What exactly is Ki?

[GreatSaiyaman123]

As per [mention]SSJ2[/mention]’s request. I thought of a power thread, but this one is going to be a bit more… original.

So, what exactly can be defined as Ki? How does it work? Why are Genki, Shouki and Youki important to it? Is it like the Force from Star Wars?

 

[SSJ2]

Ki is quite simply energy. Gohan explains this to Videl.

When Videl initially was able to float, Gohan distracted her and she said that he was making it difficult to concentrate. So it obviously requires an understanding of your own energy, and being able to focus on it enough to bring it out and use it.

Genki, youki and shouki are all factors that go into one’s overall energy.

When it comes to battle, the most important thing is ki size, and its control. Of course, “ki” also includes such spiritual power as energy/vigor [genki] and bravery [yuuki], and being in one’s right mind [shouki; could also be translated as "true character"] (note 11). There’s a limit to physical strength, no matter how much you toughen it up, and the only way to overcome that it is with “ki”. I think that it was through turning ki into formidable power that Goku drew closer to being the strongest warrior in the universe.

It should be assumed that if one of these is disturbed, your maximum ki level would not be accessible. For example you can argue in many cases that a loss of youki resulted in poorer performances from some fighters.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Ki (or Chi/Qi in China) is an aspect of martial arts in the real world such as karate and reiki, believed to be accessed by things such as a healthy mindset and lifestyle as well as proper breathing control. It isn't without basis, considering many learning these teachings can push back or injure those that are far larger than themselves, proper breathing technique can allow karate experts to break bricks when releasing their attack as a burst (often accompanied with a shout known as a kiai) and the blood of Shaolin monks have been found to contain greater concentrations of water than the average person.

Ki in Dragon Ball takes the basis of these teachings and transforms it into something more suited for a fictional power system.

 

[Future Warrior]

In traditional Chinese culture, qi or ch'i is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity. Qi translates as "air" and figuratively as "material energy", "life force", or "energy flow". Qi is the central underlying principle in Chinese traditional medicine and in Chinese martial arts.

While chi has a real life cultural basis which CC went into a little bit, the supernatural aspects of it such as flying, shooting beams of energy, and superhuman strength is all derived from a specific chinese fictional genre that has existed for thousands of years. DB's roots are entirely based on these stories, so the popular tropes we come to define DB certainly wasn't the originator of it.

That's the short answer though. I'm not at all knowledgeable on the subject, but there's an extremely long post on Kanzenshuu that goes into detail on the subject regarding this topic if you want the long answer.

 

[GreatSaiyaman123]

[mention]Future Warrior[/mention] do you have a link for this Kanzenshuu thread?

[mention]Captain Cadaver[/mention] the breathing part is really interesting. Popo did put a lot of emphasis on how thinner the air is in the Lookout, and the ROSAT had a very thin air too.

But can Ki be found in inanimate things like sunlight or plants? Goku does draw energy from them for the Genki-Dama.

@[mention]SSJ2[/mention] given how both Ki and Genki can be translated as “energy” do you think this is why Herms’ translations mention the Genki-Dama gathering Ki, energy and/or Genki?

 

[Captain Cadaver]

But can Ki be found in inanimate things like sunlight or plants? Goku does draw energy from them for the Genki-Dama.

If talking about the real life equivalent, most philosophies that deal with ki/chi/qi support it being found in most inanimate objects. For DB, this becomes a bit more difficult to judge when things such as androids/cyborgs lack a Ki signature. It could be that natural inanimate objects contain Genki due to having a general life cycle, but lack the other two components that require sentience to utilise.

 

[Theallpowerfulpuipui]

Life energy. You use all of it you die. You rest, some of it comes back.

 

[Future Warrior]

@Future Warrior do you have a link for this Kanzenshuu thread?

It's a long read, but since it seems like you only want to specifically learn about the nature of chi, scroll down on the first page until you see ''Part 3: Qigong/Chi Kung/Kikou and Mystical Kung Fu Techniques'' and read until the end of that page and you're good to go.

https://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31707

 

[ahill1]

^ that guy should be awarded a nobel prize for that post.

 

[GreatSaiyaman123]

@Future Warrior do you have a link for this Kanzenshuu thread?

It's a long read, but since it seems like you only want to specifically learn about the nature of chi, scroll down on the first page until you see ''Part 3: Qigong/Chi Kung/Kikou and Mystical Kung Fu Techniques'' and read until the end of that page and you're good to go.

https://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31707

Finally finished scrolling down. Thanks for the link FW!

 

[Future Warrior]

De nada querido