"What is ki?" From Dragonball Canada to Sparking Turtle!

This article originally appeared on a website called Dragonball Canada. This website contained an article on ki that I really liked back when it was online. It was probably the best ki article from a Dragonball site that comes to memory! As the website no longer exists, I'm gonna go ahead and host the article right here on Sparking Turtle!

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" 'Ki', or 'Chi, is the vital force believed in Taoism and other Chinese, thought to be inherent in (born into) all things. The never-ending circulation of chi and a balance of its negative and positive forms in the body are essential in health, healing and strength, both mentally and physically. "


What's Ki?

----That is the defined meaning of the word(s) 'Ki', or 'Chi'. For the sake of this page, I'm going to refer to it as 'Ki'. To put it simply, Ki is your life force, the energy that engulfs your body and flows within it. It changes with your moods and surroundings as much as it affects them. In Dragonball, the usage of Ki is taken to the level where it is both visible and in such a physical state that it can cause great damage (as seen in many occasions). All living creatures possess this energy, even if it can not be seen (keep in mind that the idea of 'Ki' is a belief and it is up to the individual to believe in it's existence or not).




How is Ki used?

----Ki is used in real life as much as it's used in fantasy worlds such as Dragonball (and many other anime/manga due to the strong belief in Ki among the Japanese). Because of the strong affects it is said to have on a person's body, it is harnessed/controlled and used for things such as a increased strength, mental and emotional balance and even in techniques used to predict incoming dangers or stop the body from feeling pain. Of course, the use of Ki is greatly tied into the use and learning of martial arts. Bringing it out deals greatly with self-discipline and the proper mental and physical training.

----Because this is a Dragonball page, I will now begin focusing more on the aspect of Ki in Dragonball itself. Besides, I know most who bothered to read this far through the ki definition are probably starting to get bored ^_~ Here's a big colorful picture to at least brighten things up a bit :p


----In Dragonball, Ki becomes practically the main aspect of the series. It's usage ranges from all those flashy, destructive attacks and flying to the energy Goku collects to use his Genki Dama.

----Near the end of the Great Saiyaman saga, Gohan is presented with the task of teaching Videl to fly (or should I say forced with...). Because Videl doesn't know about Ki or how she is to use it, Gohan must first teach her how. This is the first time in the series that the method of bringing one's Ki out is directly addressed. The dubbed version of this episode wasn't far of from the original so I'm going to use that as my reference since most are more familiar with it.

"First you need to make yourself completely calm. Then, listen to the center of your body, reach into it...until you feel a pull; then...bring it out."

----Then watch in awe and frustration how easy Gohan makes it look! Ahem, all envy aside, thus is Gohan's explanation on bringing your ki out. This method, if done correctly, can actually have an affect on you in real life, either as a calming meditation or even to re-energize yourself. Does this necessarily mean Ki exists? Once again, this is opinion and belief... As an extra fact, Gohan also states that to fly using your Ki you must focus it throughout your body but concentrate it in your stomach. Once you get the off the ground bit down, it's the balance that needs the most work :p

----One of the biggest forms of Ki usage we see in Dragonball is powering up. The act of bringing forth the energy inside you that's not being used so you can...well...use it. Because of the great power levels we've got surfacing in the series, this can lead to come pretty fancy light shows. However, bringing forth this energy also requires the concentration to keep it out. It's not something that you just collect then don't need to hold onto. Later however, we are presented with the state of Super Saiyan-jin, a new form of ki usage and state. Below is a little diagram that will hopefully clear up some of the things I just said:


----For future reference I am aware I didn't put SSJ2 on there*... SSJ3 is just easier to distinguish in a small pic ^_^;; What I wanted to show in the picture is the thing I tried explaining above. The level of Super Saiyan is a new level of Ki, a state in which you don't need to have the same amount of focus as when you've merely powered up. It's kind of like putting a lock on the power to hold it in place ;p It's this that allowed Goku and Gohan to stay Super Saiyan so easily (well, minus the broken furniture...) during their days off in the Cell saga. While SSJ, you are able to continue powering up to greater strengths although all power above that of the regular SSJ form does require the extra focus and concentration to maintain.

