Ranking Every Death of Krillin in Dragon Ball Series

Essential Insights on Krillin’s Deaths in Dragon Ball

Krillin’s mortality plays a crucial role in pivotal moments, such as inspiring Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan.
He has experienced six deaths throughout the franchise, including one off-screen as a result of aging in Dragon Ball GT.
The most heart-wrenching demise occurred in Dragon Ball GT, where he was killed by Android 17 in front of his family.

The theme of death in anime varies significantly among different series. While some narratives present death as permanent, others adopt a flexible approach. Dragon Ball exemplifies this flexibility, frequently reviving characters and erasing their deaths from the storyline.

With the magical Dragon Balls, characters defeated in battles can be resurrected, making death in this universe less consequential. Many characters have come back to life, yet few can match the number of times Krillin has faced death. Often positioned as a secondary character, Krillin endures a series of dangerous encounters, leading to multiple fatalities throughout the franchise, some of which are more moving and meaningful than others.

Updated December 8, 2024, by Ahmed Rehan Nasir: In the world of Dragon Ball, death often seems trivial. Nevertheless, certain deaths resonate with significant importance. Holding the record for the most deaths among the Z Fighters, Krillin’s canonical count stands at three, although non-canonical appearances add to his tally. Herein, we explore every reported death of Krillin, including non-canonical occurrences.

6 Death by Old Age

An Off-Screen, Unremarkable Death

Episode	Dragon Ball GT, Episode 64 “Until We Meet Again”
Cause of Death	Natural Causes (Old Age)

Even though Krillin’s deaths in Dragon Ball GT are classified as non-canonical, they still contribute to the overarching narrative. The storyline picks up five years post the main series, culminating in a special episode set a century later that suggests all original characters, except Pan, have died, implying Krillin’s natural death.

His demise due to old age feels anticlimactic, lacking any dramatic buildup. The timeline does hint that certain events occurred post-Evil Dragons arc, but they remain unspecified, solidifying Krillin’s exit as a simple aging death.

5 Eliminated by the Androids

The Tragic Demise in Future Timeline

Episode	Dragon Ball Z, Episode 164 “Ghosts From Tomorrow”
Cause of Death	Killed by Android 17 and 18

In the alternate timeline governed by Future Trunks, the Z Fighters failed to thwart the Androids, leading to a catastrophic outcome. Krillin’s untimely death in this world transpired amid the chaos, marking him as one of the last casualties of this devastating reality.

Although dramatic, his death lacked significant emotional weight. Krillin’s role as the final Z Fighter to die emphasizes the tragic state of this timeline, yet his demise is quick and lacks the depth of some of his other fatalities.

4 Vanquished by Super Buu

A Swift End at the Hands of a Formidable Foe

Episode	Dragon Ball Z, Episode 260 “Feeding Frenzy”
Cause of Death	Transformed into Chocolate

Following his revival, Krillin’s fate takes a dark turn during the Majin Buu Saga. Upon escaping the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Super Buu sets his sights on Krillin and his family. Krillin bravely attempts to buy time for their escape, but his efforts end in tragedy as Super Buu swiftly transforms him into chocolate, consuming him almost instantly.

This event, while briefly showcasing Krillin’s bravery, lacks the emotional depth seen in other deaths; it is rather comical and serves to emphasize Super Buu’s overwhelming power.

3 Slain by Super 17

A Surprisingly Emotional Death

Episode	Dragon Ball GT, Episode 44 “17 Times 2”
Cause of Death	Gunshot by Android 17

Despite his limited presence in Dragon Ball GT, Krillin’s death remains a notable moment. Executed by Android 17 in the presence of his wife and daughter, this tragic scene unfolds as he takes his last breaths in Android 18’s arms. Although his demise serves as a catalyst for her quest for revenge, it largely appears inconsequential to the overarching narrative.

Nonetheless, many fans regard this scene as emotionally significant, despite the running joke in the community surrounding Krillin’s unfortunate legacy.

2 Terminated by Frieza

One of the First Casualties on Planet Namek

Episode	Dragon Ball Z, Episode 95 “Transformed At Last”
Cause of Death	Blown Up by Frieza

Frieza’s shocking act of blowing Krillin to pieces stands as one of the franchise’s most iconic, albeit grotesque, moments. As one of the last members of the Dragon Team, Krillin’s brutal demise marks a pivotal transition in the series. Yet, the lack of a significant buildup tempers the emotional weight of this moment.

Notably, Krillin’s gruesome death serves as the catalyst for Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan, granting him a surge of power that is instrumental in the subsequent battle against Frieza.

1 Eliminated by Tambourine

Krillin’s Inaugural Death in Dragon Ball

Episode	Dragon Ball, Episode 103 “Tambourine Attacks!”
Cause of Death	Hit in the Head by Tambourine

During the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, a rather carefree tournament, Krillin’s unexpected death at the hands of Tambourine delivers a shocking twist. Shortly after the tournament concludes, Tambourine, one of Piccolo’s henchmen, murders Krillin to seize Goku’s Dragon Ball, leaving Goku to discover his friend’s lifeless body upon arrival.

This scene is particularly poignant, illustrating the deep bond between Goku and Krillin. It sets a darker tone for the series by introducing the concept of death as a serious consequence, fundamentally shifting the narrative landscape for the Dragon Ball franchise.

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