King Cold

King Cold
“ My clan is feared throughout the Universe! What fool dares challenge our supremacy? I will afford him the honor of dying by the hand of King Cold himself! „ ― "There is Planet Earth, Father! Frieza and King Cold Strike Back!"
Vital statistics
Names	Cold Cold Daiō-Sama Cold the Great Papa Frieza Great King Cold
Gender	Male
Race	Mutant of "Frieza's Race"
Occupation	King, Emperor
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 329: "Where is Goku?" (帰かえらない悟ご空くう Kaeranai Gokū, lit. "Goku Won't Be Coming Home") June 18, 1991 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1991 #28)
Alignment	Evil
Age	Several Decades
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	>7ft
Weight	unknown

King Cold (コルド大王, Korudo Daiō, lit. "Great King Cold") is the ruler and former emperor of Dragon Ball's Universe 7. He is a behind-the-scenes member of his family's organization, the Frieza Force, which he led when it was known as the Cold Force. He is the father of Cooler and Frieza, and the grandfather of Kuriza.

Appearance

King Cold's height varies significantly, sometimes appearing similar in size to Frieza's second form, while at other times towering over most Dragon Ball villains, with Mecha Frieza only reaching his knee. His physical appearance closely resembles that of his sons, particularly Frieza in his second form, but with a more muscular build. King Cold also has horns that feature distinct lines.

At the end of his reign as the emperor of the Cold Force, King Cold had purple skin, a purple gem on his head, white armor on his wrists, and wore a red cape. His battle armor was black with yellow sections.

By the time of Frieza and Cold's invasion of Earth, King Cold's skin tone was darker than Frieza's but lighter than Cooler's. He wore standard Battle Armor over his chest, accompanied by a black cape. The armor was depicted as blue in Dragon Ball Z and brown in Dragon Ball GT. The "dome" on his head was dark blue, although it sometimes appeared dark teal in the anime.

Personality

King Cold exhibits a calm, high-class demeanor with refined mannerisms. While not as sadistic as his son Frieza, he shares a strong sense of arrogance and impatience. King Cold holds his family in high regard, as shown by his shock and anger upon learning that Frieza was defeated on Namek, and his eagerness to avenge him. He is pleased when the repair of Frieza into Mecha Frieza is successful. In the dub of Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge, Cooler mentions that King Cold "spoiled Frieza rotten." In Broly, King Cold pats Frieza on the back, though Frieza does not reciprocate the gesture, frowning and later brushing Cold's hand off when introducing himself to the Saiyans.

Despite his apparent affection, King Cold seems to be somewhat critical of Frieza, as shown by his frequent put-downs while Frieza was fighting Future Trunks. There are hints that King Cold may have been physically abusive, as Frieza admits that, before Goku, King Cold was the only one who had ever caused him pain or made him "dust himself off." Frieza also refers to his father as "loving," although this remark may have been sarcastic.

Despite his supposed deep concern for his family, King Cold seems untroubled by the idea of replacing them if they are killed, as shown when he tries to recruit Future Trunks after the latter kills Frieza. However, this could have been a ploy, as he may have recognized that fighting Future Trunks wasn't in his favor, particularly while Trunks still had his sword. King Cold also displays more restraint than Frieza, as seen when he expresses shock at Frieza's reckless attempt to vaporize Future Trunks with a Death Blaster, fearing it would "destroy [them] all."

King Cold appears to have a strong interest in weapons. Before attacking Future Trunks with his own sword using the Dirty Slash technique, he admires the blade, noting that it was crafted by a master. He may have been responsible for the Cosmic Suit and the additional armaments of Mecha Frieza's Full Armor in Super Dragon Ball Z, though he himself does not seem to use swords or other weapons in combat.

Although King Cold is the head of the Frieza Force, his role and existence are unknown to all but his immediate family. He manages the organization from behind the scenes, with Frieza serving as its public face. Most members of the Frieza Force, including Vegeta, are unaware of King Cold's existence, likely because King Vegeta never informed Vegeta before his death. However, a select few henchmen, such as Sorbet, are directly under King Cold's control and are aware of his existence.

In Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', it is revealed that King Cold is well-informed about the universe, as he warned Frieza not to challenge either Beerus the Destroyer or Majin Buu, recognizing that their power far surpassed that of himself or his sons.

King Cold also has a level of familiarity with and fear of Super Saiyans, possibly due to his ancestor Chilled, who was mortally wounded by a time-displaced Super Saiyan Bardock. Upon witnessing Future Trunks' transformation, he acknowledged the form but did not fear it as much as Frieza, confidently believing he could defeat Future Trunks if the Saiyan was disarmed. However, after witnessing the true power of a Super Saiyan, Cold's hidden cowardice emerged, and he begged Future Trunks for mercy, but to no avail. In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, this fear is further highlighted during a side story in which Cold is revived. After witnessing Super Saiyan Gohan's strength, Cold attempts to conceal his fear with a shaky acknowledgment of Gohan, even claiming he would treat Gohan as his son in place of Frieza.

King Cold seems to care little for his eldest son, Cooler, viewing him as soft and only pretending to ally with him to help obtain Hatchiyack's Dragon Ball on the Prison Planet. However, he refrains from taking violent action against Cooler unless absolutely necessary.

It is subtly implied that King Cold's working relationship with the Saiyans was more respectful than Frieza's. During King Cold's final visit to Planet Vegeta, King Vegeta greeted him with a handshake, but King Cold ignored it to announce Frieza as his successor. The Saiyans were then instructed to kneel before Frieza, likely because King Cold did not want to appear soft in front of his son, whom he described as being stricter and more cruel than himself.

Biography

Background

Frieza's father, King Cold, is a mutant with an exceptionally high power level, which is why both he and his son Frieza stand out among their race in terms of their extraordinary strength and cruelty. This mutation sets them apart as the only ones in their race to display such formidable power in the series. While King Cold is aware of the legendary power of the Super Saiyans, he does not fear it as much as Frieza, as he is confident that no one could pose a real threat to him or his clan. One of King Cold's elite soldiers was Caluppa.

In Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge, it is revealed that King Cold was an abusive parent to his eldest son, Cooler (at least from Cooler's perspective), while he spoiled Frieza, contributing to Frieza's arrogance. King Cold had also heard of Majin Buu and God of Destruction Beerus and specifically warned Frieza never to challenge these two beings.

At some point, King Cold and his army traveled to Planet Vegeta to inform the Saiyans of his retirement and that they would henceforth serve his son, Frieza.

Android/Cell Saga

After learning of his son's desperate struggle against a Super Saiyan on Planet Namek, King Cold and his crew hurry to Namek to assist Frieza. However, they arrive after the planet has already exploded due to one of Frieza's attacks. Despite being in disbelief that his son could be destroyed by a mere planetary explosion, the enraged King Cold searches through the debris of Namek's remains. In his anger, he telekinetically shatters his spaceship's cockpit window, causing one of his soldiers to be sucked into space. King Cold then vows that if Frieza has truly been defeated, he will personally avenge his son.

Eventually, Frieza's subordinates discover Frieza's battered remains and bring them to King Cold's planet, where Cold's scientists successfully rebuild him with mechanical limbs. When Frieza awakens, he informs his father about the Super Saiyan who nearly destroyed him. They soon learn that the Super Saiyan is heading to Earth. Although King Cold suggests destroying the planet from space, Frieza devises a different plan. He intends to reach Earth before the Super Saiyan and kill the earthlings to make the Super Saiyan suffer. Afterward, Frieza, with Cold's assistance if necessary, plans to have a rematch with the Super Saiyan, confident that victory will be assured.

When King Cold and Mecha Frieza arrive on Earth in the Northern Wastelands, Cold grants his son permission to kill Goku's friends and orders his soldiers to eliminate anything they encounter. Suddenly, Future Trunks appears and effortlessly defeats all of Cold's minions. To Frieza's horror and Cold's curiosity, Future Trunks transforms into a Super Saiyan, survives all of Frieza's attacks (much to Cold's annoyance), and swiftly kills Frieza with his sword, disintegrating his remains.

King Cold, believing that the youth's power comes solely from his weapon, offers Future Trunks the opportunity to take Frieza's place, even offering him planets. Trunks unabashedly declines, which does not concern Cold, who believes the boy is only strong because of the sword.

