Piccolo is initially assumed to, like his parent, be a member of the , however, midway through the series it is learned that they are actually members of the alien race called .
Toriyama stated that he never thought of making Piccolo an alien until Kami was introduced.
But afterwards he did try to make it consistent, such as drawing the Namekian architecture similar to the throne Piccolo Daimaō had.
Voice actors
In the original Japanese version of the anime and all other media, Piccolo is voiced by Toshio Furukawa, with the only exception being his initial newborn child form which was voiced by Hiromi Tsuru.
Furukawa, who up to that point had mostly played happy lighter-voiced characters, said he got the role because he stated in interviews at the time that he wanted to play a villain.
He said it was difficult to constantly perform with a low voice because his normal lighter voice would break through if he broke concentration.
When asked if Takeshi Aono's work as Piccolo Daimaō influenced his portrayal of Piccolo, Furukawa replied that because Piccolo Daimaō was impulsive, he initially played his own role as an energetic person around eighteen-years-old and later imagined him as close to thirty-years old in Dragon Ball Z. Furukawa, as well as Gohan's voice actress Masako Nozawa, said the episodes where Piccolo trains Gohan left an impression on them.
He said the fans really enjoyed those episodes as well.
Furukawa also cited Piccolo making a pun for Kaiō-sama as memorable because it was so out of character for him.
By the time he reprised the voice in Dragon Ball Super, Piccolo had become Furukawa's favorite character of all his roles.Dragon Ball Super Cast Comments
In English, several different voice actors have voiced Piccolo, including Scott McNeil in episodes 1-53 (1-67 unedited) in Funimation Entertainment's initial dub of Dragon Ball Z in association with Saban Entertainment and Ocean Productions as well as Geneon's dub of the first three Dragon Ball Z films,Dragon Ball Z Geneon dub's credits and episodes 108-291 of Westwood Media's dub of the franchise (in association with Ocean Productions);Dragon Ball Z Westwood dub's credits by Ethan Cole in Chinook Animation's dub of Dragon Ball GT (produced in association with Blue Water Studios);Dragon Ball GT Chinook dub's credits by Dan Woren in Bandai's English release of the video game Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout;Dragon Ball GT:
Final Bout credits by British-born French actor Paul Bandey in the infamous English dubs of the movies released exclusively in the UK and the Netherlands by AB Groupe (wherein the character was referred to as "Big Green"), by David Gasman (who also voiced Goku in this dub) in the European dub of Dead Zone (there called In Pursuit of Garlic), vocal grunts by Ed Marcus in The History of Trunks (or Gohan and Trunks) and consistently by Christopher Sabat in Funimation's in-house dub of all Dragon Ball media.Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Z Kai Funimation dub's credits Ray Chase voices Piccolo in the Toonami Asia broadcast of Dragon Ball Super produced by Bang Zoom!
Entertainment.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Abilities
Piccolo has shown many unique abilities throughout the series.
Due to his Namekian physiology,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 2, chapter 20 Piccolo can expand his arms,Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 183 move fast enough to not be seen,Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 188 regenerate lost limbs of his bodyDragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 189Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 2, chapter 11 so long as his head is still intact, and possesses superhuman hearingDragon Ball Z manga, volume 12, chapter 141 and strength.
Piccolo's  allows him to become gigantic to the point where he is capable of reaching mountain-like heights.
He also has the ability to conjure objects such as garments and a blade,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 2, chapter 14 including his cape and turban outfit.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 14, chapter 161Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 16, chapter 183Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 17, chapter 196 Among Piccolo's known psionic skills, he is able to communicate telepathically with select individuals.
Thus, this enables him to read minds and mentally contact others nearby.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 13, chapter 152 In one instance, he alerts Trunks and Goten of Buu's proximity to the dimension where the two were training.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 25, chapter 295
Like many other characters in Dragon Ball, Piccolo has the ability of flight through the technique called .
He also possesses an attack called the , which is fired with one hand being supported by the other.
One of Piccolo's most powerful attacks is the  an attack that is expelled from Piccolo's index and middle fingers.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 7Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 8 Unlike most energy-based attacks in Dragon Ball, the potent Makankōsappō pierces its targets like a drill rather than enveloping them or exploding on contact.
