Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has become an evergreen hit that’s lasted for more than four decades, largely because it’s developed such entertaining and original characters. Dragon Ball introduces a sprawling cast of characters and the franchise has reached the point where it’s just impossible to give everyone their due. Certain individuals like Yamcha, Tien, and Videl may fall to the wayside, but it’s been impressive to see how Master Roshi has stayed in the picture and continually proven to be relevant.

Master Roshi is one of the original Dragon Ball’s most important and powerful characters, but he takes a bit of a background role as Dragon Ball Z introduces a greater tier of terror. Master Roshi returns to glory in Dragon Ball Super and manages to prove that he’s arguably stronger than ever and even capable of channeling elusive abilities like Ultra Instinct. Master Roshi will always be famous for pioneering the Kamehameha and instilling the Turtle School spirit in Goku and Krillin. However, some of his greatest battles are truly worthy of celebration.

Dragon Ball Super's Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga unleashes a bevy of memorable antagonists when Moro releases his Bandit Brigade from prison. This leads to an all-hands-on-deck approach where everyone -- even Yamcha and Chiaotzu -- lends a hand against the unscrupulous convicts. Master Roshi finds himself up against a trio of female fighters, Miza, Iwaza, and Kikaza, who mock the elderly man. Roshi blindfolds himself and utilizes Ultra Instinct to simultaneously defeat the three fighters. To retaliate, the three unexpectedly fuse into one gargantuan female fighter who has no official name beyond Miza Iwaza Kikaza fusion.

Despite not having a proper name, this fused fighter turns the tables against Master Roshi and Krillin before she tries to find their bodies and goes in for the kill. Goku interrupts the proceedings and attacks the Miza Iwaza Kikaza fusion with such force that she separates. Goku gets the victory here and steals the spotlight from Roshi, but any fight that involves Roshi turning to Ultra Instinct is worthy of some extra attention. It's incredibly exciting to see him continue to experiment with this niche skill.

Dragon Ball Z released more than a dozen movies that push Goku and company to especially heightened places. Vegeta doesn't appear until the sixth feature film, and the first official Super Saiyan appearance happens in the fifth movie. This means that the first few movies feature the original Z-Fighter team and there are actually opportunities for Master Roshi to contribute. The second movie, The World's Strongest, involves the wicked Dr. Kochin kidnapping people who he believes are the strongest in the world, so that his mentor, Dr. Wheelo, can put his brain in their physically superior body.

Dr. Wheelo becomes obsessed with obtaining Goku's body, but there's a brief period early on in the movie where Dr. Kochin believes that Master Roshi is the planet's top fighter. Dr. Kochin tests Roshi's strength against his three resilient Bio-Warriors, Kishime, Ebifurya, and Misokatsun. There's some really impressive battle choreography here -- which is consistent throughout the entire film -- as Roshi defends his territory against these elementally-enhanced monsters. Roshi fails against these disturbing science experiments, but it's still one of Roshi's most impressive displays of martial arts in Dragon Ball Z. He’s portrayed in an extremely cool manner before everything falls apart.

Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power becomes a rewarding opportunity for many of Dragon Ball Super's more neglected supporting characters to regain their fighting spirit and once again prove themselves. Goku's journey to recruit Tien to fight for Universe 7 leads to an unexpected brawl against Master Roshi, who is possessed by the nefarious Yurin's Jiang Shi witchcraft. Yurin, a former Crane School student, turns Roshi into a rabid tool of destruction to get revenge on Tien.

In this heightened and uncontrollable state, Roshi actually defeats Tien and Goku has to tap in to save his friend. Goku brings Roshi back to his senses with a Kamehameha, but Chiaotzu also has to psychically intervene and disable Yurin's witchcraft. Roshi likely doesn't even remember this fight, but it's an important reminder of how terrifying Master Roshi can be in the right context. He rises above the very martial artist who humbled him back during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.

Dragon Ball's 21st World Tournament culminates in a cathartic clash between Goku and Master Roshi. However, Dragon Ball needs to create suspense and highlight Master Roshi's skills before Goku takes him on. Krillin becomes the guinea pig in this case when he faces Roshi -- or rather, Jackie Chun -- during the 21st World Tournament's quarterfinals. This fight is more humorous than harrowing.

Krillin and Roshi move so quickly that the spectators can't recognize what's going on, so they reenact the fight in slow-motion. This leads to further gag antics between Krillin and Roshi, while genuine martial arts get peppered in. There are some worthy theatrics here, like Roshi's creative use of a Kamehameha and his Afterimage Technique, which lead to an efficient victory against his student. Krillin is disheartened, but his improved performance in the 22nd World Tournament speaks to how much he's grown as a fighter.

Dragon Ball’s 21st World Tournament is extremely satisfying, but the 22nd installment reaches even greater heights, thanks to the suspenseful conflict that’s created by the Crane School of Martial Arts’ Tien and Chiaotzu. Dragon Ball establishes Tien to be a truly cutthroat fighter when he breaks Yamcha’s leg in their tournament match. Master Roshi faces tremendous pressure against Tien and he openly acknowledges that he’s one of the strongest people that he’s ever fought. Tien’s third eye helps him identify the true Roshi when he utilizes his Afterimage Technique and crowds the arena with eight versions of himself.

