Tien Shinhan
Three-Eyed Martial Artist
Disciple of the Crane Hermit, characterized by his third eye. An Earthling martial artist with high combat power and diverse techniques. Honorable, fights alongside Goku and others against powerful enemies.
Quotes
- I don't want to be an assassin anymore
- If hurting someone is 'martial arts,' then protecting someone is also 'martial arts'
- I probably won't meet everyone again
- I think I won't be able to meet everyone anymore
- Wildness (Lunch's evaluation)
Trivia
- Name derived from Chinese dish tenshin-han. Akira Toriyama named strong cool character after familiar dish.
- Actually descendant of alien Three-Eyed People race, special lineage enables Four-Body Fist and arm-increasing techniques.
- One of few to defeat Goku at World Martial Arts Tournament.
- Kikoho is Crane School forbidden secret technique, recoil can shorten lifespan.
- In anime, liked by Launch, but generally indifferent to women.
- Left arm severed in battle with Saiyan Nappa but regenerated in some settings.
Alternate names
天
天さん
Tien Shinhan
テンシンハン
Profile
- Species
- Earthling (Three-Eyed Alien Descendant)
- Gender
- Male
- Birth year
- 733 (Age 733)
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Height 187cm, muscular and toned physique. Characteristic third eye on his forehead.
- Height
- Approx. 187cm
- Weight
- Approx. 75kg
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Black
- Distinguishing features
-
- Third eye on forehead
- Muscular build
- Scar on left arm
- Iconic items
-
- Crane School gi
- Sunglasses (during World Martial Arts Tournament judging)
- Martial artist clothing
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Serious
- Detailed personality
- Initially cold and ruthless, but fundamentally honorable and earnest personality. Devotes himself to self-training, caring for comrades, forms a brotherly bond with junior disciple Chiaotzu. As a fighter uncompromising, strong pride in martial arts. Poor with women, not adept at romance.
- Keywords
-
- Honorable
- Serious
- Training Enthusiast
- Strong Responsibility
- Indomitable
- Seeks Coolness
- Deep Friendship
- Motto
- Protecting someone is also martial arts
- Talents
-
- Innate ki-sensing ability
- Fast dynamic vision (third eye origin)
- Afterimage Technique mastery
- Skills
-
- Ki blast attacks (Kikoho / Neo Kikoho)
- Bukujutsu (flying technique)
- Solar Flare (blinding technique)
- Four-Body Fist (splits into 4)
- Mafuba (sealing technique)
- High-speed barrage (Machine Gun Fist)
- Motivation
- Master the pinnacle of martial arts and surpass Goku and others
- Habits
- Uses 'ore' as first-person pronoun. Calm but passionate inner self.
- Favorite foods
- Gyoza, Shumai
- Hobbies
- Training, Volleyball
- Favorite places
- Tenshin-do (own dojo), Remote mountain village
- Person
- Chiaotzu (fellow disciple), Master Roshi (respected master), Goku (rival)
- Disliked situations
- Weak people, Dishonorable acts
History
- Backstory
- Born in Age 733. From young age, underwent strict training under Crane Hermit, once aimed for assassin path. At 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, fierce fight with Goku, questions Crane School's extreme teachings and betrays master. Joins Master Roshi group, continues as martial artist. Blood of alien Three-Eyed People, develops unique techniques like Four-Body Fist and Kikoho. Loses left arm in Saiyan invasion but fights desperately, later trains under King Kai. From Android saga to Majin Buu saga, battles strong foes while continuing training into old age. Later opens own martial arts dojo "Tenshin-do" and trains disciples.
- Debut date
- October 16, 1986
- Work title
- Dragon Ball
- Media type
- Manga
- Episode or chapter
- 113 (22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Arc)
22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Victory
- Significant event
- 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Victory
- Description
- Fierce battle with Goku, ultimately defeats him in finals to win tournament championship.
Defection from Crane School
- Significant event
- Defection from Crane School
- Description
- Questions master Crane Hermit's ideology, rejects "assassin" path and is disowned.
Saiyan Invasion Battle
- Significant event
- Saiyan Invasion Battle
- Description
- Left arm severed but fights with comrades and dies, later trains under King Kai.
Neo Kikoho Mastery
- Significant event
- Neo Kikoho Mastery
- Description
- In Android/Cell saga, masters new technique "Neo Kikoho", seals Cell's movements to buy time.
Tournament of Power Participation
- Significant event
- Tournament of Power Participation
- Description
- In Dragon Ball Super, joins as Universe 7 representative in Universe Survival arc's Tournament of Power.
Relationships
Chiaotzu
Best friend
Deep bond as brother disciples, overcoming training and hardships together.
Master Roshi
Mentor
Respects as de facto master, important figure teaching martial arts spirit.
Son Goku
Rival
Rival from fierce 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament battle, one of his goals.
Piccolo
Teammate
Trained together under King Kai, shared battles as foes and allies.
Universe 7 Warriors
Universe 7 Warriors: unknown
Crane School
Crane School: unknown
Media appearances
Dragon Ball
Manga / Protagonist
Serialization started in 1984
Dragon Ball
Anime / Protagonist
1986-1989 TV series
Dragon Ball Z
Anime / Protagonist
1989-1996 TV series
Dragon Ball GT
Anime / Supporting
1996-1997 TV series
Dragon Ball Kai
Anime / Protagonist
2009-2011 remake version
Dragon Ball Super
Anime / Protagonist
2015-2018 TV series
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Movie / Supporting
2013 theatrical release
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F
Movie / Supporting
2015 theatrical release
Dragon Ball Z Sparking!
Game / Protagonist
Various game series
Voice cast and creators
Hirotaka Suzuoki
- Voice actor
- Hirotaka Suzuoki
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z
- Notes
- firstGen
Koichi Yamadera
- Voice actor
- Koichi Yamadera
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Dragon Ball Z (some episodes)
- Notes
- temporary
Kōshō Shinden
- Voice actor
- Kōshō Shinden
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Game works
- Notes
- subsequent
Hikaru Midorikawa
- Voice actor
- Hikaru Midorikawa
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Dragon Ball Kai and later
- Notes
- current
Akira Toriyama
- Creator name
- Akira Toriyama
- Role
- Original author
Related goods
Tien Shinhan Figure
- Item name
- Tien Shinhan Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Kikoho Toy
- Item name
- Kikoho Toy
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited