Captain Ginyu

Captain Ginyu
Vital statistics
Names	Ginyu
Gender	Male
Race	Mutant Alien, Saiyan (Formerly) Human (Formerly) Namekian Frieza Race Majin 1/2 Saiyan-1/2 Earthling hybrid Namekian Frog (Formerly Tagoma's race
Occupation	Elite Soldier (Frieza Force) (Ginyu Force)
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 272: "The Ginyu Force" (にあえ！！ななつのドラゴンボール Ma ni Ae!! Nanatsu no Doragon Bōru, lit. "Make it in Time!! The Seven Dragon Balls") April 24, 1990 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1990 #21/22)
Alignment	Evil
Age	Unknown
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	200 cm (approximately 6ft 7in)
Weight	unknown

Ginyu (ギニュー Ginyū), referred to as Captain Ginyu (ギニュー隊長 Ginyū-taichō) by his subordinates is the leader of the Ginyu Force, an elite mercenary squad that serves under Frieza. Known for his strict discipline and loyalty, Ginyu is both honorable and merciless in battle. One of his most unique abilities is his power to swap bodies with his opponents, which he uses strategically to gain the upper hand in combat.

Appearance

Captain Ginyu's most recognizable form is that of a tall, purple humanoid alien with two black, conical horns protruding from the sides of his head. His head also features prominent veins, resembling the appearance of a human brain. Ginyu wears a black version of the standard Battle Armor used by Frieza's forces, distinguished by its lower side guards, black and white wrist bracers, and the Ginyu Force insignia on the upper left side of his chest plate. He also wears black underwear as his lower body armor and is equipped with a green Scouter.

Personality

Ginyu is arrogant and merciless, yet he upholds a strict code of honor during battle. He prefers fair fights and has been shown to refuse certain advantages, such as when he chose not to break Goku's neck after Jeice interfered in their fight. Goku even notes that Ginyu might not be entirely evil and could be capable of redemption due to his sense of honor.

Ginyu cares deeply about his team, reacting with intense anger upon learning from Jeice that his subordinates were defeated. However, he can also be harsh, scolding Jeice for allowing Burter and Recoome to lose to Goku. Despite his stern leadership, Ginyu genuinely reveres Frieza and is one of the few characters who shows deep loyalty to him. This loyalty is so strong that even after being trapped in the body of a Namekian frog, Ginyu never gave up hope of one day serving Frieza again.

Although loyal, Ginyu is a pragmatic and calculating warrior. He is known for his methodical approach to missions, often conducting research before engaging in battle. Ginyu has a deep understanding of ki and fighting techniques, as demonstrated when he was the only member of his team to realize that Goku was concealing his true power level and only releasing it in short bursts.

Despite his loyalty to Frieza, Ginyu claimed to Goku that he doesn't follow anyone's orders when Goku exposed his true power level of 180,000. This suggests that while Ginyu is loyal, he values his autonomy and strategic approach to combat.

Biography

Background

Toyotarō's version of how Ginyu obtained his horned purple body

Captain Ginyu, like the other members of the Ginyu Force, developed his special powers during his childhood. One of his most unique abilities, the Body Change technique, allows him to switch bodies with others, a skill he discovered early in life.

According to the strategy guide for Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu, Ginyu first learned of his Body Change ability during his school years. He initially used it to switch bodies with the richest kid in his class, which made him popular with girls but significantly lowered his intelligence. This experience taught Ginyu an important lesson: true competition should be based on strength rather than wealth. It is suggested that his well-known purple, horned body is his original form.

In a drawing by Toyotarou, Ginyu is depicted encountering a powerful being of a horned, purple species. He used his Body Change technique to switch bodies with this being, gaining the form in which he is most commonly seen.

Before joining Frieza's army, Ginyu was integrated into Cooler’s Armored Squadron. During this time, Salza, a member of Cooler’s squadron, had to fight Ginyu for the leadership of the squadron. However, Frieza soon recruited Ginyu into his own army, recognizing his strength and unique abilities. Only a few people, including Salza, have seen Ginyu's original form, making it a closely guarded secret.