Another attack of Piccolo's is the , which involves firing off many orbs of energy that float around the opponent.
Piccolo then squeezes his hand to make all the orbs converge onto the opponent, exploding on contact.
The  is another of his signature attacks, being one that he teaches to his pupil Gohan.
Another move Piccolo is seen to have is the  which is conjured by putting his hands on his chest, gathering energy and then releasing it outwards.
One of Piccolo's less frequently used techniques is the ability to fire energy rays from his eyes, which he first uses against Krillin's energy attack during their match in the 23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai, then later against Goku in the finals, and again when he trains Gohan.
It is also revealed that he is capable of performing the , invented by Master Mutaito to seal his evil parent in a rice cooker.
Piccolo can also perform a type of fusion which he does with Nail on planet Namek to confront Frieza and with Kami to confront the Androids, each time greatly increasing his power; the first time enough to clash toe-and-toe with Frieza's second form, and the latter he became much more powerful than an unmastered Super Saiyan.
Appearances
In ''Dragon Ball''
Introduced as the offspring and reincarnate of the demon Piccolo Daimaō, Piccolo Jr. plans to continue his parent's mission of world domination, and avenge his death at the hands of Goku.
Piccolo enters the 23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai under the alias .
Piccolo defeats both Krillin, who gives up,Dragon Ball manga, volume 15, chapter 173 and Kami disguised as Hero, sealing Kami in the container of the Evil Containment Wave after Kami attacks him with the move and Piccolo sends it back in his direction.Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 181 He then fights Goku in the final round, who tricks Piccolo into enlarging himself so he can retrieve Kami,Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 187 from there causing many of Piccolo's techniques to backfire on him.
Though crippling both Goku's arms and legs,Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 191 Piccolo is defeated when Goku headbutts him out of the ring,Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 193 though recovers thanks to receiving a Senzu Bean from Goku, who he promises to defeat as he departs.Dragon Ball manga, volume 16, chapter 194
Five years later, Piccolo is confronted by Raditz, Goku's older brother.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 1 Realizing the Saiyan would thwart his plans for world domination, Piccolo teams up with Goku in an attempt to stop Raditz from destroying the Earth.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 4 When the two arch rivals team up, Piccolo is able to defeat Raditz, but at the cost of Goku's life, as Piccolo's move Makankōsappō cuts through both Saiyans.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 9 Piccolo's subsequent conversation with the dying Raditz, in which he reveals that the Dragon Balls can resurrect, is broadcast.
Piccolo remains amazed with the powers from Gohan and trains him in preparation to fight against the two Saiyans who will invade Earth.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 2, chapter 12Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 1, chapter 10 Early in their training, Piccolo destroys the moon to prevent Gohan from transforming into an Oozaru and removes his tail.
As the year goes by, Piccolo starts to change as he spends time training Gohan, slowly beginning to bond with him.
Kami himself comes to notice  Piccolo's change of heart as well.
When the Saiyans arrive a year later, Piccolo discovers his heritage from them.
Piccolo tries to capitalize on Gohan's increased strength but cannot due to the child's fear, convincing him to withdraw Gohan from the battle and is knocked unconscious by Nappa after trying to weaken him.
Piccolo saves Krillin from being finished off by one of Nappa's attacks.
Vegeta senses that Goku is close by, stronger and could pose a challenge with the others involved and thereby orders their speedy execution.
Nappa then unleashes another one of his attacks, this time aiming for Gohan.
Piccolo, having come to care for the boy dearly, sacrifices himself to protect Gohan from the attack, resulting in the deaths of both himself and Kami, which results in the Dragon Balls ceasing to exist.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 3, chapter 28 Vegeta is initially unable to activate the Oozaru transformation during his fight with Goku thanks to Piccolo's earlier deed.
After the Saiyans are defeated, Gohan and the survivors travel to Piccolo's homeworld, Namek, to revive those who died against the Saiyans with the Namekian Dragon Balls.
In the meantime, Piccolo trains in the afterlife with Kaiō-sama.
Piccolo is resurrected on planet Namek to help Goku and others defeat the evil Frieza.
