Ki (Dragon Ball)
Ki (called "Chi" in the US Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga) is the energy force used by the characters within the Dragon Ball series. This force bears some realistic tendencies being that it is used in real martial arts such as Kenpo, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Ninjutsu.
Ki
Ki in the Dragon Ball series shares many realistic tendencies, though the appearance of it is unrealistic. Ki in the series is also known as "latent energy" or "battle power". The term is the Japanese romanization of the Chinese term "Chi"; this directly translates as "life force". This force is a tangible energy inside a living being, its major focus being in the center of the body. By drawing it out, a person is able to manipulate it and use it for performances outside the body. This includes using Ki to levitate/fly, and draw it into condensed, explosive masses. Ki sometimes can be used for telekinesis and healing. Usually the more concentrated the masses are, the more time the user requires to draw it out.
When a fighter gathers Ki, they are able to increase the power of their attacks and inflict greater damage to opponents. They are also able to draw in the energy from around them, increasing the ki in their bodies. This advanced usage is known as "powering up" or "gathering Ki". Ki can also be used to create energy barriers and can even be used for levitation. Such techniques are considered advanced, and close to impossible by Human standards.
History
The term "ki" was never defined in the Dragon Ball manga directly. It was first introduced by Master Mutaito in a filler episode of Dragon Ball where Son Goku travels back in time and learns AbOUT Ki. Although it is unknown of who actually discovered this inner energy in the Dragon Ball time line, the first usage of it seen in the Dragon Ball series is in manga volume 2, when Muten-Rôshi performed an energy blast called the Kamehameha in order to extinguish the fire on Fry-Pan Mountian. By drawing his ki energy into the palms of his hands, Roshi was able to expel an explosive mass of visible ki energy. This was the birth of Dragon Ball energy attacks.
Ki Users
Saiyans
Saiyans and their hybrid counterparts are naturally adept at using Ki. They generally have no difficulty manipulating their energy, and have even evolved to have the ability to increase it numerous times in battle without tiring easily. This is much unlike Humans who usually spend themselves after the first increase. However, unlike Humans and Namekians, Saiyans don't seem to have a natural ability to detect ki by sensing ki signatures. That ability must be acquired through training.
Namekians
Although Namekians are generally not as strong as Saiyans, their ability to use Ki is as good as, if not more advanced then Saiyans. Namekians use Ki in more mysical ways then Saiyans do, but use it for the same manner in fighting. Namekians also are able to naturally detect Ki energy by sensing the concentration of it.
Earthlings
In the Dragon Ball series, it is uncommon to see an Earthling who uses Ki energy, though several humans have been shown acquire full mastery of the art: Yamcha, Tien, Krillin, Chaozu, and Muten Roshi. Another, lesser adept human is Videl who was taught basic flight from Gohan. Other users include Spopavitch, Yamu, and Olbra (anime series only). Humans, like Namekians, have a natural ability to detect the concentration of Ki that their opponents posess.
Androids
Androids generally have an unnatural source of Ki, so sometimes their ki capacity is unlimited. Most of the time because it is unnatural, it is not able to be detected by sensing. But also, most of them are not able to detect it by sensing either, they must have devices to do that.
Other
Other beings able to use Ki are other Aliens, Cyborgs, Monsters, and Demons. Even though their Ki abilities are generally the same as Namekians or Humans, a few variants occur in sensing and manipulation.
Appearances
Ki comes in a variety of colors. The most common color in the series is a pale white; other colors include yellow, red, purple, orange, blue, and pink. These colors vary on the race, technique being used, species that the character is, or how impure the being's heart is.
Auras
Auras of ki radiate from the user when increasing the concentration of it inside their body. Warriors (excluding Androids) have a limit to the ki that their bodies can withstand, but the capacity for ki can be increased through mental and physical training. Other techniques (Such as the KaioKen) rapidly increases the concentartion in the body, enabling the user to fight at a strength level for a split second that far exceeds their regular limits.
Transformation
Depending on their genetic inheritence, some beings are able to transform. However, not all beings are able to transform at will, in some instances, there must be certain environmental conditions required for their transformation. By transforming, a person then aquires physical limits that somehow change the limits of their regular body. Effects of transformation usually include alterations in strength and Ki capacity. Some other effects may include differences in speed and durability. The most commonly seen transformation in Dragon Ball Z is the Super Saiyan transformation, which is only accessible to certain Saiyans and Saiyan/Human hybrids. The negative aspect of transformation is that the process itself consumes energy. The effect of energy loss when dealing with Super Saiyan transformation can be limited through training.
Transfromation is not always intended for increasing abilities. Some beings are known to transform in order to limit their abilities rather then increasing them. An example of this is Freeza during the Freeza Saga, who was first seen in a surpressed state, being that his forth form was his original state, and the form that he is first see in was actually a transformed state. Cell demonstrated a similar ability when he reverted to a larval state to save energy during the time that he had to wait for the Androids. Then there was Buu, who transformed into his original Kid Buu state, after his counterpart was removed from his body.
pt:Ki (Dragon Ball)