The Eternal Dragon of the Dragon Balls
Shenron, also known as Shenlong in Japanese, is the Eternal Dragon of Earth, summoned by collecting all seven Dragon Balls. As the first and most iconic dragon in Dragon Ball, Shenron grants wishes to those who gather the Dragon Balls, playing a crucial role throughout the series.
Shenron’s appearance, power, and limitations make him a symbol of divine power, but also a servant bound by the rules set by his creator—Kami, Dende, or the Namekian Dragon Clan.
Shenron’s Attributes
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shenron (Shenlong in Japanese) |
| Race | Eternal Dragon |
| Affiliation | Dragon Balls, Earth’s Guardian (Kami, Dende) |
| First Appearance | Dragon Ball Chapter 1 / Episode 1 |
| Created by | Akira Toriyama |
| Height | Over 100 meters (Varies) |
| Color | Green scales, red eyes, long whiskers |
| Occupation | Wish Granter |
| Family | Porunga (Namekian Dragon), Super Shenron (Zalama’s creation) |
| Signature Ability | Wish Granting, Resurrection, Divine Power |
Origins and Creation of Shenron
Shenron was created by Kami, Earth’s Guardian, using Namekian magic to give the people of Earth the power to summon him through the Dragon Balls. His design is based on Chinese mythology, where dragons like Shenlong (神龍) are considered divine and wise beings.
After Kami fused with Piccolo, Dende took over as Earth’s Guardian, restoring Shenron and enhancing his wish-granting abilities.
Shenron’s Role in Dragon Ball
- Shenron has revived fallen warriors multiple times, keeping Earth’s heroes alive.
- He granted Goku and his friends’ wishes for peace, power, and second chances.
- Despite his godlike appearance, Shenron has limitations, restricted by the power of his creator.
Shenron’s Wish-Granting Powers
Original Shenron (Before Dende’s Upgrade)
- Can grant one wish at a time.
- Can revive only one person per wish (unless specified otherwise).
- Cannot revive people who died of natural causes.
- Cannot grant wishes beyond his creator’s power.
Enhanced Shenron (After Dende’s Upgrade)
- Now grants two wishes instead of one.
- Can revive multiple people at once.
- More flexible with his abilities, but still weaker than Namek’s Porunga.
Famous Wishes Granted by Shenron
Dragon Ball
- Oolong’s Wish – First wish made, requesting a pair of women’s panties before Emperor Pilaf could wish for world domination.
- Goku’s Tail Restored – Goku had his tail restored to fight against King Piccolo’s forces.
- Reviving Bora – Upa wished to bring his father, Bora, back to life.
Dragon Ball Z
- Reviving Goku – The first of many resurrections for Goku.
- Bringing Back Those Killed by Vegeta & Nappa – After the Saiyan attack, Shenron revived Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and others.
- Bringing Back Those Killed by Frieza – After Frieza’s destruction of Namek.
Dragon Ball Super
- Reviving Frieza – Sorbet wished for Frieza’s resurrection, leading to the Resurrection ‘F’ arc.
- Restoring Universes Erased in the Tournament of Power – Android 17 wished for all erased universes to be restored, proving Shenron’s power on a universal scale.
Shenron vs. Other Eternal Dragons
Shenron is not the most powerful of the Eternal Dragons—there are stronger dragons with more abilities.
1. Porunga (Namek’s Dragon)
- Bigger and bulkier than Shenron.
- Grants three wishes instead of one or two.
- Can revive the same person multiple times (Shenron cannot).
- More flexible with wish requests.
2. Super Shenron (The God of All Dragons)
- The largest Eternal Dragon, spanning multiple galaxies.
- Created by Zalama, the creator of the Super Dragon Balls.
- Has no known limits—he can grant literally any wish.
- Used by Zamasu and Android 17 in Dragon Ball Super.
Limitations of Shenron
Despite being a powerful dragon, Shenron has strict limitations:
- Cannot grant more power than his creator (Dende, Kami).
- Cannot revive someone who has already been revived before (before Dende’s upgrade).
- Cannot kill someone stronger than his creator.
- Cannot grant infinite wishes or immortality (though he came close for Garlic Jr.).
- Afraid of Beerus, the God of Destruction—Shenron immediately panicked and bowed when Beerus appeared.
Key Relationships
Goku & the Z Fighters
- Summoned Shenron multiple times to fix disasters.
- Goku does not rely on Shenron unless absolutely necessary.
- Trunks, Gohan, and Vegeta have also used the Dragon Balls for critical wishes.
Dende (Shenron’s Current Creator)
- Dende enhanced Shenron’s power, giving him more wish-granting abilities.
- If Dende were to die, Shenron would disappear.
Beerus (God of Destruction)
- Shenron fears Beerus, proving that gods outrank even the Eternal Dragons.
- Beerus forced Shenron to reveal the existence of Super Saiyan God.
Porunga & Super Shenron
- Porunga is a superior wish-granting dragon, but still limited.
- Super Shenron is the strongest, able to reshape reality.
Memorable Quotes from Shenron
- “I am the Eternal Dragon. Speak your wish!”
- “Your wish has been granted… farewell.”
- “There are some things even I cannot do.”
- “Oh! Lord Beerus! Forgive me!” (When Beerus appears in Battle of Gods.)
Conclusion
Shenron is the legendary dragon who has played a crucial role in the Dragon Ball series. Though he is not the strongest Eternal Dragon, he remains the most iconic, granting wishes that have shaped the fate of Earth, the Z Fighters, and the universe.
Despite his limitations, Shenron represents the power of hope and second chances, proving that even in the darkest times, there is always a way forward.
As Shenron himself says:
“Your wish has been granted. Farewell.” 🐉✨