He takes this time to merge with the beaten Namekian called , giving Piccolo a power increase.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 9, chapter 101 Despite his massive power increase and going head to head with Frieza's second transformation,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 9, chapter 106 Frieza transforms and Piccolo is defeated.
After Frieza reaches his final form and immediately kills Dende afterward to prevent him from healing the group, Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin attack him to no avail.
In Frieza's following fight with Goku, who tries charging a Genki-dama to defeat him, Piccolo is given the remaining energy of both Gohan and Krillin, allowing him to stall for a short time.
Once Frieza emerges from the impact of the Genki-dama unscathed, Piccolo is severely injured by Frieza with a shot to the chest, leaving Goku to defeat Frieza alone.
Piccolo is taken from the battlefield by Gohan at the warning of Goku, as his death would render the Dragon Balls ineffective once more.
Piccolo is later teleported off the planet to safety on Earth and after regaining consciousness, declines to return to a new version of Namek as he wishes to protect Gohan and become stronger while remaining on Earth.
After Frieza's death, Piccolo trains with Goku and Gohan for three years to prepare for a battle against two powerful Androids created by the Red Ribbon Army's Dr. Gero to kill Goku.
Piccolo tries to intervene during Goku's battle with Android 19, but is shot down by Dr. Gero, revealed to have faked being injured to lower the guard of the Androids.
Though he manages to best Dr. Gero in battle, he is unable to prevent him from activating the other Androids.
After being defeated by Android 17 and Android 18, Piccolo seeks to unite with Kami, and gain another massive increase in power.
After uniting with Kami, Piccolo becomes aware of a more dangerous threat named Cell, who volunteers information on himself when believing he has bested Piccolo (oblivious to Piccolo's regenerative abilities) when in reality the latter was pretending to be defeated in order to find out Cell's origin.
Before his second encounter with Cell, Piccolo once again battles the Androids, except this time he battles #17 one on one.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 15, chapter 173 After a somewhat even match, Cell arrives on the battle scene; Cell needs to absorb the Androids to complete his power.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 15, chapter 174  While trying to prevent this, Piccolo is nearly killed by Cell,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 15, chapter 176 surviving the encounter thanks to his regenerative abilities and following some training in the Room of Spirit and Time, he is forced to participate in a tournament created by Cell called the Cell Games, where he fights one of the seven Cell Juniors that are created
by Cell,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 18, chapter 213 who are later destroyed by Gohan.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 18, chapter 214 Piccolo laments that he cannot assist Gohan in his battle against Cell due to his lack of power, lauding Vegeta for helping Gohan after Cell's death and making the lookout his permanent residence.
*Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 19, chapter 223<br />*
Seven years later, Piccolo is poised to fight Kaiō-shin at the 25th Tenkaichi Budōkai, forfeiting the match after finding himself reluctant to fightDragon Ball Z manga, volume 21, chapter 246 and journeying with him to confront Babidi, being turned into stone by Dabura.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 22, chapter 253 After being freed upon Dabura's death,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 23, chapter 270 he attempts to kill Babidi.
Piccolo discovers Babidi survived the attempt on his life when he goes to pay respects to the now deceased Vegeta, and Babidi later demands Piccolo be brought forward or humans will die in the meantime.
Piccolo plans on giving himself up until Goku talks him out of it, citing his need of his teachings.
Piccolo then acts as a trainer to Goten and Trunks and their fused form Gotenks.
Piccolo trains the boys in fighting the evil creature Majin Buu, who finds them and the other heroes.
Piccolo tries negotiating with Buu to give the group more time to conjure a fighter strong enough to combat him, Buu agreeing to an hour, which Piccolo uses to give Goten and Trunks half a month in the Room of Spirit and Time.
During Gotenks' fight with Buu, Piccolo seals them within the Room of Spirit and Time when he destroys the entrance after Gotenks lies that he has no moves left.
Gotenks uses his Super Saiyan 3 form's shouting to create an exit for Piccolo and himself, allowing them to return to Earth.
After more unsuccessful attempts to kill Buu, he is later absorbed by Buu along with Gotenks and Gohan and incorporated into his being.
