Master Roshi, known for his light-hearted demeanor in Dragon Ball, harbors a tragic destiny where he will outlive all his loved ones and face either a violent death or eternal aging. His consumption of the Paradise Herb grants him immortality for 1,000 years; however, he remains susceptible in battle, forcing him to confront the choice of a sorrowful conclusion. Despite these hardships, Master Roshi perseveres as a guardian of the planet and a mentor to the Z-Fighters, serving as a steadfast presence throughout the series.
Dragon Ball is a fun and engaging series filled with light-hearted characters, but among them, the most jovial character hides a deeply tragic fate. Dragon Ball is well-known for its light-hearted nature, with its moments of intensity primarily stemming from thrilling action sequences. It is not a tragedy. However, one of the main characters, Master Roshi, is destined for a life filled with tragedy, despite being the most carefree of the group.
Master Roshi has been a central figure in Dragon Ball since the beginning. He invented Goku's signature attack, the Kamehameha, and was the first to train both Goku and Krillin. Throughout the series, Roshi has consistently held the Z-Fighters together, even in their darkest moments.
Not only has Roshi been a reliable figure for the current heroes, but he has also protected the planet from evil for centuries. While it's clear that Roshi is old, the extent of his age is not immediately apparent; he was around 300-350 years old at the time of his introduction. More shockingly, Roshi will live for at least another 1,000 years, long after most of the Z-Fighters have passed away.
In the lead-up to Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power, Master Roshi sends Goku and Krillin into the Forest of Terror for a martial arts lesson. They face their deepest fears and must retrieve a Paradise Herb for Roshi. After overcoming the forest's obstacles, Goku and Krillin bring the herb to Roshi, who consumes it to extend his life by another 1,000 years.
However, consuming the Paradise Herb grants effective immortality, but not invincibility. Master Roshi will not die of natural causes, but he remains vulnerable in battle. This leaves him with two grim options: either outliving everyone he loves or being killed in battle. There is no peaceful passing for Roshi; he will either die violently or witness the gradual loss of all his friends.
For a character as light-hearted as Master Roshi in a fun, action-packed series like Dragon Ball, this realization is sobering. Thankfully, this tragic aspect of Roshi’s life isn't always in the spotlight, though his unchanged appearance between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT hints at it. Fans who look closely will see that Master Roshi, a classic hero, is secretly the most tragic character in the series.
Dragon Ball Super is available to watch now on Crunchyroll!
Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama, is a multimedia franchise that began in the 1980s. Initially serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan, it quickly gained international popularity through its manga and anime adaptations. The series began with the adventures of a young Son Goku seeking the Dragon Balls, mystical orbs that grant any wish. It evolved into Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult, featuring intense battles and his quest to become the strongest. The franchise includes numerous video games, animated series, and films, with the latest being Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Dragon Ball Franchise Overview: - Creator: Akira Toriyama - First Film: Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies - Latest Film: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero - First TV Show: Dragon Ball - Latest TV Show: Super Dragon Ball Heroes - First Episode Air Date: April 26, 1989 - Latest Episode: October 5, 2019 - Main Cast: Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil - Current Series: Dragon Ball Super - Video Games: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Dragon Ball: The Breakers, Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot