Kuririn
A central character in the Dragon Ball franchise, Kuririn is Son Goku's lifelong best friend and fellow disciple under Master Roshi. Despite his modest physical frame, he is widely recognized as the strongest pure Earthling martial artist. Throughout numerous battles against formidable extraterrestrial and android foes, he supports the Z Fighters using his sharp intellect and inventive energy techniques. In his later life, he works as a dedicated police officer while raising a family with Android 18.
Overview
A central character in the Dragon Ball franchise, Kuririn is Son Goku's lifelong best friend and fellow disciple under Master Roshi. Despite his modest physical frame, he is widely recognized as the strongest pure Earthling martial artist. Throughout numerous battles against formidable extraterrestrial and android foes, he supports the Z Fighters using his sharp intellect and inventive energy techniques. In his later life, he works as a dedicated police officer while raising a family with Android 18.
Appearance
Kuririn is characterized by his short stature, small dot-like eyes, and a shaved head marked with six distinct forehead dots from his days at Orin Temple. A unique physical trait is the complete absence of a nose. He traditionally wears the orange Turtle School martial arts uniform with wristbands. During the Majin Buu arc and early Dragon Ball Super, he grows out dark hair, though he re-shaves his head when returning to serious martial arts combat. He is also seen wearing a standard police officer uniform.
Personality
Upon his introduction, Kuririn was cunning, competitive, and eager to outsmart Goku to win Master Roshi's favor. Through rigorous training and shared perils, he matured into a deeply loyal, kind-hearted, and righteous warrior. Prone to experiencing intense fear against overwhelming enemies, he nevertheless braves mortal danger for his friends. Tactical and observant in battle, his strong interpersonal skills allow him to build trust with diverse allies and former enemies alike.
Abilities
Possessing exceptional Ki control, Kuririn mastered Bukujutsu for flight, high-speed movement, and the Kamehameha. He invented the signature Kienzan, a razor-sharp spinning energy disc capable of severing opponents far stronger than himself, which he can split into multiple blades. His tactical arsenal includes the Kakusan Energy Wave for striking multiple aerial targets, as well as the blinding Taiyoken and its enhanced 100x Taiyoken. In Dragon Ball Super, his mental training enables him to reach a state of selflessness.
Background
After leaving Orin Temple due to mistreatment by senior disciples, Kuririn sought out Master Roshi to grow stronger, forging an unbreakable bond with Goku during their grueling training. He fought in multiple World Martial Arts Tournaments and defended Earth against alien invaders. Over the course of the story, he died three times; his tragic destruction by Frieza on Planet Namek directly triggered Goku's legendary Super Saiyan transformation. Following the Cell Games, he married Android 18 and embraced a peaceful career as a law enforcer.
Relationships
Son Goku is his closest friend and brother-disciple under Master Roshi, sharing an enduring lifelong trust. Android 18, originally an enemy, became his beloved wife after he showed her genuine kindness, and they have a daughter named Marron; Android 17 is his brother-in-law. He acted as a reliable big-brother figure to Son Gohan in Gohan's youth, and maintains strong bonds of mutual respect with allies like Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and Dende.
Trivia
He is officially acknowledged by Yamcha and fellow Z Fighters as the strongest pure Earthling. He holds one of the highest mortality counts in the series, dying three times across the original manga storyline. His name derives from the Japanese word for chestnut (kuri), which also inspired the naming of his daughter Marron. Explanations state that he breathes through his skin, a physiological trait that once gave him the upper hand against an opponent who relied on foul odor.
