Kami

Names	Kami (神かみ様さま Kami-sama lit. "God", "Deity", or "Divine Being")
Gender	Genderless
Race	Namekian
Occupation	Guardian of the Earth
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 64: "Enter God" ( 神かみ様さま登とう場じょう Kami-sama Tōjō, lit. "God Appears") March 1, 1988 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1988 #14)
Alignment	Good
Age	Over 300 Years
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	250 cm (8'2") "Prime" 223 cm (7'4") "Old"
Weight	200 kg (441 lbs) "Prime" 115.5 kg (255 lbs) "Old"

Kami (神かみ様さま Kami-sama lit. "God", "Deity", or "Divine Being") is the former Guardian of Earth and the benevolent counterpart to King Piccolo. For much of the story, Kami is depicted as a wise Namekian who, along with Piccolo, was once part of a single being. Though he had forgotten his original name, it is later revealed that he is the son of Katas. Born on Namek in Age 242, he was sent into space as a child by his father in a Namekian spaceship, which required at least basic knowledge of the Namekian language to operate. Upon learning about the role of Earth's Guardian, a position that could only be held by someone pure of heart, the Namekian split himself into two beings, casting out the evil within him. The good half became Kami, while the expelled darkness formed King Piccolo. Kami is also the Namekian responsible for creating Earth's Dragon Balls.

Concept and Creation

When Akira Toriyama designed Kami, the idea of Goku and Piccolo being aliens first formed in his head. This is best seen when Kami and Piccolo are fighting in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, and they converse in a strange language which was later revealed to be the Namekian Language.

Appearance

Kami is a wrinkled-skinned Namekian who wears a white robe with a blue collar, adorned with a red kanji symbol that means "God." He also wears dark blue shoes. In his youth, Kami's attire resembled that of King Piccolo, though instead of the "Demon" kanji worn by his counterpart, his clothing bore the "God" kanji.

Personality

The original personality of the Nameless Namekian is unknown, but after separating from his evil half, Kami becomes a peaceful Namekian. Although he could be considered a Warrior-type Namekian, he largely abandons martial arts after becoming Earth's Guardian, except for occasions when he fights Piccolo Jr. as "Hero" and Garlic Jr. as himself. According to Korin, Kami dislikes visitors and has been known to send rocket ships back, implying this has occurred at least once. His desire for solitude may stem from his isolated upbringing in the remote Yunzabit Heights.

Despite his genuine care for Earth, Kami initially developed a cynical view of humanity, believing humans to be selfish and untrustworthy after witnessing the aftermath of the King Piccolo wars. However, his faith in humanity is restored after meeting Goku, whose love for his friends and selflessness inspires Kami, despite knowing that Goku is not originally from Earth. He may also have been influenced by the heroic actions of Earthlings such as Master Mutaito, Master Roshi, and Goku’s friends. Kami's respect for Goku is so great that he sees him as a worthy successor and offers him the role of Earth's Guardian after the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, even suggesting that Goku and Chi-Chi could live together on the Lookout. Goku ultimately refuses, leaving Kami shocked.

Though Kami refrains from combat after the Piccolo Jr. Saga, preferring to let younger, stronger fighters handle threats, he is willing to join the battle when necessary, such as against Garlic Jr., with whom he has a personal rivalry due to past conflicts with Garlic.

Kami's character is complex, as he struggles with feelings of unworthiness in his role as Earth's Guardian. This stems from the fact that King Piccolo’s and Piccolo's survival depends on his own existence, causing him to consider ending his life several times. He expresses these feelings to Goku at the end of the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. After Master Roshi reminds Kami of the positive impact he and the Dragon Balls have had on Earth, Kami forgives himself and continues his role as Guardian until he eventually fuses with Piccolo. Even after the fusion, Kami’s presence remains within Piccolo, offering him strategic advice during battles, such as when fighting Imperfect Cell. Kami also encourages Piccolo during the Tournament of Power, fully aware that the fate of Earth and Universe 7 is at stake.

Biography

Background

Kami came into existence 300 years before the start of the series when a nameless Namekian arrived at The Lookout, the home of Earth's guardian at the time. Hoping to become the guardian’s successor upon his death, the Namekian became the aging guardian's apprentice and demonstrated loyalty and skill. He even outclassed the Serpent Garlic, who was also competing for the role. However, despite being mostly good, the apprentice was ultimately denied the position due to his selfish desire for the benefits of being guardian and the lingering evil within him.

