This article series is where we showcase some of the cool kanji that appear all throughout Dragon Ball. In today's lesson, we're taking a look at a special food that bestows incredible benefits on anyone who eats even a single morsel! What are the kanji used in the name of this mysterious food found atop Karin Tower?!

[Reading] Sen Zu
[Meaning in Dragon Ball] Senzu Beans are small beans that are grown by Karin in Karin Tower. However, these are no ordinary beans—eating just one will keep you full for 10 whole days! They can also heal any injury and restore the physical stamina and energy of the user, making them one valuable bean!

Let's start by taking a look at the reading, meaning, and stroke order.
There are two kanji used for the word Senzu Bean.

●Reading, Meaning, & Stroke Orders　*Source: Imidas (SHUEISHA)

Reading: sen
Meanings: Hermit. Someone who leaves society to live a refined lifestyle. Talented person. Someone who excels at one art or path.
<Cool Point!>
This kanji refers to people who live in places far removed from society and have mysterious powers. It can also refer to extremely talented artists.

Readings: tou, zu, mame
Meanings: A general term for edible legumes, especially soybeans. Small things. "Blister" using alternate kanji, small bean-shaped friction blisters caused by chafing on hands or feet.

That marks the end of the eighth lesson in the "~Learn Cool Kanji with Dragon Ball!~" series! The kanji showcased in today's <Cool Point!> is composed of two parts (or "radicals"), with "human" on the left to represent a person, and "mountain" on the right to represent where they might be—so even at a glance you can imagine it means something like "a person who lives away from society". There are a lot of kanji that are structured in this way to make their meaning clearer to the reader, so be sure to keep an eye out for them!

See you in the next lesson!