When the fans consider the most resurrected characters in Dragon Ball, there is one name that immediately comes to mind Krillin. The bald-headed, iconic warrior is as much a part of the franchise as the Dragon Balls are, and just like them, he simply doesn’t remain dead. Despite being human and far weaker than the Saiyans or Namekians, Krillin is critical to the franchise of Dragon Ball, Z, Super, and even the films. How Many Times Has Krillin Been Brought Back to Life? Nonetheless, with as many epic conflicts and world-threatening villains as Krillin has faced, Krillin’s survival prospects are. questionable.
We’re diving deep into How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected, unravelling the lore, context, and implications each time he crossed over to the Other World, only to be brought back again. How many times has Earth’s strongest human cheated death? And what does that say about his legacy in Dragon Ball?
Why Krillin’s Death Matters in Dragon Ball and How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected
Before we tally up Krillin’s deaths, let’s observe how much impact they’ve had on the story. Unlike most characters, Krillin’s deaths are usually a big turning point. His demises have triggered monumental transformations, most famously, Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation. They serve not only to elevate the tension but also to humanise the cost of war and the stakes of each saga.
In a universe filled with immortals, gods, and near-invincible Saiyans, Krillin’s repeated deaths remind us of vulnerability. And his comebacks? They symbolise hope—the very essence of what the Dragon Balls are meant to represent.
Krillin’s First Death – Dragon Ball (King Piccolo Saga)
- Cause of Death: Murdered by Tambourine (King Piccolo’s minion)
- Method of Resurrection: Shenron (Dragon Balls on Earth)
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? Krillin’s first experience with death was in the original Dragon Ball series. Right after Goku’s fight in the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, Krillin is murdered by Tambourine, a demon who works for King Piccolo. How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? This death shook Goku to his very foundations. It was the first time we saw the story get into actual darkness. Goku’s rage following Krillin’s death foreshadowed the emotional shifts we’d eventually see in Z.
Fortunately, Krillin was revived using Earth’s Dragon Balls after Goku defeated King Piccolo’s reincarnation, Piccolo Jr..
- Death Count: 1
- Resurrection Count: 1
Krillin’s Second Death – Dragon Ball Z (Frieza Saga)
- Cause of Death: Blown up by Frieza
- Method of Resurrection: Namekian Dragon Balls (Porunga)
The most iconic and heartbreaking moment in Krillin’s journey comes on the planet Namek. After the gruelling battle with Frieza, Krillin is brutally killed, lifted into the air and exploded from within in one of the most shocking scenes in anime history. This moment is monumental in Dragon Ball lore. Why? Because Krillin’s death here is what triggers Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation. This wasn’t just about killing a side character it was the catalyst that changed the course of the franchise.
Krillin was later resurrected using the Namekian Dragon Balls, which had the power to revive multiple people and even restore lives more than once, unlike Earth’s Dragon Balls at the time.
- Death Count: 2
- Resurrection Count: 2
Krillin’s Third Death – Dragon Ball Z (Majin Buu Saga)
- Cause of Death: Turned into chocolate and eaten by Super Buu
- Method of Resurrection: Earth’s Dragon Balls (after Buu’s defeat)
Krillin’s third canonical death occurs during the Majin Buu Saga. In one of Buu’s horrifying transformations into Super Buu, he turns the entire population of the Lookout—Krillin included—into candy and eats them. It’s a brutal, unsettling sequence that again reminds us how easily even beloved characters can be wiped out.
After Kid Buu is defeated by the Spirit Bomb, the Namekian Dragon Balls are used to restore Earth and bring back all those who died in Buu’s rampage. Krillin is among them.
- Death Count: 3
- Resurrection Count: 3
Krillin’s “Near-Deaths” and Non-Canon Deaths
GT: Killed by Android 17 (Non-Canon)
In Dragon Ball GT (considered non-canonical), Krillin is killed by Android 17, who is under Baby’s influence. While emotionally significant, especially for Android 18, it’s not part of the main timeline.
Thus, we won’t count it in the official death tally.
Dragon Ball Super No Deaths, But Close Calls
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected In Dragon Ball Super? Krillin doesn’t officially die, but he comes dangerously close several times, especially in the Tournament of Power and during training with Goku. He even gets eliminated early in the tournament, which was a metaphorical death in the battle for universe survival. Still, no confirmed death = no resurrection needed.
Krillin’s Role in Death and Resurrection Themes
Few characters in Dragon Ball embody the themes of life, death, and resurrection as poignantly as Krillin.
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? He isn’t a Saiyan, a god, or a time traveller. He’s a mortal who continues to fight in a world of superpowers and galactic threats. His repeated deaths aren’t just tragic, they’re pivotal. They show that the story isn’t just about power scaling; it’s about emotional stakes, loss, and rebirth. It’s no coincidence that Krillin’s deaths often carry the emotional weight needed to evolve Goku and escalate the narrative tension.
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected?
Let’s break it down clearly:
| Death | Cause of Death | Saga | Resurrected By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Killed by Tambourine | King Piccolo Saga (Dragon Ball) | Porunga (Namek DBS) |
| 2 | Blown up by Frieza | Frieza Saga (DBZ) | Namekian DBS after Buu’s defeat |
| 3 | Turned into chocolate, eaten by Super Buu | Majin Buu Saga (DBZ) | Namekian DBs after Buu’s defeat |
- Total Times Krillin Has Died: 3
- Total Times Resurrected: 3
What Makes Krillin’s Resurrections Unique?
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? Unlike other characters, Krillin’s deaths are often not self-sacrificial but rather the result of being caught in the crossfire. Yet, each one is emotionally impactful, How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected often acting as a trigger for major plot developments.
- 1st Death: Goku’s determination to train harder and defeat King Piccolo.
- 2nd Death: Goku’s transformation into Super Saiyan.
- 3rd Death: Reinforces the horror of Super Buu and the cost of Buu’s genocide.
These deaths aren’t just plot devices, they’re markers of emotional growth in the Dragon Ball universe.
Krillin: The Most Human of All Z-Warriors
While others evolve into gods or legendary warriors, Krillin remains grounded. That’s what makes his multiple deaths so resonant. He fears, he fights, he falls, yet he always returns. Whether through Dragon Balls or sheer will, Krillin keeps coming back.
How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? His story is not one of endless power-ups, but of resilience, friendship, and humanity.
Will Krillin Die Again?
As of Dragon Ball Super, Krillin is alive and well, living a quiet life with Android 18 and their daughter Marron. Peace in the Dragon Ball world, however, is never destined to be permanent.
Will Krillin die again in future sagas?
It’s possible. And if he does, it could once again push Goku, Gohan, or even Marron into a new transformation or plot arc. How Many Times Has Krillin Been Resurrected? He will never be the strongest fighter, maybe, but his legacy in history as the heart and soul of the Z-Fighters is assured.
Conclusion: Krillin—The Man Who Lived, Died, and Lived Again
So, how many times has Krillin been resurrected?
Three powerful moments that shaped the fate of the world and the evolution of Dragon Ball itself. While other characters have died more (looking at you, Chiaotzu and Yamcha), none have had their deaths carry the narrative weight that Krillin’s have. In a franchise that spans gods, dimensions, and time travel, Krillin is proof that even the most human among us can leave the deepest impact, especially when they refuse to stay down.