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 certain technique that's famous for its iconic pose where the user puts two fingers to their forehead to concentrate their Ki! What kind of kanji are used for this devastating attack?!

[Reading] Ma Kan Ko Sa Po
[Meaning in Dragon Ball] The "Makankosappo: Special Beam Cannon" is Piccolo's signature move. It is performed by the user concentrating Ki into their fingertips and then shooting it at their target in the form of a spiraling beam. Piccolo developed this technique after the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai with the intent of using it to take down Goku, but in the end he used it against the staggeringly strong Raditz when he attacked Earth. This concentrated Ki technique is so strong that it not only pierced through Raditz, but even went right through Goku as he held his older brother still!

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

Reading: ma
Meanings: Performing evil using strange powers. Evil god. Demon.

Readings: kan, tsuranu-ku
Meanings: To pierce. A former unit of currency. An old unit of weight (3.75 kg).

Readings: kou, hika-ru, hikari
Meanings: To shine. Light. Sheen. Honor. Scenery.
<Cool Point!>
This kanji is the antonym for "darkness" and means something that makes something visually brighter or makes your feel figuratively "brighter" or more cheerful, and it is also often used in words that express hope and beauty. In Japan, it's also often used in people's names and the names of shogun, samurai, and katana swordsmiths.

Readings: satsu, sai, setsu, koro-su
Meanings: To kill. To destroy. To erase. Rough or violent.

Reading: hou
Meaning: A weapon that fires bullets etc. by use of a gunpowder explosion.

That brings us to the end of the sixth lesson in the "~Learn Cool Kanji with Dragon Ball!~" series! The kanji showcased in today's <Cool Point!> is an important one that Japanese students learn in elementary school. It's also a very positive kanji with a lot of meanings, so do try your best to remember it!