Dragon Ball Z

Frieza Saga

Captain Ginyu and his elite Ginyu Force are summoned by Frieza after learning that Vegeta is searching for the Dragon Balls on Planet Namek. Frieza is concerned as Vegeta's power level has been rapidly increasing, surpassing that of Frieza's top henchmen, Dodoria and Zarbon. The Ginyu Force spends five days traveling to Namek, where they are tasked with capturing Vegeta, eliminating his companions (Krillin and Gohan), and recovering the Dragon Balls that Vegeta has stolen.

Upon their arrival on Namek, the Ginyu Force quickly locates Vegeta and his companions. Displaying their unique abilities, such as Burter's immense speed and Guldo's time-freezing technique, they efficiently track down all seven Dragon Balls. Initially, Captain Ginyu intends to personally defeat Vegeta, but after his subordinates express their desire to fight, he allows them to engage Vegeta and the others while he returns the Dragon Balls to Frieza's spaceship.

Captain Ginyu uses his telekinetic abilities to transport the Dragon Balls back to Frieza, but they soon discover that they cannot activate the Dragon Balls to summon the Eternal Dragon. Frieza recalls a dying Namekian's words, revealing that the Dragon Balls can only be activated using a secret Namekian language. Frieza decides to seek out the Namekians who might know this language and assigns Captain Ginyu to guard the Dragon Balls.

While guarding the Dragon Balls, Captain Ginyu is approached by a panicked Jeice, who informs him that Recoome, Burter, and Guldo have been defeated by a powerful new fighter named Goku. Ginyu reprimands Jeice for fleeing the battle and refuses his suggestion to warn Frieza, fearing it would damage his reputation. Instead, Ginyu decides to confront Goku himself, leaving Jeice to hide the Dragon Balls (or in the anime, to have them buried by Frieza's soldiers).

When Ginyu meets Goku, he quickly realizes that the Saiyan is concealing his true power level. Ginyu estimates Goku's power to be around 60,000, far higher than the 5,000 registered on their scouters. As the battle begins, Ginyu is initially confident, but Vegeta's sudden departure distracts Goku, allowing Ginyu to land a powerful blow.

Goku and Ginyu engage in a fierce battle, during which Ginyu begins to suspect that Goku might be a Super Saiyan. However, he dismisses this idea, believing that no Saiyan he knows could be as compassionate as Goku. The battle is evenly matched, with both fighters using various tricks and strategies to land hits on each other.

At one point, Ginyu manages to trap Goku in a full nelson but releases him after realizing that he only succeeded because Jeice had interfered by blasting Goku with a beam. Ginyu admonishes Jeice for his interference, threatening to kill him if he disrupts the fight again, showing a sense of honor in combat.

During his battle with Goku on Namek, Captain Ginyu realizes that Goku is not using his full power and demands that he reveal his true strength. Goku obliges, shocking both Ginyu and Jeice when his power level is revealed to be 180,000, far surpassing Ginyu's own power level of 120,000. Accepting that he cannot win in a direct confrontation, Ginyu takes a drastic step: he stabs himself in the chest and prepares to use his Body Change technique, a unique ability that allows him to switch bodies with another being.

Ginyu's plan is to take over Goku's body, leaving Goku trapped in a critically injured body that will eventually die from blood loss. The body change is successful, but Ginyu quickly discovers that he cannot fully tap into Goku's power, only managing to access a fraction of it, around 23,000. In the English dub, Jeice notes that Goku's power level is actually decreasing under Ginyu's control.

Now in Goku's body, Ginyu is forced into a losing battle against Gohan and Krillin, while Vegeta engages Jeice. However, as the battle progresses, Ginyu begins to learn how to draw out more of Goku's power and starts to gain the upper hand against Gohan and Krillin. Even when Goku, now in Ginyu's body, tries to assist, Ginyu easily defeats all three of them.

