TV-Series
Description
Muten Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit, is an elderly martial arts master who serves as one of the foundational mentors in the Dragon Ball series. He was born on March 20, Age 430, and has lived for over three centuries due to his consumption of the Paradise Herb or similar longevity-granting substances. He resides on a small isolated island called Kame House, accompanied by his anthropomorphic sea turtle companion, Umigame.
Roshi’s background includes training under the legendary master Mutaito, alongside his rival Tsuru-Sennin (the Crane Hermit). He witnessed Mutaito sacrificing himself to seal away the demon King Piccolo using the Evil Containment Wave, an event that shaped Roshi’s protective instincts. Over the decades, Roshi became the creator of the iconic Kamehameha technique, which he spent fifty years developing. He later founded the Turtle School and trained notable students including Grandpa Son Gohan, the Ox-King, Son Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha.
His personality is a blend of lecherous eccentricity and profound wisdom. He frequently makes sexual advances toward attractive women, a trait that provides comic relief but has also drawn criticism. Despite this, he is consistently depicted as perceptive, selfless, and deeply committed to the philosophy that martial arts are a means of self-betterment, health, and protection of the weak. His teaching motto emphasizes hard work, study, proper rest, and diet. He often appears cantankerous or foolish, but his wisdom surfaces in critical moments.
Roshi’s primary motivation is to pass on his martial arts knowledge and ensure his students develop humility and strength. He believes that true strength comes from discipline and smart training rather than raw power alone. His role in the story begins as a gatekeeper of power: he trains Goku and Krillin from novices into world-class fighters, and he enters the 21st and 22nd World Martial Arts Tournaments under the disguise of Jackie Chun specifically to defeat his own students and prevent them from becoming arrogant. This act demonstrates his selflessness and dedication to their growth.
Key relationships include his fondness for Goku, whom he sees as a prodigy; his close friendship with Bulma, despite her occasionally exasperated reactions to his lecherous behavior; and his respectful bond with Krillin, who becomes a lifelong friend. He holds a deep respect for his own master Mutaito and maintains a rivalry with the Crane Hermit. His older sister is Fortuneteller Baba, a seer who aids the heroes on occasion.
Character development shows Roshi evolving from the undisputed strongest mortal fighter on Earth during the original Dragon Ball era to a more supporting role as Goku and others surpass him. In Dragon Ball Z, he rarely fights directly, instead providing comic relief, strategic advice, and occasional bursts of power. However, in Dragon Ball Super, he experiences a resurgence. He trains secretly to regain his strength and participates in the Tournament of Power, where his centuries of combat experience, keen instincts, and creative techniques allow him to defeat opponents far more powerful than himself, earning even the respect of the gods.
Notable abilities include the Kamehameha, a focused energy beam that can be charged to immense power; a Max Power state that dramatically increases his muscle mass and physical strength without sacrificing speed, capable of destroying the moon; the Evil Containment Wave, a risky sealing technique that can trap demons; the Thunder Shock Surprise, which converts ki into electricity to stun enemies; and hypnotic abilities used to lull opponents. He also possesses a high level of martial arts mastery, including heightened reflexes, precision, and the ability to read opponents’ movements. His power level is listed around 350 in supplementary materials, but his true strength lies in his tactical genius and decades of refinement.
Roshi’s background includes training under the legendary master Mutaito, alongside his rival Tsuru-Sennin (the Crane Hermit). He witnessed Mutaito sacrificing himself to seal away the demon King Piccolo using the Evil Containment Wave, an event that shaped Roshi’s protective instincts. Over the decades, Roshi became the creator of the iconic Kamehameha technique, which he spent fifty years developing. He later founded the Turtle School and trained notable students including Grandpa Son Gohan, the Ox-King, Son Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha.
His personality is a blend of lecherous eccentricity and profound wisdom. He frequently makes sexual advances toward attractive women, a trait that provides comic relief but has also drawn criticism. Despite this, he is consistently depicted as perceptive, selfless, and deeply committed to the philosophy that martial arts are a means of self-betterment, health, and protection of the weak. His teaching motto emphasizes hard work, study, proper rest, and diet. He often appears cantankerous or foolish, but his wisdom surfaces in critical moments.
Roshi’s primary motivation is to pass on his martial arts knowledge and ensure his students develop humility and strength. He believes that true strength comes from discipline and smart training rather than raw power alone. His role in the story begins as a gatekeeper of power: he trains Goku and Krillin from novices into world-class fighters, and he enters the 21st and 22nd World Martial Arts Tournaments under the disguise of Jackie Chun specifically to defeat his own students and prevent them from becoming arrogant. This act demonstrates his selflessness and dedication to their growth.
Key relationships include his fondness for Goku, whom he sees as a prodigy; his close friendship with Bulma, despite her occasionally exasperated reactions to his lecherous behavior; and his respectful bond with Krillin, who becomes a lifelong friend. He holds a deep respect for his own master Mutaito and maintains a rivalry with the Crane Hermit. His older sister is Fortuneteller Baba, a seer who aids the heroes on occasion.
Character development shows Roshi evolving from the undisputed strongest mortal fighter on Earth during the original Dragon Ball era to a more supporting role as Goku and others surpass him. In Dragon Ball Z, he rarely fights directly, instead providing comic relief, strategic advice, and occasional bursts of power. However, in Dragon Ball Super, he experiences a resurgence. He trains secretly to regain his strength and participates in the Tournament of Power, where his centuries of combat experience, keen instincts, and creative techniques allow him to defeat opponents far more powerful than himself, earning even the respect of the gods.
Notable abilities include the Kamehameha, a focused energy beam that can be charged to immense power; a Max Power state that dramatically increases his muscle mass and physical strength without sacrificing speed, capable of destroying the moon; the Evil Containment Wave, a risky sealing technique that can trap demons; the Thunder Shock Surprise, which converts ki into electricity to stun enemies; and hypnotic abilities used to lull opponents. He also possesses a high level of martial arts mastery, including heightened reflexes, precision, and the ability to read opponents’ movements. His power level is listed around 350 in supplementary materials, but his true strength lies in his tactical genius and decades of refinement.