21st Tournament Saga, vols. 2–5

Goku goes to Master Roshi to train and gains a classmate and rival, Krillin, a short, scheming monk. After eight months of hard training, Roshi enters them in the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Krillin beats the stinky Bacterian, Goku takes down the dragon Giran, and both reach the semifinals. There they meet Jackie Chun, an old fighter who is Roshi in disguise, out to keep his students humble. He beats Krillin and faces Goku in the final. Goku's tail grows back, he turns into a giant ape, and Jackie blows up the moon. In the end, both go down together. Goku gets up first but passes out before declaring victory, and Jackie wins by a hair. Goku asks for a rematch and heads off alone after his grandfather's ball.

1. Behind the scenesA tournament to quiet the editor

   Early on the series was about adventure and travel. Toriyama suspected fights would sell better, but he only created the martial arts tournament after tiring of Torishima's complaints about popularity. He later admitted the jump in the polls felt good.

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2. Behind the scenesKrillin, the contrast

   Torishima felt Goku was too plain. Toriyama created Krillin, a petty, mischievous kid, as a contrast. He debuts in chapter 25, published May 21, 1985, as Goku's training rival.

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3. SetupSix dots on his forehead

   Look at the six dots on Krillin's forehead: they're moxibustion marks, a nod to Shaolin monks.

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4. SetupThe price of training

   In chapter 24, Master Roshi will only train Goku if he brings back a cute girl. Goku returns with a hulking weightlifter, to the old man's horror.

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