It is not until Vegeta finishes off Jeice and joins the battle that Ginyu is finally overpowered. Beaten and desperate, Ginyu attempts to switch bodies with Vegeta. The first time, Goku (still in Ginyu's body) intervenes, preventing the switch. On the second attempt, Goku throws a Namekian frog into the path of Ginyu's Body Change Energy Wave, causing Ginyu's soul to be trapped in the frog's body. With his new form, Ginyu is unable to speak the words needed to use his technique, rendering him powerless.

Ginyu's original body, now inhabited by the frog's soul, can only communicate in croaks. Although Vegeta has the opportunity to kill Ginyu after the body switch, he decides not to, either to avoid getting "toad guts" on his boots (in the original anime) or because Goku convinces him that Ginyu is no longer a threat (in the manga and "Dragon Ball Z Kai"). Vegeta deems the life that lies ahead for Ginyu as punishment enough.

In the manga, Ginyu is never seen again. However, in the anime, he continues to make appearances as a frog. At one point, he tries to steal a Dragon Ball while Gohan is guarding them, but Gohan quickly recognizes him and Ginyu is forced to flee. Later, Ginyu encounters a pink female Namekian frog who becomes infatuated with him, much to his horror. Despite his attempts to escape, the female frog eventually catches up to him and gives him a kiss, leaving him traumatized.

Later, Bulma finds the frog and takes him in as a pet. Realizing that the frog can understand human speech, Bulma creates a device to translate his croaks into words. Ginyu seizes the opportunity to betray Bulma, using the device to pronounce the Body Change technique and switch bodies with her. Now in Bulma's body, Ginyu heads to the site of Frieza and Goku's final showdown, where Piccolo, Krillin, and Gohan are also present. However, Bulma, in the frog's body, manages to cling to the air-ski and follows Ginyu to the battlefield.

As Ginyu tries to blend in, his true identity is revealed when he accidentally cheers for Frieza during the fight, exposing himself to the others.

Realizing that he has exposed his true identity, Captain Ginyu, in Bulma's body, attacks Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin. He decides to switch bodies with Piccolo, the strongest of the three, hoping to gain a powerful new form. However, Gohan, having figured out that the frog is actually Bulma, throws the frog into the path of the Body Change wave. This results in Ginyu being reverted back to the frog's body, while Bulma is restored to her human form.

Ginyu and Bulma are blown away by the force of one of the blasts from the ongoing battle between Goku and Frieza. They are eventually thrown into a cliff by the shockwave of Goku's Spirit Bomb. After the blast, Bulma uses Ginyu to scout the area, still upset over his earlier betrayal. Ginyu, in frog form, reports back to Bulma, who then notices the immense aura of the fight overtaking a nearby island.

Following a wish made to Porunga, the Eternal Dragon of Namek, Ginyu is transported to Earth along with all living beings on Namek, except for Goku and Frieza. On Earth, Ginyu ends up living among the frogs at Capsule Corporation, apparently becoming the ruler of the pond and residing in Bulma's greenhouse. The fate of the frog whose soul was in Ginyu's original body remains unclear, although one scene shows it hopping around in a forest on Earth after the Namekians are evacuated.

Later Appearances

Cell Saga: Ginyu, still in frog form, makes occasional appearances in later episodes. For instance, he is seen outside Goku's house during Gohan's 11th birthday.

Majin Buu Saga: Ginyu appears again when he is picked up by the Great Saiyaman (Gohan in disguise) after an attempt by Sharpner to unmask him. Ginyu is ultimately killed when Kid Buu destroys Earth, but he is later revived alongside the Earth and its citizens. Despite his revival, Ginyu remains trapped in his Namekian frog body. It is unclear why Ginyu was revived when Dende asked Porunga to only revive good victims, but it might be because he was considered an animal at that point and wasn't judged like humans in the afterlife.

