Kami (deity)
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Directory: Characters → Deities → Local deities
Kami (神, Kami; FUNimation "Guardian"; Literally meaning "God") is the title given to the individual protectors of planets in the Dragon Ball universe. Despite their names, their role is closer to that of an overseer, and they are not necessarily stronger than those whom they oversee (while Kami demonstrated that he was likely the strongest being on Earth at the time of his introduction in the Piccolo Jr. Saga, he was quickly surpassed by Son Goku and many others soon after). He remained the Kami of Earth, however, until the Imperfect Cell Saga over a decade later. Kami have an indirect reporting relationship to one of the Kaios (in the case of the Kami of Earth, this is North Kaio). Another way of looking at this is that Kami are more supervisors than they are managers. They have many of the powers associated with gods including the ability to see and sense events around the world, to travel to and guide souls to the Next World, and to be a general protector of the people. They also are long-lived, though not immortal. Unlike more traditional gods, the role of Kami is an office, which can be vacated and subsequently refilled by a mortal. However, the average citizens of Earth are unaware of the existence of these Kami, as demonstrated by Mr. Satan when he is puzzled by the role Dende plays.
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[edit] Earth
Main article: Kami Main article: Dende
Earth overseen by a Kami, and has been for as long as the history given on the Earth dates back. The Nameless Namekian (and Garlic in filler only) assumed the role of apprentice(s) to Earth's current unnamed Kami in 431 Age. Thirty years later in 461 Age, the Nameless Namekian assumes the role of Kami, taking on the title as his name in the process, after splitting with his evil half in order to do so. This evil half would rename itself Piccolo Daimao, and would go on to spark worldwide conflict. Kami and Piccolo Daimao are one and the same, and Kami was powerless to stop him due to the underlying fact that he would perish as well if he killed Piccolo Daimao. No other being on Earth, however, was anywhere near powerful enough to halt Piccolo Daimao's rampage. Luckily, after years of conflict, a martial arts master sealed Piccolo Daimao within a jar, trapping him inside for centuries.
Earth sees a time of peace until Piccolo Daimao is unleashed on the world again over three-hundred years later, only this time is stopped and killed by a new, far more powerful warrior on Earth, Son Goku. Goku soon after meets and trains under Kami in order to stop his reincarnate, Piccolo. After Piccolo is defeated in the World Martial Arts Tournament, relative peace remains for five years. The arrival of the Saiyans sparks an entirely new conflict, in which Kami trains Tenshinhan, Yamucha, Krillin, Chiaotzu, and Yajirobe in order to combat the impending threat. Piccolo is later killed by Nappa in the battle, and thus Kami dies, leaving the Earth without a Kami for around a month until revived by the Dragon Balls on Planet Namek.
During the conflict with the Artificial Humans, Kami does little but offer support for the Z Warriors; however he does evidently learn of Cell's arrival, thus opts to merge with Piccolo into their original power under the Nameless Namekia]. After doing so, Kami unites with Piccolo, leaving the Earth without a Kami for some time. Shortly after, Goku enlists Dende, a young Namekian boy, to be Kami's successor, to which he accepts. Thus, after the defeat of Cell, a new Kami claims the throne and creates new, more powerful Dragon Balls... and a new era arises on Earth.
Seven years later, during the conflict with Majin Buu, Dende is nearly killed by Super Buu, but is saved by Mr. Popo. Dende survives the remaining conflict, and even travels to the Sacred World of the Kais to watch Goku and Vegeta battle and defeat Kid Buu. After returning to the newly restored Earth, a time of peace ensues.
During Dragon Ball GT, Dende is now full-grown and allows Goku and his new trainee Uub to train at the Lookout. Dende provides support for the Z Warriors throughout the remainder of the series, as he is unable to do anything against the enormous powers of the villains that attack Earth. He is taken under the control of Baby, but is turned back to normal with the use of Sacred Water. After Goku defeats Omega Shenron and departs with Shen Long, Dende returns to the Lookout and continues his role. Nothing beyond this is ever explored.
[edit] Planet Namek
Planet Namek does not have a Kami because that is a term from Earth.[citation needed] It can be arguably assumed that the Kami of the Namekians is their Great Elder, Guru, who watches over his people much like Earth's Kami and who created a set of Dragon Balls for them. However, this was never officially stated.
After Guru's death in the Frieza Saga, Moori is given the position and control of the Dragon Balls (In fact, as soon as he is given away the position, the Dragon Balls recharge immediately instead of waiting one Namekian year. As an added bonus, the Dragon Balls are now able to resurrect more than one being at a time, though those who die from sickness or of natural causes are still beyond their ability to resurrect).
[edit] Planet Vegeta
In the anime series (not in the manga), North Kaio tells Goku that Planet Vegeta was destroyed by its own version of Kami via a meteor storm he summoned after realizing how evil the Saiyans were. Shortly afterward it is revealed, however, that Freeza was to blame for Planet Vegeta's destruction. It is obvious that Freeza is not Planet Vegeta's Kami; it is possible that Planet Vegeta's Kami had acted behind the scenes to prompt the flash of paranoia that inspired Freeza's attack on the planet, but it is equally possible that Planet Vegeta's Kami simply does not exist. It is unclear whether North Kaio did not know the truth himself, or just decided to lie to Goku to prevent him from learning of Freeza; the second is more likely considering that he later reveals that he is aware of the existence of Freeza and begs Goku and other characters not to fight him because of his immense power. However, it is more commonly accepted as an inconsistency created on Toei Animation's part.
[edit] Gallery
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| Katas • Piccolo Jr. • Mr. Popo • North Kaio • Yama • Dende |
