Hovering above the ground on a mystical, oversized crystal ball, Fortuneteller Baba is one of the most enigmatic and enduring figures in the Dragon Ball universe. As the elder sister of Master Roshi, this ancient witch has lived for over five centuries, using her supernatural powers to bridge the gap between the living world and the Afterlife. While she is famously known for her steep prices and love of money, her ability to peer into the future and summon deceased warriors makes her an indispensable ally to Goku and his friends.
Beyond her role as a medium, Fortuneteller Baba serves as a gatekeeper of destiny who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless heroes. Whether she is organizing supernatural tournaments or negotiating with King Yemma, her influence stretches far across the cosmos. Her sharp wit and eccentric personality mask a deep well of wisdom that has guided the Z Fighters through some of their darkest hours. She remains a unique constant in the series, proving that even in a world of martial arts and energy blasts, ancient magic still holds incredible power.
Key Takeaways
- Fortuneteller Baba serves as the essential supernatural bridge between the living world and the Afterlife, possessing the unique authority to resurrect deceased warriors for twenty-four hours.
- As an elite and high-priced information broker, she uses her mystical crystal ball to locate any object, peer into the future, and bypass the standard laws of life and death.
- She maintains a strict trial system where those who cannot afford her ten million Zeni fee must defeat her gauntlet of five supernatural warriors to earn her services.
- Despite her eccentric greed, her deep wisdom and political leverage with deities like King Yemma make her an indispensable strategic ally for the Z Fighters during global crises.
The Ancient Witch and Her Crystal Ball
Fortuneteller Baba is an ancient witch who has lived for over 500 years, making her even older than her brother, Master Roshi. She is easily recognized by her short stature, pointed black witch hat, and the large, pink crystal ball she uses as her primary mode of transportation. Rather than walking, she floats through the air while perched atop this magical sphere, which also serves as her window into the future and distant locations. Despite her eccentric and somewhat grumpy appearance, she is one of the most powerful supernatural figures in the world. Her long life has granted her a unique perspective on the universe, allowing her to act as a bridge between the living world and the Afterlife.
As a high priced information broker, Baba charges astronomical fees to anyone seeking her mystical guidance. Those who cannot afford her price of ten million Zeni are forced to test their strength against her five supernatural warriors in a grueling tournament. This business model allows her to scout for talent while maintaining her immense wealth and influence. She uses her powers to see through any lie and can locate any lost object or person across the globe. Her role as a medium is so significant that she is even authorized by King Yemma to bring deceased individuals back to the living world for a single day.
Baba plays a critical role in the franchise by introducing the concept of the supernatural and the world beyond death. During the Fortuneteller Baba Saga, she helps Goku locate the final Dragon Ball after his team defeats her champions in the Ring of Fighting. Later in the series, her ability to navigate the bureaucracy of the Afterlife becomes essential for the heroes’ survival. She is the one responsible for bringing Goku back to Earth to participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament during the Buu Saga as seen in Dragon Ball Z episode 208. Her presence ensures that the connection between the mortal realm and the spirit world remains a constant and functional part of the story.
Guardian of the Tournament of Five Warriors
Fortuneteller Baba operates as a unique bridge between the living world and the Afterlife, using her supernatural connections to recruit powerful spirits for her tournament. Those who cannot afford her high fees must face a gauntlet of five warriors, ranging from the vampire Fangs the Follower to the invisible See-Through the Invisible Man. This tournament serves as a test of both physical strength and spiritual resolve for any hero seeking her guidance. By employing these monstrous fighters, Baba maintains her status as an elite information broker while entertaining her own eccentric tastes. Her role during the Commander Red Saga highlights her ability to summon deceased souls to Earth for a single day to serve as her champions Dragon Ball episode 70, The Five Warriors.
The final challenge of Baba’s tournament provides one of the most emotional moments in the early series when she brings back Gohan, Goku’s deceased grandfather. Disguised behind a cat-eared mask, Gohan uses his knowledge of Goku’s weaknesses to teach the young boy a vital lesson about protecting his tail. This encounter demonstrates Baba’s immense power as a medium and her willingness to facilitate meaningful reunions for those who prove their worth. Once the battle concludes, the masked man reveals his true identity, leading to a tearful reconciliation between the boy and his guardian Dragon Ball episode 76, The True Colors of the Masked Man.
Beyond simply providing a challenge, Baba’s tournament establishes the supernatural rules that govern the Dragon Ball universe. She acts as an official link to the Other World, showing that death is not necessarily the end for powerful martial artists. Her business-like approach to her mystical duties ensures that only the most determined individuals gain access to her hidden knowledge. By the end of the gauntlet, Goku not only earns the location of the final Dragon Ball but also gains closure regarding his family history. This arc solidifies Baba’s importance as a recurring figure who balances greed with a necessary role in the cosmic order Dragon Ball episode 77, The Seventh Dragon Ball.