He is later freed by Goku and Vegeta,Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 26, chapter 313 and he later gives his energy to Goku's Genki-Dama attack, which Goku uses to defeat Buu once and for all.Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 26, chapter 322 In ''Dragon Ball Super''
In Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Piccolo combats Beerus alongside Android 18 and Tenshinhan, only to be bested;Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and, in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', Piccolo narrowly escapes death once Frieza destroys the Earth.
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' After the events of the latter two films, Piccolo is resurrected after being killed by Frieza in the Dragon Ball Super retelling of Resurrection 'F' and agrees to train Gohan again.
Piccolo then accepts a request to participate in a tournament against Universe 6 fighters, where his loss to Frost is retracted after cheating on Frost's part is discovered, though he still declines being allowed to fight more as Vegeta wants to takes his place.
After this, Piccolo reunites with Trunks"Master and Student Reunion – Son Gohan and "Future" Trunks".
Dragon Ball Super.
Episode 52.
July 17, 2016.
and suggests the Evil Containment Wave be used to seal Goku Black and unsuccessfully tries demonstrating it, Piccolo later performing the move while being recorded by Bulma, who later shows the footage to Trunks so he can learn it.
Piccolo tries reviving a seemingly deceased Goku after finding his body.
Piccolo agrees to participate in the Tournament of Power.
Piccolo is forced into hiding by Universe 2's Prum after Prum destroys both of Piccolo's arms, and lends his energy to Goku's Genki-Dama against Universe 11's Jiren.
Piccolo and Gohan blast Saonel and Pirina out of bounds, eliminating Universe 6 from the tournament, before Piccolo is knocked out of bounds by Universe 4's last fighter Damon.
After these events, Piccolo is seen standing on a remote unknown location, telepathically alerted by Son Goku's battle and defeat at the hands of the feral Saiyan Broly, and confides him on the situation, Goku telling him to stand-by just in case it goes awry.
After Broly's uncontrollable transformation into a Super Saiyan proves too much, Goku and Vegeta transport themselves to Piccolo using Shūnkan Ido and there, he teaches the two Saiyans to combine using the Fusion Dance, creating the powerful Gogeta, after two failed, hilarious attempts.
Gogeta then leaves Piccolo to stop Broly Dragon Ball Super: Broly in other media
Piccolo appears in nine non-canonical Dragon Ball Z films; in the first movie, Piccolo aids in stopping Garlic Jr.'s plot after having been attacked by his minions, wanting revenge;Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone in the second, Piccolo is brainwashed by Dr. Wheelo and made to combat the others until Gohan frees him by destroying the machinery associated with his brainwashing;Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest in the third, Piccolo comes to save Gohan from Turles and succeeds by taking a blast for him;Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might in the fourth, Piccolo combats Lord Slug and discovers that Namekians are weak to whistling, allowing for his defeat;Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug in the fifth, Piccolo is able to defeat most of Cooler's squadron, only to be defeated by Cooler himself;Dragon Ball Z:
Cooler's Revenge in the sixth, Piccolo fights Cooler's minions on Namek and saves the others after they are captured;Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler in the seventh, Piccolo saves Gohan from being attacked by Android 13 and battles the android in both his forms;Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 in the eighth, Piccolo travels to New Planet Vegeta and fights Broly, giving his energy to Goku which leads to the foe's defeat;Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan in the ninth, Piccolo comes to help the others fight Bojack and his crew;Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound.
In the anime-only sequel, Dragon Ball GT, Piccolo chooses to remain on the exploding Earth after it was rigged to explode after Baby's wish using the Black Star Dragon Balls prevents the planet's safety to be ensured, in order to forever destroy the deadly wish-granting orbs.
He then bids a tearful Gohan farewell as he meets a fiery end on a dying Earth.
After being visited by Goku and rejecting his offer of freedom, Piccolo decides to remain in Hell to keep things in check.
In other media
In filler episodes of Dragon Ball Z, during the Saiyan arc, Piccolo strands Gohan on an island, losing his location in the process, and appears to Gohan after he turns down returning home, taking him back to his training.
After the Namek arc, Piccolo appears to help Gohan and Krillin when they are attacked by their friends who are under the effects of the Black Water Mist.
In battling the group, Piccolo seemingly falls victim and appears on Kami's Lookout, where Gohan and Krillin travel to stop Garlic Jr., to halt the pair.