Attempting to acquire the weapon, Cold asks to examine the blade. Once the sword is in his hand, Cold strikes at the youth, but to his shock, Trunks effortlessly catches the blade. The youth then overpowers King Cold and shoots a God Breaker through Cold's chest, sending him flying into a cliff. Trunks immediately vaporizes Cold's body.

In the anime, Cold does not die immediately from the first blast. Instead, he retains consciousness and begins to beg for his life, offering all the planets he has conquered and implying that he would change his ways. However, his pleas for mercy are ignored, and Trunks quickly finishes him off with another God Breaker, much to the shock of the Dragon Team. King Cold's cells were later collected by Dr. Gero's Remote Tracking Device to help create Cell.

Buu Saga

In the anime, after Frieza and the four deceased members of the Ginyu Force are sent to Hell, King Cold befriends Cell shortly after Cell's arrival. Together, they assist Cell in his quest to find a way back to Earth by torturing the ogre guardians of Hell. However, their efforts are thwarted when Goku and Pikkon arrive and easily defeat them. Before King Cold can comprehend what is happening, he is knocked out by a single elbow strike to the stomach from Pikkon. Later, King Cold is shown in a jail cell in Hell, complaining alongside the other villains about his situation, specifically lamenting that he could have at least had a shower.

After being released from prison, King Cold and several other past villains observe the final battle between Goku and Kid Buu through a Crystal Ball. At one point, King Cold laughs when Goku hesitates to throw the Super Spirit Bomb with Vegeta in the way. However, his smile quickly fades when he sees Mr. Satan move Vegeta's body aside, allowing Goku to destroy Kid Buu with the Super Spirit Bomb.

Golden Frieza Saga

After reviving Frieza, Shenron informed Sorbet that he had a second wish available. Sorbet briefly considered using the wish to revive King Cold as well. However, before he could make the wish, Pilaf and his gang stole it for themselves. Later, Frieza inquired about King Cold's fate. Sorbet suggested that they could revive King Cold in the future, but Frieza declined, preferring to remain in control himself.

Super 17 Saga

In Dragon Ball GT, King Cold is briefly seen escaping from Hell alongside Recoome, Guldo, Babidi, Appule, and Cui. Although his fate was not explicitly shown or stated, it is implied that he was likely defeated by one of the heroes and sent back to Hell.

Prison Planet Saga

King Cold and his army are brought to the Prison Planet by Fu, where they quickly become influential in the area they control, with Cold acquiring the Four-Star Special Dragon Ball.

In the manga, King Cold and his forces are attacked by Hatchiyack's Ghost Warriors, resulting in the complete annihilation of his soldiers. King Cold is left battered and barely alive, lying against a rock. When Cooler and Future Trunks arrive, Cold notices that Cooler has achieved the "Golden Frieza" form and congratulates him on his newfound strength, showing him the Four-Star Special Dragon Ball. He then asks Cooler to fight for him, but Cooler responds by firing a Death Beam through Cold's chest, killing him and declaring the end of "Great King Cold."

In the game, King Cold and his forces are similarly overwhelmed by Hatchiyack's Ghost Warriors. When Cooler and Future Trunks arrive, Cold offers Cooler the Four-Star Special Dragon Ball in exchange for their help in dealing with the Ghost Warriors. They fight together against the Ghost Warriors, and after the final Ghost Warrior is defeated, Cold reveals that he was merely using Cooler. He demands Cooler hand over his Special Dragon Ball and leave, threatening to attack him. However, before Cold can act, Hatchiyack surprises him with an attack, killing him.

Supreme Kai of Time Saga

During the second round of the Super Space-Time Tournament, King Cold is shown as one of the warriors on a stylized version of Planet Namek.

Film Appearances

Cooler's Revenge

King Cold does not appear in this film, but he is referenced in the English dub. After Cooler learns of Frieza's death at the hands of a Saiyan, he remarks privately, "Father spoiled you rotten, you little brat," before instructing Salza to prepare for departure.

Broly

King Cold appears on Planet Vegeta in Age 732. He announces his retirement to King Vegeta and the Saiyans, introducing his son, Frieza, as their new ruler. He declares that the Cold Force will now be known as the Frieza Force.

