In Dragon Ball Z, brimming with formidable fighters and epic battles, few characters have undergone as remarkable a journey of transformation and redemption as Piccolo.

Despite being introduced as a villain in the original Dragon Ball series, Piccolo has evolved into a crucial ally and surrogate father figure to Gohan, demonstrating profound depth and character development.

Born with the nefarious purpose of fulfilling his father, Demon King Piccolo’s evil agenda, Piccolo’s journey has been one of gradual enlightenment and self-discovery.

Over time, he has forged bonds with Earth’s inhabitants and developed a deep appreciation for the planet’s wonders. Time and again, Piccolo has courageously risked his life to protect his newfound home and the friends he holds dear.

Most recently, Piccolo underwent a groundbreaking metamorphosis with his Orange Piccolo transformation in Dragon Ball Super, showcasing his continued evolution and adaptability in the face of new challenges.

However, even in Dragon Ball Z, Piccolo’s significance shines through in pivotal clashes that highlight his exceptional abilities and distinctive fighting style, cementing his legacy as one of the series’ most iconic characters.

‘Dabura’s Clash With Piccolo’ And 9 Other Most Memorable Piccolo Battles in Dragon Ball Z

Here is a list of the best moments from Dragon Ball Z that no Piccolo fan can forget in their whole life. 

10. Dabura’s Clash with Piccolo

In Dragon Ball Z, Babidi, the sinister sorcerer, subjects the heroes to a barrage of Majin minions before the awakening of Buu, who ultimately becomes the ultimate antagonist.

Among these minions, Dabura, the King of the Demons, stands out as a menacing figure, despite not being given ample opportunities to showcase his prowess.

An unexpected clash between the heroes and Babidi’s forces thrusts Dabura into action. Displaying his formidable power, the Demon King swiftly dispatches Kibito with a single devastating blast. Dabura then turns his attention to Piccolo and Krillin, using his saliva to petrify them into stone.

While Piccolo’s confrontation with Dabura may not be extensive, it remains a memorable encounter due to its dark and unexpected turn. Witnessing Piccolo being turned to stone is a jarring moment, with uncertainty looming over the possibility of reversing the sinister magic.

Fortunately, Dabura’s demise ultimately leads to the restoration of Piccolo and Krillin to their original states, relieving the tension and uncertainty surrounding their fate.

9. Imperfect Cell delivers a significant reality check to Piccolo

When Imperfect Cell first confronts Piccolo, he remains fascinating, still far from attaining perfection. Having recently absorbed tens of thousands of individuals, Imperfect Cell presents a terrifying visage more akin to a creature from a horror series than a typical Dragon Ball Z adversary.

With ease, Imperfect Cell swiftly dispatches Earth’s military forces and establishes himself as a villain of unparalleled strength, surpassing any foe the heroes have encountered thus far.

Piccolo’s initial clash with Imperfect Cell holds significance as the antagonist has yet to reveal his signature techniques, including his ability to replicate the heroes’ best moves.

This encompasses even Piccolo’s own Namekian regeneration powers. Despite being overpowered by Imperfect Cell, Piccolo manages to seize some victorious moments.

Displaying confidence, Piccolo tears off the arm drained by Cell and regenerates a new one. Additionally, he begins to fare better against the bio-weapon as he gains insight into Cell’s fighting patterns through observation and analysis.

8. Piccolo’s conflict with Nappa leads to a moment of ultimate sacrifice

Piccolo’s confrontation with Nappa showcases the Namekian’s determination, yet he struggles to make a significant impact against the formidable Saiyan.

Despite his best efforts, Piccolo finds himself unable to inflict substantial damage on the burly adversary. However, the outcome of this battle marks a pivotal moment in Piccolo’s character development and solidifies his enduring bond with Gohan.

Having fought alongside the heroes leading up to this point, Piccolo’s transformation into a true hero occurs when he makes a selfless sacrifice to protect Gohan.

Attempting to exploit the Saiyans’ known weakness of their tails, Piccolo’s strategy proves ineffective as Vegeta reveals their training has rendered them immune to this vulnerability.

Undeterred, Piccolo, Krillin, and Gohan coordinate a coordinated assault against Nappa, but their efforts fall short. As Nappa launches a fatal energy blast toward the terrified Gohan, Piccolo intervenes at the last moment, saving his student’s life.

