By
Casandra Ronning
Published 54 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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Dragon Ball thrives on rivalries, battles, iconic transformations, and unforgettable characters. From heroes to villains to supporting casts, the series constantly delivers thrilling additions to the storyline. Among them, one fan-favorite figure stands out for a journey that subverted expectations and proved that transformation could come from unexpected places.
Piccolo’s journey in particular stands out, and yet when discussing evolution, many fans turn to Vegeta. While the Saiyan prince had a thrilling character and a compelling redemption arc, Piccolo grows and evolves in ways that both shock and move audiences. His development may start subtly, but it becomes one of the series’ defining character arcs.
Piccolo Was Introduced as the Reincarnation of the Demon King Piccolo
Piccolo emerged in Dragon Ball as a shadow of his predecessor, his father, the Demon King Piccolo. From the moment he was created, Piccolo was shaped by inherited malice and relentless ambition to do what his father could not. Unlike most characters, Piccolo entered the series fully formed, carrying King Piccolo’s grudge and a clear mission.
His presence in the story immediately raised the stakes, with audiences knowing immediately that this Piccolo would be a menacing foe. When he finally confronted Goku at the World Martial Arts Tournament, it was clear that he was methodical, intelligent, and powerful. At the time of his arrival, he was an extension of King Piccolo’s legacy.
Piccolo’s early identity was bound to vengeance and hatred aimed at Goku, making his motivations more personal than those of the previous Piccolo. However, from the beginning, he had also demonstrated a subtle restraint that his father did not share, hinting that he lacked the pure evil of his predecessor.
His earliest appearance raised the stakes while also steadily building depth that went beyond his villainous exterior. Despite his deep hate for Goku and desire to conquer the Earth afterwards, he demonstrated foundational traits that would eventually lead to his future growth in the series and proving that he was much more than a copy of King Piccolo.
Piccolo’s Path Was Completely Altered Following Raditz’s Introduction
Piccolo looking down on a defeated Raditz.
By the time Dragon Ball Z began, Piccolo had remained an antagonistic character, with his fixation on killing Goku remaining a driving force behind his motivations. However, the arrival of Raditz forced him into a reluctant truce, forcing him to work alongside Goku to defeat a greater threat before it was too late.
This action, though transactional, proved Piccolo had the foresight to know when to put his personal grudges aside. While their collaboration wasn’t based on trust, their alliance was civil and executed with precision. It was the moment the series began to build on Piccolo’s intelligence and adaptability, showing that even rigid hatred can be redirected when the situation demands it.
Though the battle against Raditz allowed Piccolo to achieve his goal, it was ultimately a hollow victory, especially with the looming threat of even stronger Saiyans arriving on Earth in a year. The need to prepare for these villains drove Piccolo to take Goku’s son, Gohan, and train him to become a formidable fighter, capable of harnessing his hidden power.
Gohan’s Bond With Piccolo Helped Humanize Him
Piccolo standing before a scared, child Gohan during their training.
In the beginning, Piccolo’s interactions with Gohan were strictly functional, centered around training the boy to survive and later fight. Initially, Gohan was little more than a tool to battle against the oncoming threat. However, even in Gohan’s earliest training, it was clear there were subtle changes in Piccolo’s character.
As their training progressed, Piccolo began to form a strong bond with Gohan after the boy began to see past Piccolo’s fearsome exterior. In time, Gohan saw Piccolo as a father figure, viewing him not with fear or ire, but with respect, and Piccolo took notice of it and began to develop protective instincts toward him as well.
Gohan became the catalyst for Piccolo’s development and growth, transforming him from a villain to a true ally.
Gohan helped humanize Piccolo in ways that no battle or rivalry could ever achieve. Their connection became a friendship, mentorship, and a familial-like bond, something Piccolo had never experienced before. Gohan became the catalyst for Piccolo’s development and growth, transforming him from a villain to a true ally.
This growth culminated in Piccolo’s ultimate sacrifice during the Saiyan Saga, protecting Gohan from a blast that would have otherwise killed him. Piccolo revealed how much Gohan truly meant to him, calling him the son he never had, proving that Piccolo had truly evolved far beyond his initial appearance and cementing his place as one of the Z-fighters.
Piccolo’s Sacrifice for Gohan Marked His Completed Redemption
Piccolo’s redemption culminated in his sacrifice for Gohan, but it didn’t end there. Instead, it became the defining arc of his character, shaping who he would become throughout the rest of the series. His willingness to put others before himself was all the proof needed to demonstrate he had let go of his vengeance and stood as an indispensable ally.
This transformation carried through the following sagas, allowing Piccolo to further prove his loyalty and value as a comrade. His strategic mind, power, wisdom, and combat skills were a much-needed asset in battle, and he often stood as the voice of reason among the Z-fighters. While he was once looked down upon, he gradually became a figure that other characters respected.
What makes Piccolo’s journey most compelling is the way his bond with Gohan shows that a villain driven by nothing but hate can learn to care, take on responsibility, and develop empathy. His time training with Gohan transformed him in ways that went beyond what anyone expected following his initial appearance. His emotional arc became central to his character.
In short, Piccolo stands out because his redemption was earned and constant. His journey was one that taught vulnerability and kindness far from weaknesses. By letting Gohan in, Piccolo learned about the importance of connection and openly shared his protectiveness over those he cares about, proving and solidifying his transformation 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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