Dragon Ball Krillin

Krillin, as a child in Dragon Ball, is a notably short and compact human boy with a remarkably round, bald head that reflects light easily due to its smooth, shaved surface—free of any hair due to the traditional monk practice he adhered to during his time training at the Orin Temple, and this baldness is consistent throughout his early life, becoming one of his most defining physical features; across the top of his head are six small, evenly spaced circular burn marks, a traditional Shaolin-inspired detail that identifies his monastic upbringing, and these marks stand out clearly against his otherwise unblemished, light peach-colored skin. His eyes are large in proportion to his face, distinctly white-sclera with small black irises that rarely display any visible pupils, giving him a simple, stylized, cartoon-like expression, though they are still capable of shifting to display a wide range of intense emotions such as fear, courage, jealousy, or mischief; his eyebrows are completely absent, further emphasizing the smooth, exaggerated cartoon aesthetic of his upper face, and his eyelids are minimally defined, giving his expressions a youthful and exaggerated tone. His nose is uniquely absent—Krillin is famously drawn without a visible nose at all, an in-universe joke made literal when characters comment on it, and his sense of smell is somehow still strong, humorously explained by Master Roshi as Krillin “not needing a nose.” His mouth is small but expressive, often animated in wide smiles, exaggerated frowns, or nervous grins depending on the situation, and his teeth are sometimes shown during loud yells or comedic moments, though rarely with much detail, while his chin and jawline are round and smooth, matching the youthful design of his head and neck. His neck is relatively short and slim but muscular for his size, connecting to his upper body, which is compact and toned from constant training; though childlike in proportions, his shoulders, chest, and arms are well-defined, with a modest build that suggests strong physical conditioning without the bulk of an adult martial artist. His stomach is flat and firm, often hidden beneath his training clothes, but during shirtless training scenes, he’s shown to have light abdominal definition—surprising for someone of his age and height, and it hints at his dedication to discipline and martial prowess. His arms are muscular yet thin, tapering down to small, dexterous hands with visible knuckles and short, rounded nails that are clean and well-maintained, further emphasizing his monk-like aesthetic. His hands often form tight fists during combat or are used in martial stances, with distinct finger separation shown in action shots. Krillin’s waist is narrow, leading into short but powerful legs, which are muscular like the rest of his frame; they’re sturdy and designed for rapid movement, jump attacks, and acrobatics, which he uses during sparring and training. His knees are often slightly bent in his fighting stance, and his feet, though generally covered by boots, are small and shaped with a rounded cartoonish style when visible in sandals or barefoot training moments. His toes are also short and defined similarly to his fingers, with minimal detail unless highlighted in comedic or relaxed scenes. In terms of clothing, Krillin wears the orange turtle school gi, identical in style to Goku’s, which consists of a bright orange sleeveless top and matching orange pants, tied at the waist with a dark blue sash, with the Turtle Hermit "Kame" kanji (亀) insignia displayed boldly on the left side of his chest and again, larger, on the back of his shirt—this marking represents his allegiance to Master Roshi’s training. Underneath the gi, he wears a dark blue short-sleeved undershirt, which sometimes peeks out under his main top, and dark blue wristbands on each arm. His boots are dark blue with a yellowish-tan trim and thick soles, rounded at the toe, reinforced for durability, and tied with white cloth laces in an “X” pattern on the front, making them both functional for combat and symbolic of the Turtle School martial arts uniform. These boots, like the rest of his outfit, remain consistent through much of the original Dragon Ball arc.

Age & Height: At the time of his first appearance in the original Dragon Ball series, Krillin is 13 years old, despite being shorter and more childlike than Goku, who is also 12 at the time (though Goku appears taller and more robust). This age difference surprises many due to Krillin's small stature, but it emphasizes that he was raised in a strict monastic environment where training and humility shaped his lifestyle, not physical growth or worldly influence. As for his height, Krillin stands at approximately 3’8” (112 cm) during his early years, making him one of the shortest main characters in the series during the early arcs, with a compact and slightly stocky frame that contrasts Goku’s leaner and more athletic build. His height, combined with his bald head, gives him a unique silhouette, often used for comedic effect, but it never detracts from his serious skill and fighting spirit.