After appearing to infect Krillin too and he and Piccolo overwhelm Gohan, Piccolo reveals to Gohan that he had been pretending the entire time and battles Garlic Jr. until his defeat.
Piccolo and Goku are later made to get driver's licenses by Chi-Chi.
Following the Buu arc, Piccolo attends a gathering.
Piccolo has appeared in other Dragon Ball animations barring the series and films; in Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans, Piccolo defeats Lord Slug and HatchiyakDragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans and in Dragon Ball: Yo!
Son Goku and His Friends Return!!, Piccolo prevents Aka's Wahaha no Ha from destroying Satan Hotel.Dragon Ball: Yo!
Son Goku and His Friends Return!!
In the anime-only sequel Dragon Ball GT, Piccolo arrives to recover Goten after Baby ceases possessing him and moves to Gohan.
Piccolo confronts the Baby-possessed Gohan and is injured.
After Baby is defeated, Piccolo sacrifices himself to put the Black Star Dragon Balls to rest and bring peace to the world.
He goes to Heaven but then requests to be sent to Hell in order to free Goku when he is imprisoned there.
He can be seen putting Hell in order and protecting the rulers there.
Goku later stops in Hell to see Piccolo.
He tells Piccolo that he will be leaving and that they are glad they met and teamed up.
Goku also tells Piccolo that he had become a good friend and promised to get him out of Hell someday.
They shake hands and Goku leaves while Piccolo stays behind."
Goodbye, Goku...
'Til the Day We Meet Again".
Dragon Ball GT.
Episode 64.
November 19, 1997.
Piccolo has made multiple appearances in music.
"I Lo~ve Mr. Piccolo" appears on the 1990 album Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection III: Space Dancing, Gohan singing about his admiration for Piccolo and wondering what his species is.Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection III: Space Dancing (CD) (in Japanese).
Masako Nozawa.
Japan: Columbia Records.
April 1, 1990.
In the 1991 album Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection 8: Character Special 2, the song "The Feeling of Whistling Piccolo Edit" features Piccolo complaining and begging for a whistler to stop exploiting his weakness before he departs.Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection 8: Character Special 2 (CD) (in Japanese).
Toshio Furukawa.
Japan: Columbia Records.
September 21, 1991.
Piccolo is also mentioned in the song "Goku" by Soulja Boy, who brags about feeling like Piccolo and multiple other Dragon Ball characters, and in the song "Break Bread" by Bryson Tiller, with the verse "Got green like Piccolo".
In the 2006 Dragon Ball and One Piece crossover manga Cross Epoch, Piccolo appears as a swordsman alongside Roronoa Zoro.
In the 2013 special , Piccolo cheers on Goku in his match against Monkey D. Luffy and Toriko.
In an episode of Mad parodying the film Moneyball, Piccolo and other Dragon Ball characters are drafted by Billy Beane into the Oakland A baseball team.
Video games
Piccolo has been in many Dragon Ball-related video games such as Super Butōden, the Budokai and Budokai Tenkaichi series of games, as well as Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World and Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit.Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit In several games, Piccolo has exclusive forms such as Majin or fusions with Maima, Tsumuri, Dende,Dragon Ball Z: Legend of the Super Saiyan Dr. Mashirito, and Piccolo Daimaō,Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 which drastically increase his power.
Piccolo appears in multiple story modes in the 2006 game Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2.
In Gohan's story, Piccolo is turned evil by a blast from Babidi, and becomes the leader of Buu and Dabura.
After fighting Gohan, he flees and absorbs Buu, increasing his power.
Piccolo then announces via television his intent to take over the world, and partners with Cell and Frieza before being defeated by Gohan.
In the 2011 game Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi, Piccolo is defeated by Baby, encountering and battling the player while training, causing the player's Super Saiyan transformation and their subsequent overpowering of him.
After he is defeated, Piccolo resolves to train the player.
In the 2015 game Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, Piccolo appears as a mentor.
Within the story mode, Piccolo fights the player while under the control of Demigra, and in the final battle against Demigra, Piccolo gives the player his energy.Dragon Ball: Xenoverse
In the 2016 game Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Piccolo and Android 16 are defeated by Villainous Mode Imperfect Cell, allowing him to absorb #17 and #18 at the same time.
