This article series is where we showcase some of the cool kanji that appear all throughout Dragon Ball. In today's lesson, we'll be looking at a special technique that Goku used in his battle against Vegeta and Nappa! This move can multiply the strength of its user, so you can imagine the result when someone as strong as Goku flips the switch! What kind of kanji are used in the name of this ace up our hero's sleeve?!

Let's take a look at the readings, meanings, and stroke orders.
There are three kanji used for the word Kaio-ken.

● Readings, Meaning, and Stroke Orders　*Source: Imidas (SHUEISHA)

Reading: kai
Meanings: Boundary. A society. A defined world or area.

Reading: ou
Meanings: Sovereign, ruler. First-class person. King (in shogi, a Japanese chess-like game).

Readings: ken, kobushi
Meanings: Clenched fist. Knuckles. To be respectful.
<Cool Point!>
Aside from its literal meaning of "fist", this kanji can also refer to barehanded martial arts. As such, it's often used for attacks that are performed physically rather than with energy like a Kikoha (Ki Blast). This extremely versatile kanji can be used at the end of a variety of other words to create attack names that sound like true fighting techniques!

That marks the end of the fourth lesson in the "~Learn Cool Kanji with Dragon Ball!~" series! Just like the Kaio-ken enhances Goku's power, learning these kanji can enhance and deepen your enjoyment of Dragon Ball, too!

See you in the next lesson!