The Kamehameha wave ("Turtle Destruction Wave" or "Divine Destruction Wave") was the first energy attack ever seen in the Dragonball series, it is first seen in Manga volume 2 and in Dragonball: episode 8 ("The Kamehameha wave"). The Kamehameha wave is the most widely used finishing attack in the Dragonball series, and it is Goku's signature attack.
Goku performing the Kamehameha wave
History
The attack was invented by Muten Roshi over a fifty year period spanning pre-Dragonball. By drawing his latent ki into the palms of his hands, Muten Roshi was able to expel an explosive mass of ki energy. It was then taught to Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien. They in turn taught it to others, and the attack became a popular one to use during battle.
Development
After much contemplation, Akira Toriyama could not decide on a name for his "Kame" attack, so he asked his wife. His wife came up with the name and the stances used during the attack. She also told Akira that it would be easy to remember the name of the attack if he used the name of the famous Hawiian King named Kamehameha. Akira agreed, and the Kamehameha wave was born.
Variations
The Kamehameha has several variations, most of these were invented by Goku:
- Double Kamehameha- This attack was used only once in Movie #3 "Tree of Might". This is when Goku shoots a kamehameha out of both hands in different directions.
- Super Kamehameha - An even more powerful version of the Kamehameha developed by Goku.
- Continuous Kamehameha - Goku fires more than one Kamehameha.
- Warp Kamehameha - Goku charges up the attack; then, right before he releases, he has teleported in front of the target and has released the blast directly into them. This is also known as Instant Transmission Kamehameha.
- Parent & Child Kamehameha - This is where a some one who is dead assists someone alive with a Kamehameha. Goku helps out Gohan against Cell, and he also helps out Gohan and Goten against Broly in DBZ Movie #10 (non-canon, and the Movie 10 one used to be called the "Perfect Kamehameha" by fans).
- 10x Kamehameha - This name is given to the red-colored Chou Kamehameha used by Goku while in his Super Saiyajin 4 form, in the Budokai videogames, but the name is never used in the actual series. Some fans are confused by the fact that SSJ4 Gogeta used something called the "Kamehameha x10" against Ii Shenron, but this was an illusionary technique that didn't do any damage.
Users
- Master Roshi
- Grandpa Gohan
- Son Goku
- Krillin
- Yamcha
- Goten
- Gohan
- Cell
- Buu
- Kid Trunks(Only in movie Dragonball Z movie 11)
- Tien
- Pan