Dragon Ball: Piccolo’s Most OP Moments, Ranked

Piccolo, the green Namekian warrior from Dragon Ball, is one of the most famous characters in anime. He began as a villain in the original Dragon Ball but later became a key ally in Dragon Ball Z. Despite being a consistent presence in the series for years, he’s often overshadowed by more flashy characters like Goku and Vegeta. While he’s well-known for his close bond with Gohan, Piccolo has contributed much more to the story than just being a father figure.

Piccolo isn’t always the most outwardly friendly character, and that hasn’t always resonated with every fan. However, over time, people have grown to recognize how important he is to the story. His best fights are frequently highlighted in compilations, and critics often praise how much his character grows and changes. Looking back at the entire Dragon Ball series, Piccolo’s key moments are definitely memorable.

First Fight With Goku

The Dragon Ball series is known for its exciting tournaments, which give fans the chance to see their favorite characters battle it out and determine who is the strongest. A prime example is the final tournament of the original Dragon Ball series, where Goku and Piccolo faced off in a long and intense fight. Piccolo was determined to avenge his father’s death at Goku’s hands.

Looking back, the early battles in this series were surprisingly straightforward, especially compared to the incredibly powerful characters we see now. In one memorable fight, Piccolo fought fiercely with energy blasts and punches, but Goku won by revealing a new ability – flight – at the last moment. Though Piccolo lost, the fight showed fans what he was capable of and remains a favorite tournament scene for many viewers.

Overcoming Frieza’s Second Form on Namek

Frieza is still considered one of the most memorable villains in Dragon Ball Z, and rightfully so. When he first appeared, his immense strength and utter lack of mercy made him seem unbeatable. Piccolo, in particular, had a strong reason to despise him. Frieza had almost completely destroyed the Namekian people while searching for the Dragon Balls, leaving Piccolo as the last of his kind.

Piccolo knew he likely couldn’t win, but after merging with Nail, the strongest Namekian, he bravely challenged Frieza in his second form. Piccolo held his own for a while, but Frieza’s next transformation was simply too powerful. The stakes were incredibly high, as Piccolo’s defeat would mean losing two valuable Dragon Balls. With Gohan, Vegeta, and Krillin unable to fight Frieza at that moment, Piccolo’s courage was remarkable, and he earned a lot of admiration from fans for stepping up.

Blowing Up the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to Trap Super Buu

The Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z skillfully mixed serious moments with humor, often during Buu’s fights with Gotenks. A key example of this came when Piccolo, during a fierce battle inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, made a quick decision that saved Earth. He destroyed the chamber’s door, trapping Buu inside. Because Buu could heal incredibly fast, this was the only way to contain him while the Z-Fighters figured out their next move.

Ultimately, the attempt didn’t work – Buu escaped through a dimensional tear. Still, it gave the heroes valuable time, and Piccolo’s bravery and selflessness in trying to save the planet make this a truly iconic moment from the entire Buu Saga.

Fusing with Kami

Fusion is a key ability in the Dragon Ball series, and a particularly memorable instance happens during the Android/Cell Saga. When Goku is incapacitated by a heart condition, Cell starts absorbing the people of West City, horrifying the other characters. Realizing he’s weaker than Vegeta but determined to contribute, Piccolo makes the permanent decision to fuse with Kami, boosting his power to match a Super Saiyan.

Piccolo bravely steps up to fight Imperfect Cell, but it’s a tough battle. Cell quickly proves he can copy and use the Z-Fighters’ own moves against them. Piccolo initially had the upper hand, which many viewers enjoyed seeing.

The Android 17 Fight

After merging with Kami, Piccolo, now a much stronger warrior, confronted the Androids when they arrived at Kame House looking for Goku. While Vegeta fought Android 18, Piccolo faced off against Android 17, surprising him with an equal challenge. Android 17 had seemed unstoppable up until then, but Piccolo proved to be a formidable opponent, and many fans consider their battle one of the most exciting in the entire Dragon Ball Z series.

The battle between Piccolo and Android 17 lasted two episodes and saw Piccolo unveil his powerful new attack, the Hellzone Grenade, which even made Android 17 seek cover. However, the fight didn’t have a clear winner, as they were quickly forced to team up against a greater threat: Cell. While Android 17 might have had a slight edge due to remaining fresh and focused, Piccolo was definitely the more impressive fighter.

Killing Goku and Raditz

The beginning of Dragon Ball Z was incredibly impactful, highlighted by a major surprise in Episode 5. Five years after Goku’s victory over Piccolo, Piccolo returns seeking revenge. But Goku is already busy fighting Raditz, forcing Piccolo and the Saiyan to work together against this new enemy. The situation worsens when Raditz reveals that two even stronger fighters, Vegeta and Nappa, are heading to Earth.

Goku eventually holds the villain tightly, allowing Piccolo to fire his powerful Special Beam Cannon. Sadly, this attack kills both Goku and the villain, but it unexpectedly begins Piccolo’s path as a member of the Z-Fighters. A year later, Goku is brought back to life thanks to the Dragon Balls and Kami. While Goku was gone, Piccolo trained Gohan, preparing him for the arrival of even stronger Saiyans – and setting the scene for the upcoming battle with Vegeta.

Transforming Into Orange Piccolo

Released in 2022, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was the last Dragon Ball movie created with the involvement of Akira Toriyama before his passing. The film centers on Piccolo and Gohan as they battle a revived Red Ribbon Army, unlocking new powers and growing stronger. A highlight for many fans was Piccolo’s new form, nicknamed ‘Orange Piccolo.’ This transformation made him much larger, taller, and significantly more powerful, a moment that felt like a long-awaited realization of his full potential.

Piccolo was able to achieve this new form because of his link to Kami, and through them, to the Dragon Balls and Shenron. He’s now more powerful than Gamma 2 from the Red Ribbon Army, though he’s still no match for Cell Max, the main villain in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. It’s still thrilling to think about how strong Piccolo could become with this newfound ability.

Dying to Save Gohan

You know, I’ve always thought true strength isn’t just about power, but knowing when not to fight. And that really hit home when I think about Piccolo and Gohan in Dragon Ball Z. After Goku died, Piccolo took Gohan under his wing, and it was amazing to watch their relationship grow. But the moment that really cemented their bond for me was when Piccolo jumped in front of Nappa’s blast to protect Gohan. He literally sacrificed himself to save Goku’s sweet kid – it was such a powerful, selfless act!

This scene really showed how much Piccolo had developed since he was first introduced. The consequences were also greater than anyone realized – if Piccolo died, the Dragon Balls on Earth would disappear, forcing a journey to Namek to retrieve them. Throughout the series, Piccolo remains fiercely protective of Gohan, who continues to be the main reason for Piccolo’s transformation from a villain into a hero.

2026-01-01 19:37