Krillin is Goku’s best friend and one of the few fully human fighters in Dragon Ball. He trained at the Turtle School under the old master Roshi. He starts out as Goku’s rival, eager to prove he is the stronger student, and the two later share some of the series’ biggest battles. Krillin never matches a Saiyan’s raw power, but he keeps up through clever tactics, quick thinking, and a fighting spirit that makes fans root for him.
His best-known moves include the Destructo Disc, a spinning energy blade he throws like a frisbee, and the Solar Flare, which blinds opponents for a short moment. Later, he marries Android 18, and the couple raises their daughter Marron. This gives Krillin a family life that sets him apart from most of his fighting peers. Saiyan Warrior follows his journey from his early days at Turtle School to his later role in the story.
Key Takeaways
- Krillin is one of the few fully human fighters in Dragon Ball, and he trained at the Turtle School under Master Roshi before becoming Goku’s close friend.
- Krillin never matches a Saiyan’s raw power, so Krillin relies on speed, footwork, clever tactics, and the Kaioken, which he can only hold for brief bursts.
- Krillin’s best-known moves are the Destructo Disc, a spinning energy blade he throws like a frisbee, and the Solar Flare, which blinds opponents for a short moment.
- Krillin is killed by Nappa in the Saiyan Saga and is revived through the Dragon Balls each time he falls, which keeps his sacrifices meaningful without making his losses permanent.
- Krillin married Android 18 after the Cell Games, and the couple raised their daughter Marron, which gives Krillin a family life that sets him apart from most of his fighting peers.
Krillin’s Early Days at Turtle School
Krillin’s story starts on Turtle Island, where Master Roshi ran the Turtle School and taught his students the basics of martial arts. Goku arrived there as a young boy with a very different background, and the two quickly became training partners. Krillin was not a Saiyan. He had no alien blood or special powers to fall back on. Everything he had came from hard practice and his own determination.
Roshi’s lessons focused on form, timing, and technique. Krillin spent long hours perfecting his stances, footwork, and the way he moved his body to get the most out of every strike. Roshi wanted his students to fight smart, not just hit hard, and Krillin took that lesson to heart.
That approach made Krillin a natural rival for Goku. Goku had an enormous appetite for training and a natural strength that seemed to grow every week. Krillin noticed the gap and pushed himself to keep up. He wanted to prove that a human student could hold his own, and that competitive fire shaped their early friendship.
Over time, the rivalry turned into something deeper. The two boys trained side by side, pushed each other through tough sessions, and grew into close friends. Their bond started in those early days at Turtle School and would later carry them through some of the most dangerous fights in the series.
How Strong Is Krillin Compared to Goku?
Krillin is far weaker than Goku in raw power, but he is still one of the strongest fully human fighters in the series. Goku’s Saiyan blood lets him grow stronger with each fight, while Krillin depends on training, timing, and smart choices in battle. Whenever a fight calls for pure strength, Krillin usually falls behind.
Goku also has access to transformations like Super Saiyan, which can multiply his strength many times over. Krillin never gets that kind of boost. Instead, he relies on speed, footwork, and tricks that catch stronger enemies off guard. That is why he often works best as a support fighter who opens a path for others.
The Kaioken is the main way Krillin gets a real power spike. The technique was developed by King Kai and multiplies a fighter’s power for a short time. It places heavy strain on the body, so Krillin can only hold it for brief bursts before he needs to pull back. He uses it when a fight suddenly turns serious and he has no other option.
Fans love to argue about how Krillin compares to Yamcha and Tien, the other human fighters from the early years. Tien is often ranked above Krillin, while Yamcha is usually placed a step behind, but the exact order depends on which fight people point to. Many fans also debate whether Krillin’s Kaioken bursts should count as his true strength.
Krillin’s standing also changes with each saga and opponent. A foe with a huge power gap leaves him almost useless in a straight fight, but a clever enemy who underestimates a small human can fall fast. Honestly, we think Krillin’s strength depends on the situation, and that uncertainty is part of why his fights stay so memorable.
Krillin’s Sacrifices During the Saiyan and Namek Sagas
Krillin’s first death comes early in the Saiyan Saga, when Nappa kills him during a fight he had no real chance of winning. Krillin did not hold back. He charged in anyway, because the people he cared about were in danger and standing aside was never an option for him.
Namek is where Krillin’s willingness to put himself on the line became clearest. He stands beside Goku and Piccolo while they face enemies far stronger than anyone he has fought. Krillin can’t match their power, so he helps by watching for openings, drawing attacks away from his friends, and using the Destructo Disc to cut into foes who seem untouchable.
His bravery shows most when he is outmatched. Krillin keeps stepping forward even after the fight has clearly moved beyond him, and fans often point to these moments as the reason they cheer for him. He is not the strongest in the room, but he keeps fighting like he belongs there.
Death is a recurring part of Krillin’s story, and the Dragon Balls usually bring him back. Each time he falls, the Dragon Balls are gathered and Shenron grants a wish that restores his life. This pattern makes his losses feel less permanent, yet it never makes his sacrifices feel cheap. The fact that he keeps returning to the fight is a big part of why he feels like the underdog everyone rallies around.
