The Dragon Ball series primarily focuses on action-packed fighting scenes. It's easy to get caught up in the adventures of the Z-Fighters on their journey to become stronger. These mighty warriors also protect the Earth from various alien threats. Fans are always interested in what new form Goku will take to defeat his latest foe.
While Goku is busy training, someone has to take care of the household. Chi-Chi is Goku's loving wife who is always left waiting. Many fans consider Chi-Chi to hold Goku back from his dreams. Chi-Chi's "overbearing" nature is often misunderstood. What these viewers may not realize is that the couple has two sons: Gohan and Goten. Chi-Chi has witnessed Goku's battles since she was a child and understands that not everyone will make it out to tell the tale.
Chi-Chi has also once traveled the world alone to protect her kingdom. Over a decade later, her priorities have changed, unlike her beloved husband. Even after marriage, Goku's mind has always focused on fighting. Chi-Chi has accepted Goku's ways but has had to step up where he has fallen behind. Though she no longer fights or goes on adventures, Chi-Chi has many skills that Goku lacks. She will always remain human at the end of the day but makes up for her shortcomings in other ways.
Ready to learn more about Chi-Chi? Check out our list of what Dragon Ball's leading wife can do while Goku trails behind. Be warned that our list contains several spoilers for the entire series.
25 Understands The Importance Of Learning
Fighting is one of the primary themes of the Dragon Ball series. Since Goku met Master Roshi, he has trained to become one of Earth's defenders. Chi-Chi didn't want her sons to have the same fate.
Goku begs Chi-Chi to let him take their sons to battle, but his wife often refuses.
She pushes her sons to become scholars instead of fighters. Goku will always find fighting more important, but Chi-Chi continues to ensure her sons understand there's more to life than training.
24 Has A Variety Of Styles
When Chi-Chi is first introduced into the series, she is wearing blue battle armor. As the original series progresses, she trades her pink helmet for more traditional clothing. Chi-Chi even has a closet full of cheongsams, the traditional Chinese dress, at the Kame House.
Unlike her husband, Chi-Chi isn’t afraid to show off her style. As a grown-up, she wears traditional outfits and keeps her hair in a bun. Goku has retained the same fighting gi since he was a child. The gi has remained the same and his own changed to fit his growing body.
23 Has Faced Name Changes
A character's name can leave a lasting impression. Akira Toriyama names his characters on a variety of objects, such as foods, musical instruments, and household appliances. When fans see Goku, they instantly know his name. Many may not be clear on Chi-Chi's name.
According to the Dragon Ball Forever book, Chi-Chi's name is a pun of "milk." Her name was localized to "Milk" in Latin American countries because "Chi-Chi" has a different meaning in Spanish. In Portugal, her name was also changed to "Kika" due to her real name translating into body fluids.
22 It’s Not Just A Fashion Accessory
Wearing a helmet in battle has many practical uses. It can protect the wearer from harm. In Chi-Chi's case, her pink helmet had multiple uses. The top of the helmet has a detachable blade. Once Chi-Chi removes it, she can throw it like a boomerang.
Chi-Chi's pink helmet can shoot lasers from its front gem.
The laser absorbs green energy over time then is unleashed at will. We first see the "Helmet Laser Beam" in action when she meets Yamcha. Chi-Chi's helmet was one of her most powerful weapons in the original series.
21 Displayed Her True Colors
Most characters in the Dragon Ball series retain their original hairstyles and colors. Bulma is one character who has a range of hairstyles and range of blue tones. She's always recognizable by her facial features and voice.
Chi-Chi has also changed but started when she was much younger. Chi-Chi's hair color was always intended to be blue. On manga covers, she had long locks of blue hair. When the manga was adapted to an anime series, her hair was recolored to black. After her anime debut, her hair color remained black.
20 Always Dreamed Of Wedding Bells
Chi-Chi's mother passed away after giving birth. Her father, the Ox-King, primarily raised her since birth. Though Chi-Chi never saw her father remarry, she dreamt of marriage for herself one day. She wanted a beautiful wedding in her future.
After meeting Goku, she was determined to someday make him her groom. She made him promise to marry her in the future. Goku agreed, but not because he returned her feelings. Kid Goku believed that marriage was a food dish. In the future, Goku kept his promise, even though he was still confused about the meaning of marriage.
19 Oolong Was One Of The First To Notice
When Dragon Ball was first released, it was localized in English. Many parts of the series were edited out to make it more appropriate for all audiences. Something English-speaking viewers may have missed was Chi-Chi's manner of speech.
Chi-Chi speaks with an accent that is not obvious to most viewers.
In the original Japanese series, Chi-Chi has a rural way of speaking, which could be compared to a Southern accent in English. She grew up isolated on a mountain for most of her life. The first one to point out her unusual speech was Oolong.
18 Enjoys The Rural Lifestyle
Chi-Chi understands the importance of hard work. She enjoys getting her hands dirty while working outside in the radish fields. This field is the family's way of making money. Goku doesn't see why farming is so important. He only does work on the farm when Chi-Chi scolds him. Goku isn't afraid to sneak off to train on Beerus' planet when given a chance. While Chi-Chi will accept money earned from fighting, she doesn't mind making Zeni the hard way. Thanks to Chi-Chi's responsible habits, the family can survive.
17 Worked Hard To Impress Him
Chi-Chi and Goku shared a long goodbye in the original series. Chi-Chi had already fallen for her new friend. Goku didn't understand what was going on but considered her a fun new buddy.
