Dragon Ball Z remains one of the shonen genre’s most popular series and the standout entry in Akira Toriyama’s iconic franchise. Dragon Ball Z is dense with powerful characters, many of whom can casually destroy an entire planet with a single energy attack. Dragon Ball Z staggers its character introductions and each story saga ushers in new allies and enemies who showcase unprecedented strength. Dragon Ball Z’s concluding Buu Saga is the series’ longest story arc and a crucial figure who has since slightly flown under the radar is Shin, Universe 7’s East Supreme Kai.
Shin enters the series with the foreboding premonition that Majin Buu’s awakening is imminent, but he’s evolved into an important supporting player whose purpose now extends far beyond Buu. Shin is set to receive a satisfying showcase in Dragon Ball DAIMA where he and Goku travel to the tumultuous Demon Realm. It’s now the perfect time to celebrate Shin’s power and take a deeper look into how he ranks against the rest of Dragon Ball Z’s cast of characters.
10 Videl Becomes A Powerful Sparring & Life Partner To Gohan
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 200, “Gohan Goes To High School”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 227 (Dragon Ball Chapter 421), “Herculopolis High”
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Dragon Ball Z is set in a world where there are tons of average martial artists and indomitable ki control isn’t the norm. Dragon Ball Z finds an exciting opportunity to explore this dynamic when Gohan enters the orbit of Videl, Hercule Satan’s daughter. Videl is quite powerful as far as regular humans go, but she lacks advanced ki abilities and the power to produce dangerous energy attacks.
Nevertheless, she proves herself to be a natural when it comes to ki manipulation and she quickly masters the art of flight after only a little time training with Gohan. Videl could likely put most World Tournament participants to shame, but she’s nowhere near the strength of a divine being like Shin. Videl would be in complete awe of Shin’s powers, even if her father presumes that they’re just some fancy trick of the light.
9 Yamcha’s Best Days Are Past Him When Shin Enters The Scene
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 5, “Yamcha The Desert Bandit”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 7, “Yamcha And Pu’ar”
Yamcha experiences a rough trajectory throughout the Dragon Ball franchise. He’s introduced as a genuine threat to Goku, yet he increasingly struggles to keep up with the series’ growing influx of Saiyans. Yamcha is already a fairly passive presence in Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga and he’s content to stay by the sidelines when the Buu Saga jumps ahead nearly a decade. It’s rather telling that Yamcha doesn’t sign up for the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament where Shin gets introduced.
He has accepted that he’s no longer capable of strenuous combat and he instead decides to enjoy his life and spend time with his friends. Yamcha may have turned his back on martial arts, but this doesn’t change the fact that he’s still quite the competent fighter and someone who’s learned several powerful techniques, like the Spirit Ball, Kamehameha, or his signature Wolf Fang Fist ability. Yamcha might be able to potentially land a few attacks on Shin, but they’re unlikely to cause him any significant damage. The gap between their power levels is just too extreme.
8 Master Roshi Has Spent Over A Century Refining His Special Martial Arts Skills
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 3, “The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 3, “Sea Monkeys”
Master Roshi may be well over 300 years old, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with and it’s fair to say that some of Dragon Ball’s biggest heroes, like Goku and Krillin, wouldn’t be where they are today without his training and help. Master Roshi has incredible physical strength, especially when he transforms into his burly Max Power state, but he also boasts intense energy attacks. Roshi is responsible for creating the Kamehameha and he’s even used it to destroy Earth’s moon.
It’s never a good idea to underestimate Master Roshi and his accomplishments in Dragon Ball Super demonstrate that he’s even able to temporarily tap into Ultra Instinct power. There would likely be some suspenseful moments during a battle between Shin and Master Roshi. However, all the evidence indicates that Shin would come out victorious. Roshi is undeniably one of Earth’s strongest humans, but his power doesn’t seem as impressive when he’s up against a divine individual like a Supreme Kai.
