Master Shen

Master Shen, also known as the Crane Hermit (鶴仙人, Tsurusen'nin), is the master of the Crane School and the older brother of Mercenary Tao. He and Tao both trained at the Mutaito Training Academy, where Shen developed a rivalry with Master Roshi. This rivalry extended to Shen’s relationship with his brother, with whom he began quarreling over minor things, eventually leading to their falling out over a simple spilled bowl of rice.

In his youth, and at times in the original Japanese version, he is referred to simply as "Crane" (鶴, Tsuru).

Names	Master Shen Tsuru Sen'nin Crane Master Crane Crane Hermit Hermit Crane Master Crane Fool Crane (by Master Roshi) Minister Shen Lord Wu Zu (Harmony Gold dub)
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Occupation	Martial Arts Teacher, Cabinet Minister of Mifan
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 130: "Return to the Tournament" (Dai-Nijūnikai Tenka’ichi Budōkai, lit. "The Twenty-Second Tenka’ichi Budōkai") February 24, 1987 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1987 #13)
Alignment	Evil
Age	325
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	Not Stated
Weight	Not Stated

Appearance

Master Shen, the Crane Hermit, has a distinct appearance characterized by his long face, sunken cheeks, pointed nose, and a unique "cat whisker" mustache. His medium-length blue-gray hair is styled to resemble a bird's wings, parted with a bald spot on the scalp. He typically wears the Crane School uniform—a green changshan with yellow sleeves, red lining, and a black skullcap adorned with a model of a crane’s head. His glasses complete his elderly appearance. In his youth, Shen sported dark blue hair in the same wing-like style but with more hair, and he wore a shorter changshan without insignias. As a student of Master Mutaito, Shen had a shaved head, wore a purple Mutaito School Gi, and did not wear sunglasses.

Personality

Shen’s personality is as sharp as his appearance, sharing many traits with his younger brother, Mercenary Tao. He is highly sadistic, unforgiving, and willing to eliminate anyone who opposes him, even his own former students. Confident to the point of arrogance, Shen boasts about his superiority, particularly toward Master Roshi, believing his students are the best solely because he trained them. His bitterness and confidence likely stem from a sense of disillusionment with his master during King Piccolo’s first reign. However, despite these negative qualities, Shen possesses some standards; he sought to avenge his brother and refrained from freeing King Piccolo, understanding the consequences it would bring to the world.

Biography

Master Shen, also known as the Crane Hermit, shared a rich history with Master Roshi as both were students under Master Mutaito, where their rivalry began. At one point, they were close enough to even care for a creature called InoShikaCho together (though this is exclusive to the anime). Their rivalry intensified when they both competed for the affection of a girl named Fanfan. After Fanfan rejected Shen, he attempted to kidnap her with the help of two friends, but Goku, who had traveled back in time, intervened to thwart his plan. Following this event, Shen was forced by Mutaito to restart his training, marking a humbling experience.

Shen's demeanor shifted significantly after King Piccolo defeated Master Mutaito. Roshi believed Shen became disillusioned and bitter due to the shame and the emotional toll of witnessing his master's failure and eventual sacrifice when Mutaito sealed King Piccolo with the Evil Containment Wave, dying in the process. Shen's heart darkened, and he no longer followed the path of honor, instead founding the Crane School as an opposing school to Roshi’s Turtle School. Like Roshi and Mercenary Tao, Shen seemingly achieved some form of extended longevity, as he continued to live over two centuries.

In Dragon Ball, Shen makes his first appearance in the Fortuneteller Baba Saga. He is mentioned in the episode "The Last Dragon Ball" and appears briefly in an old photograph alongside Master Roshi. Shen later appears in the final episode of the saga, "Which Way to Papaya Island?", accompanied by his two students, symbolizing the continuation of his rivalry with Roshi.

In the Tien Shinhan Saga, Master Shen attends the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament with his students, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu, while his rival, Master Roshi (disguised as Jackie Chun), and his students Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha also compete. As the tournament progresses, Tien defeats Yamcha in the first match, while Roshi beats Man-Wolf, and Krillin defeats Chiaotzu in the third match. Goku wins his fight against Pamput in the last match, advancing to the semifinals alongside Tien. During Tien and Roshi's battle, Shen realizes Roshi's disguise and tells Tien telepathically. After Roshi lectures Tien on honor, Tien decides to abandon Shen’s violent ways, resulting in Roshi forfeiting the match.

Only in the anime, Shen attempts to kill Goku the night before the tournament finals, but Tien intervenes, stating he will eliminate Goku in the ring instead. When Shen orders Chiaotzu to paralyze Goku during the final match, Tien confronts Shen, declaring he no longer wants to kill and rejecting his role as an assassin. Furious, Shen orders Chiaotzu to paralyze both Goku and Tien but is stopped when Roshi blasts him away with a Kamehameha, saving Chiaotzu.

In the King Piccolo Saga, Shen appears in flashbacks as one of the few survivors from the battle between Master Mutaito and King Piccolo. In the manga, he is shown alongside Roshi by Mutaito’s side as he uses the Evil Containment Wave to seal Piccolo, sacrificing himself. The anime shows more detail, with Shen and Roshi narrowly surviving Piccolo’s onslaught. This experience led Shen to lose faith in his master, contributing to his darker path. Later, Chiaotzu suspects Shen might be responsible for releasing King Piccolo, but Roshi denies this, acknowledging Shen's awareness of Piccolo's immense threat.