Dragon Ball Super

Golden Frieza Saga

Captain Ginyu, still trapped in the body of a frog, witnesses Sorbet and Tagoma reassembling Frieza's body parts. Several months later, as Frieza begins his revenge, Ginyu sneaks aboard Jaco's ship to reach the battlefield. After many of Frieza's soldiers are defeated, Ginyu emerges from Jaco's ship and takes advantage of Tagoma's weakened state after being hit by Gotenks. Ginyu tricks Tagoma into reading the word "Change" written in the dirt, and successfully swaps bodies with him, leaving Tagoma trapped in the frog's body.

In his new form, Ginyu reveals himself to Frieza, explaining his survival and continued loyalty. After performing his signature pose, Ginyu decimates the Z Fighters on Frieza's orders. Gohan eventually challenges Ginyu in a one-on-one fight but transforms into a Super Saiyan after realizing that Ginyu is too strong for his base form. Gohan quickly overpowers Ginyu, knocking him down in two blows but spares him, believing there is no need to continue the fight.

Frieza intervenes, attacking Gohan with a barrage of Death Beams while Ginyu holds off the other Z Fighters. When Goku and Vegeta arrive, Ginyu expresses his contempt for them, blaming them for trapping him in the frog's body. However, Vegeta swiftly kills Ginyu with a ki blast to prevent him from interfering in their upcoming battle with Frieza.

"Future" Trunks Saga

During Goku and Krillin's mission to retrieve a special herb for Master Roshi, an illusion of Captain Ginyu, along with other past villains, appears to challenge them in a forest.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes

Supreme Kai of Time Saga

An incarnation of Captain Ginyu appears as a competitor in the Super Space-Time Tournament alongside the rest of the Ginyu Force. In the manga, Ginyu is seen posing while Android 13 and Lord Slug battle in a forest. However, due to his team's failure to advance to the second round, Ginyu and his space-time are erased.

Demon Invader Saga

In one particular space-time, Captain Ginyu is absorbed by Majin Ozotto.

Dragon Ball GT

Super 17 Saga

After his death, Captain Ginyu is reunited with his original body. He escapes from Hell with other villains and attacks Earth, only to be defeated once again and sent back to Hell.

Film Appearances

Broly

Captain Ginyu appears alongside the rest of the Ginyu Force and Frieza Force during King Cold and Frieza's visit to Planet Vegeta. They inform the Saiyan Army of King Cold's retirement and his decision to hand control of his empire over to Frieza.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: 5-A | 5-B | 10-C | 4-B

Key: Base | Goku's Body | Namekian Frog's Body | Tagoma's Body

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Acrobatics, Martial Arts, Ki Manipulation (Master Level), Flight, Explosion Manipulation (Capable of detonating Ki attacks), Heat Generation (Via Ki attacks and aura), Telekinesis (Shown here), Soul Exchange (Via Body Change), Information Analysis and Extrasensory Perception (Via Scouter; The Scouter can be used for the following: communicate to other Scouters near or as far as deep outer space, detect power level, location, distance, and velocity). Resistance to Extreme Cold and Cosmic Radiations (Able to travel in outer space, which is colder and filled with radiations)

Attack Potency: Large Planet level (Stronger than Base Namek Saga Goku at full power. Superior to Saiyan Saga Vegeta, Dodoria, Zarbon, and the rest of the Ginyu Force by a very significant margin) | Planet level (Was only able to increase his power level to 23,000) | Below Average Human level (Got his body swapped into a tiny frog by Goku) | Solar System level (Had Tagoma's body, and was said to have powered up even further than Tagoma)

Speed: At least Supersonic flight speed (The Ginyu Force was labelled as "fast" by Namek Saga Vegeta), FTL combat speed (Fought on par with base Namek Saga Goku) | At least Supersonic flight speed, FTL combat speed (With a power level of 23,000, Ginyu should be comparable to Zarbon) | Below Average Human (Possessing the body of a frog, Ginyu is limited to the capabilities of a mere frog) | Massively FTL+ (Should be faster than Tagoma)

