Master Roshi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Master Roshi (龟仙人)
Alias(es)	Jackie Chun
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Turtle School; Turtle Hermit Island
Occupation/Role	Founder of the Turtle School; martial-arts master and mentor
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Master Roshi resides on Turtle Hermit Island with a sea turtle. When Goku, Bulma, and Qi Tian return the turtle to the island, Roshi initially denies possessing the Three-Star Dragon Ball. After Qi Tian withstands twenty percent of his strength in a wager, Roshi honors the agreement by giving the group the Dragon Ball and the Flying Nimbus. Impressed by Qi Tian's physical potential, he offers to take him as a disciple, though Qi Tian declines. 2

At the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament, Roshi enters under the name Jackie Chun. He deliberately conceals his identity and strength, intending to test and guide younger martial artists. He defeats Yamcha while exposing the Wolf Fang Fist's weaknesses, then defeats Goku in their master-disciple match after revealing his full-power muscular form. 9 10 12

Roshi reaches the tournament final against Qi Tian and uses the Afterimage Fist, full-power transformation, and Kamehameha. Qi Tian absorbs his ultimate Kamehameha without injury, leading Roshi to concede Qi Tian's superiority and offer him the Turtle School's martial-arts inheritance. 13

Following King Piccolo's revival, Roshi reveals the history of Mutaito's sacrifice and the Evil Containment Wave. He joins Qi Tian in confronting Piccolo at Blue Stone Town and continues to protect and train the younger fighters despite recognizing the immense difference in their strength. 14 15

After the King Piccolo crisis, Roshi returns to Turtle Hermit Island and intensifies Krillin and Yamcha's training through weighted running, gravity training, combat sparring, and precise corrections to their technique. He later agrees to supervise the group's training as threats from Dr. Gero's androids escalate. 20 25 27

Appearance

Master Roshi is a short, thin elderly man whose ordinary appearance conceals a deeply restrained and formidable aura. When fighting at full power, his body expands into a heavily muscled form. 2 8 12

• White beard and short gray hair. 2 8
• Usually wears sunglasses and carries a cane or wooden staff. 8 15
• Has a turtle shell on his back or as an accessory. 2 8
• Often wears casual clothing, including a floral short-sleeved shirt. 8
• Carries a gourd of wine. 2
• His full-power form increases his height and produces visibly knotted musculature. 12

Personality

Roshi alternates between a lecherous, unserious public demeanor and the solemn bearing of a martial-arts grandmaster. He openly ogles women and initially considers exploiting Bulma in exchange for the Dragon Ball, but he is also capable of immediately turning serious when martial arts or danger are involved. 2 8

He values technique, composure, and proper foundations over reckless force. Rather than simply overpowering Yamcha and Goku, he identifies their flaws and turns their losses into lessons. 10 12

Despite his age and awareness of his limits, Roshi is willing to risk his life against King Piccolo to protect the martial-arts world. He is cautious around threats, particularly Qi Tian's unfathomable strength and Piccolo Jr.'s sinister aura. 14 15 21

Abilities & Skills

Turtle School Martial Arts

Roshi is the founder of the Turtle School and is regarded as the “Martial Arts God.” His fighting style emphasizes flawless timing, minimal movement, redirection of force, and attacks against openings or acupoints. 8 12

• Easily avoids Yamcha's strengthened Wolf Fang Fist and disrupts the flow of Yamcha's power with a two-finger strike. 10
• Deflects Goku's attacks and strikes weak points in his stance and wrist. 12
• Can conceal his strength and feign weakness during tournament matches. 9
• Identifies flaws in Krillin and Yamcha's form during training and corrects them with precise ki strikes. 25

Afterimage Fist

Roshi uses the Turtle School's Afterimage Fist to create multiple attacking images and pressure an opponent from several directions. 13

• Produces five simultaneous afterimages that target vital points and restrict escape routes. 13
• Its speed is sufficient to leave Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha struggling to follow the exchange. 13
• Qi Tian is ultimately able to counter it due to his superior speed and physical ability. 13

Kamehameha

Roshi has mastered the Turtle School's signature energy technique and can regulate its output for either controlled duels or full-power attacks. 12 13

• Counters Goku's Kamehameha with his own during their tournament match. 12
• Uses a Full-Power Kamehameha in muscular form, creating an energy wave capable of shattering the arena's protective stone wall. 12
• Fires his strongest Kamehameha at Qi Tian in the tournament final, but Qi Tian absorbs and disperses it. 13
• Uses a full-power Kamehameha against King Piccolo's demonic palm strike, though the attack is overwhelmed. 17