7 Krillin Is One Of Earth’s Strongest Humans & A True Hero
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 14, “Goku’s Rival”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 25, “A Rival Arrives!!”
Krillin has been by Goku’s side since youth and he’s managed to be involved in some major battles, such as the heroes’ fights against Frieza and Cell. Krillin stands tall despite his natural limitations as a human and he’s developed some particularly dangerous attacks, particularly the Destructo Disc and his advancements to Tien’s Solar Flare ability. Krillin has taken a step back from martial arts in favor of spending time with his family in the Buu Saga.
Krillin at peak power may have been able to pose a decent challenge to Shin, but definitely not the version of him who is around during Shin’s arrival. It’s just too difficult for a human to competently compete with a Supreme Kai. Their power and abilities are on a whole other level due to the responsibilities that are entrusted to them.
6 Tien Has Devoted His Life To Martial Arts & The Pursuit Of Greater Power
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, “The Rampage Of InoShikaCho”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, “Return To The Tournament”
Many Dragon Ball fans forget that Tien was presented as Goku’s big rival during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament and he even beat Goku during the competition’s finals. Tien doesn’t always receive the same attention as other Dragon Ball Z heroes and he faces a rough start between his Saiyan Saga death and his Frieza Saga absence. That being said, Tien’s brief scenes during the Cell and Buu Sagas are helpful reminders of the incredible power that he possesses.
Tien is one of the few characters who is able to hold back Semi-Perfect Cell and even though he doesn’t battle against Buu, he does manage to avoid the villain’s apocalyptic Human Extinction Attack. Whenever Tien isn’t on the screen, it’s safe to presume that he’s immersed in training, meditation, or other self-improvement efforts. Tien has one of the greatest work ethics out of any Dragon Ball Z character and his Tri-Beam has humbled some extremely powerful villains. However, it still stands to reason that he’d falter against Shin, considering that Piccolo forfeits against him in battle because of the Supreme Kai’s incredible power.
5 Goten & Trunks Are Exceptional Super Saiyans Who Are Presented As The Voice Of The Future
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 126, “The Androids Appear” (Trunks), Episode 201, “I Am Saiyaman” (Goten); Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 143 (Dragon Ball Chapter 337), “The Gathering Of The Warriors” (Trunks), Chapter 230 (Drago Ball Chapter 424), “Videl’s Emergency!!” (Goten)
One of Dragon Ball Z’s greatest assets is that it covers such a lengthy period of time and has the ability to introduce a new generation of characters when the Buu Saga is in full swing. Goten and Trunks are two of the Buu Saga’s most pivotal players and they prove to truly be their parents’ children when they ascend to Super Saiyan status at the young ages of seven and eight respectively. Goku and Vegeta are strong enough to defeat Shin, but their children are another story. Goten and Trunks’ lack of battle experience would likely be the biggest factor against them in such a battle.
Additionally, as a Supreme Kai, Shin has healing abilities that he’d be able to use on himself if he were to accrue any serious damage from the fight. It’s worth pointing out that Goten and Trunks’ fused form, Gotenks, would likely be able to defeat Shin due to its superior Super Saiyan 3 level strength and the multitude of overwhelming attacks that Gotenks has at his disposal. On their own, Shin would still emerge triumphant.
4 Android 18 Becomes Powerful Support For The Heroes In A Post-Cell World
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 133, “Nightmare Comes True”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 155 (Dragon Ball Chapter 349), “The Androids Awake!”
Android 18, along with her twin brother, Android 17, are malevolent machines that were initially designed for apocalyptic purposes. Androids 17 and 18 both become fuel sources for Cell that help the villain achieve perfection, but Android 18 emerges from the experience as a redeemed hero, wife, and mother. Android 18 stays especially active as a martial artist and routinely participates in the World Martial Arts Tournament, which evolves into a prominent role on Universe 7’s Tournament of Power team in Dragon Ball Super.
