Before King Piccolo, the antagonists exhibited a somewhat random nature, but Toriyama wished for something deeper. He wanted a character whose evil was not just arbitrary. Thus, King Piccolo was born. Despite his ugly appearance, he fundamentally changed the entire narrative arc. Toriyama even stated that this period marked the most villainous phase.
Toriyama mentioned: “In all the characters that have appeared until now, there’s always something about them that is somewhat lovable. So, King Piccolo was born from my desire to create a truly evil entity. This period is the most villainous phase.”
King Piccolo made his debut when Emperor Pilaf, who had a cunning personality, attempted to make a wish on the Dragon Balls. He sought to resurrect King Piccolo. Almost immediately, Goku faced him and even brought Master Roshi to the battlefield. The antagonist seized control of Earth until Goku discovered a way to confront him. However, King Piccolo had already managed to leave behind a legacy, a small child named Piccolo Jr. before departing.
Legacy and Influence of King Piccolo
King Piccolo represents the first true embodiment of a villain in the Dragon Ball storyline. In stark contrast to Kami, he is exceedingly malevolent. This character marks a turning point in Dragon Ball, raising the bar for future antagonists and setting the stage for other notorious villains like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
Moreover, Piccolo Jr., the son of King Piccolo, eventually evolved into one of the most beloved characters in the series. Initially, he sought revenge but eventually became a crucial member of the Z Fighters.
Therefore, if we pause to reflect, without King Piccolo, “Dragon Ball” would not be what it is today. He not only opened the door for strong antagonists but also added depth to the story that fans adore to this day.