This poignant act of selflessness stands as one of Dragon Ball Z’s most heartfelt and emotional scenes, underscoring Piccolo’s evolution from a former villain to a true hero and his unwavering dedication to protecting Gohan.

7. Piccolo almost stops the impudent actions of the sinister sorcerer Babidi

Babidi plays a crucial role in the awakening of Majin Buu and the ensuing devastation that follows. While Piccolo and Vegeta haven’t always seen eye to eye, the Namekian demonstrates his solidarity with the Saiyan by confronting Babidi when the sorcerer mocks Vegeta’s honor. Babidi’s taunts, particularly in front of Trunks, strike a nerve with Piccolo, prompting him to take decisive action.

Unwilling to tolerate Babidi’s insults any longer, Piccolo swiftly dispatches the sorcerer by slicing him in half. Despite the potential repercussions with Buu, Piccolo remains resolute in his belief that they can still emerge victorious.

Piccolo’s swift and decisive action in destroying Babidi serves as a source of inspiration, reflecting the weariness and frustration felt by everyone towards this manipulative character.

However, despite Babidi’s subsequent regeneration by Buu, the ironic twist of fate occurs when Babidi himself becomes one of Buu’s casualties later on.

6. Piccolo and Android 17 collaborate to confront Imperfect Cell

Cell emerges as an amazing antagonist in Dragon Ball Z, even before attaining perfection. His relentless pursuit of completing his form by absorbing Androids 17 and 18 leads to an unlikely alliance between the evil Androids and the protagonists as they unite against this common threat.

Imperfect Cell’s attempt to consume Android 17 prompts Piccolo to intervene, recognizing the necessity of preventing this greater evil from achieving its goal.

The collaboration between Piccolo and Android 17, former adversaries turned allies, showcases the series’ adeptness at portraying character development and complex relationships.

This confrontation also serves to highlight Cell’s twisted mentality, as he justifies his actions by claiming that the countless humans he has absorbed now serve a greater purpose by contributing to his strength.

Android 17 and Piccolo are both repulsed and terrified by Imperfect Cell’s augmented power. Despite Piccolo’s best efforts, his Light Grenade proves futile against Cell, who proceeds to deliver a devastating blow by breaking the Namekian’s neck and seemingly killing him with a merciless energy attack. Though Piccolo survives the ordeal, both Earth’s heroes and the audience are left reeling, fearing the worst in that harrowing moment.

5. Dr. Gero finds himself utterly outmatched by Piccolo’s enhanced strength

Evil androids have been a recurring theme throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, and their significance is particularly pronounced in Dragon Ball Z. Among them, Androids 17 and 18 emerge as the most formidable mechanical threats.

However, before facing these ultimate adversaries, the heroes encounter Androids 19 and 20, with the latter being none other than Dr. Gero, the mastermind behind the Androids’ creation.

Vegeta swiftly dispatches Android 19, leaving Piccolo to confront Dr. Gero after the Android attacks him. Dr. Gero attempts to siphon Piccolo’s energy, only to find himself outmatched when Gohan intervenes, granting Piccolo the chance to escape.

A brief skirmish ensues, during which Dr. Gero realizes he stands no chance against Piccolo’s newfound strength.

The extensive three years of training undertaken by the heroes in preparation for this moment is a witness to Piccolo’s growth. It’s exhilarating to witness Piccolo’s mastery and composure during the conflict.

However, their confrontation is abruptly halted as Dr. Gero, overwhelmed with fear, retreats. With a bit more time, Piccolo would have undoubtedly emerged victorious in his showdown against Android 20.

4. Piccolo effortlessly annihilates the Saibamen while the Saiyans gauge their own strength

Dragon Ball has a knack for putting its characters through rigorous tests before they confront the ultimate adversary. Nappa and Vegeta, Earth’s formidable foes, take their time sizing up the planet’s strongest defenders.

Rather than launching into battle immediately, they opt to gauge their opponents’ strength by unleashing a series of Saibamen, typically utilized as training tools by Saiyans.

While the Saibamen may seem insignificant, they prove to be formidable adversaries, with one of them claiming Yamcha’s life in a tragic turn of events.