The two fighters are evenly matched, despite Tien’s crafty Solar Flare maneuver and his adept ability to replicate Roshi’s attacks, including his Kamehameha. Tien even knows how to fly. What makes this fight so memorable and important is that Roshi chastises Tien for his wicked heart and falling prey to Master Shen’s lies and manipulations. Roshi forfeits the fight and steps down, admitting that he’s now no longer a match for the next generation of martial artists. However, his scathing words and actions begin to open Tien’s eyes to the dark path that he’s been on.

The original Dragon Ball features some powerful villains during its first few story arcs. However, Demon King Piccolo operates on a whole other level, and he's a genuine monster who wants to ruin the world. Master Roshi actually previously faced off against King Piccolo during his youth, so he's well-versed in this villain's terrifying power and how important it is to take him out of the picture. One of the most suspenseful moments in the original series involves Master Roshi taking a serious risk when he confronts King Piccolo, Dragon Balls in tow, with the plan to trap the demon in an electric rice cooker with the Evil Containment Wave.

It's a clever strategy and a victory that would do justice to Roshi's fallen mentor, Master Mutaito. Dragon Ball subverts expectations by having Roshi fail to properly execute the Evil Containment Wave, which costs him his life in the process. This marks Master Roshi's first death in Dragon Ball, but a bad situation is made even worse when King Piccolo proceeds to summon Shenron and get his wish granted. The heroes are at their lowest point here.

Master Roshi’s contributions during the Tournament of Power are all quite impressive and a testament to his incredible strength. Roshi engages in some extremely courageous combat when he takes on some of Universe 11’s Pride Troopers. Roshi first focuses on Kahserai, a skilled fighter who underestimates Roshi’s abilities and how he’s able to effectively mask his full power. Roshi’s precision during his Kahserai altercation impresses Android 17, who watches Roshi swiftly eliminate Kahserai before he steps in to aid Goku.

Master Roshi providing support for Goku in any situation is impressive, but especially so here since he’s up against Jiren. Jiren is Universe 11’s strongest fighter, yet Roshi confidently forges forward and exhibits trace amounts of Ultra Instinct power. Roshi seamlessly dodges Jiren’s barrage of blows and gives an early tease of what lies ahead for Goku as he begins to experiment with Ultra Instinct. Jiren does eventually eliminate Roshi, and with a single blow, no less. However, this remains a revelatory Master Roshi scene that also inspires Goku’s own Ultra Instinct debut against Jiren.

The overlapping nature of the Tournament of Power's many battles allows for some entertaining cooperation from characters who have never previously worked together, like Master Roshi and Vegeta. Master Roshi prominently utilizes his Evil Containment Wave throughout the tournament. However, his attempt to use it on Frost backfires when he reverses the technique and Vegeta gets trapped in the process.

Master Roshi gives his all against Frost and delivers a covert energy blast that costs him the battle, but frees Vegeta. Vegeta retaliates by eliminating Auta Magetta, who had been by Frost's side during this devious attack. Frost is still loose to do more damage, but Universe 6 is still down a fighter, and Vegeta sincerely thanks Master Roshi for saving his life. It's a really powerful moment between these characters.

Martial arts competitions are par for the course in Dragon Ball, but the Tournament of Power is such a radical change of pace because it's a vicious battle royale between dozens of fighters from across the multiverse. Roshi becomes the target of several of Universe 4's fighters, all of whom have rewarding results. Caway attempts to use Roshi's lecherous impulses against him, only for him to suppress his urges and emerge triumphant. Next, Roshi figures out the trickery behind Dercori's crystal-based illusions, traps her with the Evil Containment Wave, and throws the jar out of bounds. Finally, Master Roshi's powerful showdown against Ganos culminates in a MAX Power Kamehameha that eliminates his opponent.

This also earns Master Roshi Beerus' respect, which is greater than any victory. Many would perhaps expect Master Roshi to provide crucial support for his stronger Universe 7 teammates, rather than leading the charge and actively eliminating opponents. Roshi's burst of strength against Caway, Dercori, and Ganos is so satisfying and substantial because Roshi seriously destroys Universe 4's resources. He truly contributes to the greater whole during the Tournament of Power. Fights like Roshi's successive assault on Universe 4 fighters are some of his greatest moments in Dragon Ball Super, let alone the Tournament of Power.

The World Martial Arts Tournament has become one of Dragon Ball’s longest-running traditions and a great way to deliver constant combat. Martial arts tournaments are also effective ways to show how much everyone has grown as fighters and how they compare to each other. The 21st World Tournament is when Dragon Ball really starts to find its footing. Goku and Krillin experience this unconventional competition with wide-eyed optimism, all while their teacher – Master Roshi – competes incognito as Jackie Chun. It’s all-too appropriate that the tournament’s finals test Goku’s strength against his own mentor. This is such a rewarding battle that is full of creative surprises.

The battle begins with Goku and Roshi trading energy attacks and martial arts tactics, while they prove to match each other’s talents to comical effect. There’s a thrilling complication when Roshi’s Thunder Shock Surprise finisher gets interrupted by an impromptu Great Ape transformation. The audience is left to worry about both Roshi and Goku’s safety and how they’ll both make it out of this match alive. Roshi reverts Goku’s transformation when he uses an epic Kamehameha to destroy the moon. It’s the most extreme thing that’s ever happened in Dragon Ball up to this point. The fallout afterward is considerably more muted, but it’s still a satisfying finish that concludes with Roshi’s second World Tournament win.