Movie
Description
Paulkwan, also known in other versions of the series as Paikuhan or Pikkon, is a warrior of the afterlife who appears in the anime film Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn. He is an anime-original character who does not appear in the original Dragon Ball manga, having been introduced earlier in a filler storyline of the Dragon Ball Z television series known as the Other World Tournament. By the time of the film, he has already established himself as one of the most powerful fighters in the afterlife and a worthy rival to Goku.
In terms of background, Paulkwan is described as the strongest warrior of the West Galaxy. After his death, he was allowed to keep his physical body and spent his time training on the Grand Kai's planet in the other world. His design, featuring green skin and an otherworldly appearance, visually echoes the role that characters like Piccolo had occupied among Earth's heroes. He is a disciplined martial artist who carries himself with quiet confidence, and he holds a position of responsibility in maintaining order in the afterlife, including dealing with villains who cause trouble in the realm of the dead.
Personality-wise, Paulkwan is initially a reserved figure who speaks very little when he is first encountered. As he comes to know Goku during their tournament battles, he warms up and reveals a more competitive and even playful side. He shares several heroic traits with Goku, particularly a love of fighting strong opponents, a sense of fairness, and a desire to protect others. In Fusion Reborn, he also shows a flash of personal pride, becoming visibly envious when the monstrous Janemba specifically chooses Goku instead of him as an opponent. This moment gives him a relatable, human edge without undermining his heroic nature.
His motivation centers on preserving the natural order of both the living world and the afterlife. When chaos erupts because of Janemba's interference in King Yemma's realm, Paulkwan joins Goku in investigating the disturbance and trying to restore balance. He is also driven by the desire to prove his strength and to test himself against worthy adversaries, which is what first puts him in competition with Goku.
Within the story of Fusion Reborn, Paulkwan's role is significant but supporting. The film opens during a rematch of the Other World Tournament, with Goku and Paulkwan facing each other in the final round. The match is interrupted when a strange crystal barrier appears, signaling trouble in the afterlife. The two fighters abandon the tournament and travel together to Enma's palace, where they attempt to destroy the barrier and fail. There they learn that Janemba has taken control of the area. Because Janemba insists on fighting Goku personally, Paulkwan is left out of the initial confrontation, but he does not retreat from the crisis. Later, while Goku and Vegeta attempt the Fusion technique, Paulkwan engages Janemba directly to hold him off, buying the two Saiyans the time they need to complete their fusion into Gogeta. His intervention is therefore crucial to the resolution of the conflict, even though the final victory belongs to the fused warrior.
His key relationship in the film is with Goku. Their rivalry grows out of mutual respect established through combat, and by the time of the film they function almost as allies and friends. Paulkwan also answers to the higher authorities of the other world, and he has a history of working alongside other deceased heroes, such as the warrior Olibu, against major threats. That camaraderie, rooted in duty and shared combat experience, defines how he relates to the other martial artists of the afterlife.
Development for Paulkwan in this film is fairly contained. He begins as a proud competitor eager to settle his unfinished match with Goku, transitions into a responsible guardian of the afterlife when the crisis erupts, and ultimately accepts a supporting role when Goku is chosen to face Janemba. His growth lies in channeling his pride into cooperation, setting aside his personal desire for the spotlight to help save both worlds.
In terms of abilities, Paulkwan is an extremely powerful fighter whose strength is at least comparable to Goku's full-power Super Saiyan form. In earlier appearances he demonstrated this by defeating Cell in two hits and taking down both Frieza and King Cold with a single blow each. He is skilled in flight, high-speed movement, and the use of ki energy, including rapid volleys of ki blasts. One of his signature techniques involves spinning his body at high speed to generate a tornado of ki capable of cutting an opponent. He also possesses a powerful ranged attack that throws a flaming shockwave forward, although this move leaves him vulnerable to attacks from behind while he charges it. He typically trains and fights while wearing weighted clothing, meaning his true power is even greater when he removes that added burden. Together, these traits make him one of the most capable defenders of the afterlife, a formidable rival for Goku, and an important contributor to the fight against Janemba in Fusion Reborn.