Full-Power Muscular Form

Roshi can transform his frail body into a muscular combat form, dramatically increasing his power level to 6,800. 12 13

• Gains substantial physical strength and energy output. 12
• Uses the form against Goku, Qi Tian, and King Piccolo. 12 13 17
• Still recognizes that Qi Tian's normal-state power and physical defense exceed his own full-power level. 12 13

Evil Containment Wave Knowledge

Roshi possesses incomplete knowledge of the Evil Containment Wave, the technique Mutaito used to seal King Piccolo three centuries earlier. 14

• Preserves ancient records concerning Mutaito, King Piccolo, and the sealing method. 14
• Believes completing the technique could provide a means to oppose Piccolo. 14
• Is prepared to stake his life on using it to stop Piccolo's rampage. 15

Equipment / Items

• Sunglasses — part of his usual appearance; he removes them when becoming serious in battle. 12 15
• Cane / wooden staff — used while walking and carried when confronting King Piccolo. 8 15
• Turtle shell — worn on his back or at his waist. 2 8
• Gourd of wine — carried during his first appearance. 2
• Ancient martial-arts books — contain records of King Piccolo's sealing and the Evil Containment Wave. 14

Relationships

• Qi Tian — Initially offers to make him a disciple after witnessing his potential. Roshi later treats him as an extraordinary fellow martial artist, tests him in the tournament, and relies on him as a key defender against King Piccolo. 2 13 15
• Son Goku — Student and fellow Turtle School martial artist. Roshi defeats him as Jackie Chun to teach him that stronger opponents remain, while encouraging his growth afterward. 12
• Krillin — Student whose refined technique and aura control improve under Roshi's training. 20 22 25
• Yamcha — Trainee whom Roshi defeats and instructs, specifically identifying the Wolf Fang Fist's excessive openings and unstable mindset. 10
• Master Mutaito — Ancient martial-arts master whose Evil Containment Wave sealed King Piccolo; Roshi safeguards knowledge of his legacy. 14
• King Piccolo — A revived enemy tied to Mutaito's sealing technique. Roshi confronts him despite the danger and seeks a way to use the Evil Containment Wave against him. 14 15
• Bulma — Frequently the target of Roshi's lecherous behavior, though she openly rebukes him. 2 21

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragon Ball Journey

• Gives the Three-Star Dragon Ball and Flying Nimbus to Goku's group after losing a wager to Qi Tian. 2
• Attempts to recruit Qi Tian as a disciple after witnessing his extraordinary physique. 2

21st World Martial Arts Tournament

• Enters the tournament disguised as Jackie Chun. 12
• Defeats Yamcha and provides practical lessons on the Wolf Fang Fist. 10
• Defeats Goku in their master-disciple match using his full-power form and Kamehameha. 12
• Loses the final to Qi Tian after exhausting his strongest techniques. 13

King Piccolo Crisis

• Explains King Piccolo's history, Mutaito's sacrifice, and the incomplete Evil Containment Wave. 14
• Accompanies Qi Tian to Blue Stone Town to confront Piccolo. 15
• Helps defend Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Bulma from Piccolo's demonic energy spikes. 16
• Attempts to repel King Piccolo's demonic palm strike with a full-power Kamehameha. 17

Turtle Hermit Island Training

• Oversees Krillin and Yamcha's preparation for the next World Martial Arts Tournament. 20
• Maintains demanding training routines involving weights, gravity, sparring, and Turtle School body-tempering methods. 20 30
• Continues monitoring and guiding the younger fighters as android and extraterrestrial threats approach Earth. 27 30

Notable Quotes

“Your moves are too rushed. Your mind is unsettled, and you're full of openings.” 10

“I've lived most of my life, and I know the method of the Evil Containment Wave, at least. Even if I have to stake this old life of mine on it, I can't let him continue bringing disaster upon the world.” 15

Trivia

• Roshi's Flying Nimbus rejects both Bulma and Qi Tian, while Goku can ride it immediately due to his pure and kind heart. 2
• He concealed his identity as Jackie Chun so that Goku would not recognize him during their tournament fight. 12
• Though he acts carefree on Turtle Hermit Island, he closely observes every trainee's progress and intervenes when their techniques become flawed. 24 25