Dragon Ball's Creator Knows Why Its Most Baffling Romance Is the Best and We Have to Agree
When it comes to romance in Dragon Ball, even Akira Toriyama has admitted it wasn't exactly his strong suit. The iconic series is a battle shōnen, after all, but that doesn't mean it's completely devoid of any fun romantic relationships. Goku and Chi Chi have had their moments, but are largely carried by Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z anime-original scenes. The time spent with Gohan and Videl at the start of the Majin Buu Saga is also enjoyable, and the two have excellent chemistry.
Likely the most popular relationship in the series is between Bulma and Vegeta. Given both characters' significance to Dragon Ball, it's likely they're the franchise's most heavily featured couple, both on page and screen. Their interactions, mixed with Vegeta's transformation from villain to hero, make for some of the more wholesome moments in the series. The most underrated couple, however, are two secondary characters that are able to shine despite their relative lack of screen time. One of Dragon Ball's unlikeliest relationships, Krillin and Android #18, is also one of its best.
Akira Toriyama Explained Dragon Ball's Most Unexpected Relationship
Krillin and Android #18 Are One of the Series' Best Couples
In a 2014 interview with Saikyo Jump, Akira Toriyama was asked about all the intricate details of the Majin Buu Saga. After explaining the origins of Hercule, Buu, and the hierarchy of the Kais, he was asked a quick question about how Krillin and Android #18 got together. He responded, "Sorry, I’m really bad when it comes to romantic stories like this, so I can’t give you a straight answer," reiterating once more that it was by choice he never dove too far into romance.
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He then continued, "But I think that probably #18 (who used to be a delinquent) found Krillin’s seriousness and straightforwardness refreshing, and somehow or other she ended up falling for him." In the world of Dragon Ball, where a cast of fighting-obsessed space warriors can often make bad decisions in the pursuit of a fight, Krillin is one of the more grounded characters in the entire series. Though #18 was a delinquent, as Toriyama said, the Saiyans' treatment of their families and loved ones can border on delinquency as well.
Toriyama Thought Android #18 Found Krillin "Refreshing"
Krillin is the strongest human in Dragon Ball, and has been for some time. Despite being somewhat grumpier in his youth, he's grown to be kind, always fighting for the right cause, and never hesitating to jump into battle regardless of how outmatched he may be. In the eyes of a villain, especially one that was essentially a normal person forced into the role of an antagonist, these are genuine and good qualities.
Their time together since has seen Android #18 become a hero, and Krillin remain strong while being a productive member of society, something that cannot quite be said of the men in Dragon Ball's other main relationships. The two worked together extremely well in the Tournament of Power, and are the series' only couple comprised of two incredibly strong fighters, leading to several moments where both Krillin and #18 charged into battle together. While neither are awarded the most screen time in modern Dragon Ball, they deserve more recognition among the series' best power duos.
Source: Saikyo Jump 2014 June Issue (translated by Kanzenshuu)
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First Film
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
- First TV Show
- Dragon Ball
- First Episode Air Date
- April 26, 1989
- Current Series
- Dragon Ball Super
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
