For decades, Goku and Vegeta have been the pillars ofDragon Ball, often leaving beloved characters behind in the dust. Among them is Piccolo, both a fan favorite and one of Akira Toriyama’s creations, who once held a prominent position in the story but gradually slipped into a supportive role.
Despite his early importance and strategic brilliance,Piccolo’s relevance declined as the series shifted its focus toward Saiyan transformations.However, from his fusion with Kami to Gohan’s mentorship, Piccolo has always made essential contributions and remained a core character. Still, when power levels skyrocketed, Piccolo stayed relatively stagnant.
He had always been dependable and wise, but was no longer a game-changer until the release ofDragon Ball Super: Super Hero.Not only does the film give him a new transformation, but it also comes with Toriyama’s own acknowledgment of his potential going forward. After years on the sidelines, Piccolo can finally return to the fight where he belongs.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Gave Piccolo a New Transformation
Orange Piccolo Was Long Overdue
InDragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Piccolo receives one of his most significant upgrades in his long history within the series.After years of development and with the help of Shenron unlocking his hidden potential, he finally achieves a new transformation and becomes Orange Piccolo, a visually imposing evolution of his primary form.
This transformation allows him to stand toe-to-toe with threats that previously would have outmatched him entirely and finally puts him on the same level as the series' top hero.
With a massive boost in strength, durability, and raw power, Piccolo officially reclaims his position as one of the series' strongest warriors. For a character often pushed into a supporting role, this transformation allows him to stand toe-to-toe with threats that previously would have outmatched him entirely and finally puts him on the same level as the series' top hero.
Akira Toriyama himself acknowledged the significance of the power boost during promotionalinterviews that have been translated on X. “Personally,”Toriyama shared, “I’m just happy that he’s finally obtained battle power on par with Goku and co.”This statement officially places Piccolo alongside the Saiyan powerhouses ofDragon Ball.
The film makes this transformation count by givingPiccolo a leading role inSuper Hero’smain conflict.He isn’t just powering up off-screen through long training sessions or acting as a mentor,but instead taking direct action against top-tier enemies. With Orange Piccolo, the story allows him to step back onto the center stage as a frontline warrior.
Akira Toriyama Shared His Thoughts on Creating Orange Piccolo
Piccolo’s Transformation Perfectly Fits Into the Series
Akira Toriyama’s involvement inSuper Heroincludes shaping the new transformations debuting in the film.Orange Piccolo, in particular, reflects Toriyama’s signature blend of creativity and simplicity. Instead of relying on over-the-top designs, he focused on creating a form that looks visually powerful while fitting Piccolo’s character. However, his transformation posed unique challenges of its own.
“Since he doesn’t have any hair to stick straight up, I tried making him really buff instead. But I figured on its own this would make it kind of hard to tell he had transformed, so I also made him orange, although there are probably still times when it’s hard to tell the difference between this form and his normal form.”
Toriyama’s comments offer insight into his design philosophy, which is straightforward yet intentional.The decision to make Piccolo bulkier and alter his color scheme wasn’t simply done for style, but to enhance visual clarity. Orange Piccolo stands out both because of his overdue transformation and the fact that he has officially re-entered the upper tiers of power in the series.
Piccolo Has Been Sidelined for Far Too Long
Piccolo’s New Transformation Brings Him Back To Center Stage
Piccolo was once a central figure inDragon Ball, standing as a rival and powerhouse rather than just a wise mentor.His role in training Gohan and later fusing with Kami placed him on a level just below Vegeta and Goku. However, as power scaling increased, Piccolo’s presence and strength gradually faded into the background.
By the timeDragon Ball Superarrived, Piccolo had become more of a support character. While he occasionally rose to the challenge and trained with others, he couldn’t keep up with the Saiyans and gods. With theintroduction of Orange Piccolo, the series finally gave hima transformation that feels earned and once again places him among the top fighters.
His new transformation is a much-needed correction that matches his legacy and shows promise for the future.
After years of being pushed aside, Piccolo has become a force to be reckoned with. His new transformation is a much-needed correction that matches his legacy and shows promise for the future. After being overshadowed by the Saiyans for so long, Piccolo has reclaimed his rightful spot among the most powerful inDragon Ball.