Determined to rid himself of the evil, the Namekian separated it from his body, becoming Kami, the new Guardian of Earth. The expelled evil took the form of King Piccolo, his twin who shared a lifeline with him—if one died, so would the other. Kami watched over Earth from his Lookout as King Piccolo and his mutated sons wreaked havoc, but they were eventually defeated by the forces of Master Mutaito.

In the aftermath of King Piccolo's reign, Kami created the Dragon Balls to inspire hope and encourage acts of bravery among Earth's people, though he later came to regret this decision. It wasn’t until he met the pure-hearted Goku that Kami found redemption and faith in his choice to create the Dragon Balls.

Dragon Ball

King Piccolo Saga

Three hundred years later, following the conclusion of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, Emperor Pilaf releases King Piccolo from his imprisonment. Shortly after, Krillin is murdered by Piccolo's new son, Tambourine. It is revealed that King Piccolo seeks to eliminate all martial artists to prevent anyone from mastering the Evil Containment Wave, the technique that originally trapped him. Additionally, King Piccolo seeks the Dragon Balls to restore his youth and reclaim his dominion over the world.

After the deaths of his sons, Cymbal and Tambourine, at the hands of a mysterious attacker, King Piccolo encounters the young Goku. In their battle, Goku is seemingly killed. Master Roshi then attempts to use the Evil Containment Wave against King Piccolo but fails and loses his life in the process.

King Piccolo successfully gathers the Dragon Balls and summons Shenron. Chiaotzu tries to thwart King Piccolo's plan by making a wish of his own, but King Piccolo kills him at the last second and wishes for his youth to be restored. Immediately after his wish is granted, King Piccolo kills Shenron to prevent anyone from using the Dragon Balls against him. He then invades King Furry's castle, taking the king hostage and announcing his intention to destroy West City.

The next day, just as King Piccolo prepares to set off for West City, he is confronted by Goku once again. This time, Goku narrowly defeats him by delivering a fatal punch through his midsection. With his sons dead and his own life fading, King Piccolo spits out one final egg containing his reincarnated son, Piccolo Jr., intending for him to seek revenge on Goku. This act inadvertently saves Kami's life, as King Piccolo dies moments later.

Piccolo Jr. Saga

Shortly after arriving at Kami's mysterious lookout, Goku meets Kami’s loyal servant, Mr. Popo. Although normally Goku would have had to undergo rigorous training to earn a meeting with Kami, he is granted an audience without it. Upon seeing Kami, Goku mistakes him for King Piccolo and immediately charges at him, but Kami effortlessly flicks him away. After explaining his origins, Kami, as a reward for Goku’s victory over King Piccolo, revives Shenron so that all the innocent people killed by Piccolo and his sons can be brought back to life. Kami then informs Goku that Piccolo Jr., the reincarnation of King Piccolo, will seek to challenge him at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, and that Goku must train under him for three years to prepare.

During Goku’s training, Kami restores the moon, which Master Roshi had destroyed six years earlier, and permanently removes Goku's tail to prevent him from transforming into a Great Ape again. Kami also provides Goku with weighted clothing, including an undershirt, wristbands, and boots, to increase his strength.

Three years later, Goku arrives at the tournament, where Kami also participates, but disguised in the body of a human named Hero. Kami realizes that Piccolo Jr. is even stronger than his father was. In the tournament, Kami easily defeats Yajirobe and Yamcha, dominating both fights with minimal effort. While Yamcha surprises Kami by managing to hit him with the Spirit Ball, he is ultimately knocked out. Throughout the matches, Kami acts clumsy and awkward to avoid raising suspicion.

Kami eventually faces Piccolo Jr. and attempts to use the Evil Containment Wave to trap him, but Piccolo reverses the technique at the last second, trapping Kami instead inside a Klein Bottle. Kami leaves Hero’s body to avoid being trapped with him. Piccolo swallows the bottle, threatening that if Goku tries to free Kami, Piccolo will die—and thus Kami will as well. Goku later outsmarts Piccolo by tricking him into growing large, allowing Goku to enter his mouth and rescue Kami. Goku then defeats Piccolo Jr. but spares his life, knowing that killing him would also mean Kami’s death.

Afterward, still burdened by guilt, Kami offers Goku his position as Guardian of Earth, but Goku declines, choosing instead to keep his promise to marry Chi-Chi. He leaves with her, flying off on his Nimbus.