In terms of background, Paulkwan is described as the strongest warrior of the West Galaxy. After his death, he was allowed to keep his physical body and spent his time training on the Grand Kai's planet in the other world. His design, featuring green skin and an otherworldly appearance, visually echoes the role that characters like Piccolo had occupied among Earth's heroes. He is a disciplined martial artist who carries himself with quiet confidence, and he holds a position of responsibility in maintaining order in the afterlife, including dealing with villains who cause trouble in the realm of the dead.
Personality-wise, Paulkwan is initially a reserved figure who speaks very little when he is first encountered. As he comes to know Goku during their tournament battles, he warms up and reveals a more competitive and even playful side. He shares several heroic traits with Goku, particularly a love of fighting strong opponents, a sense of fairness, and a desire to protect others. In Fusion Reborn, he also shows a flash of personal pride, becoming visibly envious when the monstrous Janemba specifically chooses Goku instead of him as an opponent. This moment gives him a relatable, human edge without undermining his heroic nature.
His motivation centers on preserving the natural order of both the living world and the afterlife. When chaos erupts because of Janemba's interference in King Yemma's realm, Paulkwan joins Goku in investigating the disturbance and trying to restore balance. He is also driven by the desire to prove his strength and to test himself against worthy adversaries, which is what first puts him in competition with Goku.
Within the story of Fusion Reborn, Paulkwan's role is significant but supporting. The film opens during a rematch of the Other World Tournament, with Goku and Paulkwan facing each other in the final round. The match is interrupted when a strange crystal barrier appears, signaling trouble in the afterlife. The two fighters abandon the tournament and travel together to Enma's palace, where they attempt to destroy the barrier and fail. There they learn that Janemba has taken control of the area. Because Janemba insists on fighting Goku personally, Paulkwan is left out of the initial confrontation, but he does not retreat from the crisis. Later, while Goku and Vegeta attempt the Fusion technique, Paulkwan engages Janemba directly to hold him off, buying the two Saiyans the time they need to complete their fusion into Gogeta. His intervention is therefore crucial to the resolution of the conflict, even though the final victory belongs to the fused warrior.
His key relationship in the film is with Goku. Their rivalry grows out of mutual respect established through combat, and by the time of the film they function almost as allies and friends. Paulkwan also answers to the higher authorities of the other world, and he has a history of working alongside other deceased heroes, such as the warrior Olibu, against major threats. That camaraderie, rooted in duty and shared combat experience, defines how he relates to the other martial artists of the afterlife.
Development for Paulkwan in this film is fairly contained. He begins as a proud competitor eager to settle his unfinished match with Goku, transitions into a responsible guardian of the afterlife when the crisis erupts, and ultimately accepts a supporting role when Goku is chosen to face Janemba. His growth lies in channeling his pride into cooperation, setting aside his personal desire for the spotlight to help save both worlds.
In terms of abilities, Paulkwan is an extremely powerful fighter whose strength is at least comparable to Goku's full-power Super Saiyan form. In earlier appearances he demonstrated this by defeating Cell in two hits and taking down both Frieza and King Cold with a single blow each. He is skilled in flight, high-speed movement, and the use of ki energy, including rapid volleys of ki blasts. One of his signature techniques involves spinning his body at high speed to generate a tornado of ki capable of cutting an opponent. He also possesses a powerful ranged attack that throws a flaming shockwave forward, although this move leaves him vulnerable to attacks from behind while he charges it. He typically trains and fights while wearing weighted clothing, meaning his true power is even greater when he removes that added burden. Together, these traits make him one of the most capable defenders of the afterlife, a formidable rival for Goku, and an important contributor to the fight against Janemba in Fusion Reborn.