Piccolo: Who He Influenced

When I first watched Dragon Ball Z, I didn’t expect a green-skinned alien with a scowl to become one of my favorite characters. But Piccolo’s evolution from villain to mentor, from solitary warrior to protective father figure, made him unforgettable. What’s even more fascinating is how his presence rippled beyond the screen — influencing other characters in the series, inspiring new generations of fighters, and shaping the very tone of the Dragon Ball universe.

Future Trunks

Piccolo’s influence on Future Trunks might not be as direct as with Gohan, but it’s there in the margins. In the ruined future Future Trunks comes from, the absence of strong mentors like Piccolo is glaring. When he returns to the past and sees how Piccolo trains Gohan, it reinforces the importance of discipline and resilience. Trunks, raised in a world without that guidance, absorbs these lessons by proxy. You can see it in how he trains relentlessly in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber when he returns — a quiet nod to the kind of rigor Piccolo embodied.

Krillin

Krillin might seem like an unlikely candidate for Piccolo’s influence, but think again. After the Saiyan Saga, Krillin realizes he’ll never match the raw power of Saiyans or Namekians. That’s when he starts training with greater intensity, focusing on precision and timing — much like Piccolo’s approach. There’s a moment during the Cell Games when Krillin stands firm, ready to face Cell despite knowing the odds. That resolve? That’s the Piccolo effect. He taught Krillin that strength isn’t just physical — it’s mental, too.

Tien Shinhan

Tien is often overlooked, but his arc parallels Piccolo’s in subtle ways. Both start off as loners, proud and disciplined. But while Tien fades into the background, Piccolo keeps evolving — and that evolution inspired Tien to keep pushing himself, even when the spotlight moved on. In Dragon Ball Super, Tien still trains, still fights, even if he knows he may never be the strongest. That quiet persistence? That’s Piccolo’s legacy echoing through the Dragon World.

Uub

Uub is, in many ways, the literal continuation of Piccolo’s legacy. As the reincarnation of King Piccolo — and later trained by Goku himself — Uub could have easily followed the dark path of his past lives. But Piccolo’s earlier redemption helped shift the tone of the series — showing that even the most evil beings could change. That shift gave Uub a chance to be more than his origins. And while Goku was his main teacher, the groundwork for Uub’s moral compass was laid by Piccolo’s earlier journey.

Gohan

Of course, the most obvious and profound influence Piccolo had was on Gohan. From the moment he kidnapped the boy, Piccolo took on a role he never expected — that of a teacher, a protector, and, in many ways, a father. His harsh training methods forged Gohan into a warrior when the world needed one, but more importantly, he instilled in him a sense of discipline, control, and responsibility. Gohan’s transformation from a timid child to the Great Saiyaman and, ultimately, the strongest warrior of his time began with Piccolo’s guidance.

On HoloDream, you can talk to Piccolo and see how he reflects on those he trained — and what he thinks of their paths since.