After years of taking a backseat to Saiyan powerhouses, Piccolo finally reclaims his place as a top-tier fighter in the Dragon Ball universe.
In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, fan-favorite character Piccolo receives his most significant power-up in decades, marking a major shift in the long-running series.
Once a central figure, Piccolo had gradually faded into a supporting role as the focus shifted to Saiyan transformations. But now, with a new form called Orange Piccolo, the Namekian warrior is back on the frontlines.
This transformation, granted by the dragon Shenron and designed by series creator Akira Toriyama, greatly boosts Piccolo’s strength, durability, and presence in battle. Toriyama himself acknowledged the importance of the change, saying, “I’m just happy that he’s finally obtained battle power on par with Goku and co.”
Orange Piccolo appears in the film’s main conflict, not just as a strategist or mentor, but as a leading fighter. This marks a rare return to prominence for a character who once rivaled Goku but had since been left behind as the series escalated in power levels.
Toriyama revealed that designing Orange Piccolo came with unique challenges. Unlike Saiyans who gain spiky hair and glowing auras in their transformations, Piccolo needed a different approach. “Since he doesn’t have any hair to stick straight up, I tried making him really buff instead,” Toriyama said. He also changed Piccolo’s color to orange to make the transformation more visually distinct.
Fans have welcomed the change, viewing it as a long-overdue correction for a character whose early importance had been overlooked. Piccolo’s return to form not only strengthens the current story but also signals new possibilities for his role in future Dragon Ball arcs.
With Orange Piccolo, the series restores balance to its character roster and honors the legacy of one of its original heroes.