Spiritual Medium Between Earth and Afterlife
Fortuneteller Baba serves as the essential bridge between the mortal realm and the Other World, possessing powers that far exceed those of an average witch. Her unique status allows her to bypass the standard laws of life and death, granting her the authority to navigate the afterlife at will. She acts as a vital information broker for the Z Fighters, using her mystical crystal ball to locate hidden objects or peer into the future. This connection to the supernatural makes her one of the most influential figures in the franchise when the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Her ability to commune with the deceased ensures that the wisdom of past heroes is never truly lost to the living Dragon Ball Z episode 191, Save the World.
The most impressive display of Baba’s spiritual authority is her ability to resurrect the dead for a single day. By acting as a medium, she can bring deceased warriors back to Earth with their physical bodies intact for twenty four hours. This power proved crucial during the battle against Cell, as she allowed Goku to witness the struggle from the afterlife and eventually return to guide his son. She maintains a strict professional code, often demanding high fees or challenging warriors to face her supernatural champions in combat. This blend of greed and magical duty defines her role as the gatekeeper of the beyond Dragon Ball Z episode 191, Save the World.
Beyond her role as a medium, Baba hosts unique tournaments that pit the living against ghostly fighters from the Other World. These events serve as a testing ground for heroes, allowing them to gain experience against techniques that do not exist in the physical realm. Her relationship with King Yemma and other deities gives her a level of political leverage that few mortals possess. Whether she is scouting for the next great martial artist or providing a temporary reprieve for a fallen comrade, her presence ensures that death is not always a permanent end. Her mastery over the supernatural remains a cornerstone of the series’ exploration of the afterlife Dragon Ball Z episode 191, Save the World.
The Mystic Bridge Between Two Worlds
Fortuneteller Baba serves as an essential bridge between the mortal world and the afterlife, providing the Z Fighters with a mystical connection that no other character can replicate. Her unique status as a medium allows her to navigate the bureaucracy of the Other World, often acting as the primary negotiator for bringing deceased heroes back to Earth for brief periods. By facilitating these temporary returns, she ensures that the wisdom and strength of the past are never truly lost to the living. Her crystal ball remains one of the most powerful tools in the franchise, offering a window into both the present and the future when all other forms of technology fail.
Beyond her role as a simple information broker, Baba highlights the ancient and supernatural roots of the series that existed long before the arrival of alien threats. She preserves the tradition of martial arts testing by hosting her own tournaments, where she uses supernatural warriors to challenge the growth of the protagonists. This blend of greed, wisdom, and magical prowess makes her more than just a supporting figure, as she represents the enduring mystery of the spirit realm. Even as the scale of the universe expands, her presence ensures that the supernatural elements of the original journey remain a core part of the narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Fortuneteller Baba and how old is she?
Fortuneteller Baba is an ancient witch and the older sister of Master Roshi who has lived for over 500 years. She possesses vast supernatural knowledge and serves as a vital link between the living world and the Afterlife. Her long life has allowed her to witness the history of the world’s greatest heroes and villains across centuries.
2. How does Fortuneteller Baba travel around?
Instead of walking, this mystical witch hovers above the ground while sitting on a large, pink crystal ball. This magical sphere acts as her primary mode of transportation and allows her to see into the future or view distant locations. She uses this tool to provide her clients with secrets that are otherwise impossible to find, Dragon Ball episode 69, 21st Tenkaichi Budokai.
3. What services does Fortuneteller Baba provide to Goku and his friends?
She acts as a high priced information broker who can locate lost items or predict future events through her magic. Most importantly, she has the unique power to bring deceased individuals back to the living world for a single day. She used this ability to allow Goku to return to Earth and participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament, Dragon Ball Z episode 191, Save the World.
4. Does Fortuneteller Baba offer her services for free?
No, she is famous for her love of money and charges astronomical fees for her mystical guidance. While she prefers cash, she offers an alternative for those who cannot afford her high prices. These individuals must face her team of supernatural warriors in a series of difficult battles to earn their answers, Dragon Ball episode 70, The Five Warriors.
5. What is her relationship with Master Roshi?
Fortuneteller Baba is the older sister of Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit. While they share a long history and a deep bond, they often bicker due to their eccentric personalities. Despite their sibling rivalry, they are both respected as two of the most knowledgeable and powerful elders in the world.
6. How does she interact with the Afterlife?
She maintains a professional relationship with King Yemma and serves as a gatekeeper of destiny. Her magical authority allows her to negotiate for the souls of the dead, granting them temporary passage back to the physical realm. This influence makes her one of the few beings who can bridge the gap between life and death at will, Dragon Ball Z episode 242, Gohan to the Sacred World of the Kais. During her tournaments, she has even hosted legendary fighters like Tien Shinhan and other powerful martial artists who seek to test their limits against the supernatural.