Barry Kahn
From The Character Database
| “ | I heard your latest song sales aren't that good. Don't worry, I'll continue to use you in my movies. 'All Night at an Idol's Home'. With such a scandalous piece circulating, Gohan's family is sure to fall apart. This is what he gets for trying to outshine me!
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„ |
| ― Barry Kahn manipulating Cocoa |
Barry Kahn (バリー・カーン Barī Kān) is a famous A-list actor from the Dragon Ball series, chosen to portray the Great Saiyaman in the film Great Saiyaman vs. Mister Satan. Initially charming, Barry's ego led to animosity when Videl rejected his advances. His jealousy toward Gohan deepened, driving him to attempt to sabotage Gohan and Videl's marriage, though all his schemes ultimately failed.
Barry's growing hatred and envy made him a perfect host for Watagash, an alien parasite that amplifies its host's strength in proportion to their inner darkness. Once infected, Barry gained extraordinary power, surpassing even Gohan in his base form. However, Gohan's transformation into a Super Saiyan allowed him to overcome Barry's enhanced state and defeat him.
| Names | Barry Kahn (バリー・カーン Barī Kān), Barry Karn |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Human |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Origin | Dragon Ball Chapter 476: (DBZ 282) "Goku's Time" 孫悟空の残された時間|Son Gokū no Nokosareta Jikan|lit. "Son Goku's Remaining Time" June 28, 1994 (Weekly Shōnen Jump 1994 #30) |
| Alignment | Mixed |
| Age | 20s |
| Created By | Toei Animation, Akira Toriyama. |
| Height | Not Stated |
| Weight | Not Stated |
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Barry Kahn is a male Earthling with blonde hair and blue eyes. In Dragon Ball Super, he is typically seen wearing sunglasses, a black jacket, a white shirt, and blue jeans, reflecting his status as a celebrity.
Personality[edit | edit source]
Barry Kahn is the embodiment of vanity and narcissism, prioritizing his own desires and reputation above all else. He is highly self-centered and often displays a sadistic streak, such as when he pressures his stunt double into attempting a dangerous scene, only to grow envious and resentful when Gohan flawlessly performs the same stunt as his replacement.
Barry's manipulative tendencies are evident in his efforts to sabotage Gohan’s reputation. He blackmails Cocoa Amaguri into trying to lure Gohan into a compromising situation, planning to frame it as an affair to disgrace Gohan in front of Videl, Mr. Satan, and the public. He takes joy in the prospect of destroying Cocoa's idol career alongside Gohan's. His actions reveal him as a prolific liar and a remorseless individual, hinting at psychopathic tendencies, as he uses charm and deceit to achieve his goals without a shred of guilt.
His deeper intentions are also sinister. Barry seeks to woo Videl and capitalize on the fame of being associated with Mr. Satan's family, despite Videl’s unwavering trust in Gohan and her outright disdain for Barry, whom she dismisses as "pathetic."
When infected by the parasitic Watagash, which amplifies the evil in its host, Barry becomes monstrously powerful, overpowering Gohan in his base form and forcing him to transform into a Super Saiyan to defeat him. Despite this transformation into a literal monster, Barry avoids harming bystanders, suggesting he retains a sliver of humanity. Ultimately, his obsession with his public image and career trumps his vengeful ambitions, as Cocoa's threat to expose his monstrous identity coerces him into silence.
Barry's charm may win over fans, but beneath the surface, he is a manipulative and deeply flawed individual whose actions reveal a selfish and morally corrupt core.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Dragon Ball Z[edit | edit source]
Majin Buu Saga[edit | edit source]
Barry Kahn appears in a magazine shown to Majin Buu by a young woman during his rampage. Attempting to impress her, Majin Buu morphs his face into Barry's, recognizing him as a "Super Star," but this only frightens the woman further. Barry, as an A-list actor, is presumed to have died during the Majin Buu conflict, either during Innocent Buu's rampage or Super Buu's Human Extinction Attack. He was later revived by Porunga along with the rest of Earth's population and continued his acting career.
Dragon Ball Super[edit | edit source]
"Future" Trunks Saga[edit | edit source]
Barry Kahn is cast as the lead in Great Saiyaman vs. Mr. Satan, playing the Great Saiyaman. However, he becomes jealous of Gohan, who serves as his stunt double and garners admiration, and is envious of Gohan's marriage to Videl. Seeking to ruin Gohan’s reputation and marriage, Barry blackmails his co-star Cocoa Amaguri into arranging a private rehearsal with Gohan to fabricate an affair. Unbeknownst to Cocoa, he also intends to destroy her career through the scandal.
