Character Arc
Master Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit, is a legendary martial-arts master who lives on a small island and becomes the first true teacher of Goku and Krillin. Despite his comical, easygoing, and famously skirt-chasing personality, he is one of the strongest fighters in the early series and the inventor of the iconic Kamehameha technique that becomes Goku's signature move.
As a mentor, Roshi emphasizes balance — combining rigorous physical training with study, rest, and a love of life — and instills in his students the discipline that shapes them into capable warriors. He occasionally enters the Tenkaichi Budokai in disguise to test his pupils and remind them how far they still have to grow, playing a quiet but pivotal role in Goku's development.
Over the course of the original series, Roshi transitions from active competitor to wise elder, stepping back as his students surpass him while remaining a beloved source of guidance and humor. His legacy as the founder of the Turtle School and the teacher who started Goku's journey cements him as one of the franchise's most enduring supporting characters.