Krillin is kind of a meme these days. If you spend any time on Twitter or Reddit, you’ve seen the jokes. People love to talk about his death count or how he spent most of the Cell Saga just standing around looking terrified. But honestly? That’s such a surface-level take on Krillin in Dragon Ball.
He’s the heart of the show.
While Goku is out chasing god-tier power levels and Vegeta is brooding over his bruised ego, Krillin is the guy who shows up knowing he’s probably going to get punched through a mountain. He doesn't have Zenkai boosts. He doesn't have an alien lineage that makes him stronger every time he fails. He’s just a guy. A short, bald guy with no nose who somehow managed to marry a cyborg and become the strongest human on Earth.
The Orin Temple Days and the Rivalry That Changed Everything
Most fans forget how Krillin started. He wasn't some noble hero. When he first rowed his little boat onto Master Roshi’s island, he was a total jerk. He was sneaky, manipulative, and he only wanted to learn martial arts to pick up girls. He saw Goku as a rival to be sabotaged, not a friend.
That shift in their relationship is the foundation of the entire franchise.
Think about the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Krillin’s fight against Jackie Chun (Roshi in disguise) showed us his tactical brilliance. He realized early on that he couldn't win on raw power alone. He had to use tricks. He had to use his environment. That’s been his MO ever since. He’s the smartest fighter in the room because he has to be.
If Goku represents the peak of what a warrior can be, Krillin in Dragon Ball represents the peak of what a person can be. He's the audience surrogate. When Frieza is looming over the battlefield like a literal nightmare, Krillin is the one sweating bullets. But he stays. That’s bravery. Bravery isn't the absence of fear—Goku doesn't feel fear, so is he actually brave? Krillin is terrified, and he still charges in.
The Destructo Disc and the Power Gap
Let’s talk about the Kienzan. The Destructo Disc.
It is arguably the most lethal move in the entire series. It’s a literal buzzsaw of ki that can cut through opponents ten times Krillin’s strength. He almost took Nappa’s head off with it. He actually managed to cut Frieza’s tail off.
The fact that Krillin developed a technique that bypasses the "power level" rule of the Z-era is fascinating. It shows his ingenuity. In a world where every problem is solved by shouting louder and turning your hair a different color, Krillin creates a tool that levels the playing field.
It’s also why he’s so often used as a benchmark. In the early days of Dragon Ball Z, the stakes were measured by Krillin’s survival. If Krillin was in trouble, you knew things were serious. If Krillin died—like he did on Namek—it was a seismic event that literally triggered the first Super Saiyan transformation in history.
Krillin in Dragon Ball Z: From Namek to the Androids
The Namek Saga is really where we see the peak of Krillin’s utility. He was the field commander while Goku was stuck in a healing tank. He negotiated with Vegeta. He protected Gohan. He navigated a planet full of monsters that could blink him out of existence.
Then came the Android Saga, which changed his life.
His choice not to deactivate Android 18 is often criticized by fans who think he was just being "horny" or "simping." But look at it from his perspective. He saw a glimmer of humanity in her. He chose mercy over cold logic.
That choice defines him.
It also led to one of the most stable and healthy relationships in the entire series. While Goku is a deadbeat dad who forgets his kids’ birthdays and Vegeta is... well, Vegeta, Krillin is a present father and a devoted husband. He got a job. He became a police officer. He built a life. He’s the only Z-Fighter who actually figured out how to live in the world they keep saving.
Why the "Krillin Dies a Lot" Joke is Actually Wrong
Everyone loves the "Krillin Owned Count." But let's look at the actual stats.
- Killed by Tambourine (King Piccolo’s son).
- Killed by Frieza.
- Turned into chocolate and eaten by Super Buu.
- Killed by Android 17 (in GT, which isn't even canon to the main timeline).
- Killed by Frieza again (in the Resurrection ‘F’ timeline, technically).
Compare that to Goku or Piccolo or even Vegeta. Krillin’s death count isn't actually that much higher. The reason it feels more impactful is that Krillin’s deaths usually carry the most emotional weight. He’s the moral anchor. When he dies, the soul of the group is gone.
The Strongest Human Debate
There is an endless debate among fans: Who is the strongest human? Is it Krillin, Yamcha, or Tien?
Honestly, the series has pretty much confirmed it’s Krillin. Akira Toriyama himself stated it in interviews. During the lead-up to the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super, we see Krillin go toe-to-toe with Goku in a sparring match. Obviously, Goku was holding back, but Krillin’s use of strategy—blinding Goku with the Solar Flare x100—proved that he still belongs on the battlefield.
Tien trains harder. He lives on a mountain and does nothing but lift rocks and meditate. But Krillin has "Potential Unleashed" by the Grand Elder Guru on Namek. That jump-start gave him a ceiling that other humans just can't reach.
He’s a tactical genius.
In the Tournament of Power, he was the one coordinating the team. He was the one using "shoe-smell" distractions and teamwork to knock out opponents that were technically stronger than him. He’s the "glue guy." Every championship team needs one.
The Evolution of the No-Nose Hero
The visual design of Krillin is also pretty iconic. The six dots on his forehead? Those are moxibustion burns from his time at the Orin Temple. They are a sign of his discipline. The fact that he doesn't have a nose? Toriyama famously joked that he "breathes through his skin."
It adds to his charm. He’s an underdog in every sense of the word.
When you look at Krillin in Dragon Ball across the decades, you see a complete character arc. He goes from a selfish kid to a brave warrior, to a grieving friend, to a husband and father. He’s the most "human" person in a show about gods and aliens.
He reminds us that you don't have to be the strongest to be important.
You just have to show up. You have to be there for your friends. You have to be willing to use your head when your fists aren't enough.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into Krillin's history or celebrate the character, here are a few things you should actually look into:
- Watch the original Dragon Ball: If you only know Krillin from Z or Super, you’re missing half the story. His friendship with Goku is much more poignant when you see how it started.
- The Manga vs. Anime: The manga moves much faster and highlights Krillin’s tactical side better than the "filler" episodes of the anime ever could.
- Video Games: In games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, Krillin is consistently ranked as a high-skill ceiling character. His "Senzu Bean" mechanic and "Solar Flare" make him a unique support unit that mimics his role in the show.
- Collectibles: Because he’s a "secondary" character, Krillin merchandise (like S.H. Figuarts) often holds its value well because the production runs are smaller than the infinite versions of Goku and Vegeta.
Krillin isn't just a sidekick. He’s the bridge between the audience and the insane, world-ending stakes of the Dragon Ball universe. He’s the guy who stays in the fight when he has every reason to run away. That’s why he’s the GOAT.
To truly appreciate the character, go back and re-watch the Frieza Saga. Pay attention to how often the plan only works because Krillin was in the right place at the right time. Then, look at his life in Super. He won. He has the girl, the kid, the stable job, and the respect of the strongest being in the multiverse. Not bad for a guy with no nose.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Analyze the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament: Re-watch Krillin vs. Goku. It is arguably the best tactical fight in the early series and shows how Krillin actually forced Goku to think.
- Explore the "Strongest Human" Lore: Check out the Daizenshuu guidebooks or the Dragon Ball Full Color character bios. These provide the canonical confirmation of Krillin's power scaling compared to Tien and Yamcha.
- Study the Solar Flare Evolution: Trace the use of Taiyoken from its introduction by Tien to Krillin’s perfection of it. It’s a masterclass in how a utility move becomes a top-tier defensive tool.