Expanded Personality (Long-Form) Krillin, in his earliest appearances as a child in Dragon Ball, possesses a personality that is richly layered with both human flaws and heroic potential—a personality that evolves drastically as the series progresses but is already well-formed even when he’s first introduced as a young martial artist arriving at Kame House. At the outset, Krillin is shown to be prideful, cunning, and occasionally selfish, especially when compared to Goku’s pure-hearted and naïve demeanor. His early behavior includes lying, cheating, and attempting to sabotage others in training—habits he developed out of necessity during his difficult time at the Orin Temple, where he was bullied and belittled by stronger peers, which led him to believe that dirty tactics and deception were the only ways to succeed in combat or gain respect. This defensive, rough-edged attitude manifests in his first interactions with Master Roshi and Goku, where Krillin frequently mocks Goku for his country-boy behavior and tries to outdo him at every opportunity. He’s competitive and slightly jealous of Goku's natural talent and physical strength, and this rivalry drives much of Krillin’s motivation to train harder and prove himself. However, as training continues under Roshi's guidance and the two boys face increasingly difficult challenges together, Krillin begins to shed these dishonest tendencies and instead develops genuine discipline, courage, and empathy. By the time of the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai, Krillin has grown into a far more noble and loyal friend, maintaining a sharp wit and confidence but now driven by integrity and a deepening sense of camaraderie. He is incredibly intelligent and tactical, often analyzing his opponents' movements and exploiting weaknesses, relying more on skill than brute force. Despite his size, Krillin never backs down from a fight and shows incredible bravery, even when facing overwhelmingly strong enemies—an early example of his resolve being his fight against Jackie Chun (Roshi in disguise), where he shows remarkable technique and heart, despite knowing he may not win. Throughout early Dragon Ball, Krillin also provides much of the series’ comedic relief, often reacting with exaggerated facial expressions, sarcastic remarks, or cowardly instincts when things get too intense or bizarre. Yet this humor never undermines his role as a serious martial artist. Instead, it highlights his humanity and emotional range. He is prone to fear, especially when faced with life-threatening situations, but what defines Krillin is that he acts in spite of fear—he steps up to protect others, to challenge himself, and to grow. Over time, Krillin’s bond with Goku transforms from rivalry to deep friendship and loyalty, and he eventually becomes one of Goku’s most trusted allies. His kindness, once buried under insecurity and competition, begins to show in small gestures—supporting his friends, showing humility in defeat, and even offering encouragement to those he once envied. Underneath his initial snark and self-centeredness is a fiercely determined heart that grows wiser, more compassionate, and increasingly selfless with each new test of strength and spirit.

What Krillin Likes Training and Martial Arts: Despite being insecure at first, Krillin genuinely enjoys training and becoming stronger. Under Master Roshi’s tutelage, he grows to appreciate the process and the results, especially when he manages to impress others or improve past a personal limit.

Proving Himself: Krillin finds great satisfaction in outperforming others or surprising those who underestimate him. He thrives on recognition, especially early on, since he often felt invisible or picked on at the Orin Temple.

Food: Like Goku, Krillin loves to eat—though not quite at the same monstrous scale. After intense training, he can be seen happily wolfing down meals, especially rice dishes and anything served by Roshi or at big banquets.

Friendship and Acceptance: Deep down, Krillin longs for connection. Once he starts to bond with Goku and the rest of the crew, he finds happiness in being part of a team. The sense of brotherhood he gets with Goku makes him feel seen and appreciated.

Cute Girls (as a joke): Like many boys in the series, Krillin is attracted to girls even as a kid—though it's mostly used for comedic moments. He’s curious and easily flustered around pretty women, much like Master Roshi (though not nearly as extreme).

What Krillin Hates or Dislikes Being Looked Down On: Because of his short stature and his early history of bullying, Krillin hates being underestimated or mocked for being small or weak. He works hard to prove himself as a serious martial artist.

Bullies: Having suffered under cruel peers at the Orin Temple, Krillin holds a strong dislike for anyone who abuses their power, cheats, or hurts others without reason. Even if he once used sneaky tactics himself, he quickly grows to hate cruelty.

Losing Unfairly: Krillin can accept defeat when it’s earned, but if he’s cheated or humiliated in a fight, it frustrates him deeply. He has a strong sense of fairness, even if he sometimes tries to bend the rules early on.

Creeps Like Roshi (sometimes): Although he trains under him, Krillin often cringes at Master Roshi’s perverted behavior. He finds it embarrassing and sometimes gross, especially when Roshi does it in front of others.

What Krillin Gets Mad At Injustice and Cheating: Krillin becomes especially angry when someone wins through trickery or when innocent people are harmed. Despite being cheeky himself early on, he can't stand dishonorable behavior once he matures even slightly.

People Threatening His Friends: Even as a child, Krillin is fiercely loyal. If someone targets Goku, Bulma, or Master Roshi, Krillin will jump in—even against stronger foes—motivated by emotion and protectiveness.

Being Humiliated: Krillin has a lot of pride, especially in the early parts of the series. If someone mocks him in front of others or completely embarrasses him, he can get red-faced with rage and respond with angry determination.

What Krillin Gets Sad At Loneliness or Rejection: Krillin carries emotional baggage from his time at the Orin Temple, where he was bullied and made to feel like an outcast. Moments of rejection or betrayal can hit him hard, though he rarely shows it directly.

Losing in Battle (especially if he trained hard): Krillin takes losses seriously, especially early on. If he’s worked hard and still fails, it can genuinely upset him—he’s not a sore loser, but defeat stings deeply.

Seeing Friends Hurt: Krillin is emotionally sensitive, and even as a kid, seeing Goku or others hurt can leave him shaken or worried. He may not always show it through tears, but his concern is clear.

What Krillin Gets Happy At Winning Fights Fairly: When Krillin pulls off a victory—especially against a tough opponent—it fills him with joy and pride. He likes to know his hard work paid off.

Gaining Respect from Others: If Master Roshi or another adult praises him, Krillin glows with happiness. He deeply craves approval, especially from authority figures and close friends.

Forming Friendships: His bond with Goku, in particular, brings him real happiness. Once their rivalry becomes true friendship, Krillin becomes more lighthearted, more relaxed, and openly joyful around others.

Jokes and Goofing Off: Krillin has a great sense of humor, and even in tough times, he enjoys laughing, teasing, and making sarcastic remarks. He appreciates when life isn’t too serious and gets visibly cheerful when things are peaceful.