Super Hero

Magenta shows Dr. Hedo a video recording of Future Trunks' battle with Frieza and King Cold.

Powers and Stats

Tier: At least Low 4-C

Power and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Skilled Martial Artist, Flight, Ki Manipulation (Master Level), Telekinesis, Bodily Weaponry (Can use his tail and horns as weapons), Body Control (Can alter his body structure and create a lower form), Self-Sustenance (Type 1). Space Survival, Resistance to Extreme Cold and Cosmic Radiation (Able to survive in outer space, which is colder and filled with radiations), Disease Manipulation (Scaling from Frieza; Stated that King Cold was a mutant with abnormally high combat power even saying "Frieza's Race". Frieza was born from his own father, still in strong possession of the mutant traits, both of them are the only ones who possess an abnormal (level of) battle power and cruelty)

Attack Potency: At least Small Star level (Should not be too far off from Frieza, as while he's weaker than Frieza, he was stated to have been the only one to harm him in his Final Form (50%) before Goku)

Speed: At least Supersonic flight speed, Massively FTL+ combat speed (Being slightly below Frieza in terms of power, King Cold should not be much slower than him in combat)

Lifting Strength: Unknown

Striking Strength: At least Small Star level

Durability: At least Small Star level (He shouldn't be much less durable than Frieza)

Stamina: Unknown

Range: Standard Melee Range; At least Planetary with ki blasts and attacks.

Standard Equipment: Battle Armor

Intelligence: Gifted (Cold is fairly intelligent and was the secret leader of the Frieza Force. He is shown to be fairly tactical and pragmatic, as he recommended destroying Earth from space rather than Frieza's preferred method of landing first)

Weaknesses: Can be somewhat cowardly. Can be poor at judging a fighter's true power, as he mistakenly believed that Trunks stood no chance against him without his sword, despite clearly seeing Trunks lift Frieza's Death Ball with one hand.

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

• Ki Blast: The most basic form of energy wave.
• Energy Wave: One of King Cold's attacks.
• Full Power Death Beam: A powered-up version of the Death Beam.
• Super Explosive Wave: He creates a massive explosion with himself as the nexus.
• Telekinesis: Used to shatter the cockpit window of his ship, causing Fisshi, one of his soldiers, to be ejected into space.

Note:

• Even though his son Frieza possesses Type 2 Immortality, King Cold has not displayed this ability and was killed with a blast through his chest in the manga, which would contradict such a claim.

Trivia

• King Cold's name is a reference to low temperatures.
• In the English dub, King Cold has a noticeable British accent.
• Frieza mentions his "parents" or "loving parents" in various media like the manga, anime, and Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z. In Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Dragon Ball Z Kai, he refers to "his father" only. The plural form does not exist in Japanese.
• In Chi-Chi's commentary on First Form Frieza and Final Form Cooler in Budokai Tenkaichi 3, she refers to the parents of Frieza and Cooler, suggesting their upbringing was problematic. She also wonders about King Cold's wife, questioning if she looks like him.
• King Cold’s size is inconsistent across different media. In the manga, he is depicted as nearly three times the height of Mecha Frieza, while the anime shows varying sizes. In Budokai Tenkaichi 3, King Cold's height is similar to Frieza's Second Form.
• In the second Jaaku Mission trailer for Dragon Ball Heroes, King Cold’s chestplate is brown, matching the color of his armor in Dragon Ball GT.
• In Budokai Tenkaichi 3, if King Cold fights Trunks (Fighting Teen), he will comment on Trunks' lack of a sword and, if he wins, will mock Trunks for being a loser without it.
• King Cold is the only member of Frieza's race who has appeared in the anime but was not voiced by Ryūsei Nakao.
• Despite being the secret leader of the Frieza Force, King Cold is technically of lower rank than his son Frieza, who holds the title of Emperor of Universe 7. This is highlighted in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, where King Cold's retirement implies he was once the emperor before passing the title to Frieza.
• In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Bardock mentions that the Saiyans were enslaved by King Cold after they had conquered and sold planets. Therefore, Future Trunks' defeat of King Cold is seen as avenging the Saiyan race's enslavement, fittingly, since Trunks is from the royal House of Vegeta.