Fans of the Dragon Ball series are no strangers to the frequent resurrections of their favorite characters. Traditionally, these revivals from the grave have relied on gathering the seven mystical Dragon Balls. However, a surprising twist in an unforgettable episode of Dragon Ball GT showed that there’s another method for the Z-Fighters to come back to life without needing the legendary orbs.
Surprisingly, the key to this new approach is the former villain-turned-hero, Piccolo.
Piccolo’s Evolution: From Enemy to Lifeline
Piccolo’s past is a complex one. He was once the Nameless Namekian, an alien who embarked on a journey to Earth to become its protector or Kami. He had to banish the evil inside him on his path to righteousness. The result was the creation of a separate entity, King Piccolo.
After Goku took down King Piccolo, he transferred his life energy into the birth of a son, Piccolo, the character we all know and love.
Initially a nemesis to Goku and the Z-Fighters, Piccolo transformed his own, becoming an ally. He later discovered that merging with his original self would unlock his potential. This union, however, meant that the Dragon Balls, previously created by Kami, were now connected to Piccolo’s existence.
As a result, Piccolo unwittingly became the foundation for all resurrections carried out through Earth’s Dragon Balls until Dende stepped in as the new Kami.
Opening a Portal to Another World
A shift in Piccolo’s role in the series was first seen in episode 45 of Dragon Ball GT. The episode, penned by Atsushi Maekawa, directed by Osamu Kasai, and produced by Toei Animation, showed Goku and Piccolo caught in a difficult situation. They found themselves imprisoned in hell as part of a wicked plan by Android 17. This malicious android had discovered a way to blend dimensions, creating a passage between Earth and hell.
As a result of this dastardly act, many former villains who had been defeated made their way back to Earth, leaving Goku trapped in hell. Meanwhile, Piccolo, already deceased and enjoying the tranquillity of heaven, decided to take action. He asked King Yemma, the soul sorter of the afterlife, to send him to hell.
After reaching hell, he collaborated with Dende to imitate Android 17’s dimension-merging technique. This brilliant maneuver allowed Goku to escape hell and challenge Android 17, ultimately saving Earth, while Piccolo chose to stay behind.
Changing the Resurrection Game
The ramifications of this Dragon Ball GT episode are enormous. When Android 17 opened the portal, it allowed previously defeated villains to return to life just by flying through it. They emerged in the living world with no signs of their previous death — no halo, no time restrictions.
This significant event established that Piccolo and Dende could replicate this feat. Moreover, it showed that anyone who passed away could instantly return to life through this portal.
This means that the Z-Fighters essentially have an unending lease on life. Goku and Krillin could be resurrected anytime, as long as they could convince King Yemma to allow them access to hell. However, this new resurrection method comes with a poignant caveat. Piccolo can never return to life.
He makes this heroic sacrifice, ensuring that every Dragon Ball hero can come back to life, bypassing the need for the Dragon Balls.
From Villain to Savior: The Story of Piccolo
The Dragon Balls have been the heart of the Dragon Ball series, always crucial in bringing our favorite heroes back to life. Yet this groundbreaking episode offers a new and improved way of resurrection. Piccolo, the character who has undergone one of the most significant transformations in the series, turns out to be the mastermind behind this new method.
He’s the one who has opened the door to an eternal lifeline for the Z-Fighters, which far outstrips the powers of the Dragon Balls.
The continuing saga of Dragon Ball is constantly evolving, and this fresh resurrection method is a landmark addition to its lore. By rewriting the rules of life and death, Piccolo, once an enemy, now ensures the survival of his allies.
It’s safe to say that this unexpected hero has not only reshaped the future of the Z-Fighters but also left an enduring impact on the saga of Dragon Ball.