Android 18 has a particular advantage that many other Dragon Ball Z characters lack in the sense that she has unlimited energy and will never get tired. Supreme Kai himself doesn’t even have this level of endurance. Nevertheless, Shin’s wisdom and experience with ancient evils like Majin Buu still give him the advantage against a formidable fighter like Android 18.
3 Piccolo Represents Peak Namekian Power & Still Falls Short Against Shin
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 123, “Lost And Found”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 161, “The Fist Of Son Goku”
One of the first indications of Shin’s immense power is when Piccolo is paired up against him in the 25th World Tournament. Piccolo senses Shin’s incredible power and connects the dots over who he must be and the dire circumstances that have brought him to Earth. Piccolo is so intimidated by Shin’s strength and power that he forfeits the fight and doesn’t even bother to take him on. This in itself is pretty strong proof that Shin would be able to defeat Piccolo.
It’s possible that part of the reason that Piccolo forfeits their fight is that he doesn’t want to show disrespect to someone who is as important as the Supreme Kai. However, Piccolo’s skills are starting to decline by the Buu Saga and he becomes much more of a liability and supporting player than he was in Dragon Ball Z’s past story arcs. There would likely be an exciting clash between these two, especially when it comes to Piccolo’s regeneration powers and Shin’s healing ability. Piccolo’s signature Namekian techniques are incredibly resilient, but the strength of a Supreme Kai and Shin’s millions of years in existence would still trump this powerful opponent.
2 Future Trunks Is A Time-Torn Warrior Who Fought To Save His Timeline
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 119, “The Mysterious Youth”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 136 (Dragon Ball Chapter 330), “The Coming Of King Cold”
Future Trunks is a fan-favorite figure in Dragon Ball Z, despite how he’s only around for the series’ Cell Saga. Future Trunks initially turns heads as a Super Saiyan and his rigorous Hyperbolic Time Chamber training with Vegeta helps him surpass his limits and ascend to Super Saiyan Second and Third Grade status. There’s no question that Future Trunks is one of the strongest characters during the Cell Saga and he’d likely be able to challenge Shin through his impressive attacks and perseverance.
It still seems like Shin would come out the other side of this fight as the victor, especially since the true extent of his powers have yet to be seen. Curiously, Future Shin helps train Future Trunks in his timeline and he goes on to receive many of the same privileges that are experienced by Gohan in Dragon Ball Z’s prime timeline. There’s true respect present between Future Trunks and Future Shin, but the same reverence wouldn’t be present with these versions of the characters.
1 Gohan Is Out Of Practice When Shin Arrives On Earth In Dragon Ball Z
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 1, “The New Threat”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 2 (Dragon Ball Chapter 196), “Kakarrot”
Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga begins with extreme focus on Gohan, but it’s quite clear that the past seven years have led to a level of complacency in the hero’s training and martial arts discipline. Gohan hasn’t had the need to continually push his limits and he’s instead enjoyed the slice-of-life luxuries of teenage normalcy. Gohan acknowledges his shortcomings when he faces Dabura on Babidi’s spaceship and struggles to keep up with the Demon King. Gohan still possesses Super Saiyan 2 strength, but this significant power boost means a lot less without the right skills behind it. Shin helps Gohan hone his talents and regain his fighting spirit during their time together on the Sacred World of the Kai.
Shin appears to be in control and possesses superior skills to Gohan, even though Shin is thoroughly impressed by Gohan’s raw potential and the strength that he acquires from Old Kai’s Ultimate upgrade. It’s likely that Ultimate Gohan could defeat Shin, considering that he’s able to properly take on Super Buu in battle, while Shin is left terrified of Innocent Buu’s introductory state. A fight between Super Saiyan 2 Gohan and Shin, when the Buu Saga begins, would go in the Supreme Kai’s favor and highlight how rusty Gohan’s skills have become.