Chaozu
Chaozu is a character from the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama. Introduced as a martial artist trained under the Crane Hermit alongside his inseparable partner Tenshinhan, he fights alongside the Z Fighters using a distinctive blend of psychic abilities and Crane School techniques. Despite his small, child-like stature, Chaozu plays a memorable and courageous role in key battles throughout the series.
Overview
Chaozu is a character from the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama. Introduced as a martial artist trained under the Crane Hermit alongside his inseparable partner Tenshinhan, he fights alongside the Z Fighters using a distinctive blend of psychic abilities and Crane School techniques. Despite his small, child-like stature, Chaozu plays a memorable and courageous role in key battles throughout the series.
Appearance
Chaozu is a small-statured fighter defined by stark white skin and bright red circular cheeks, evoking the aesthetic of a child jiangshi. He consistently wears a dark cap, underneath which sits a single strand of hair at the crown of his head. His physical appearance undergoes almost no aging across the series, retaining his signature youthful and compact design.
Personality
Chaozu possesses a naturally naive and childlike personality, occasionally shown cuddling stuffed toys in bed while holding a warm, innocent demeanor. Though early on he appeared reserved and quiet, he developed strong emotional depth and occasionally demonstrates surprisingly sharp intuition. He struggles greatly with basic academics, requiring his fingers to solve simple arithmetic and sometimes confusing left from right. Above all, Chaozu feels intense loyalty toward Tenshinhan, demonstrating unwavering devotion and a willingness to self-sacrifice for his friend's sake.
Abilities
Chaozu combines Crane School techniques with a wide range of supernatural capabilities. While not a heavy physical striker, he can deliver hard-hitting headbutts using a skull harder than diamond. His primary arsenal centers on psychic powers, including telepathy, levitation, lottery manipulation, and a paralysis technique that freezes opponents in place, though this binding breaks if his concentration or hands are diverted. He is also capable of executing a self-destructive explosion by latching onto an enemy's back.
Background
Originating as a pupil of the Crane Hermit, Chaozu debuted alongside Tenshinhan at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, where he reached the main tournament but lost to Krillin after being distracted by simple arithmetic. He was later defeated in the 23rd tournament qualifiers by Cyborg Tao Pai Pai. During the Saiyan invasion, he heroically attempted to defeat Nappa through self-destruction. Throughout the story, Chaozu suffers death three times, yet he remains an enduring presence who continues to live peacefully alongside Tenshinhan.
Relationships
Chaozu shares an unshakeable bond with Tenshinhan, living with him and taking full charge of cooking their everyday meals. He severed ties with his former masters, the Crane Hermit and Tao Pai Pai, upon realizing their evil nature. Though initially hostile toward Krillin during their tournament match, the two eventually became trusted allies. Additionally, across various media and games, he is frequently paired or contrasted with other psychic fighters like Guldo of the Ginyu Force or white-skinned foes like Android 19.
Trivia
Chaozu's design was inspired by the baby jiangshi featured in popular Hong Kong vampire films of the 1980s. His personal hobbies include watching movies, and he possesses culinary skills rivaling those of a professional chef. Amusingly, his favorite food is Tenshindon (crab omelet over rice), creating a playful contrast with Tenshinhan, whose favorite foods include gyoza.