Lifting Strength: Unknown | Unknown | Below Average | Unknown

Striking Strength: Large Planet level | Planet level | Below Average Human level | Solar System level

Durability: Large Planet level | Planet level | Below Average Human level | Solar System level

Stamina: High. Unknown as a Frog

Range: Standard Melee Range, Planetary with ki blasts and attacks | Standard Melee Range, Planetary with ki blasts and attacks | Below Standard Melee Range | Standard Melee Range, Interplanetary with ki blasts and attacks

Standard Equipment: His Scouter, Battle Armor

Intelligence: Above Average (Leader of the Ginyu Force; also very cunning)

Weaknesses: Originally, he had trouble effectively using the power of a body he has stolen

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

• Power Up - Captain Ginyu can increase or decrease his power level at will. This ability is consistent across all bodies he inhabits.
• Body Change - Ginyu's signature technique allows him to switch bodies with another being while retaining his voice.
• Body Change Special - A variation used in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2.
• Paralysis Body Change - A team attack with Guldo, where Guldo immobilizes the target, allowing Ginyu to perform a Body Change.
• Full-Nelson Body Change - A team attack with Turles where Turles holds the opponent in a Full-Nelson, enabling Ginyu to perform a Body Change.
• Godly Ki - While in Goku Black's body in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Ginyu can use godly ki.
• Cracker Formation - A team attack with Frieza from Supersonic Warriors 2.
• Crusher Ball - Originally Jeice's technique, but usable by Ginyu in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors and Xenoverse 2.
• Sauzer Blade - An energy blade technique used by Salza, also usable by Ginyu in Xenoverse 2.
• Eraser Cannon - Recoome's technique, usable by Ginyu in Supersonic Warriors.
• Recoome Kick - Recoome's signature kick, available to Ginyu in Xenoverse 2.
• Space Mach Attack - Burter's combo attack, available to Ginyu in Xenoverse 2.
• Mach Kick/Punch - Burter's signature moves, both available to Ginyu in Xenoverse 2.
• Exploding Wave - A technique used by Ginyu in Dragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Freeza and Buyū Retsuden.
• Full-Nelson - A hold he performed on Goku during their battle.
• Full Power Energy Ball - Ginyu's Blast Spark in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z.
• Telekinesis - Used to transport the Namekian Dragon Balls.
• Galaxy Dynamite - Also known as Parmesan Shower, a Continuous Energy Bullet.
• Ginyu Force Special Combo - A rush attack in Xenoverse 2.
• Ginyu Special - A High-Speed Rush used in the Budokai series.
• Ginyu Strike - A combo attack used in the Budokai series.
• Meteo Ginyu Strike - Ginyu's Meteor Attack in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22.
• Ginyu Storm - A team attack from Supersonic Warriors 2.
• Got You! - A physical technique used against Goku, named Dynamite Punch in Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors.
• Milky Cannon - A Ki Blast of focused energy, with several variations including DUAL Milky Cannon and Triple Milky Cannon.
• Dynamite Pressure - A variation of Milky Cannon used while in Goku's body.
• Finger Beam - A technique used in Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butōden.
• Visionary Attack - A finger beam barrage used against Goku.
• Processed Power Crush - A jumping streak kick attack.
• Strong Jersey - A high-speed elbow charge.
• Ginyu Smash - An energy sphere attack.
• Self-Harm - Ginyu injures himself to facilitate a Body Change.
• Sway Rush - A signature attack in the Raging Blast series.
• Fighting Poses - Various poses used to boost morale or power, including Special Fighting Pose 1, 2, and Ginyu Fighting Pose: Body, Heart, and Technique.
• Revival Special Fighting Pose - A special pose used after reviving in Tagoma's body.
• Together We Are The... Ginyu Force! - The Ginyu Force's signature team pose.
• Body of Steel - Gained after taking over Tagoma's body, making him nearly impervious to attacks.
• Kamehameha - Used while in Goku's body.
• Acid - Mega Ginyu Frog's primary attack in Dragon Ball Online.
• Namekian Frogs - Mega Ginyu Frog can summon other frogs to aid him in battle.
• Ki Sense - Ginyu can sense Ki, even in bodies not originally capable of it.
• Super Leader - A skill in Dragon Ball Fusions that boosts team performance.
• Mood Maker - A skill in Dragon Ball Fusions that increases team ki.
• Monster Throw - A throwing technique in Dragon Ball Fusions.
• Happy Dance - Ginyu's dance of happiness, a Special Move in Dragon Ball Fusions.
• Fusion - Ginyu can perform Five-Way Fusion with the Ginyu Force or EX-Fusion with others in Dragon Ball Fusions.

