Piccolo vs Krillin (23rd)

[SSJ2]

When Piccolo starts to dominate the fight he says he'll give a small preview into his real power, so it's clear that he's still holding back here. So where did this come from then:



Because as we saw in Piccolo vs Goku, the humans couldn't even approach a nearly mortally wounded Piccolo. Was Toriyama just not aware of how strong Piccolo would be yet?

 

[Fantastische Hure]

I think it’s most likely a case of AT not planning yet how the Goku vs Piccolo fight was going to go, which when he did ended-up making the statement seem weird.

 

[GSM123]

Of course Toriyama knew how strong Piccolo was. This comes right after Piccolo one shots Kuririn. The humans were always meant to be bugs next to Goku and Piccolo.

In the context of the fight I think it makes a lot of sense. Piccolo thought he could one shot Kuririn at his current level, but Kuririn kept bouncing back. He's a tough one, and he's not even the 2nd strongest.

Overall, I like to read this line as an implicit comparison between Kuririn and PD. Like, PD would've had a tough time with Kuririn... Which is pretty crazy since he was accidentally killed by a spawn of weakened PD 3 years ago.

 

[SSJ2]

Of course Toriyama knew how strong Piccolo was. This comes right after Piccolo one shots Kuririn. The humans were always meant to be bugs next to Goku and Piccolo.

In the context of the fight I think it makes a lot of sense. Piccolo thought he could one shot Kuririn at his current level, but Kuririn kept bouncing back. He's a tough one, and he's not even the 2nd strongest.

Overall, I like to read this line as an implicit comparison between Kuririn and PD. Like, PD would've had a tough time with Kuririn... Which is pretty crazy since he was accidentally killed by a spawn of weakened PD 3 years ago.

But that's my point exactly. At this current moment it seems like Krillin tier fighters could make a difference in Piccolo's quest for domination. But we later find out that this couldn't be further from the truth, which is why I believe Toriyama hadn't planned out the depths of Piccolo's power yet.

 

[Scott]

I was just thinking about how stupid Piccolo's line was the other day. Kurilin was an ant to him, so there's no reason Piccolo should've been concerned after fighting him. It's definitely bad writing.

Piccolo should've fought Tenshinhan in the quarterfinals. Deflecting the Kikouhoh would've been a great way to hype Piccolo up, plus if Piccolo's gonna have a bit of difficulty against any of the humans, it should be the strongest one. Tenshinhan was the strongest human, so Piccolo should've fought him.

The Piccolo Junior arc was just badly written. Tao and Chichi showing up was totally forced. There's no point in Tao returning just to get stomped by Tenshinhan, and him surviving the bomb Gokuu kicked at him was a stupid retcon (it went off right in his face). Chichi is an all-around terrible character and the only purpose her return served was for Gohan to exist. You shouldn't reintroduce a female character just for her to be a baby-maker. But eh, Gohan's too popular of a character to drop, so I guess you can keep Chichi just for him to exist (even though it's still shit writing).

Chiaotzu should've lost to Yajirobeh or Shen (Kami) in the prelims. Quarterfinals should've been:
1. Gokuu vs. Chichi
2. Kurilin vs. Mr. Popo
3. Yamcha vs. Shen
4. Piccolo vs. Tenshinhan

Semifinals:
1. Gokuu vs. Mr. Popo
2. Shen vs. Piccolo.

Final:
1. Gokuu vs. Piccolo.

 

[GSM123]

But that's my point exactly. At this current moment it seems like Krillin tier fighters could make a difference in Piccolo's quest for domination. But we later find out that this couldn't be further from the truth, which is why I believe Toriyama hadn't planned out the depths of Piccolo's power yet.

I think the case here is that Piccolo is already thinking about his match with Goku. If Kuririn is comparable to Goku from 3 years ago, then Goku should be an absolute monster now.

From what we had seen up to that point, Goku and Tien are leagues beyond Kuririn. Obviously Toriyama would also think Piccolo is up there.