Cocoa, after discovering Gohan's true identity as the real Great Saiyaman and developing feelings for him, tries to thwart Barry by relocating the rehearsal. Despite her efforts, Barry catches them and witnesses Cocoa innocently kissing Gohan as thanks for his encouragement, providing him with material for his scheme. Barry attempts to convince Videl that Gohan has been unfaithful, but Videl dismisses his accusations, seeing through his manipulation and calling him "pathetic." Barry vows to expose Gohan's identity as Great Saiyaman.
Barry's malevolence attracts the parasitic space criminal Watagash, who possesses him. The possession amplifies Barry's power and evil nature, transforming him into a monstrous form. Seeking revenge, Barry kidnaps Pan to lure Gohan into a fight. As Great Saiyaman, Gohan battles Barry, who continues to grow stronger through multiple transformations. Gohan ultimately defeats Barry by transforming into Super Great Saiyaman, freeing him from Watagash's influence. Cocoa ensures Barry's blackmail plans fail by threatening to reveal his monstrous transformation, forcing him into silence to protect his reputation and career.
Dragon Ball Online[edit | edit source]
In Dragon Ball Online, Barry Kahn is revealed to have a descendant named Sora Kahn, who also becomes an actor. A billboard in the game advertises one of Sora's films, For Whom the Hair Grows, reflecting his ancestor's legacy.
Powers and Statistics[edit | edit source]
Tier: 10-B | 2-C
Key: Barry | Possessed by Watagash (Base, 2nd and Final Form)
Powers and Abilities: None | Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Parasitic Possession (Only as Parasitic), Aura, Flight, Self-Sustenance (Type 1), Transformation, Large Size (Type 1; With Final Form), Energy Projection, Statistics Amplification, Dimensional Travel, Sound Manipulation, Space-Time Manipulation and Portal Creation (At this level of power he can create dimensional rifts and destroy space-time and pocket dimensions with his energy). Resistance to Extreme Cold and Cosmic Radiations
Attack Potency: Human level | Low Multiverse level (Overpowered Gohan until he went Super Saiyan)
Speed: Average Human | Massively FTL+ (At least 118.25 sextillion c, likely far higher. Kept pace with Gohan and managed to catch him off guard. Watagash also flew from another Solar System to Earth in a short amount of time)
Lifting Strength: Average Human | Unknown
Striking Strength: Human level | Low Multiverse level
Durability: Human level | Low Multiverse level (Took multiple attacks from Gohan without lasting damage)
Stamina: Average | Unknown
Range: Standard Melee Range | Standard Melee Range to Tens of Meters, Low Multiversal with attacks.
Standard Equipment: None notable
Intelligence: Above Average. Skilled actor
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Barry Kahn's redesign in Dragon Ball: The Path to Power closely resembles General Blue.
- His Heteromorphism First Stage appearance is similar to a shirtless General Blue, while his Second Stage resembles a Tail-less Super Saiyan 4, and his Third Stage resembles a mix of Oceanus Shenron and Syn Shenron.
- Barry's relationship with Watagash contrasts with Baby Vegeta's; their bond is symbiotic, whereas Baby's host relationships are entirely parasitic.
- In the Dragon Ball GT episode "Collapse From Within," Majin Buu morphs his face into a Barry-like style again to avoid detection.
- Barry's descendant, Sora Kahn, is an NPC in Dragon Ball Online and appears on a billboard for the movie For Whom the Hair Grows.
- It's ironic Barry became a villain in Dragon Ball Super, considering Majin Buu morphed into him while Buu was a villain.
- Barry's evil nature raises questions, as Porunga was supposed to exempt "those who are the most evil" during the Majin Buu conflict. Explanations could include Barry becoming corrupted after his revival or that he wasn’t as evil during the Majin Buu conflict.
- This trait is shared with the Duo of Robbers from the Great Saiyaman Saga and the Resurrection ‘F’ manga, one of whom was Watagash's previous host before Barry. Unlike Barry, the robber's power was weaker due to being less evil.
- Despite being possessed, Barry avoids harming bystanders and causing mass destruction, suggesting his evil stems from vanity and arrogance rather than malice toward civilians.
- Barry is comparable to Eddie Brock/Venom from Spider-Man 3, as both are:
- Well-known in their professions (acting for Barry, photojournalism for Eddie).
- Rivals of quieter but morally strong co-workers (Gohan for Barry, Peter Parker for Eddie).
- Outwardly confident and sociable but deeply selfish, arrogant, and evil.
- Bonded with a parasite feeding on negative emotions after being humiliated by their rival.
- Barry's name is a pun on barikan (バリカン), the Japanese term for electric hair clippers, and the French brand Bariquand et Marre, known for sewing machines and hair clippers.
- Barry is one of the few Earthlings in the series to have a surname.
- He is the only villain known to have worn a Great Saiyaman suit.
- Barry is currently the only male villain to have an obsession with one of the heroes' significant others.
