Master Roshi’s inclusion as a DLC character in Dragon Ball FighterZ Season 3 was met with excitement, bringing the iconic Turtle Hermit and martial arts master to the popular fighting game. However, a peculiar gameplay detail has emerged, sparking discussions among fans: Master Roshi cannot perform a Super Dash. This limitation, shared by Videl who dodges instead of reflects, has raised concerns about his viability in competitive play. But more interestingly, it directly reflects a long-standing question within the Dragon Ball universe itself: Can Master Roshi Fly?
Master Roshi in Dragon Ball FighterZ, unable to use Super Dash, reflecting his canonical inability to fly.
The Canonical Reason: Master Roshi’s Lack of Flight
In the vast world of Dragon Ball, flight is a common ability, often achieved through ki manipulation. Surprisingly, Master Roshi, despite his immense power and mastery of martial arts and ki, is canonically unable to fly. This contrasts sharply with many other characters, even those considered less powerful than him, such as Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Videl, all of whom possess the ability to soar through the skies.
This deliberate omission of flight for Master Roshi isn’t a matter of power level, but rather a likely conscious choice stemming from his history and rivalries.
The Crane School Rivalry and Flight’s Origin
The most plausible explanation for Master Roshi’s grounded nature lies in the origins of flight itself within the Dragon Ball universe. It is widely believed that Master Shen, the Crane Hermit and Master Roshi’s bitter rival, was the originator of the flight technique, at least among Earth’s inhabitants. Considering the deep-seated animosity between the Turtle and Crane Schools, it’s highly probable that Master Roshi’s refusal to fly is a matter of principle. He may simply be unwilling to adopt a technique popularized and associated with his rival.
A Matter of Choice, Not Capability
Ironically, flight in Dragon Ball has become incredibly widespread. Many characters with no Crane School affiliation have mastered the technique. It’s highly likely that Master Roshi, with his vast knowledge and control of ki, could learn to fly if he truly desired. His inability to fly, therefore, seems less like a limitation and more like a deliberate choice. Perhaps the old master simply prefers to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, adhering to his traditional martial arts roots and maintaining a subtle jab at his old rival, Master Shen, even in his fighting style in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
