Live action TV
Description
Maître Roshi, known as the Turtle Hermit and the inventor of the Kamehameha technique, is a central character in the 2009 live‑action film Dragonball Evolution. He is an adaptation of the classic Dragon Ball character and is portrayed as an aged but formidable martial arts master. In this version, Roshi was once a student of Sifu Norris, the warrior who sealed the demon lord Piccolo away centuries earlier. Now living in seclusion on a small island with his turtle companion, Roshi carries the burden of knowing that Piccolo’s return is inevitable.
His personality balances wisdom with eccentricity. He is shrewd and perceptive, often using his long experience to assess situations and people. At the same time, he retains a roguish sense of humour and a mild lecherous streak, though these traits are less pronounced than in the original manga. His primary motivation is to protect Earth from Piccolo and to pass on his martial arts knowledge to a new generation. He is initially reluctant to take on a pupil but agrees to train Goku after seeing his potential and pure heart.
Roshi’s role in the story is that of a mentor and guide. He sets Goku on the quest to collect the seven Promethium Orbs (the film’s version of Dragon Balls) and provides critical information about Piccolo’s origins and weaknesses. He also serves as a moral anchor, urging Goku to master his anger and harness ki properly. Throughout the film, Roshi accompanies the group and fights alongside them, demonstrating his combat prowess.
His key relationships include his former master Sifu Norris, his pupil Goku, and his brief alliance with Bulma and Yamcha. He regards Goku with a mix of fondness and stern discipline, seeing in him the best chance to stop Piccolo. His relationship with the villain is one of ancient enmity: he was present when Piccolo was imprisoned and knows the Mafuba technique used to seal him.
Roshi undergoes significant development. He begins as a reclusive old master who has given up on active fighting, but Goku’s arrival reawakens his sense of duty. In the film’s climax, Roshi attempts to use the Mafuba to trap Piccolo but is struck down. He is accidentally killed by Goku in his Oozaru (giant ape) form, but later revived when the Dragon Balls are used. This sacrifice underscores his commitment to the cause and his faith in Goku.
Notable abilities include the Kamehameha wave, which he can also use in a healing variant called the Evolution Kamehameha. He performs rapid strikes such as the Dark Crane Strike and possesses great physical strength and speed even in old age. When focusing his ki, he can increase his muscle mass and power dramatically, a state that allows him to deliver an enhanced Kamehameha. He also knows the Mafuba, a sealing technique that requires a container such as a rice cooker. Despite his advanced age, Roshi remains a highly skilled and resourceful fighter, though his power is ultimately outmatched by Piccolo.
His personality balances wisdom with eccentricity. He is shrewd and perceptive, often using his long experience to assess situations and people. At the same time, he retains a roguish sense of humour and a mild lecherous streak, though these traits are less pronounced than in the original manga. His primary motivation is to protect Earth from Piccolo and to pass on his martial arts knowledge to a new generation. He is initially reluctant to take on a pupil but agrees to train Goku after seeing his potential and pure heart.
Roshi’s role in the story is that of a mentor and guide. He sets Goku on the quest to collect the seven Promethium Orbs (the film’s version of Dragon Balls) and provides critical information about Piccolo’s origins and weaknesses. He also serves as a moral anchor, urging Goku to master his anger and harness ki properly. Throughout the film, Roshi accompanies the group and fights alongside them, demonstrating his combat prowess.
His key relationships include his former master Sifu Norris, his pupil Goku, and his brief alliance with Bulma and Yamcha. He regards Goku with a mix of fondness and stern discipline, seeing in him the best chance to stop Piccolo. His relationship with the villain is one of ancient enmity: he was present when Piccolo was imprisoned and knows the Mafuba technique used to seal him.
Roshi undergoes significant development. He begins as a reclusive old master who has given up on active fighting, but Goku’s arrival reawakens his sense of duty. In the film’s climax, Roshi attempts to use the Mafuba to trap Piccolo but is struck down. He is accidentally killed by Goku in his Oozaru (giant ape) form, but later revived when the Dragon Balls are used. This sacrifice underscores his commitment to the cause and his faith in Goku.
Notable abilities include the Kamehameha wave, which he can also use in a healing variant called the Evolution Kamehameha. He performs rapid strikes such as the Dark Crane Strike and possesses great physical strength and speed even in old age. When focusing his ki, he can increase his muscle mass and power dramatically, a state that allows him to deliver an enhanced Kamehameha. He also knows the Mafuba, a sealing technique that requires a container such as a rice cooker. Despite his advanced age, Roshi remains a highly skilled and resourceful fighter, though his power is ultimately outmatched by Piccolo.
Cast