Can Krillin Really Unleash the Kaio-ken? Let’s Dive Deep.
Krillin, our bald-headed warrior and Goku’s best friend, is a beloved character. He’s renowned as Earth’s strongest human, except when androids crop up. While he’s no planet vaporizer, his fighting skills impress. This begs a question: Could Krillin use Kaio-ken? Let’s explore this.
Krillin and the Kaio-ken Conundrum
So, can our favorite Z-Fighter use the Kaio-ken? The answer is complicated. In the main Dragon Ball story we love, Krillin hasn’t showcased Kaio-ken. It’s not in his usual fighting style. But the Dragon Ball universe is expansive, similar to Goku’s appetite, with alternate realities where things change.
Imagine the Kaio-ken like an intense workout. It offers amazing results but can leave you drained. King Kai created it to boost a fighter’s power by increasing ki output. The drawback? It strains the body. Saiyans find a silver lining with Zenkai boosts after recovering from near-death experiences. Humans lack this effect, making Kaio-ken riskier.
Now, back to Krillin. He masters ki control. This is the guy who created the Destructo Disc. His training regimens push his limits. These skills show he has the potential to learn Kaio-ken, even if it’s not naturally suited for him.
Now for alternate realities! In “Supersonic Warriors,” Krillin learns Kaio-ken from Goku. Imagine their training – likely filled with shouts. In Xenoverse games, Kaio-ken appears as a skill for customizable characters, including Krillin. Thus, in these realms, Krillin’s Kaio-ken is plausible and just a button press away.
The internet thrives on fan theories. The question of Krillin’s Kaio-ken is no different. Fans argue that giving him this technique enhances his power. Picture Krillin contributing significantly in battles due to a Kaio-ken boost. It’s an enticing idea.
However, let’s revisit Kaio-ken’s nature. It suits Saiyans due to Zenkai boosts. Humans face the full impact of its stress without similar rewards. Still, in dire circumstances, a temporary power increase could change the game for fighters like Krillin. Desperate situations call for bold measures.
King Kai’s School of Hard Knocks (and Jokes?)
King Kai is the blue deity who enjoys bad jokes and intense training. He invented Kaio-ken and trained various characters, including King Yemma and Piccolo. According to the anime, Krillin trained with King Kai after dying in the Saiyan Saga.
This raises another question: If Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu trained with King Kai, why didn’t they learn Kaio-ken? King Kai’s reason is somewhat silly but very Dragon Ball. He claimed he would teach only those who made him laugh. Humor was key to entering Kaio-ken training.
Piccolo and Tien probably didn’t crack many jokes that made King Kai laugh. Yamcha and Chiaotzu might have tried humor too. The Kaio-ken training criteria focused less on strength and more on comedic timing, fitting Dragon Ball’s quirky humor.
Kaio-ken: Pushing the Limits (But Not Too Far)
Let’s discuss the Kaio-ken technique itself. What are its limits? The highest multiplier in the series is Kaio-ken times 20 (x20). Goku used this against Frieza, boosting his power significantly with high strain.
Interestingly, in Universe 6, Goku’s alternate self peaks at Kaio-ken times 10 (x10). Different universes might have varied limits for Kaio-ken? Or it’s another multiverse quirk. There’s Uub, Kid Buu’s reincarnation, who matched Goku in Kaio-ken mastery at 17, reaching x20. A true prodigy.
How does Kaio-ken compare to Super Saiyan? A theoretical Kaio-ken x50 (x50) would equal the first Super Saiyan form. Super Saiyan typically offers a 50-times multiplier. Thus, Kaio-ken x50 aligns power-wise with Super Saiyan. However, since Kaio-ken’s strain rises sharply with multipliers, sustained high levels risk injury. Super Saiyan turns more sustainable with training.
Regarding that Kaio-ken x1000 (x1000) rumor? Nope. No evidence supports this beyond fan speculation. Even x20 tests physical boundaries. While aimed at boosting power, excessive strain leads to diminishing returns. A Kaio-ken x20 is significant, but x1000? That’s pure fan fiction territory.
Goku: The Kaio-ken Poster Boy
Goku and Kaio-ken are inseparable. King Kai invented it, yet Goku made it iconic. After dying against Raditz, Goku trained with King Kai to learn Kaio-ken, one of his signature moves. It became essential during Dragon Ball Z as he handled powerful foes like Vegeta and Frieza.
Let’s look at power levels. During the Saiyan Saga, Goku’s suppressed level was around 5,000. After powering up, it soared to 60,000 according to Ginyu. Estimates counted Goku’s full power at 85,000. Then comes Kaio-ken, pushing Goku’s power between 90,000 and 180,000 based on the multiplier. A major surge!
Why didn’t Goku use Kaio-ken against Cell? He had mastered Super Saiyan by then. Super Saiyan provided stable power boosts without the strain of Kaio-ken. Thus, as Super Saiyan evolved, Kaio-ken became less appealing.
Did Goku use Kaio-ken x20? Yes, during the fight with Frieza on Namek! He started with Kaio-ken x10 but saw that it was not enough. Goku pushed it to x20. This move pushed his body to the limit. It was a risky move. It showed Kaio-ken’s potential for a massive power boost in key moments.
Goku did not use Blue Kaio-ken against Broly. In their first fight, Broly was in his Ikari state. This form gave him a massive power-up, around a ten times multiplier. Adding Blue Kaio-ken might have been overkill. Goku was still gauging Broly’s strength. Blue Kaio-ken drains energy. Power management matters.
Can Goku learn Ultra Ego, Vegeta’s Hakai-based form? Maybe. Goku is good at learning fighting techniques. But Ultra Ego and Ultra Instinct are different styles. Ultra Ego thrives on damage; Ultra Instinct focuses on defense and offense. They oppose each other. Goku focuses on Ultra Instinct. He is unlikely to train in Ultra Ego now.
Kaio-ken: Not Just for Goku Anymore (Sometimes)
Can others use Kaio-ken? Can Goku apply it with Ultra Instinct? Probably not, and he shouldn’t. Ultra Instinct, especially the mastered form, maximizes Goku’s performance. Adding Kaio-ken is like stacking another skyscraper on the Burj Khalifa. It is structurally unsound. You can’t multiply maximum power.
What about Super Saiyan 4 and Kaio-ken? In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Super Saiyan 4 Goku can use Kaio-ken after a certain update. He can perform moves like Kaioken Kamehameha and even x20 Kaioken Kamehameha. It blends Super Saiyan 4 power with Kaio-ken energy boosts, though it’s not canon.
Vegito can use Kaio-ken. This fusion of Goku and Vegeta showcases Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken Vegito against Cumber. He combines the strength of twoSaiyan geniuses. Fusion characters gain techniques from both sides, so Vegito using Kaio-ken is logical.
Can Chi-Chi, Goku’s wife, wield Kaio-ken? No. Chi-Chi cannot use Kaio-ken. She can show a red aura when angry, but this is just for humor. It is not a hidden power. An angry Chi-Chi could be scarier than Kaio-ken itself.
Now, let’s return to Krillin and Kaio-ken 2. He hasn’t reached Kaio-ken levels in the main story. However, his ki control and training show potential. He could learn the Kaio-ken technique one day. Kaio-ken 2 might be a stretch due to human limits. But Kaio-ken Krillin, with enough training and a touch of desperation? You never know in the world of Dragon Ball.
