Bubbles (Dragon Ball)
Bubbles (バブルス Baburusu) is King Kai's pet monkey and loyal companion. He plays a key role in King Kai’s training regimen, specifically in one of two endurance tests. Trainees must chase and catch Bubbles, a task that seems simple at first but is made significantly more difficult by the planet’s gravity, which is ten times stronger than Earth’s. Unlike the trainees, Bubbles is fully accustomed to this gravity, making the challenge even greater.
| Names | Bubbles (バブルス Baburusu) |
| Gender | Male ♂ |
| Race | Monkey |
| Occupation | Pet |
| Origin | Dragon Ball Chapter 210 (DBZ 16) "Masters and Students" の Oyako Nidai no Ara Shūgyō, lit. "The Father and Son's Harsh Training") January 18, 1989 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1989 #10) |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Age | Unknown |
| Created By | Akira Toriyama |
| Personality Type | ISFP, 7w8 (Enneagram) |
Appearance
Bubbles is a stout, dark brown monkey with pink paws and upward-pointing ears, which are also pink.
Personality
As a pet, Bubbles does not exhibit a complex personality. He is obedient to King Kai’s commands and enjoys dancing and running around on the planet.
Biography
Dragon Ball Z
Saiyan Saga
When Goku arrives on King Kai’s planet, he initially mistakes Bubbles for King Kai and believes he must act like a monkey to begin his training. Once corrected, Goku is tasked with catching Bubbles as part of his training, forcing him to adjust to the intense gravity. After 40 days, Goku finally succeeds.
Frieza Saga
After Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu arrive on King Kai’s planet following their deaths, they are given the same test. While Piccolo chooses to meditate instead, the others struggle to catch Bubbles at first. Eventually, Yamcha manages to tackle Bubbles, Tien catches him by the tail, and Chiaotzu lifts him up excitedly. Piccolo effortlessly catches Bubbles as well, prompting King Kai to remind him that the challenge was not meant for him.
Later, Bubbles and Gregory are knocked out when the Ginyu Force invades King Kai’s planet after being killed by Vegeta.
Cell Saga
Bubbles is present on King Kai’s planet when Goku teleports there with Cell, who is about to self-destruct. When Cell detonates, Bubbles is killed along with Goku, King Kai, and Gregory. They later travel along Snake Way and eventually move to Grand Kai’s Planet.
Majin Buu Saga
After King Kai’s planet is destroyed due to Cell’s explosion, Bubbles, along with Goku, Gregory, and King Kai, makes his way along Snake Way and eventually reaches Heaven.
The Return of Son Goku and Friends!
Two years after Kid Buu’s defeat, Bubbles attends Mr. Satan’s banquet at his newly built hotel, along with King Kai and Gregory. The event is interrupted by the arrival of Abo and Kado, who seek Vegeta’s brother, Tarble. When the brothers merge into Aka and destroy the hotel, Goku ultimately defeats them with a Kamehameha. After the battle, Bubbles resumes enjoying the feast.
Dragon Ball Super
God of Destruction Beerus Saga
Bubbles is seen in King Kai’s car with Gregory when Goku teleports to the planet, causing them to crash into King Kai’s house. Later, King Kai, Gregory, and Bubbles chase after Goku, reminding him that they still haven’t been revived since Cell’s explosion.
Golden Frieza Saga
Bubbles appears briefly when King Kai reacts to Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue transformation during his battle with Frieza.
Copy-Vegeta Saga
Bubbles is present when Goku visits King Kai’s planet to ask about his Ki control issues. He hides as Goku trains to regain his normal abilities.
Dragon Ball GT
Shadow Dragon Saga
Bubbles is seen on the roof of Grand Kai’s Mansion with King Kai and Gregory as King Kai assists Goku in forming the Super Ultra Spirit Bomb to defeat Omega Shenron.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
Demon Invader Saga
Bubbles, along with King Kai and Gregory, is absorbed by Majin Ozotto when he arrives on their planet.
Film Appearances
Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Bubbles is seen with King Kai as they observe the destruction of the South Galaxy and the looming threat to the North Galaxy. He later helps King Kai clear the table while Goku prepares to track Broly using Instant Transmission. However, Bubbles accidentally collapses and knocks over several plates when Goku asks King Kai for directions. After Broly’s apparent defeat, Bubbles celebrates with King Kai.
Bojack Unbound
Bubbles appears in the Other World alongside King Kai, Goku, and Gregory, where they watch the Intergalactic Tournament. At one point, he plays a game of cards with Goku, managing to trick him into drawing the joker.
Bio-Broly
Bubbles appears on Grand Kai’s Planet, informing Goku that Broly is causing trouble in Hell and that he and Pikkon need to handle the situation.
Battle of Gods
Four years after Kid Buu’s defeat, Bubbles is seen on King Kai’s planet while Goku trains. When Beerus arrives searching for the Super Saiyan God, Bubbles is present during the confrontation. Later, after Beerus spares Earth, Bubbles continues to train with Goku on King Kai’s planet.
Trivia
- According to the movie pamphlet for Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might, Bubbles has a power level of 1,000.
- In Dragon Ball: The Breakers, Bubbles is strong enough to hold his own against a weakened Guldo, distracting him long enough for the Survivor to land the finishing blow.
- King Kai’s pet Bubbles may be named after Michael Jackson’s famous pet chimpanzee, who shares the same name.
- Bubbles was the first being Goku encountered upon arriving on King Kai’s planet.
- Bubbles, Gregory, and a fish seen in Supreme Kai's flashback are the only animals shown to exist in Other World.
- Aside from his face, Bubbles bears a strong resemblance to the Saiyan Great Ape transformation, albeit on a much smaller scale.
- Bubbles was not revived with Cell’s other victims, likely due to Shenron’s wish being phrased as, “...revive all those on Earth killed by Cell.” Since Bubbles lived and died in Other World, he was exempt. However, in Dragon Ball Z Kai, Bubbles was revived along with the rest of Cell’s victims, differing from the original anime.
- In the manga, Bubbles is the only companion present with King Kai on his planet.
- Bubbles makes a brief cameo in the manga when King Kai lets Vegeta address Earth's inhabitants to help gather energy for the Spirit Bomb. However, he is absent from this scene in the anime.
