TV-Series
Description
Old Kaiōshin, also known as Old Kai or Elder Kai, is an ancient divine being who served as the Supreme Kai of Universe 7 fifteen generations before the current Supreme Kai, Shin. Originally a handsome and youthful deity, his appearance changed forever when an old witch mistook one of his Potara earrings for a simple ornament and put it on, triggering an accidental and permanent fusion. The merger gave him the wrinkled, hunched, pink-skinned form of an elderly man, but it also granted him strange magical abilities and a vast depth of knowledge that far exceeds what an ordinary Supreme Kai would possess. Soon after this transformation, he was sealed inside the legendary Z Sword by the God of Destruction Beerus following a trivial quarrel, and he remained trapped within the blade for roughly 75 million years. He was finally released when Gohan accidentally shattered the Z Sword while training, and from that moment he became a crucial ally to the heroes of Universe 7.
In terms of personality, Old Kaiōshin is grumpy, mischievous, self-centered, and notoriously lecherous, with behavior often compared to that of Master Roshi. He frequently demands favors or teases those around him, and he enjoys spying on others through his divine sight, at one point using the promise of such a view as a way to motivate Gohan. Despite this crude and comical exterior, he is genuinely wise, deeply knowledgeable about the cosmos, and capable of great selflessness when the situation demands it. His humor lightens serious moments, but his actions reveal a devoted guardian who takes the survival of the universe seriously.
His motivations center on protecting Universe 7 and supporting the current Supreme Kai, Shin, who he treats as a junior colleague in need of guidance. While he often complains about Shin's inexperience, he willingly shares his ancient knowledge to help the younger god and the Earth's warriors. He is also notably friendly with Fuwa, the Supreme Kai of Universe 6, and the two frequently converse during inter-universal events, with Old Kaiōshin offering running commentary on the battles they observe together.
Within Dragon Ball Super, Old Kaiōshin acts as an advisor, observer, and source of exposition. He provides crucial information about the Super Dragon Balls, the hierarchy of the multiverse, and the power of the Omni-King, Zeno. During the Tournament of Power, he and Shin watch the proceedings from the World of the Kai, analyzing the fighters and reacting with shock and excitement to the unfolding events. His knowledge of ancient history makes him one of the few characters who can explain the deeper workings of the gods and the structure of the twelve universes.
His most famous ability is the ritual to unlock hidden potential, a lengthy and bizarre ceremony in which the subject must sit perfectly still while he dances and chants around them for hours. This technique draws out a warrior's latent power permanently, without requiring transformation or exhausting the recipient, and it was used to elevate Gohan into his Ultimate form, making him one of the strongest fighters on the battlefield. Old Kaiōshin also possesses the ability to transfer his own life force to another being, a power he used to sacrifice himself so that Goku could return to life and continue fighting Majin Buu; he was later restored through the Dragon Balls. Additional abilities include scrying distant events through a magical crystal ball, telekinesis, and a general mastery of divine magic gained from his fusion with the witch. While he is not a frontline combatant, his wisdom, magical talents, and willingness to give everything for the greater good make him an invaluable figure in the defense of Universe 7.
In terms of personality, Old Kaiōshin is grumpy, mischievous, self-centered, and notoriously lecherous, with behavior often compared to that of Master Roshi. He frequently demands favors or teases those around him, and he enjoys spying on others through his divine sight, at one point using the promise of such a view as a way to motivate Gohan. Despite this crude and comical exterior, he is genuinely wise, deeply knowledgeable about the cosmos, and capable of great selflessness when the situation demands it. His humor lightens serious moments, but his actions reveal a devoted guardian who takes the survival of the universe seriously.
His motivations center on protecting Universe 7 and supporting the current Supreme Kai, Shin, who he treats as a junior colleague in need of guidance. While he often complains about Shin's inexperience, he willingly shares his ancient knowledge to help the younger god and the Earth's warriors. He is also notably friendly with Fuwa, the Supreme Kai of Universe 6, and the two frequently converse during inter-universal events, with Old Kaiōshin offering running commentary on the battles they observe together.
Within Dragon Ball Super, Old Kaiōshin acts as an advisor, observer, and source of exposition. He provides crucial information about the Super Dragon Balls, the hierarchy of the multiverse, and the power of the Omni-King, Zeno. During the Tournament of Power, he and Shin watch the proceedings from the World of the Kai, analyzing the fighters and reacting with shock and excitement to the unfolding events. His knowledge of ancient history makes him one of the few characters who can explain the deeper workings of the gods and the structure of the twelve universes.
His most famous ability is the ritual to unlock hidden potential, a lengthy and bizarre ceremony in which the subject must sit perfectly still while he dances and chants around them for hours. This technique draws out a warrior's latent power permanently, without requiring transformation or exhausting the recipient, and it was used to elevate Gohan into his Ultimate form, making him one of the strongest fighters on the battlefield. Old Kaiōshin also possesses the ability to transfer his own life force to another being, a power he used to sacrifice himself so that Goku could return to life and continue fighting Majin Buu; he was later restored through the Dragon Balls. Additional abilities include scrying distant events through a magical crystal ball, telekinesis, and a general mastery of divine magic gained from his fusion with the witch. While he is not a frontline combatant, his wisdom, magical talents, and willingness to give everything for the greater good make him an invaluable figure in the defense of Universe 7.