The player then comes to assist Piccolo in his fight against Cell.
In the 2018 game Dragon Ball FighterZ, Piccolo is found unconscious by Goku and Krillin, and agrees to help them fight off clones and discover their origins upon waking up.
Piccolo joins the two in finding Gohan and Vegeta, and uses his Makankōsappō to participate in destroying Android 21.
He is a playable character in some crossover games such as Jump Super Stars, Jump Ultimate Stars, and Jump Force.
Cultural impact
right|thumbnail|upright|An illustration of the Makankōsappō meme.
The character has influenced Naruto manga author Masashi Kishimoto; in order to give Sasuke Uchiha a central role in the film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Kishimoto made him the teacher of the protagonist Boruto Uzumaki as his father, Naruto Uzumaki, was busy.
This was inspired by how Piccolo starts training Gohan when Goku dies in Dragon Ball.
Piccolo's attack Special Beam Cannon / Makankōsappō became a meme which started with Japanese schoolgirls photographing themselves apparently using, and being affected by, this attack in 2013.
According to gaming blog Kotaku, the trend took off after photos were posted on Japan's largest bulletin board 2channel, with photographs typically showing one person striking the ground or making a mystical gesture while others around them are photographically captured in mid-air.
Reception
Piccolo is a popular character in the series.
He placed fifth in both the 1993 and 1995 Dragon Ball character popularity polls voted on by Weekly Shōnen Jump readers.
In 2004, fans of the series voted him the fifth most popular character for a poll in the book Dragon Ball Forever.
Piccolo has appeared in various Anime Grand Prix polls, taking high places in the category "best male character" in 1990, 1991 and 1992 polls.
Piccolo's character has received praise and criticism by publications for various media.
Chris Beveridge from Mania Entertainment praised Piccolo's growth in Dragon Ball Z as one of the most important parts of the series, noting how he decides to train Gohan to fight Vegeta.
Although Katherine Luther from About.com noted Piccolo to be one of the strongest warriors from his planet, she mentioned he has several weaknesses that make him weaker than other characters from the series, with his most notable one being his affection for Gohan.
During a review of the Dragon Ball anime, Beveridge noted Piccolo to be able to perform a large number of abilities in contrast to other characters such as Goku, making the fight between both of them unbalanced.
However, he found the said battle to be very entertaining despite it lasting several episodes.
Tim Jones from THEM Anime Reviews found Piccolo's differences from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z as one of the reasons the former show is recommendable to viewers over the later anime.
While reviewing the fourth Dragon Ball Z film, Anime News Network writer Allen Drivers found Piccolo's initial scenes peacefully enough to entertain viewers.
In a later film, John Sinnott from DVD Talk criticized Piccolo's involvement saying he appears "from out of no where" in order to fight alongside his friends giving the film little reasoning.
Chris Homer from The Fandom Post believed Piccolo's sacrifice in Dragon Ball GT "was a genuine touching moment" for fans of Dragon Ball Z, but also viewed the death as relying "too much on previous ideas" in order for it to get sorted.
Sam Leach from Anime News Network noted that some fans of the series tend to joke Piccolo is a better paternal figure to Gohan than his actual father, Goku, and felt that Dragon Ball Super emphasized it more when Piccolo started training him again.
References
Category:Animated series villains Category:Anime and manga characters who can move at superhuman speeds Category:Anime and manga characters who use magic Category:Anime and manga characters with accelerated healing Category:Anime and manga characters with superhuman strength Category:Martial artist characters in anime and manga Category:Anime and manga telepaths Category:Comics characters introduced in 1988 Category:Dragon Ball characters Category:Fictional asexuals Category:Fictional characters who can change size Category:Fictional characters who can duplicate themselves Category:Fictional characters who can stretch themselves Category:Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities Category:Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities Category:Fictional characters with slowed ageing Category:Fictional characters with superhuman senses Category:
Fictional extraterrestrial characters Category:Fictional martial arts trainers Category:Fictional suicides Category:Fictional telekinetics Category:Fictional male martial artists Category:Merged fictional characters
pl:Lista postaci występujących w Dragon Ball#Piccolo Daimaō
