Tien Shinhan

] Toriyama did not recycle Tien from his earlier works, unlike Goku, Yamcha or Bulma. [cite web|url=http://www.toriyamaworld.com/oneshots/|title=Toriyama World|accessdate=2008-06-15]

Appearance

Tien is bald and has three eyes, the third placed on his forehead. The third eye is from becoming enlightened. In the 23rd "Tenkaichi Budokai", Tien is slashed on his chest by his former master's brother Mercenary Tao, leaving a permanent scar for the rest of the series. ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 15, chapter ? ] His outfits change consistently as the series goes on, and he usually doesn't wear a shirt when fighting. In "Dragon Ball", he wears blue pants, a red belt, a black hat, and a green and yellow surcoat bearing Tsuru-Sen'nin's kanji."Dragon Ball" manga, volume 10, chapter ?] After leaving his master, he abandons the surcoat and hat and wears a white sleeveless shirt. In the beginning of "Dragon Ball Z", his outfit is the same, except that his pants are now green. During the fight against Androids, Tien replaces his shirt with a green sash that covers only his left side, exposing his scar on the right. During the Cell Games he wears a short-sleeved white shirt. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volumes 12 and 17, chapters ?] During the Majin Buu Saga, Tien's outfit changes completely, consisting of a blue sleeveless-shirt over a white undershirt, blue-white pants, and a white cape. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volume 25, chapter ?]

Summary

Tien appears in mid-way through the original "Dragon Ball" series. He along with Chiaotzu enter the 22nd "Tenkaichi Budokai" at their master, Crane Hermit's advice, as do Roshi's students, Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha. Tien defeats Yamcha in the first round and Jackie Chun (Roshi's disguise) in the second, after he forfeits. In the final match, he faces Goku, who proves to be a more than a worthy opponent. Eventually, after Goku survives any attack thrown at him, Tien destroys the arena with his "Kikohou", but Goku jumps into the air and uses his "Kamehameha" to slam himself into Tien. Both fighters fall down to the ground, but Goku is hit by a passing car, causing him to land on the ground first, which makes Tien the winner. ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 11, chapter ?] When Piccolo Daimao is released by Emperor Pilaf, Tien attempts to battle him but doesn't stand much of a chance and is defeated but not killed. In the 23rd "Tenkaichi Budokai", Tien defeats Cyborg Tao but is later defeated by Goku in the semi-finals.

In the beginning of "Dragon Ball Z", Tien dies during the attack against the Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa, along with Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo, and they are sent to King Kai's planet in the afterlife for training. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volume 3, chapter ?] On King Kai's planet Tien and the other Z fighters fight against the Ginyu force and win easily. Tien defeats Jeice and Burter and he then realizes how much he has improved. Tien and the others are eventually brought back to life by the Dragon Balls of Planet Namek, months after Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and defeats the galactic overlord, Frieza. ["Dragon Ball Z", manga, volume 12, chapter ?]

During the Android Saga, Tien joins the others in the attack against the Androids, but is defeated by #17. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volume 14, chapter ?] Later, Tien prevents the second form of Cell from absorbing #18, by firing his Kikoho continuously, but the effort drains him completely. Luckily, Goku arrives at the battlefield, and takes Tien to safety on Kami's Lookout. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volume 15] Tien later joins the others in the Cell Games and teams up with Yamcha to protect the weakened Goku from the Cell Juniors, before losing to them. ["Dragon Ball Z" manga, volume 18, chapter 408] After Cell's defeat and Goku's death, Tien and Chiaotzu choose to resume training, and remain away from civilization in the mountains, although Tien deflects an attack by Majin Buu that was targeted at a beaten down Son Gohan.

Abilities

Some of Tien's capabilities include the "Kamehameha", ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 11, chapter 124, page 61. ISBN 1-56931-919-7.] as well as the ability to fire other "chi" energy blasts, ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 11, chapter 128] ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 12, chapter 133] "Dragon Ball" manga, volume 15, chapter 178] ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 16, chapter 190] telepathy, ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 11, chapter 131] ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 13, chapter 147] flight, and duplication. ["Dragon Ball" manga, volume 15, chapter ?] His main "ki" energy techniques are the "Dodonpa" ("Dodon Ray" in English), a beam of energy fired from his finger tip,"Dragon Ball" manga, volume 12, chapter ?] the "Taiyoken" ("Solar Flare" in English), a flash of intense light that can temporarily blind an opponent and the "Kikohou" ("Tri-Beam" in English), a powerful square or rectangular shaped blast fired while his hands form the shape of a triangle. This attack's impact is so great that it can leave a huge crater in the ground, but its so strong that it can drain his energy if used continuously. He also has a good amount of strength which helps him against bigger enemies (though not as strong as Goku).

From Roshi, Tien acquired the Mafuba technique, which he attempts to use against King Piccolo. Tien also knows the Shi Shin no Ken (the Twelve Eyes technique in English). When performing this technique, Tien copies himself and the clones are used as eyes to see where an opponent will strike next. The only flaw is that the user's power level is divided equally among the user and all of his clones.

Appearances in other media

Video games

Tien has appeared in many "Dragon Ball"-related video games as both a playable character and boss. He is playable in the following games:
* ""
* "" - here he fuses with Yamcha, becoming a character named Yamuhan (Tiencha in the English version).
* ""
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* "" - as a card
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Reception

Tien, along with Yamcha, has been described as "under-utilized", but still a "fan favorite". [http://www.daizex.com/guides/transformations/budokai/index.shtml] Some pieces of merchandise have been released under his name and in his likeness. This merchandise includes T-shirts [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Love-Sleeve-T-shirt-Large-White/dp/B000HTL21K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1221359966&sr=1-1|title=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-06-16] and action figures. [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Dragonball-Z-Fusion-Action-Figure/dp/B000ZK526M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1221360045&sr=8-1|title=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-06-16] Tien has also been featured in the "Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game". [cite web|url=http://www.dbccg.com/card-database/warriors-return-set/wa-005-tien |title=Dragon Ball CCG|accessdate=2008-06-16]

References

Bibliography

*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 10 — ISBN 1-56931-848-4
*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 11 — ISBN 1-56931-919-7
*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 12 — ISBN 1-59116-155-X
*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 13 — ISBN 1-59116-297-1
*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 15 — ISBN 1-59116-297-1
*"Dragon Ball" manga, Volume 16 — ISBN 1-59116-457-5
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 3 — ISBN 1-56931-531-0
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 12 — ISBN 1-56931-985-5
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 14 — ISBN 1-59116-180-0
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 15 — ISBN 1-59116-186-X
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 17 — ISBN 1-59116-505-9
*"Dragon Ball Z" manga, Volume 25 — ISBN 1-4215-0404-9

External links

* [http://www.absoluteanime.com/dragon_ball/tien.htm Profile] at http://www.absoluteanime.com/