Piccolo

From demonic heir to Earth’s most stoic guardian.

Piccolo is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama, debuting in chapter #161 "Son Goku Wins!!" on February 9, 1988. Initially introduced as the reincarnation of the evil King Piccolo and positioned as a demonic antagonist, he was later revealed to be a Namekian from the exoplanet Namek, a species capable of creating the series' wish-granting Dragon Balls. After losing to Son Goku in the World Martial Arts Tournament, Piccolo abandoned his villainous path to team up with Goku and friends against threats like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, Beerus, Zamasu, Jiren, Broly, and Moro. He is renowned for training Goku's eldest son, Gohan, forming a powerful bond that defines much of his later story.

Quick Facts

Series

Dragon Ball

First

Dragon Ball chapter #161 Son Goku Wins
February 9
1988 (Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988)

Creator

Akira Toriyama

Species

Namekian

Family

King Piccolo (parent/incarnate)
Kami (good counterpart, later assimilated)
Nail (assimilated)

Lore & Background

Although initially assumed to be a member of the Demon Clan like his parent King Piccolo, it was revealed midway through the series that Namekians are an extraterrestrial humanoid species. Toriyama noted he never conceived of Piccolo as an alien until Kami was introduced, though Dragon Ball Daima later established Namekians originate from the Demon Realm in an alternate universe. The character's parent, King Piccolo, was created by Toriyama to be a true "bad guy" inspired partly by Roman Emperor Nero, yet some sources suggest he was modeled after Toriyama himself.

Despite viewing his transformation from villain to hero as cliché, Toriyama found the character appealing and eventually admitted Piccolo became his favorite. For Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Toriyama focused on the Gohan-Piccolo dynamic, creating "Orange Piccolo," a buffed, orange form designed because Piccolo lacks hair for transformation changes.

Reader's Guide

Piccolo possesses unique Namekian physiology allowing arm expansion, limb regeneration if the head is intact, superhuman hearing and strength, and flight via Bukū-jutsu. His signature attack, Makankōsappō (Special Beam Cannon), pierces targets like a drill rather than exploding on contact. He can also conjure objects such as garments and a blade, communicate telepathically, and perform the Mafūba. Other techniques include Bakuretsumaha (Exploding Wave), Renzoku Sen Kōdan (Hellzone Grenade), Gekiretsu Kodan (Light Grenade), and energy rays from his eyes. He utilizes Chōkyoshinjutsu to become mountain-sized. Voice actor Toshio Furukawa, who played him since the original anime, noted the difficulty of maintaining a low voice initially but stated that by Dragon Ball Super, Piccolo had become his favorite role among all characters he has voiced.

Did You Know?

Toshio Furukawa initially played Piccolo as an energetic eighteen-year-old but later adjusted his portrayal to a thirty-year-old tone for Dragon Ball Z.
According to the Shenlong Times issue #2, King Piccolo was modeled after Akira Toriyama himself, despite other inspirations like Emperor Nero being cited.
Piccolo once forgot his own 'Super Large Body Technique' during a battle against Cell Max until Krillin reminded him of its existence.
In Dragon Ball Daima, a mini version of Piccolo is voiced by Tomohiro Yamaguchi, differing from the standard voice actor Toshio Furukawa.