Krillin may be the shortest Z Fighter, but he’s got some of the biggest comedic timing in the entire Dragon Ball franchise. As Goku’s best friend, longtime martial artist, and frequent punching bag, Krillin has a self-awareness and charm that make him endlessly lovable—and often hilarious. Whether he’s delivering sharp one-liners, panicking in battle, or landing jokes in the middle of galactic crises, Krillin’s sense of humor is a vital balance to all the universe-shattering tension. These ten moments show why Krillin remains one of the funniest and most relatable characters in anime history.
#10: Krillin Shaves His Head for “Battle Readiness”
In Dragon Ball Super, during the Tournament of Power recruitment arc, Krillin shows up ready to fight—with his head freshly shaved. When asked about it, he proudly explains that he’s going bald again to “feel stronger.” Everyone just kind of nods along, clearly confused but too polite to question it. It’s a callback to his traditional look from Dragon Ball Z, but the way he treats the act like a power-up is peak Krillin.
What makes this moment hilarious isn’t just the sight gag—it’s the earnestness. Krillin genuinely believes the shave will help him reclaim his edge, as if the hair was holding him back from greatness. The moment is made even funnier by 18’s deadpan reaction, proving once again that Krillin’s strength lies not in power levels, but in confidence… even when that confidence is hilariously misplaced.
#9: Krillin’s Fake Death in the Tournament of Power
During the early rounds of the Tournament of Power, Krillin is doing pretty well—until he pulls off a slick victory and celebrates a little too early. He lets his guard down, waves to Android 18, and in classic Krillin fashion, immediately gets caught off guard and ringed out. His shocked reaction and the timing of it all is pure slapstick gold.
The comedy here is rooted in how on brand it is for Krillin. Even when he wins, he finds a way to fumble the bag. But instead of frustration, fans couldn’t help but laugh. It’s a perfect blend of overconfidence, surprise failure, and cartoon physics—all wrapped in Krillin’s underdog energy. It reminds us that even in a universe filled with gods, Krillin’s greatest power might be comic relief.
#8: Krillin’s “Confession” to Android 18 in the Cell Saga
When Krillin is sent to destroy Android 18 with a self-destruct device, he hesitates. Then he blushes. Then he crushes the remote and confesses he likes her. It’s a jaw-dropping move—not because of romance, but because of the absurd timing. Everyone is screaming about the threat she poses, and Krillin is over here catching feelings.
What makes it so funny is the pure awkwardness of the moment. The idea that Krillin would fall in love mid-apocalypse is already wild, but doing it while holding Earth’s fate in his hand? That’s next-level comedy. And when he later gets teased for it—even by Vegeta—it becomes one of the most charmingly ridiculous stories turns in the entire series.
#7: Krillin Pretending to Be Dead… Again
Throughout Dragon Ball Z, Krillin has a bit of a reputation for, well, dying. So much so that it becomes a running joke. But the funniest example comes when Krillin pretends to be dead to avoid fighting. During the Frieza Saga, he gets knocked around and just kind of… plays possum. “If I stay down, maybe he’ll ignore me,” he whispers.
This fake-out is laugh-out-loud funny because it’s such a Krillin move. He knows his limits. He knows he’s not going to win. So, he uses the oldest trick in the book: act like you’re already out. It’s cowardly, sure, but it’s also smart—and relatable. Krillin may not be the strongest, but he’s definitely the funniest when it comes to survival strategies.
#6: Krillin’s Karaoke Scene in Super
One of the most unexpected and delightful moments in Dragon Ball Super is when Krillin gets roped into singing karaoke. It’s not a battle, it’s not training—it’s just Krillin absolutely butchering a song with full confidence while everyone else looks on in horror. He’s passionate, off-key, and loving every minute of it.
The humor here comes from the tonal whiplash. In a show full of gods and cosmic threats, we suddenly cut to Krillin singing like it’s Dragon Ball: The Musical. And the best part? He’s completely serious about it. The juxtaposition of Krillin’s intensity and the ridiculousness of karaoke makes this scene comedy gold—and it proves that Super knew how to use Krillin’s personality for peak slice-of-life humor.
