Master Roshi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Master Roshi
Alias(es)	Master Mutaito; Jackie Chun; God of Martial Arts
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kame House; mentor to Son Goku, Krillin, and Li Shu
Occupation/Role	Martial-arts master and teacher
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Background

Master Roshi is an elderly martial-arts master who has lived for over 300 years and previously trained at Korin Tower for three years. By the time Li Shu visits Kame House, Roshi has a combat power of 100 but has largely neglected his own training in favor of leisure and adult magazines. Despite this, Li Shu recognizes his exceptional ability to train disciples. 10

Li Shu gains entry as Roshi's student by supplying him with adult books and films. Roshi subsequently trains Li Shu alongside Son Goku and Krillin, requiring all three to enter the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament to test the outcome of their training. 11 12

At the tournament, Roshi enters under the identity of Jackie Chun to stop Goku from winning too early and becoming arrogant. Li Shu identifies him, defeats him by exploiting his distraction at women’s underwear, and forces him out of the ring with a Kamehameha. Roshi then reveals his identity and asks Li Shu to prevent Goku from becoming champion in his place. 20 22 23

After witnessing Li Shu and Goku's battle, Roshi accepts that the younger generation has surpassed him and sees himself as a spectator to their growth. He later helps Nam obtain water capsules for his drought-stricken village. 29 26

Appearance

Master Roshi is an elderly man whose advanced age contrasts with his status as a renowned martial artist. During the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament, he conceals his identity as Jackie Chun. 20 23

• Uses the Jackie Chun disguise while competing in the tournament. 20 23
• Wears the same “Turtle” training uniform as his disciples during the tournament period. 24

Personality

Roshi is a capable but highly lecherous teacher. He is easily swayed by adult magazines and films, eagerly accepts Li Shu’s bribe to take him on as a student, and becomes distracted in combat by women’s underwear. 10 11 12 22

Beneath this behavior, he is a perceptive mentor who values hardship and humility. His disguise as Jackie Chun is meant to keep Goku from becoming complacent after an early championship, and he recognizes the strength of Li Shu and Goku once they surpass his expectations. 23 29

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts Mastery

Roshi is regarded throughout the martial-arts world as the God of Martial Arts and is credited with producing three of the four semifinalists at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. 24

• Had a recorded combat power of 100 when Li Shu arrived at Kame House. 10
• Can pressure Li Shu through superior speed, experience, and chained afterimage attacks. 21 22
• His carelessness can be exploited; Li Shu defeats him after distracting him with strawberry-patterned underwear. 22

Kamehameha

Roshi developed the Kamehameha as his signature technique, reportedly spending fifty years researching it. 22 23

• Forms ki between cupped hands before releasing a blue energy wave. 22
• Uses the blast’s recoil in an attempt to alter his midair trajectory and avoid leaving the tournament ring. 22
• Li Shu later uses the same technique against him, surprising Roshi. 22

Afterimage Technique

Roshi uses afterimages to mislead opponents and conceal his true attacking position. 21 22

• Can vanish from an opponent’s sight through rapid movement. 21
• Creates multiple apparent attack angles while approaching from his true position. 22
• The technique is less effective against Li Shu’s Battle Nose, which detects the danger posed by Roshi’s real body. 21 22

Instruction and Knowledge

Roshi remains an effective instructor despite his declining personal training habits. 10

• Trains Son Goku, Krillin, and Li Shu for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. 11 12
• Explains that Senzu Beans can restore a person to peak condition, heal severe injuries, and prevent hunger for ten days. 16
• Encourages his disciples to continue developing independently once he believes he has taught them all he can. 33

Relationships

• Li Shu — Student. Li Shu bribes Roshi into accepting him for training, later defeats him as Jackie Chun and agrees to teach him Kun Fist. 11 22 25
• Son Goku — Student. Roshi trains Goku and tries to prevent him from becoming champion too early so that he will not grow arrogant. 10 12 23
• Krillin — Student. Krillin trains under Roshi alongside Goku and Li Shu. 11 12
• Launch — Resident of Kame House and the focus of Roshi's repeated lecherous attention. 11 12
• Nam — Roshi helps Nam by giving him a water capsule for his village. 26
• Son Gohan — Roshi's eldest disciple; this connection leads Korin to recognize Li Shu as part of Gohan’s household. 6

Story Role / Major Arcs

Training at Kame House

Roshi accepts Li Shu as a disciple and trains him with Goku and Krillin in preparation for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. 11 12

21st World Martial Arts Tournament

Competing as Jackie Chun, Roshi intends to teach Goku the value of defeat and humility. Li Shu identifies the disguise, counters Roshi’s Afterimage Technique with Battle Nose, and wins through an underwear distraction and Kamehameha. 20 21 22 23

After the Tournament

Roshi acknowledges the rise of Li Shu and Goku, declines to continue directly training them, and assists Nam with water for his home village. 29 33 26