He’s been blown up by a galactic tyrant. He’s been turned into a chocolate snack. He has died more times than most people change their oil. Yet, if you spend any amount of time in the anime community, specifically the corner carved out by TeamFourStar, you know the rule: don't you dare talk about krillin without acknowledging the absolute chaos that follows his character arc.
It isn't just about the deaths.
Krillin is the ultimate underdog. He’s a bald, five-foot-nothing monk who somehow convinced the deadliest cyborg on Earth to marry him. That’s legendary. But the phrase itself—"don't you dare talk about Krillin"—carries a specific weight because it taps into the defensive love fans have for a guy who is constantly outclassed by literal gods.
The Origin of the Defensive Fandom
Where did this sentiment come from? Honestly, it’s a mix of genuine respect and the Dragon Ball Z Abridged effect. In the parody series, Krillin’s "Owned Count" became a recurring gag that defined a decade of internet humor. Every time he got kicked through a mountain or failed to land a Destructo Disc, the counter ticked up.
It was funny. Then it became a little sad. Eventually, it looped back around to being a badge of honor.
Fans started saying don't you dare talk about krillin as a way to ward off the haters who claim he’s useless. He’s not. In the Saiyan Saga, he was the one who nearly ended Nappa. On Namek, he stayed conscious longer than most seasoned warriors. He’s the strongest "pure" human in the world, unless you count Tien, though that’s a debate that usually ends in a screaming match on Reddit.
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Why the "Owned Count" Actually Matters
Most people look at Krillin’s track record and see a loser. They see a guy who exists just to be the emotional trigger for Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation. But think about the courage that takes.
Imagine being a guy who can bench press a truck, which is cool, but you're standing next to a guy who can accidentally sneeze and delete a solar system. You’re facing Frieza. You know, for a fact, that if he looks at you the wrong way, you’re becoming pink mist.
Krillin charges anyway.
That’s the nuance. People who dismiss him are missing the core theme of Dragon Ball: the struggle against the impossible. When someone says don't you dare talk about krillin in a dismissive way, they are ignoring the fact that he has the highest "bravery-to-power" ratio in the entire franchise.
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The Android 18 Factor: Winning at Life
Let’s talk about the real reason people are jealous. Krillin won the series.
While Goku is off training in space and being a questionable father, and while Vegeta is brooding in a gravity chamber because his pride hurts, Krillin is at home. He has a stable job as a police officer. He has a beautiful wife who could dismantle a tank with her pinky finger. He has a daughter. He’s happy.
If you compare the "end game" of every Z-Fighter, Krillin is the only one who transitioned into a normal, fulfilling life without losing his edge. He even grew hair. Honestly, the Buu Saga hair was a bold choice, but it symbolized his move away from the monastic life into a domesticated hero.
What Critics Get Wrong
- They say he’s a coward. (He’s the only one who stayed to fight the Androids when everyone else was unconscious).
- They say his attacks are weak. (The Kienzan/Destructo Disc can cut through enemies ten times his power level; it’s basically a cheat code).
- They say he’s just a plot device. (He is the moral compass of the show).
The "don't you dare talk about Krillin" meme is a shield. It's used when a "powerscaling" bro tries to argue that Krillin shouldn't be in the Tournament of Power. But Akira Toriyama (rest in peace) knew better. He brought Krillin back into the fold because the team needed his tactical mind. Krillin doesn't win with raw strength; he wins by being the smartest guy in the arena.
The Psychology of the Underdog
There is a psychological phenomenon where we attach ourselves to characters who suffer. It’s why people love Peter Parker. Krillin is the Peter Parker of the Dragon Ball world. He takes the hits so the big guys can get the glory, and he does it without a magical healing factor or alien DNA.
When you tell someone don't you dare talk about krillin, you’re defending the human element of a show that often forgets humans exist. Without him, the stakes don't feel real. If a Saiyan dies, they just hang out with King Kai and eat noodles until they get wished back. When Krillin died on Namek, it felt final. It felt like the stakes had actually pierced the heart of the story.
How to Actually Respect the Character
If you want to be a real fan, stop focusing on the power levels. Power levels have been "bullsh*t" since 1991. Focus on the utility.
Krillin’s Solar Flare (Taiyoken) has saved more lives than the Spirit Bomb. That’s a statistical fact. Goku uses it. Cell uses it. Even Trunks uses it. They all stole it from the bald guy.
Next time you're in a Discord server or a comment section and someone starts trashing the "short king," remember that he fought literal gods with nothing but a pair of white boots and a dream. The phrase don't you dare talk about krillin isn't just a meme; it’s a demand for respect for the man who paved the way for every other support character in shonen history.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're going to dive into the Dragon Ball mythos or participate in these community debates, do it with some data.
- Watch the original Dragon Ball: People forget Krillin was Goku’s rival first. He was crafty, a bit of a jerk, and incredibly fast. Seeing their bond start at Master Roshi’s island makes his later "sacrifices" way more impactful.
- Analyze the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament: This is where Krillin proves his tactical genius. He loses to Goku, but he makes Goku work for it in a way no one expected.
- Appreciate the "Support" Role: In gaming terms, Krillin is the ultimate "utility/buff" character. Without his distraction plays, the heavy hitters would have been eliminated long ago.
- Call out the "Yamcha-ing" of Krillin: Don't let people lump him in with Yamcha. Yamcha gave up and started playing baseball. Krillin stayed in the fight until the literal end of the universe.
The legacy of Krillin is one of persistence. He is the reminder that even if you aren't the "chosen one" with glowing hair and an infinite power ceiling, you still have a job to do. You still have a place at the table. And honestly, if you can't see the value in that, then maybe you really shouldn't be talking about him at all.