By
Casandra Ronning
Published 25 minutes ago
Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.
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A fresh wave of excitement is rolling through the Dragon Ball fandom due to a surprising return of one of the series’ earliest antagonists. New artwork from Dragon Ball Super’s artist, Toyotaro, has sparked interest in shining the spotlight on one of the earliest and most memorable villains in the franchise.
Toyotaro revisits a classic character, giving the Dragon Ball community something to gather around and share as the fans wait for news of Dragon Ball Super’s return to the spotlight. The reappearance of this character is both familiar and distinctive, revitalizing the legacy that was left behind and carrying it forward through art.
Dragon Ball Super Artist Toyotaro Revives a Fan-Favorite Villain
Toyotaro’s latest illustration reintroduces a classic Dragon Ball villain, Tao Pai Pai, better known as Mercenary Tao, a cold and efficient assassin-for-hire who worked alongside the Red Ribbon Army. As an antagonist whose presence helped define the tone of early Dragon Ball, revisiting his character offers a sense of nostalgia for longtime fans of the series.
Tao’s introduction in the original storyline left a sharp and memorable impression through his skills as an assassin and confident demeanor. Tasked with eliminating Goku, he demonstrated lethality and precision, even proving himself skilled enough to kill a general of the Red Ribbon Army with nothing more than his tongue.
Upon Tao’s introduction, he easily dominated nearly every exchange, pushing Goku to his limits and almost killing him midway through the story. The only thing that saved Goku’s life was a Dragon Ball tucked away in his shirt. Mercenary Tao constantly exemplified his deadly power through actions, and Toyotaro captured that aura through his sharp expression and pointed glare.
Mercenary Tao Is One of Dragon Ball’s Best Villains
Dragon Ball's Mercenary Tao.
Dragon Ball has grown over decades of storytelling and iconic sagas, and for many longtime fans, Mercenary Tao remains one of the most striking and memorable antagonists of the series. With his calm confidence, dangerous skill, and unshakable pride, he alone created an atmosphere that felt both sharp and unpredictable.
Along with his deeper ties within the story, he became a layered, intriguing villain. From his affiliation with the Crane School as Master Shen’s brother, Tao became part of the philosophy behind the school’s approach to martial arts, adding complexity to the twisted values taught to Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu.
Mercenary Tao stood out as a villain, added tension to the narrative, and served as a representation of the Crane School’s goals. Had Tien never encountered Master Roshi, he very likely would have become a cold, ruthless assassin just as Tao had, reshaping the story entirely and adding layers of nuance to the characters’ roles in Dragon Ball.
Dragon Ball
Created by
Akira Toriyama
First Film
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Latest Film
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
First TV Show
Dragon Ball
Latest TV Show
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
First Episode Air Date
April 26, 1989
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Dragon Ball
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