Exploring Dragon Ball's Obscure Character Backstories and Origins

Dragon Ball's Lesser-Known Origins and Backstories

Dragon Ball is a series renowned for its expansive universe and vibrant characters, yet even the most dedicated fans might not realize how little is known about some characters’ backstories. While mainstays like Goku, Vegeta, and Broly have rich and well-documented histories, others—like Krillin, Mr. Satan, and the Androids—generally do not. Nevertheless, let's dive into some of the weird and obscure backstories that might surprise even the most passionate Dragon Ball aficionados.

Learning to Shape-shift: Uulong and Puar

Uulong and Puar were featured prominently in the series' earliest chapters with Dragon Ball's Pilaf Saga. What many might not remember is their shared educational history. Both characters are shape-shifters, a skill they honed at the Southern Transformation Kindergarten. Despite this shared talent, Uulong and Puar's time together was marked by conflict; Puar excelled in school while Uulong struggled, leading to a competitive animosity. This tidbit adds context to their dynamic seen throughout the series (noted here).

The Origins of Fat Buu's Form

One of the more unexpected stories involves the chubby appearance of Fat Buu. Unlike Kid Buu, who epitomizes Buu’s original and more primal form, Fat Buu actually gained his appearance following a fight millions of years ago with the Grand Supreme Kai. While the Grand Supreme Kai was absorbed into Buu, his stocky form remained as part of Buu's primary features, leaving a peculiar mark that persisted into his incarnation as Fat Buu.

Goku, Grandpa Gohan, and the Four-Star Dragon Ball

Goku’s bond with the Four-Star Dragon Ball transcends simple nostalgia. Before his journeys began, Goku accidentally killed his guardian, Grandpa Gohan, while transformed into a Great Ape. Believing that Gohan's spirit resided in the Dragon Ball he gave him, Goku maintained a sentimental attachment to the orb. This connection influenced his early adventures and quest objectives before passing down the memento to his son, Gohan (according to this resource).

Goku and Chi-Chi's Unlikely Romance

Few relationships in anime are as unusual as Goku and Chi-Chi's. Initially, Goku agreed to marry Chi-Chi due to a misunderstanding—he thought marriage was a type of food. However, this promise culminated in their actual marriage years later after a reunion during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. Despite its unusual start, their relationship became an essential pillar of the series and resulted in the birth of Gohan and Goten.

Gohan's Hidden Potential Revealed Early

Gohan's hidden power surprised Goku during the battle against Raditz. However, this shouldn't have been a revelation. In the film Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone, which ties into the main series, Gohan taps into his latent strength to defeat Garlic Jr., displaying his potential even before the iconic Raditz encounter. This backstory detail highlights Gohan's innate power long before it became a central narrative focus (as seen here).

Original Origin Story of the Dragon Balls

Before the official narrative detailing Kami and King Piccolo's creation of the Dragon Balls, an alternative tale was provided in a Dragon Ball filler episode. Master Roshi concocted a myth where the seven Dragon Balls were initially a single orb given to humans by the gods and later split apart due to humanity's greed. Although non-canonical, this story adds an interesting layer for early-series viewers.

The Obscured Existence of Tights Briefs

Tights Briefs, Bulma’s older sister, was never seen in the original Dragon Ball series or DBZ. It wasn't until Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, penned by Akira Toriyama, that Tights made her debut. This prequel manga detailed her space-bound adventures, distinguishing her story from the Earth-centric narratives her sister would follow (as reported here).

Yajirobe's Unseen Warrior Past

Yajirobe's strength was never adequately explained, given his relaxed demeanor later in the series. Before meeting Goku, his fighting ability was comparable to the leading martial artists of his time. He notably managed to stand toe-to-toe with Goku, demonstrating uncelebrated prowess that suggests a rigorous training routine perhaps superior to even the eminent Turtle School.

Mr. Satan's Slightly Exaggerated Weakness

Finally, Mr. Satan, often a source of comedic relief, genuinely possesses significant strength. While powerless compared to Saiyan fighters, among non-ki users, he's ranked among Earth’s strongest humans, second only to a select few.