While they were separated, Chi-Chi went back home to rebuild Fire Mountain. She waited for him to come back, only for him to leave once again in favor of training. Three years passed, and Chi-Chi improved her fighting skill. She was no longer a shy princess, but a fierce fighter. She looked so different that Goku didn't recognize her at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament.
16 Isn’t Afraid To Stand Up For Herself
Chi-Chi was once a shy girl but changed as a grown-up. Her turn in personality occurred when she used the Dragon Balls to make a wish in honor of her kingdom. Chi-Chi's changes only continued while she and Goku were apart.
As a grown-up, Chi-Chi quickly jumps in to defend her friends.
Chi-Chi is also prepared to scold Goku for going off to train. If she catches Goku preparing to travel to space, she will refuse to let him go. The only time she relents is if her family's lives are in danger.
15 Goku Almost Lost His Chance
Chi-Chi was a shy child. When she is first introduced, she's so isolated from the world that everything frightened her. After meeting Yamcha, she believed his lies that he was in love with her. She's surprised but is happy to hear his confession.
We all know that Chi-Chi and Goku end up happily ever after. When she reunited with Goku at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Chi-Chi tells Yamcha she cannot accept his love confession. Bulma, Yamcha's girlfriend at the time, is not pleased that her boyfriend was flirting with someone else.
14 In Sickness And In Health
Chi-Chi can be a fierce parent to her sons and even to her husband, Goku. She uses that same fierceness when it comes to caring for those she loves.
When Goku falls ill under a heart virus, she is at his side the entire time. Chi-Chi is seen wiping his brow and holding his hand. Chi-Chi doesn't leave Goku's side during this tense time. The extent Goku has gone for caring for an ill friend is handing them a Senzu Bean. He doesn't have the patience to sit around if a threat exists.
13 Prepares Ahead Of Time
Chi-Chi is seen wearing traditional casual clothing for most of the series. Those who have followed the series from the start know this wasn't always the case. Chi-Chi first debuted wearing a pink helmet with a detachable boomerang, blue armor with matching boots, and a green cape.
Unlike her husband and most of the Z-Fighters, Chi-Chi understood that if she wanted to survive in battle, she needed to wear armor.
She has worn more armor on than Goku ever wore.
12 Wants Her Sons To Become Scholars
Planet Earth is always under threat. Alien lifeforms try to destroy the planet, take it over, or cause damage while searching for legendary Saiyans. Chi-Chi doesn't think about the big picture at times. She cares deeply for her powerful family, especially her sons.
Even if there's danger outside, Chi-Chi considers her son's studies more critical. Chi-Chi especially gets angry when Goku wants to take them to train in space. The only time she will relent is when she realizes that her sons' lives are at stake. When the situation is that terrible, she's more than willing to help fight.
11 Wields Unique Powers
Chi-Chi is reduced to a housewife in Dragon Ball Z and Super, but real fans know her history. She is an adventurer and fighter who can hold her own. Chi-Chi was included in several of the Dragon Ball video games, including Budokai Tenkaichi 3.
In the game, she has special powers based on being a young woman. She has two different attacks she uses in battle. "Maiden's Will" increases her attack as she unleashes a powerful beam. "Maiden's Excitement" makes her special attacks increase at a faster rate, and can be stacked with any active power-ups.
10 Utilizes Different Weapons
Goku's powerful enough on his own to use his fists as a devastating weapon. After realizing his true nature, he transforms into one of his Super Saiyan modes in an instant. Chi-Chi is only human. She doesn't let her lack of Saiyan ancestry hold her back.
Chi-Chi is also a trained fighter and can use a variety of weapons.
Her helmet itself is one of her most powerful weapons. As a grown-up, Chi-Chi wields a sword. Though she's only seen using it to threaten Master Roshi, it's likely she wouldn't have it unless she knew how to utilize it in battle.
9 Judged Others Based On Appearance
Transforming into Super Saiyan mode is an important milestone for a person with Saiyan blood. The men with black hair transform into a powerful warrior with golden locks. The Z-Fighters often stare at their Saiyan friends in awe while they transform. Chi-Chi wasn't as impressed.
Chi-Chi believed that Super Saiyans were nothing more than delinquents. Chi-Chi's ancient way of thinking was that anyone who dyed their hair blonde and fought in battle was a bad person. Her family quickly proved her wrong.
8 Rebuilt A Legendary Fan
Chi-Chi leaves Fire Mountain for the first time to meet Master Roshi. She has to ask him for the powerful Bansho Fan which can control wind and create storms. By the time she reaches the Master, he claims he threw it out.
Goku and Chi-Chi later create a new Bansho Fan to extinguish the fires burning out of control on Fire Mountain. Chi-Chi would then use the Bansho Fan as her primary weapon in both Super Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.
7 Wasn’t Always Strong
Goku has always been a headstrong fighter. When he can't fight, he's always watching the techniques of his friends closely. Goku doesn't get scared in battle, only angry when someone he cares for gets hurt.
Chi-Chi is the opposite. She left the safety of Fire Mountain to help her people. The task proved almost too much for her.
When forced to fight in battle, Chi-Chi was nearly paralyzed in fear.
After meeting Goku and his friends, Chi-Chi slowly became more confident.
6 Goku Wouldn’t Approve Of Her Methods
After Goku passed in Dragon Ball Z, the Son family had a difficult time coping. Gohan was already a grown-up, leaving Chi-Chi alone with Goten. Goten was similar to Goku, as he loved fighting. He needed a teacher. Chi-Chi stepped in to help train Goten.
Unlike her late husband, Chi-Chi was a much stricter teacher. Goku often encouraged Gohan to try his best, unlike Chi-Chi. Similar to doing school work, Chi-Chi wanted her son to meet her high expectations.