Hellz Yeah: Toriyama!

Cosplay of the DragonBall characters, based on their early outfits.

Sources: insaneben, Cris Raziel, Anime Vice (actual source missing)

The first Kamehameha Wave (manga version) to be featured in DragonBall.

This technique was pioneered by Master Roshi, taking a whopping fifty years to master.  Goku, however, manages to pull of a smaller-scale version of the attack within minutes of seeing it performed, shocking everyone around him.

Master Roshi cosplay is the best cosplay!

Sources: The Cosplay Pub, The Rugged Rock of Craig, ~Moyashi-Arts—Chico, Cosplay.Phael.Net, ~Neikoka, Cosplay.Com

Some of my favourite Master Roshi moments.

1. Roshi, Goku, and Krillin wearing sexy frilly leotards
2. Roshi curses his inability to protect the planet
3. Roshi produces his Driver’s License to prove that he is in fact the legendary Turtle Hermit (I think we can all understand why they doubted it, however…)
4. Roshi calls the Immortal Phoenix to give immortality to Goku, but has forgotten it died
5. Roshi performs the Kamehameha Wave, a Ki-based technique that he invented
6. When Yamcha fights the Invisible Man during the World Martial Arts Tourmanent, Yamcha is unable to see his opponent.  Krillin brings both Roshi and Bulma to the ring and pulls down her top.  Roshi suffers from a strong nose bleed and covers Yamcha’s opponent in blood.  Now able to see his opponent easily, Yamcha fells him quickly and is able to move onto the next round.

There are almost too many favourite Roshi moments to pick…what are your favourites?

The Kamehameha Wave, performed by Roshi (its creator) and Goku (who pulled it off after seeing it only once!).

Roshi used the Wave to put out a fire, after Bulma promised to spend some “alone time” with him.  After he put out the fire (unfortunately destroying the Ox King and Chi-Chi’s home in the process), she forces Oolong to shapeshift into her lookalike and go in her place.  Unfortunately for her, Oolong decides to extract his revenge by flirting with Roshi and letting him “puff puff” her chest.

武天老師 （むてん　ろぅし）Master/Muten Roshi / 亀仙人 （かめ　せんいん）The Turtle Hermit

From: DragonBall

Also known as the “God of Martial Arts”, Roshi acts as instructor to Goku and Krillin when they arrive on his island looking to become stronger and better fighters.

His reputation as a pervert belies his true nature as an expert matrial artist and for decades the most gifted fighter on the planet.  His nickname of “Turtle Hermit” comes from the turtle-like shell he wears, which is actually weighed down to build muscle.  Despite his appearance as a 70-something year old man, his true age is closer to 350 at the beginning of DragonBall, making him almost 400 by the time DragonBall GT ends.  Roshi stated that his longevity was due to drinking a Life Elixer, which means he cannot die by natural means.

Roshi’s parents are never mentioned, likely due to their passing away centuries before the events of DragonBall.  His sister, however, does - Fortuneteller Baba, a Mystic who has deep connections to the underworld.  As a young man, Roshi was trained by Master Mutaito, the world’s first “superhero” and saviour.  Roshi was the first man to climb the legendary Korin’s Tower, and it took him a further three years to earn the privilege to drink the Sacred Water, which was said to multiply one’s power.

Roshi’s rivalry with Master Shen came to a brief end when Mutaito died, but Shen quickly reverted to his old ways.  The two meet on a few occassions during DragonBall, with Goku eventually befriending his students Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu.

After fifty years of training, Roshi invented his own ki-based technique called the Kamehameha.  He is shocked to see Goku imitate it perfectly after only seeing the move performed once.  At a number of occasions, Roshi displays previously un-thought of powers - while he is human, his stages of power bear some resemblance to later Super Saiyan stages displayed by Goku and others.

Roshi’s importance during the series gradually fades when threats to Earth begin to outclass his power.  He steps into a role closer to an adviser, at one point cursing his inability to be more help to defend the planet.  His comic relief abilities serve to disrupt several serious points and lighten the mood.  Most of this humour comes from his perverted interests including his attempts to fondle women who come to his island or from watching aerobics videos on his television.

Before training Goku and Krillin, Roshi trained the Ox King and Son Gohan Sr.  The Ox King becomes father to Chi-Chi and eventually Goku’s father-in-law while Gohan had gone on to discover Goku abandoned in a forest and took him in as his adopted grandson.  To test his students, Roshi enters the World Martial Arts Tourmanent under the alias of Jackie Chun.  Narrowly defeating Goku in the 21st Tournament, Roshi had entered in order to encourage Goku to become stronger and not to get lazy with his training.  He again enters the 22nd Tournament but steps aside as he sees Tien as a good enough encouragement for Goku at that point.

Roshi’s documented habits include eating delivered Pizza, which is probably a joke based on the fact he lives on an island in the middle of the ocean.

He is primarily voiced by two Japanese actors - Kouhei Miyauchi (until approximately episode 260 of DragonBall Z) and Hiroshi Masuoka due to Miyauchi’s passing away.  Other minor actors were Kinya Aikawa and Masaharu Sato.

(Source: dragonball.wikia.com)