


Piccolo Daimaō was created after he told the author how Roman Emperor Nero enjoyed watching people suffer. His editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, stated he introduced Toriyama to evil historical figures for inspiration. Piccolo, more specifically his parent Piccolo Daimaō, was created by Toriyama as he wanted to have a villain who would be a true "bad guy." Prior to his creation, nearly all the previous villains in the series were considered too likable. The character has also inspired Naruto manga author Masashi Kishimoto, as well as an internet meme which became popular in Japan in 2013. The character has been consistently well received by fans and video game publications, with high placements in multiple "top" character lists and popularity polls. Piccolo is one of the most popular and recognizable characters of the Dragon Ball franchise. He also trains Goku's eldest child Gohan in martial arts, with the two forming a strong bond. After losing to Son Goku, Piccolo decides to team up with him and his friends in order to defeat newer, more dangerous threats, such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, Beerus, Zamasu, Jiren, Broly, and Moro.

However, it is later revealed that he is in fact a member of an extraterrestrial humanoid species called Namekians, those able to create the series' eponymous wish-granting Dragon Balls.

He is first seen in chapter #161 Son Goku Wins!! ( 孫悟空勝つ!!, Son Gokū Katsu!!), published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on February 9, 1988, as the reincarnation of the evil Piccolo Daimaō, who was positioned as a demonic antagonist of the series. Piccolo ( Japanese: ピッコロ, Hepburn: Pikkoro) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball media franchise created by Akira Toriyama. Kami (good counterpart, later assimilated) Dragon Ball chapter #161 Son Goku Wins: 9 February 1988 (1988)