Yamcha’s demise ignites a fierce determination within his comrades, particularly Piccolo, who lead the charge against the remaining Saibamen.

Krillin dispatches several of the creatures, while Piccolo swiftly deals with the last one. Piccolo’s effortless victory is a promising indicator of his burgeoning power and foreshadows his future feats.

However, despite his impressive display, Piccolo finds himself outmatched by Nappa’s overwhelming strength, highlighting the vast gap between Earth’s defenders and the Saiyan invaders.

Although the Saibamen may not leave a lasting impression as villains, Piccolo’s unwavering strength and dedication in the face of adversity, especially in response to Yamcha’s death, underscore his transformation into a true hero.

3. Goku and Piccolo join forces as allies for the first time to combat the formidable Saiyan, Raditz

Dragon Ball Z wastes no time in delivering major revelations, one of which is the bombshell that Goku is, in fact, a member of the alien Saiyan race. The arrival of Raditz, Goku’s estranged Saiyan brother, heralds a destructive agenda that forces former rivals Goku and Piccolo to unite for the first time.

The decision to swiftly transform these adversaries into allies proves to be a stroke of creative genius, culminating in one of the anime’s most legendary battles.

As Piccolo and Goku face off against the formidable Raditz, they must devise a strategy on the fly while grappling with the sheer strength of the Saiyan warrior. This battle is etched into memory for its end, marking Goku’s first death in the series.

While Piccolo and Goku emerge technically victorious in their defeat of Raditz, it comes at a steep cost, as Goku is forced to sacrifice himself to secure their triumph.

Additionally, this pivotal battle serves as the debut of Piccolo’s iconic Special Beam Cannon, which goes on to become his signature technique throughout the franchise, further solidifying the significance of this epic showdown.

2. Piccolo’s initial fusion boldly challenges Frieza, forcing the tyrant out of his comfort zone

In Dragon Ball, it’s not uncommon for villains to undergo multiple transformations before reaching their pinnacle of power. Frieza stands out as the catalyst for this tradition, showcasing four distinct forms before achieving his ultimate strength.

Frieza’s second form, towering and reminiscent of his father King Cold, exudes a more gladiatorial demeanor.

In a pivotal moment, Piccolo resorts to Namekian fusion for the first time, merging with Nail, the strongest warrior of Planet Namek. This fusion grants Piccolo a monumental power boost, enabling him to not only hold his own against Frieza’s second form but also trigger the tyrant’s subsequent transformation.

Piccolo’s solitary battle against Frieza holds immense significance, epitomizing the character’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Initially, Piccolo demonstrates complete mastery over the situation when confronting Frieza’s second form. However, he soon finds himself weakened and on the brink of defeat against the enhanced power of Frieza’s third form.

This narrative device effectively underscores Frieza’s exponential increase in strength with each transformation, emphasizing the necessity of Goku’s assistance to prevail.

Additionally, the stakes of the battle are heightened as Piccolo tirelessly fights to protect Gohan and ensure the survival of Planet Namek and its inhabitants. Through Piccolo’s struggle, the gravity of the situation becomes palpable, further intensifying the anticipation for Goku’s intervention.

1. Android 17 experiences Piccolo’s newly fused ferocity for the first time

Namekian fusion emerges as a crucial strategy for Piccolo throughout the events of Dragon Ball Z, with his fusion with Kami marking a significant power surge necessary to contend with the threats posed by Dr. Gero’s Androids and Cell.

This strategic move proves to be a shrewd decision, providing Piccolo with the strength required to remain relevant amidst the increasing prominence of Super Saiyans in the narrative. Notably, Piccolo’s confrontation with Android 17 stands out as his most memorable full-fledged battle in Dragon Ball Z.

The evenly matched nature of their duel keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, as both combatants gain the upper hand at different points throughout the skirmish.

This dynamic creates a palpable sense of suspense, far more engaging than if Piccolo had held a considerable advantage over Android 17 from the outset.

The battle boasts impressive choreography, with Android 17 delivering brutal blows that Piccolo is only able to endure thanks to his unique Namekian biology.

However, their clash is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Cell, underscoring the larger threats looming over both Piccolo and Android 17, and redirecting their focus toward more pressing matters.