Tien Shinhan

Tien was raised and trained by Master Shen of the Crane School, a rival institution to Master Roshi's Turtle School. Under Shen's tutelage, Tien learned to view martial arts purely as a tool for domination and killing. He was cold, arrogant, and willing to use ruthless tactics against his opponents. His introduction at the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament showcased this brutality; he deliberately broke Yamcha's leg during their match and showed no remorse.

His attitude began to shift during his semi-final match against Goku. Roshi, disguised as Jackie Chun, had forfeited his match to Tien specifically so that Goku would have the chance to change Tien's heart through combat. The plan worked. Goku's determination, combined with Roshi's words about the true purpose of martial arts, cracked the shell of cruelty that Shen had built around his student. Tien won the tournament by the narrowest of margins, but the real victory was his decision to reject the Crane School's philosophy of violence.

This moral transformation was tested almost immediately when King Piccolo emerged as a threat. Tien attempted to use the Evil Containment Wave to seal the Demon King, risking his own life in the process. Though the technique failed, his willingness to sacrifice himself for others demonstrated that his change of heart was genuine and complete. From that point forward, Tien committed himself to protecting the Earth alongside Goku and the other fighters.

Despite being a human in a world increasingly dominated by Saiyans and cosmic threats, Tien repeatedly proved his worth through sheer willpower and tactical brilliance. During the Saiyan invasion, he fought against the Saibamen and Nappa, losing his arm in the process but continuing to fight until his life force was completely spent. His final attack against Nappa, a desperate self-destructive blast, failed to kill the Saiyan but demonstrated the depth of Tien's resolve.

Perhaps his most iconic moment came during the Cell Saga, when he used his Neo Tri-Beam technique to repeatedly hold back Semi-Perfect Cell. Despite knowing that each blast drained his life energy and that he had no chance of actually defeating Cell, Tien fired the technique again and again, buying precious time for Android 18 to escape. This act is widely regarded as one of the most courageous stands in the entire series, as Tien chose to face certain death rather than allow Cell to achieve his perfect form.

In the Buu Saga, Tien arrived alongside Chiaotzu to assist in the battle against Super Buu, though the difference in power meant his contributions were limited. He later participated in the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super, where he fought as part of Universe 7's team. Although he was eliminated relatively early, he managed to take an opponent with him, staying true to his principle of never going down without a fight.

Tien's fighting style blends the Crane School's emphasis on aerial combat and precision energy attacks with his own innovations. His signature technique is the Tri-Beam (Kikoho), a devastatingly powerful blast shaped by his hands into a triangular formation. The technique converts life energy directly into destructive force, making it far more potent than a standard energy blast but dangerous to the user. The Neo Tri-Beam, his refined version, can damage opponents who vastly outclass him in raw power.

His third eye is not merely cosmetic. It grants him enhanced perception, the ability to see through illusions, and resistance to techniques like the Solar Flare. Speaking of which, the Solar Flare is another of Tien's contributions to the fighters' arsenal; this blinding flash of light has been borrowed and used by numerous characters throughout the series.

Other notable abilities include the Multi-Form technique, which allows him to split into four separate bodies (each possessing a fraction of his total power), and his mastery of flight, which he was among the first human fighters to demonstrate. Tien also trained extensively with Chiaotzu, his lifelong companion and fellow Crane School graduate, and the bond between them is one of the most enduring friendships in the franchise.

Tien's legacy is that of a warrior who never stopped training, never stopped improving, and never backed down from a fight regardless of the odds. He chose to live as a farmer and martial arts instructor in the later timeline, but always answered the call when Earth needed defending.