Trivia

• Name Origin: Captain Ginyu's name is a pun on "gyūnyū" (牛乳), the Japanese word for dairy milk.
• Body Change Technique: According to his "Character Introduction" in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, Ginyu has used the Body Change technique numerous times, suggesting that the humanoid form he has in Dragon Ball Z might not be his original body. Despite this, his appearance in flashbacks as a child and in the afterlife after his death (in both Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT) matches his well-known horned form.
• Conflicting Sources: There are conflicting sources regarding whether Ginyu's horned form is his original body. Some sources suggest he switched to this body after joining Frieza's army, while others claim it was his original form.
• Posing Like a Hero: In Chi-Chi's commentary in Budokai Tenkaichi 3, she notes that Ginyu seems to like comic book heroes, which is evident from his frequent posing like a hero.
• Voice Actors and Narrators: In most English dubs of Dragon Ball Z, Captain Ginyu's voice actors also served as series narrators. Dale Kelly was the first narrator in the FUNimation dub before being replaced by Kyle Hebert. Brice Armstrong, who also voiced Ginyu, was the narrator of the original Dragon Ball anime series.
• Voice Consistency: Despite inhabiting different bodies, Captain Ginyu's original voice is used regardless of the body he possesses, even if it would be logically improbable due to differences in vocal cords. This is consistent in both the original Japanese and English dubs. In Dragon Ball Super, Frieza even notes the difference in voices when Ginyu is in Tagoma's body.
• Reaction to Ginyu Force's Death: Ginyu's reaction to Jeice's report about the deaths of Guldo, Recoome, and Burter differs between the English dubs. In the original Ocean dub, he exclaims, "How could three of the most powerful warriors in the universe be defeated?!" In the FUNimation dub, he says, "How could two of the most powerful warriors in the universe be defeated?!" despite showing all three of them in the visual, likely due to Goku not directly defeating Guldo.
• Breaking the Fourth Wall: In Dragon Ball Z Kai, during the preview for "Surprise! Goku is Ginyu and Ginyu is Goku?!", Ginyu breaks the fourth wall by saying he is taking charge and jokes about changing the series' name to "Ginyu Force Kai."
• Appearance in Dragon Ball GT: In Dragon Ball GT, when Ginyu appears as a ghost in the Other World, he is drawn with white gloves, unlike the black-and-white arm protectors he wore in his humanoid body.
• Encounters with Super Saiyan: Captain Ginyu was the only member of the Ginyu Force to encounter and fight a Super Saiyan (Gohan) during the events of Dragon Ball Super. Ironically, in the Xenoverse series, Ginyu is also the only member capable of using the Super Saiyan transformation when in Goku's body during a parallel quest.
• Final Fate: Captain Ginyu was the last active member of the Ginyu Force to be killed by Vegeta. He was also the only active member not to die on Namek, as he was killed by Kid Buu on Earth in the anime and later in Tagoma's body by Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super.
• Death in Trailer: Captain Ginyu's death by a close-range ki blast from Vegeta, as seen in Dragon Ball Super, was first depicted in the trailer for Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi, where he was killed while in his primary body.