----There is also the state that comes before reaching the level of Super Saiyan 2, achieved by Trunks, Goku and Vegeta in the Cell saga. It's pretty much just a state that's below the line of SSJ2, at the border but not yet crossing the line. As most should know, although my diagram accidentally may tell otherwise, Saiyans are able to instantly transform into Super Saiyan and don't need to power up until reaching that form.


----As you know, Ki is used in a variety of ways, focusing mostly on big, fancy, 'blow 'em up' blasts. These energy attacks range from the classic focused blast and changes of shape such as the Kienzan or even more creatively, Kamikaze Ghost Attack. Ki is also used defensively as both a shield from other attacks and as in moves such as Taiyoken (Solar Flare). There's also flight, as I mentioned a few paragraphs up. Controlling one's Ki also makes simple physical attacks such as punching and kicking much more powerful and devastating when making contact.

----Ki blasts can be fired from any part of the body because a person's Ki travels all through it. The hands are preferably used because of ease and better coordination. In the series, Ki blasts have also been seen being fired out of the eyes, mouth and even the feet (Goku fired a kamehameha with this method in Dragonball).

How is Ki detected/sensed and measured?

----The main way we see that Ki is detected in DB/Z/GT is the simple method of sensing it. People who have control over their own Ki are able to sense others. Know that feeling you get of being watched? Or knowing when somebody's in the room with you but you can't see or hear them? It works kinda like that, only more detailed and in-depth of course. Unlike the scouters, which I'll mention next, you can't give power levels an exact number just by sensing them, although it's a strong Ki from a weak Ki is very distinguishable. A massive Ki emanating from a person can even cause pain to those who're able to sense it.

----Aside from being able to determine the strength of the warrior, people are also able to tell whether or not the Ki belongs to someone who is evil or good. Because Ki changes with emotion, one can tell a person being 'evil' or 'good' by the feeling their Ki gives out by the emotions that dominate their being, such as hate, anger and envy as opposed to happiness and caring (and so forth and so forth). I could go more into the whole Ying & Yang concept but I think you get the point...

----The ability to sense Ki only becomes easier and more specific the stronger you get. In the early parts of DBZ, the fighters could sense a great power was coming but not be able to tell who it was. Near the end of Dragonball Z, people were able to not only sense power levels from all over the world but in most cases be able to tell who it is, even if the person's level has changed dramatically. Goku can even pick out people's Ki from around the universe, although finds it easier when in the other world. He uses this for purpose of his teleportation technique.

----Another well known method of Ki detection is the use of scouters. These were developed by the people who inhabited Planet Vegeta before the Saiyans took over. These devices are used by Frieza's men and the Saiyan. They are the small devices that attached to the side of a person's head. By pressing a button they are able to determine a numbered reading of the power level and how far it is, including which way it's heading. The flaw in the scouters however is the fact that it will short out, and usually explode, if the Ki it is detecting becomes too great. Due to this, the scouter technology becomes useless by the end of the Namek saga.


----In the Androids/Cell saga, the Androids also have the ability to sense Ki, although this does not seem to include Androids 17 & 18. This is probably the most detailed of the techniques because the Androids with this Ki sensing ability can also tell which fighter it is, including a database on their fighting techniques and levels. Unlike the scouters, despite this form of detection also works with machinery, it doesn't seem to malfunction when the power reading becomes too great.

----Lastly, in the Buu saga, another form of Ki detection is introduced, although only for a while. This system works kind of like a scale, having small 'devices' which measure a person's energy level when pointed at them. Babidi, Supopovitch and Yamu use these devices. Babidi also uses one to measure Buu's level to determine the length of time it will take him to fully re-awaken. This form of measuring Ki is also not in Earth measurements so for anyone other then the aliens who use it, it's rather useless.

And so ends my page on Ki...turned out much longer then I had thought. I hope it wasn't too confusing for you ^_^;;



* Image being referenced in original article unavailable.