#5: Krillin Gets Owned by a Rock (Thrown by a Child)
In Dragon Ball Z, after Gohan’s training with Piccolo, he casually tosses a rock—only for it to land directly on Krillin’s head. Krillin, thinking it’s a sneak attack, freaks out in classic Krillin fashion, only to realize it’s from Gohan. He crumples to the ground, not because of battle damage from a cosmic god—but from an accidental rock lobbed by a six-year-old.
This moment is peak physical comedy, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. It undercuts all the high-stakes tension with a simple, well-placed gag that only works because it happens to Krillin. If Vegeta had taken the hit, he’d have destroyed the planet. But Krillin? He just whines and rubs his head like a guy who forgot his hard hat. It’s the kind of low-level embarrassment only Krillin can pull off without losing fan love.
#4: Krillin’s Disguise During the Great Saiyaman Saga
During the Great Saiyaman saga, Gohan tries to keep his identity secret by becoming a helmet-wearing superhero. But the real comedic highlight? Krillin trying to blend in with Earth’s civilians like he’s not the most recognizable bald martial artist in the world. He wears sunglasses. He tries to act “normal.” And it goes hilariously bad.
The awkwardness of Krillin trying to play it cool—when he’s anything but—is comedy gold. He sticks out like a sore thumb but commits to the bit with the same energy he brings to battle. His willingness to be goofy, even when everyone around him is dead serious, makes these slice-of-life moments sparkle. It’s also a reminder that Krillin doesn’t take himself too seriously—and that’s part of what makes him endlessly entertaining.
#3: Krillin Suggests Running Away… Again
During many of the most intense battles in Dragon Ball, Krillin’s signature move isn’t the Destructo Disc—it’s suggesting they should probably leave. Whether it’s Vegeta, Frieza, or some new universe-ending threat, Krillin is usually the first to say, “Maybe we should regroup” or “How about we just don’t?”
These moments are funny not just because of Krillin’s delivery, but because they make sense. He’s the voice of the audience, saying what everyone else is thinking but is too proud to say aloud. His survival-first mindset is so consistent it becomes a comedic trope, and yet you can’t blame him. If we were in his shoes, we’d be running too. And that honesty is hilarious.
#2: Krillin and Android 18’s Awkward Romance
Krillin falling for Android 18 is already a wild subplot, but their entire relationship is packed with comedic moments—none more iconic than when he first tries to flirt with her. The awkward tension, the blushing, the stammering—it’s rom-com-level material shoved into a world of energy blasts and galactic conquest. And yet… it works.
The best part? Android 18 totally owns him. She leans into his awkwardness, throws out dry one-liners, and leaves him speechless almost every time. The contrast between Krillin’s bashful energy and 18’s deadpan sass creates a dynamic that’s as funny as it is endearing. Watching him try—and hilariously fail—to be smooth is part of what makes him so human in a cast of superhumans.
#1: Krillin Faints After Seeing Super Saiyan Broly
In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the very idea of Broly’s raw power causes fear across the universe—but Krillin’s reaction takes the cake. Upon witnessing Broly’s transformation and sheer might, Krillin just faints. Not out of damage. Not from an attack. Just from being overwhelmed by how ridiculously powerful this new Saiyan is. It’s comedic timing at its best.
This moment perfectly captures Krillin’s place in the series: a seasoned fighter who’s brave enough to stand alongside gods and aliens—but who still knows when he’s hopelessly outclassed. The faint is played purely for laughs, but it’s so Krillin. It shows how self-aware the character is, how much the writers lean into his underdog status, and how he can steal a scene with a single gag—even in the middle of a movie.
Krillin may not be the strongest Z Fighter, but he’s undeniably one of the most memorable—largely because of his unbeatable comedic timing. From slapstick moments to romantic misfires, he’s the everyman in a world of cosmic giants. And through it all, he never loses his charm, wit, or heart. These moments prove that while Krillin may not always win the fight, he always wins the audience.
