1. Overview
Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit, is the foundational figure of Dragon Ball's martial arts world. He invented the Kamehameha, the most iconic energy technique in anime history, trained Goku and Krillin into tournament-level fighters, and lived for over three centuries as Earth's God of Martial Arts. Despite his comedic perverted old man persona, Roshi is a figure of profound historical significance who shaped every generation of Earth's greatest fighters. His training philosophy, emphasizing balanced living, foundational strength, and the importance of experiencing defeat, became the Turtle School's guiding principles. Even in Dragon Ball Super, when power levels had escalated beyond anything imaginable in his era, Roshi proved his worth in the Tournament of Power by achieving a zen-like state of combat mastery that allowed him to dodge attacks from Jiren, a being a trillion times more powerful than him. This moment cemented Roshi's legacy: true martial arts mastery is not about having the highest power level but about having the deepest well of experience and the purest technique.
2. Basic Data & Statistics
| Attribute | Master Roshi | Peak Human | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 300+ years | ~40 years (martial peak) | Extended lifespan through Paradise Herb and training |
| Power Level | 139 (DB); ToP zen state: ~1e10 | ~10 | Zen state amplifies experience into combat effectiveness |
| Techniques | Kamehameha, Mafuba, Afterimage, Drunken Fist | 0-2 basic techniques | Inventor of the franchise's most iconic technique |
| Students Trained | Goku, Krillin, Yamcha (indirectly) | 0-1 | Trained multiple generations of Earth's protectors |
| Combat Experience | 300+ years | 20-30 years | Unmatched experience among Earthling fighters |
3. The Kamehameha and Signature Techniques
The Kamehameha. Roshi invented the Kamehameha after 50 years of dedicated martial arts training. The technique involves focusing all of one's ki into the palms, then releasing it as a concentrated energy wave. Roshi first demonstrated it against the Ox King's fire at Frypan Mountain, extinguishing a raging inferno that conventional methods could not touch. Over the franchise, the Kamehameha evolved from a hidden technique known only to the Turtle School to the most recognizable energy attack in anime history, used by Goku, Gohan, Cell, and countless others. Roshi's version, even at his advanced age, was powerful enough to destroy the moon in Dragon Ball, a feat that set the scale for everything that followed.
The Evil Containment Wave (Mafuba). Roshi's second most important technique was the Mafuba, a sealing technique created to trap powerful evil beings in a container. He used it against Demon King Piccolo at the cost of his own life, performing the technique correctly but being killed by Piccolo's counterattack before the seal could complete. The technique was later passed down to King Piccolo's reincarnation, Piccolo Jr., and was used by Android 17 in the Tournament of Power against the legendary fighters of Universe 3 and Universe 11.
Other Techniques. Roshi also mastered the Afterimage Technique (creating visual copies of himself), the Drunken Fist (an unpredictable combat style), the Thunder Shock Surprise (an electric shock attack), and various hypnosis techniques. His Max Power Form bulks up his muscle mass significantly, though at the cost of mobility.
4. Training Philosophy and Legacy
Roshi's training methods are deceptively simple. He does not teach advanced ki manipulation or flashy techniques as a foundation. Instead, his training regimen involves manual labor: milk delivery (building speed and endurance), swimming (full-body conditioning), farming (practical strength), and running while carrying heavy objects (functional fitness). Under this regime, Goku and Krillin transformed from talented but raw novices into tournament-level warriors in just eight months.
Roshi's most profound contribution to Dragon Ball's philosophy came during the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Disguised as Jackie Chun, he entered the tournament specifically to defeat his own students, wanting them to experience loss and understand that there would always be someone stronger. This lesson shaped Goku's entire character: the drive to improve, the humility to accept defeat, and the determination to surpass limits. Roshi knew that if his students won the tournament too easily, they would become complacent. By forcing them to lose, he gave them a goal to chase for the rest of their lives.
His balanced philosophy — moving well, learning well, playing well, eating well, and resting well — inherited from his own master Mutaito, remains the Turtle School's guiding principle. Roshi understood that martial arts are not just about fighting but about living well, a holistic approach that sets him apart from every other teacher in the franchise.
5. Tournament of Power: The Ancient Master's Finest Hour
In Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power, Master Roshi was selected for Universe 7's ten-fighter team alongside gods, Super Saiyans, and universe-level threats. On paper, he was the weakest fighter on the team by a colossal margin. In practice, he became one of the most effective. Roshi eliminated multiple opponents through pure skill and experience, notably using the Mafuba to seal the seemingly invulnerable Universe 4 fighters and using cunning tactics to defeat fighters vastly more powerful than himself.
