TV-Series
Description
Chiaotzu is a small, white-skinned human with distinct red circles on his cheeks and, like his ally Krillin, lacks a visible nose. He typically wears the uniform of the Crane School, complete with a blue undershirt and a dark cap, and his appearance is inspired by the Chinese folkloric vampire known as a jiangshi, which is reflected in his pale complexion and the way he often floats or keeps his arms outstretched. He stands 138 centimeters tall and weighs 33 kilograms. Chiaotzu is introduced as a student of the Crane Hermit, Master Shen, and is the constant companion and best friend of the three-eyed martial artist Tien Shinhan. As a member of the Crane School, he initially acts as a rival to the Turtle School students under Master Roshi. During the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, he uses his psychic abilities to manipulate the match bracket and competes against Krillin. Although his powers are formidable, he loses the match due to a simple distraction: being asked a math question, which forces him to use his fingers to count and break his concentration. After witnessing the Crane Hermit's cruelty and Tien's change of heart, Chiaotzu abandons his master and becomes a loyal ally and Z-Fighter.
In terms of personality, Chiaotzu is quiet, brave, and deeply devoted to his friends, particularly Tien. While he generally follows Tien's lead, he possesses a strong will and will disobey orders if he believes it is the right course of action, such as when he chose not to kill Goku and Tien on Master Shen's command. He has a somewhat childish nature, demonstrated by his playful mockery of others and his occasional inability to grasp jokes or solve basic arithmetic quickly. Despite his small stature and initial role as a minor antagonist, his core motivation shifts to protecting the Earth and supporting his companions, regardless of the personal risk.
Chiaotzu's role in the story is primarily that of a supporting character who fights alongside the other Z-Fighters. After the defeat of King Piccolo, he trains for the arrival of the Saiyans. In the battle against the Saiyans Nappa and Vegeta, Chiaotzu makes a desperate and courageous sacrifice: he latches onto the much larger and more powerful Nappa and uses a self-destruct technique in an attempt to save his friends. The attack fails to kill Nappa, and Chiaotzu perishes. He is later revived by the Dragon Balls and travels to the planet Namek, undergoing training with King Kai in the afterlife alongside Tien, Yamcha, and Piccolo. In later conflicts, such as the battle against the Androids and Cell, Chiaotzu's power level does not increase as dramatically as the other warriors. As a result, his role becomes more limited, and he often remains on the sidelines or at Kame House, though he remains present to support his allies when possible, even contributing his energy to Goku's Spirit Bomb in the battle against Kid Buu.
The most significant relationship in Chiaotzu's life is with Tien Shinhan. They are virtually inseparable, with Chiaotzu displaying immense loyalty and admiration for Tien, akin to a younger brother or devoted student. Tien, in turn, is protective of Chiaotzu, often trying to shield him from the most dangerous battles. Initially, the two served the Crane School as con artists, using a monster to threaten villages so they could demand rewards for saving them, but they reformed after meeting Goku and Master Roshi. Beyond Tien, Chiaotzu forms friendships with the other Z-Fighters, including Krillin, despite their initial rivalry, and Goku.
Notable abilities of Chiaotzu revolve around his psychic powers. He is a master of telekinesis, which allows him to move objects with his mind, paralyze opponents, and even attack their internal organs. He is also proficient in telepathy, enabling him to communicate mentally with others. As a martial artist of the Crane School, he can use the Dodon Ray, a powerful and precise energy beam fired from his finger. He is also capable of flight using the Bukujutsu technique. His most desperate technique is self-destruction, which he employed against Nappa, converting all his life energy into a massive explosion. Although not one of the strongest fighters in terms of raw power, his unique abilities make him a valuable and resourceful member of the team.
In terms of personality, Chiaotzu is quiet, brave, and deeply devoted to his friends, particularly Tien. While he generally follows Tien's lead, he possesses a strong will and will disobey orders if he believes it is the right course of action, such as when he chose not to kill Goku and Tien on Master Shen's command. He has a somewhat childish nature, demonstrated by his playful mockery of others and his occasional inability to grasp jokes or solve basic arithmetic quickly. Despite his small stature and initial role as a minor antagonist, his core motivation shifts to protecting the Earth and supporting his companions, regardless of the personal risk.
Chiaotzu's role in the story is primarily that of a supporting character who fights alongside the other Z-Fighters. After the defeat of King Piccolo, he trains for the arrival of the Saiyans. In the battle against the Saiyans Nappa and Vegeta, Chiaotzu makes a desperate and courageous sacrifice: he latches onto the much larger and more powerful Nappa and uses a self-destruct technique in an attempt to save his friends. The attack fails to kill Nappa, and Chiaotzu perishes. He is later revived by the Dragon Balls and travels to the planet Namek, undergoing training with King Kai in the afterlife alongside Tien, Yamcha, and Piccolo. In later conflicts, such as the battle against the Androids and Cell, Chiaotzu's power level does not increase as dramatically as the other warriors. As a result, his role becomes more limited, and he often remains on the sidelines or at Kame House, though he remains present to support his allies when possible, even contributing his energy to Goku's Spirit Bomb in the battle against Kid Buu.
The most significant relationship in Chiaotzu's life is with Tien Shinhan. They are virtually inseparable, with Chiaotzu displaying immense loyalty and admiration for Tien, akin to a younger brother or devoted student. Tien, in turn, is protective of Chiaotzu, often trying to shield him from the most dangerous battles. Initially, the two served the Crane School as con artists, using a monster to threaten villages so they could demand rewards for saving them, but they reformed after meeting Goku and Master Roshi. Beyond Tien, Chiaotzu forms friendships with the other Z-Fighters, including Krillin, despite their initial rivalry, and Goku.
Notable abilities of Chiaotzu revolve around his psychic powers. He is a master of telekinesis, which allows him to move objects with his mind, paralyze opponents, and even attack their internal organs. He is also proficient in telepathy, enabling him to communicate mentally with others. As a martial artist of the Crane School, he can use the Dodon Ray, a powerful and precise energy beam fired from his finger. He is also capable of flight using the Bukujutsu technique. His most desperate technique is self-destruction, which he employed against Nappa, converting all his life energy into a massive explosion. Although not one of the strongest fighters in terms of raw power, his unique abilities make him a valuable and resourceful member of the team.