In the Piccolo Jr. Saga, Goku travels back in time in the anime, where he encounters a young Master Shen as a ruthless student under Master Mutaito. During this period, Shen kidnaps Fanfan, Roshi’s love interest, after she rejects him. Goku intervenes and proves his superiority, defeating Shen in combat. In a final attempt to harm both Goku and Roshi, Shen traps them in a ring of fire, but Goku manages to stop him. Following this, Mutaito disciplines Shen, instructing him to start his training over if he wishes to stay.

In the present time, Shen returns to the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament with his rebuilt brother, Cyborg Tao. Tao defeats Chiaotzu in the preliminaries, advancing to face Tien Shinhan. Confident in his brother’s enhancements, Shen claims Tien stands no chance. However, Tien ultimately overpowers Tao, knocking him unconscious. Tien then warns Shen to leave him and his friends alone, prompting Shen to depart with Tao, vowing revenge.

In Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga, Shen appears in a flashback when Tien remembers his journey with Chiaotzu after his friend’s sacrifice against Nappa. After the tournament, Shen and Tao are involved in an incident that leads to their deaths.

In Dragon Ball Super’s Universe Survival Saga, Shen's former student, Yurin, uses witchcraft to seek revenge on Tien but is stopped by Goku and Tien. After her defeat, Yurin accepts Tien’s offer to train at his dojo. Shen’s absence during Yurin’s scheme implies he may have already passed away or abandoned his quest for vengeance.

In Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure, Shen serves as Mifan's Minister, working alongside Tao to overthrow Emperor Chiaotzu using the Dragon Balls. During the tournament, Shen orders Tien to kill Chiaotzu, but Tien defies him. When Shen tries to kill Chiaotzu himself, Tien strikes him with a Tri-Beam, sending Shen off Mifan Castle.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: 5-C

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Immortality (Type 1), Master of Martial Arts, Ki Manipulation (Advanced Level), Self-Sustenance (Type 2), Acrobatics, Accelerated Development (Training; Physical Stats), Pressure Point Strikes, Flight, Telepathy

Attack Potency: Moon level (Trained Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu up until the 22nd Budokai, comparable with Master Roshi)

Speed: Hypersonic+ (Can casually catch bullets with his bare hands and he should be able to keep up with Tao Pai Pai)

Lifting Strength: At least Class 100, likely higher

Striking Strength: Moon level

Durability: Moon level

Stamina: High

Range: Standard melee range. Hundreds of meters with ki blasts and attacks.

Standard Equipment: Nothing notable.

Optional Equipment:

• Tao Pai Pai EX – A large robot that combines features of the Pirate Robot and Cyborg Tao, capable of absorbing Ki attacks to self-repair but susceptible to melee attacks. In Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans, Master Shen uses Tao Pai Pai EX to seek revenge on Tien and his Turtle School allies after kidnapping Chiaotzu. Tien and his friends ultimately destroy the robot and rescue Chiaotzu.
• Dirty Magazine – In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Master Shen purchases an adult magazine as a ploy to attract new students. He attempts to bribe Gohan with it, but Gohan, due to his pure heart, has no interest. After Gohan defeats the Tao Pai Pai Machines that Shen and Tao unleash, Master Roshi tries to bargain with Shen for a look at the magazine, but Shen refuses out of spite.
• Tao Pai Pai Machines – These are Skull Robo Type 1 variants customized for Cyborg Tao in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Shen, failing to recruit Gohan through bribery, resorts to his brother’s plan to use the robots to coerce Gohan into joining the Crane School. However, Gohan easily destroys the machines.

Intelligence: Good at training others and has centuries of life experience, master of martial arts.

Weaknesses: Overconfident

Attacks and Techniques

• Levitate – Master Shen can fly, making him the first known Earthling with this ability, which he later taught to Tien and Chiaotzu.
• Ki Blast – A basic energy wave technique, used by Shen in Dragon Ball Heroes and Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle.
• Dodon Ray – A signature technique of the Crane School, used by Master Shen in Mystical Adventure, Dragon Ball Heroes, and as his Super Attack in Dokkan Battle and World Mission.
• TsuruKick – A Crane School attack move used by Shen.
• High Speed Rush – A rapid series of strikes that Young Shen uses in an attempt to attack Goku.
• Tri-Beam – Although Shen himself is never shown using this life-risking technique, he taught it to Tien. The Tri-Beam releases a powerful blast that far surpasses the Kamehameha but at the cost of the user's life force, which Roshi resented him for teaching to Tien.
• Telepathy – Shen can communicate mentally with others, as demonstrated with his students and Roshi during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.

Trivia

• The name "Master Shen" is unique to the Funimation dub; in the original Japanese version, "Shen" refers to the human body Kami occupies during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, known as "Hero" in the Funimation dub. Master Shen himself is only referred to as the Crane Hermit or simply Crane in his youth.
• Unlike Master Roshi, Master Shen does not have an animal sidekick named after him.
• In the European Portuguese dub, Master Shen is called "Corvo Genial" (Genius Crow) to contrast with Master Roshi’s title, "Tartaruga Genial" (Genius Turtle), emphasizing their rivalry.