His crowning moment came when he faced Jiren, the mortal whose power rivaled the Gods of Destruction. Jiren attacked with a blast that should have obliterated anyone below Super Saiyan God level. Roshi dodged it. Not through speed, but through a zen-like state of perfect awareness where he moved before Jiren's attack began, reading the intent behind the movement rather than reacting to the attack itself. This was three centuries of combat experience distilled into a single moment, proving that true martial arts mastery transcends power levels.
6. Relationships
Goku and Krillin. Roshi's most famous students. He treated them like family, pushing them hard but celebrating their growth. His decision to defeat them as Jackie Chun was an act of tough love that shaped their entire martial arts journey. Both students continue to respect Roshi as their first and most important teacher.
Mutaito. Roshi's own master, who taught him the Turtle School philosophy and the Mafuba technique. Mutaito died sealing the original Demon King Piccolo with the Evil Containment Wave, a sacrifice that inspired Roshi's own selfless use of the technique later.
Tien Shinhan. While Tien was not Roshi's student, Roshi's rivalry with Tien's master, the Crane Hermit, created an interesting dynamic. Roshi ultimately supported Tien's growth and respected his dedication to martial arts, demonstrating the Turtle Hermit's generosity of spirit.
7. Hidden Details & Trivia
The Paradise Herb. Roshi's extreme longevity is attributed to the Paradise Herb, a mystical plant that extends lifespan. Combined with his rigorous training regimen and disciplined lifestyle, Roshi has maintained peak physical condition for over three centuries.
Roshi's Power Level. His official power level of 139 in the Saiyan Saga is deceptively low. His Tournament of Power performance against Jiren suggests that experience-based combat effectiveness cannot be captured by power levels. Roshi at 300+ years old was able to do what fighters with power levels in the quadrillions could not: read and dodge Jiren's attacks.
Jackie Chun. Roshi's tournament disguise as Jackie Chun is one of Dragon Ball's most enduring gags. The glasses, wig, and padding fooled everyone despite being clearly the same person, and his feigned deep voice became iconic in its own right.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Master Roshi still alive in Dragon Ball Super?
A: Yes, Master Roshi is alive and active throughout Dragon Ball Super. He participated in the Tournament of Power as a member of Universe 7's team, demonstrating that his centuries of experience remain valuable even in the era of gods and Super Saiyans.
Q: Can Master Roshi use the Kamehameha as well as Goku?
A: While Roshi's raw power output is far below Goku's, his technique is arguably purer. He invented the Kamehameha and has been refining it for over 300 years. His version may lack destructive scale but excels in precision, control, and efficiency.
Q: Why does Master Roshi act perverted?
A: Roshi's perverted behavior is played for comedy throughout the series. However, beneath the gag exterior lies a genuinely wise and disciplined martial arts master. The contrast between his crude behavior and his profound martial arts philosophy is central to his character.
Q: What happened to Master Roshi during the Saiyan invasion?
A: Roshi was killed when Nappa destroyed the Earth's military forces with the Volcano Explosion. However, he was later revived by the Namekian Dragon Balls and continued to train and guide the next generation of Earth's fighters.
Q: Did Master Roshi train any students besides Goku and Krillin?
A: Roshi trained Goku and Krillin together, and his philosophy influenced Yamcha indirectly. He also trained Ox King (Goku's father-in-law) in his younger years and has mentored various Turtle School students across his 300+ year lifespan.
Q: How did Master Roshi survive for over 300 years?
A: Master Roshi's extreme longevity is attributed to the Paradise Herb, a mystical plant that extends lifespan far beyond normal human limits. Combined with his rigorous daily training regimen and disciplined lifestyle, Roshi has maintained peak physical condition for over three centuries despite being an ordinary human. His philosophy of balanced living -- moving well, learning well, playing well, eating well, and resting well -- has also contributed to his longevity by reducing stress and maintaining overall health. The Paradise Herb was consumed in his youth, and its effects, amplified by his continuous training, have kept him alive and combat-ready through multiple generations of Earth's defenders. Even at over 300 years old, Roshi remains active enough to participate in multiverse-level tournaments and train the next generation of martial artists.