Dragon Ball Z

Saiyan Saga

Five years after the events of the Piccolo Jr. Saga, Kami continues his role as the Guardian of Earth, monitoring the planet. Goku and Piccolo seem destined to clash once again, but a new threat emerges when a mysterious alien named Raditz arrives on Earth in search of his brother, Kakarot (Goku). Raditz proves to be far stronger than Piccolo and threatens to destroy Earth, unlike Piccolo, who only sought to rule it. Goku sacrifices himself to help Piccolo defeat Raditz with an assist from his son, Gohan. However, before dying, Raditz reveals that two even stronger Saiyans are on their way to Earth.

Kami intervenes by bringing Goku's soul to King Yemma’s office and securing him training with King Kai in the Other World. Meanwhile, Kami trains Earth’s warriors—Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Yajirobe—in preparation for the Saiyans’ arrival. Once Goku completes his training, Kami brings him back to Earth. However, Piccolo dies during the battle against Vegeta and Nappa, sacrificing himself to save Gohan. Due to their shared lifeline, Kami dies as well.

Frieza Saga

Kami remains dead until Piccolo is resurrected. King Kai contacts Kami to gather the Earth's Dragon Balls to aid in the battle against Frieza. When Frieza attempts to blow up Namek, King Kai initially believes he succeeded, but Kami contacts him, unintentionally revealing that Namek is still intact. This is because Kami would have perished if Namek had been destroyed, as Piccolo was still on the planet.

Later, Kami plays a key role in King Kai's plan to use Earth's Dragon Balls to revive everyone killed by Frieza and his forces and to transport everyone from Namek, except Frieza and Goku, to Earth using the Namekian Dragon Balls. In the anime, Kami is briefly imprisoned by Garlic Jr. but is freed by Piccolo during the Garlic Jr. Saga. He and Mr. Popo then use the Sacred Water to reverse the effects of the Black Water Mist that has brainwashed Earth's population.

Cell Saga

Kami’s role diminishes after the Frieza Saga. With Earth’s heroes no longer needing his training or wisdom, he senses an unknown threat looming and agrees to fuse with Piccolo to return to their original form—the Nameless Namekian. This new Piccolo confronts the bio-android Cell but is unable to kill him.

Since Kami is a Namekian, he retains the ability to create Dragon Balls. However, this skill is not typically required of Guardians. After Kami fuses with Piccolo, the role of Earth’s Guardian remains vacant until Goku recruits Dende from New Namek to take Kami’s place.

Dragon Ball Super

Universe Survival Saga

During the Tournament of Power, Kami and Nail briefly appear in Piccolo's mind while he is unconscious, encouraging him to keep fighting against the Universe 6 Namekians, Saonel and Pilina.

In the manga, Kami makes a cameo during a conversation between Goku and Master Roshi, as Goku reflects on the teachings of his various mentors.

Super Hero Saga

Kami is indirectly referenced when Piccolo recognizes the Red Ribbon Army logo on Gamma 2. Piccolo notes that he remembers it "from when he was God," implying Kami's past knowledge of the Red Ribbon Army.

Film appearances

Dead Zone

In Dead Zone, Kami appears at The Lookout, weakened after sensing the attack on Piccolo by Garlic Jr. and his henchmen. Initially unsure who attacked Piccolo, Kami dismisses the idea that it was Goku and eventually considers the possibility of Garlic Jr.'s involvement.

When Goku arrives to rescue his kidnapped son Gohan, Kami explains to him that Garlic Jr. is the son of Garlic, who competed with Kami for the position of Guardian of Earth. Garlic's evil nature had led Kami's predecessor to choose Kami over him, resulting in Garlic’s attempt to take the role by force. Garlic was ultimately sealed away, but his final vow was to seek revenge in 300 years. Kami never expected Garlic's son to take up this grudge.

As Goku searches for Gohan, Kami confronts Garlic Jr. Despite Garlic Jr. boasting about his immortality granted by Shenron, Kami remains calm, calling him a fool. However, Garlic Jr. overpowers Kami, attacking him with energy blasts and a brutal physical assault. Though Kami momentarily fights back, he is ultimately defeated.

In a last-ditch effort, Kami contemplates self-destruction to take Garlic Jr. down, but Garlic Jr. mocks him, reminding Kami that his immortality would render the sacrifice pointless. Thankfully, Piccolo and Goku arrive to fight Garlic Jr., and Kami is saved by Goku during one of Garlic Jr.'s attacks. Kami entrusts Goku to stop Garlic Jr.

