Biography and Story Role
Sansho is a Makyan warrior and one of Garlic Jr.'s original trio of henchmen, alongside Nicky and Ginger, who appear in the first Dragon Ball Z film, Dead Zone. He is the largest and most physically imposing of the three, with a muscular build and a head that somewhat resembles a pickle. He has long red-purple sideburns and carries himself as the strong, silent type.
In Dead Zone, Sansho helps Garlic Jr. kidnap young Gohan in order to obtain the Four-Star Dragon Ball attached to his hat. The trio also attacks the Ox-King and Chi-Chi while collecting the remaining Dragon Balls. Once Garlic Jr. achieves immortality through his wish, Sansho and his companions confront Goku, Krillin, and Piccolo when they arrive to rescue Gohan.
Sansho squares off against Piccolo but is quickly outmatched. Despite his imposing size, Sansho proves to be the least intelligent of the trio and panics when he realizes how outclassed he is. Piccolo dispatches him with a powerful energy attack, and Sansho is later seen among the villains who escape Hell in Fusion Reborn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sansho in Dragon Ball Z?
Sansho is one of Garlic Jr.'s original three henchmen, alongside Nicky and Ginger, in the first Dragon Ball Z film, Dead Zone. He is the largest and most physically imposing of the trio, with a muscular build, a pickle-shaped head, and long red-purple sideburns, and he serves as the strong, silent enforcer of the group.
Who killed Sansho?
Sansho is killed by Piccolo during the climax of Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone. After being squarely outmatched in a one-on-one fight, Sansho panics at how outclassed he is and Piccolo dispatches him with a powerful energy attack.
Why did Sansho help Garlic Jr. kidnap Gohan?
Sansho helps Garlic Jr. kidnap young Gohan in order to obtain the Four-Star Dragon Ball attached to Gohan's hat. The trio also attacks Ox-King and Chi-Chi while collecting the remaining Dragon Balls so Garlic Jr. can wish himself immortal.
Does Sansho come back after Dead Zone?
Yes. Although Sansho is killed during the events of Dead Zone, he is later seen among the villains who escape Hell in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn. This brief cameo is his only post-mortem appearance in the series.
What does Sansho's name mean?
Like his teammates Nicky and Ginger, Sansho's name follows the Garlic Jr. crew's spice-themed naming convention. Sansho refers to the Japanese pepper of the same name, fitting Toriyama's tradition of naming villainous factions after food and seasonings.
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Sources & Information
Looking for more on Sansho? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byAkira Toriyama
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byToei Animation
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Shueisha.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.
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