Goku might be one of the strongest beings in the entire Dragon Ball universe and knows many Ki combat techniques, but there is one called Kiai that he apparently didn’t use much, or at least, it seems that way. But what exactly is this Kiai technique?
Using Kiai, the user can manipulate the air currents around them and produce powerful shockwaves that can strike an opponent. It can even be used in many ways: throwing invisible punches, unleashing powerful screams, creating shockwave glares, or even generating air explosions from the entire body.
However, it’s not like Goku never used it. Still, due to the lack of instances of him using this Ki technique in direct combat, many consider it his most underrated Ki combat technique, which it actually is, especially when compared to Kamehameha and Spirit Bomb. But why is that so?
Times When Goku Used Kiai Against His Foes
Although direct displays of Kiai used by Goku can be limited in Dragon Ball
There have also been times when Kiai is mistaken for a simple physical attack. In some cases, Goku used a very quick, subtle Kiai to push an opponent back without a visible energy blast, which many viewers didn’t recognize as Kiai being used.
The move is essentially meant to stun the enemy and create some distance, which is exactly how Goku occasionally uses it against close-range fighters. He never used it to hurt an enemy. But the subtle differences between this and other Ki techniques are so minor that it mostly feels like Goku’s raw combat strength is doing all the work.
Kiai Has Multiple Variations Throughout the Dragon Ball Series
Kiai has multiple forms used by several characters in the series, and not just by Goku, of course. In fact, many fans believe Jiren was the most powerful user of Kiai. He was on another level when it came to mastering it.
In Goku’s version of Kiai, the energy is released from his hands, but in some cases, it can also come from his eyes. Uub, on the other hand, could release it throughout his entire body, which is insane. Even Android 17 could fire a concentrated Kiai from his palm.
Some variations, like Spirit Boost or Spirit Shot, were already used by Goku. But Tien Shinhan, Future Trunks, and others used to use different variations, such as Kamehameha Deflection or Aero Blast, and there are many more.
Now, here’s a little trivia about Kiai. It is also a popular term in real-life martial arts, where practitioners yell their energy out. In some Asian kung fu movies, this practice essentially gave rise to terms like Hi-yah, Aiyah, Eeee-yah, or Hyah. So, what do you think, is Kiai actually strong?
The Dragon Ball series is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