After Piccolo and Goku manage to temporarily defeat Garlic Jr., Kami congratulates them, but Piccolo warns him to stay back as he prepares to settle things with Goku. Before their battle can escalate, Garlic Jr. reappears due to his immortality and attempts to trap everyone by opening the Dead Zone—a technique his father had created.

In the chaos, Kami grabs onto a pillar to avoid being sucked into the Dead Zone, but the pillar is destroyed as Gohan’s immense power surges. Ultimately, Gohan knocks Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone, saving Kami, Goku, and Piccolo. After the battle, Kami explains that Garlic Jr. is trapped in the Dead Zone for eternity and will likely regret his wish for immortality.

Power and Statistics

Tier: At least 5-C

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Longevity, Master in Martial Arts, Afterimages, Ki Manipulation (Advanced Level), Shockwaves Generation, Teleportation, Dimensional Travel, BFR, Enhanced Senses (Is aware of almost everything happening on Earth, also has good hearing), Ki Sensing, Sealing (Master of the Mafuba), Telepathy, Telekinesis, Body Control, Elasticity (Can stretch his arms to great lengths), Magic, Life Manipulation, Creation (A member of the Dragon Clan of Namekians, which possess mystic abilities), Regeneration (Mid; Can regenerate as long as his head remains intact), Possession, Fusionism (Natural ability of the Namekians, fused with Piccolo and was the reason for his power-up during the Android Saga)

Attack Potency: At least Moon level (Significantly stronger than Mister Popo. Stated to be superior to King Piccolo. Superior to Shenron, as he is his creator. Said that he would have put up a better fight against a casual 23rd Budokai Piccolo if he had not borrowed a weak body)

Speed: Relativistic (Vastly faster than King Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha. Faster than Mr. Popo and capable of intercepting an attack from a casual Piccolo)

Lifting Strength: Unknown

Striking Strength: At least Moon level

Durability: At least Moon level (Was able to block a punch from Piccolo)

Stamina: High

Range: Extended Melee Range, Tens of Kilometers with ki blasts and attacks, Universal with Kai Kai

Standard Equipment: His Staff

• Optional Equipment: Dragon Balls (Item)

Intelligence:​ Gifted (Has lived for several hundred years and was wise enough to become the Guardian of Earth)

Weaknesses: Kami has several weaknesses, including the inability to survive in the vacuum of space, becoming weaker when possessing people, and the inability to regenerate if his head is destroyed. Additionally, if his other half is killed, Kami will also face certain death.

Trivia

• The name "Kami" or "Kami-sama," meaning "god" in Japanese, is a title referring to his role as the Guardian of Earth rather than his original name. In English adaptations, the name is left untranslated, likely to avoid offending religious beliefs, which causes it to lose the comedic impact it had in the original Japanese when characters first hear "Kami" during the Piccolo Jr. Saga.
• While King Piccolo and his offspring were originally thought to be demons, Kami and the Nameless Namekian were not considered demons. Kami's true species as a Namekian remained a mystery until the Saiyan Saga, during the fight with Vegeta and Nappa.
• During the fight with Yamcha while disguised as Hero, Kami hints at his extraterrestrial origins by mentioning he is a visitor from another planet, foreshadowing his Namekian background. This contradicts a later statement where he claims no memory of being an alien, although he admits he wondered about his antennae, suggesting he might have suspected his off-Earth origins. This contradiction is only present in the English dub.
• Some fans speculate that Kami is linked to the Ultra Divine Water due to his symbol appearing on the pot containing the water, even before Kami's introduction. However, this symbol may simply represent all Guardians of Earth, as it was also associated with Dende when he succeeded Kami.
• Kami shares several traits with Master Roshi: both trained Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha, and gave their students special clothing (Roshi gave them turtle gi, while Kami provided weighted clothes). Both also competed in the World Martial Arts Tournament in disguise (Roshi as Jackie Chun, and Kami as Hero). Additionally, both characters were familiar with the Evil Containment Wave, which Master Roshi learned from his master, Mutaito, who used it against King Piccolo.
• In the Dragon Ball episode "Goku Goes to Demon Land," Goku is told by Melee that he needs a permit from either "Enma-sama" or "Kami-sama" to pass freely. This is the first time either is mentioned in the anime, even though they don't appear until later.