Editing Staff Officer Black (section)

== Biography ==

=== ''Dragon Ball'' ===

==== Red Ribbon Army Saga ====
Throughout Commander Red's pursuit of the seven Dragon Balls, Staff Officer Black serves as his diligent aide, performing mundane tasks like handing Red his cigars or offering compliments on his intellect. Despite his loyalty, Black frequently endures insults from Red, particularly regarding his proximity, as Red feels self-conscious about his short stature.

When Red hires [[Mercenary Tao]] to eliminate Goku for interfering with the Red Ribbon Army’s plans, Black initially doubts Tao's abilities. However, when Tao kills General Blue with a mere strike of his tongue, Black is left stunned. Tao's apparent success in defeating Goku and his promise to retrieve the Dragon Balls within three days temporarily reassures Black, allowing him to resume assisting Red, even indulging in a golf match together.

After Goku defeats Tao and promises to use the Dragon Balls to resurrect [[Upa|Upa’s]] [[Bora|father]], he storms the Red Ribbon Army Headquarters to reclaim the stolen orbs. Black repeatedly advises Red to evacuate the fortress for safety, but Red stubbornly refuses. As Goku breaches their defenses, Black is forced into combat. Despite his efforts, Goku overpowers him, sending him crashing through a window. This accident ironically spares Black’s life when a trapdoor ceiling intended to kill Goku fails to harm him as he clings to the windowsill.

Listening from outside, Black overhears Red’s true intention for the Dragon Balls: to wish for increased height. Disgusted by the revelation and Red’s willingness to sacrifice the entire army for his selfish ambition, Black confronts him. Depending on the version, this is either prompted by Red’s gleeful speech about his goal or his panicked confession during Goku’s assault. When Red dismisses Black and the army as expendable, Black’s patience snaps, and he shoots Commander Red between the eyes, killing him instantly.

Now in command, Black offers Goku a position in his newly declared "Black Ribbon Army," but Goku refuses. They battle again, with Black ultimately retreating to pilot a super-powered mech, the ''Battle Jacket''. Initially, the tide turns in Black's favor, as the suit allows him to overpower Goku. The fight spills outside, where Black gains the upper hand temporarily. However, Goku's speed and resilience turn the tide once more, forcing Black into desperation. In a reckless move, Black launches a powerful rocket, willing to destroy both Goku and his soldiers in a final attempt to claim victory. Goku deflects the missile, sending it harmlessly away.

Realizing he is outmatched, Black attempts to escape in the Battle Jacket, but Goku delivers a decisive double punch, shattering the mech. The resulting explosion kills Black, who is trapped inside, as the Battle Jacket lacked an essential feature—a parachute.

==== Fortuneteller Baba Saga ====
Black appears in a flashback when [[Bulma]] recounts Goku's exploits with the Dragon Balls to [[Grandpa Gohan]].

==== Piccolo Jr. Saga ====
He is shown during [[Kami|Kami's]] narration of the wars and conflicts caused by the Dragon Balls.

=== Dragon Ball Z ===

==== Androids Saga ====
In ''Dragon Ball Z'', Black is featured in a flashback as [[Master Roshi]] explains the history of the Red Ribbon Army war to [[Maron (Dragon Ball)|Maron]]. Key moments include his confrontation with Goku and his death in the Battle Jacket's explosion.

=== Dragon Ball Super ===

==== Super Hero Saga ====
In ''Dragon Ball Super'', Black is briefly seen during [[Krillin]] and Sergeant Nutz's recounting of the Red Ribbon Army's history to the Sunset City Police. An image shows him and Commander Red in front of the Red Ribbon Army Headquarters.

=== Dragon Ball GT ===

==== Super 17 Saga ====
In ''Dragon Ball GT'', Black appears among Red Ribbon Army members sent back to Hell by [[Pan]]. At [[King Yemma]]'s Check-In Station, he chats with General Blue about their collective failure. Later, Black, Blue, Major Metallitron, and [[Nappa]] confront [[Piccolo]] in Hell.

=== Film Appearances ===

==== The Path to Power ====
In this 10th-anniversary film, Black's role mirrors the original series. He kills Commander Red upon learning of his selfish wish, renames the organization the Black Ribbon Army, and battles Goku in his Battle Jacket. After destroying [[Android 8]], he fights Goku, ultimately perishing when Goku's Kamehameha destroys the mech. Black's behavior hints at mental instability following his discovery of the Red Ribbon Army's false motives.

==== Super Hero ====
In ''Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero'', Black appears briefly in the Red Ribbon Army recap, shown battling Goku and being killed when Goku destroys the Battle Jacket, causing it to explode.