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comrades
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Son Goku | 孫悟空
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It’s common in many - if not all - shônen (young boys’) manga for the protagonist to gain rivals and even befriend them. In early Dragon Ball, Tenshinhan himself filled the archetypal role.
Tenshinhan was introduced as a rival - almost a pseudo villain of sorts - of Son Goku and Co. But as Goku and Tenshinhan have their match at the Tenkaichi Budôkai, Tenshinhan revels in the fight, realizing that this is the greatest challenge he has ever come across. The battle for revenge soon becomes one fought over the martial artist’s pride, and Tenshinhan’s true nature is revealed. Afterwards, the two make friends and face the next great battle on the same side. It’s during the fight against Piccolo Daimaô that Tenshinhan discovers how truly strong Goku is - both in battle and in spirit. He vows to himself that someday, he will become stronger than Son Goku.
Although Tenshinhan’s dream to surpass the Strongest in the Universe is never fulfilled, Goku remains an inspiration for Tenshinhan to keep improving himself. Goku is a reminder to Tenshinhan that many tremendously strong guys exist in the wide universe, along with the potential to overcome them, as long as one remains pure and full of spirit.
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Yamcha | ヤムチャ
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An immediate spark of dislike flared when Tenshinhan and Yamcha first laid eyes on one another. Yamcha thought Tenshinhan was an arrogant jerk (which he was) whom Yamcha longed to knock down a few pegs. In the meantime, Tenshinhan plotted Yamcha’s downfall, singling Yamcha out in the semifinals of the Tournament (“singling out,” as in, telling Chaozu to influence the outcome of the “random” selection..)
During the actual match, both boys actively taunt the other, but in the end Tenshinhan ruthlessly breaks Yamcha’s leg. Oh, he’s such a heartless fellow.
Despite their first impressions, Tenshinhan and Yamcha become very good friends - Yamcha is Tenshinhan’s closest friend, other than Chaozu. The two men are the same age and have similar backgrounds as “villians”, so they are likely able to relate to one another on many things and experiences in life. Yamcha, who is a goofy sort of guy, complements the ever-serious Tenshinhan quite well.
Their camaraderie is seen and felt at many times throughout the series. Yamcha is the person alongside whom Tenshinhan usually fights.
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Kuririn | クリリン
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Tenshinhan and Kuririn have a cordial relationship. Kuririn has more of a connection with Chaozu, since the two butt heads at the 22nd World Tournament. I always got the impression that Kuririn looks after Chaozu in some capacity, which I suppose makes Kuririn an okay guy in Tenshinhan’s book.
Interestingly, it’s the fandom that tends to turn Tenshinhan and Kuririn into rivals, since fans believe that the “strongest human” debate was never quite settled in canon. The argument has a long history and there are many, many, many points and counter-points to the darn thing. Towards the end of the series, though, Yamcha tells Marron, Kuririn’s daughter, that Kuririn will be okay when he fights because he’s the strongest in the world among Earthlings.
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