- Saiyan Saga: killed by Nappa while trying to protect his friends
- Namek Saga: fights beside Goku and Piccolo despite the power gap
- Recurring deaths: revived through the Dragon Balls each time
Krillin’s Role in the Cell Saga and Beyond
When the series moved into the Android and Cell sagas, Krillin had to find a new place on a team full of much stronger fighters. He could no longer match the Saiyans blow for blow, so he focused on what he did best: reading the fight, spotting weak points, and helping the group stay organized.
Krillin trained hard for the Cell Games, the tournament built around Cell’s challenge to the Z Fighters. He stood in the arena beside Gohan, Piccolo, and the others, knowing Cell’s power was far beyond his reach. His job was to keep the pressure on, draw attention away from the stronger fighters, and buy time when it mattered most.
Dragon Ball Super brought him back into the spotlight. Krillin joined Universe 7’s team in the Tournament of Power, where he fought alongside Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan against warriors from other universes. He also returned for the Resurrection ‘F’ storyline, where he faced Frieza once again.
Krillin also works as the team’s anchor. While Goku and Vegeta chase bigger transformations, Krillin keeps his feet on the ground. He reminds the group that teamwork and friendship matter as much as raw power. His calm, practical attitude gives younger fighters a familiar face to rely on, and fans appreciate that he never pretends to be more than he is.
How Did Krillin Get Together With Android 18?
Krillin married Android 18 after the Cell Games, when the Z Fighters finally had time to rest and rebuild their lives. Their relationship started in an unlikely place. Android 18 was built to destroy Goku and his friends, but over time she came to care for Krillin, and he never stopped seeing the person behind the cold, machine-like fighter.
Their love story is one of the quieter parts of the series. There are no giant battles or dramatic speeches, just two people choosing each other and building a home together. For a fighter who spends most of his time facing monsters and villains, that calm matters.
The couple later welcomed a daughter named Marron. She gives Krillin a reason to think about something bigger than the next tournament. Many fans see him as a devoted father, which is a very different image from the scrappy rival he was in his early years.
His family life also sets him apart from his fighting peers. Goku is often driven by the next challenge, and Vegeta is pushed by pride and rivalry. Krillin, by contrast, has a home to protect and people waiting for him after every battle. That gives him a personal story beyond the fights and makes his choices feel grounded. He still fights for his friends, but now he also fights for the family he built with Android 18 and Marron.
Why Is Krillin’s Daughter Named Marron?
Marron is the Japanese word for chestnut, and that simple meaning is the main reason her name gets so much attention. The word comes from the French marron and shows up in Japanese sweets, so it sounds warm and everyday rather than like a warrior’s title.
Marron is the daughter of Krillin and Android 18, and her name stands out in a series full of dramatic power names. Fans often read it as a sign of Krillin’s down-to-earth nature, since he has always been the most grounded member of the team. Others see it as a sweet choice from a couple who spent years in battle.
Why does the name keep coming up in fan talk? It is one of the few lighthearted details in a story packed with world-ending threats. Fans enjoy debating whether Krillin or Android 18 picked it, and what it says about the family they wanted to build.
Revisiting Krillin’s Best Moments Yourself
Start with the Saiyan Saga to see Krillin’s early role up close. Watch how he goes from a Turtle School trainee to a fighter who refuses to sit out a battle, even when he has little chance of winning.
Next, move on to the Namek and Cell sagas, where Krillin faces some of his biggest fights. Pay attention to how he plays his part alongside stronger allies.
- Saiyan Saga: his early training and first real fights
- Namek Saga: the power gap and his clever openings
- Cell Saga: the Cell Games and his place on the team
Finally, track how Krillin changes over time. He begins as a scrappy underdog, and in the later arcs he becomes a husband and father with a home to protect. Notice how that family life shapes his choices as the story goes on.
Following Krillin’s Journey Through the Series
If you are new to Krillin, start with the Saiyan Saga, where his first real fights set the tone for everything that follows. If you already know his early days, jump ahead to the Namek Saga and watch how he helps Goku and Piccolo without matching their power.
On your next viewing, keep a short notebook of every moment Krillin opens a path for a stronger ally. Count distractions, warnings, and well-timed Destructo Disc throws, and write down the episode number and the fight each one appears in. By the end of the Cell Saga, your list will show you how a human fighter stays useful on a team full of Saiyans.
Then look at the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super with that notebook beside you. Compare his role there with his role at the Cell Games and notice whether his support style has changed or stayed the same. Those two arcs make a good pair because they show Krillin at different stages of life, first as a young fighter still proving himself and later as a husband and father who still steps up when the team needs him.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Krillin have hair in Dragon Ball Super?
Krillin is bald in Dragon Ball Super, just as he is in the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. His smooth head is one of his most recognizable features, and the series has never given him hair in any arc.
2. Can Krillin fly without a vehicle?
Krillin can fly on his own by using ki, the same energy he uses for his attacks. Unlike Goku, who rides the Flying Nimbus, Krillin keeps his flight powered by his own energy, which is why he is often seen soaring beside Goku and Piccolo during Dragon Ball Z battles.