Is Shape shifting a universal technique?

[Strife1]

We know that Oolong and Pu'ar both graduated from the Southern Transformation Kindergarten/Shape shifting Academy, yet both were Anthropomorphic. In the few video game appearances of the school it can be suggested that this technique is animal exclusive(Not counting Shape changing Aliens like Freeza and Zarbon). Would a human be able to learn the shape shifting technique? If no, why not? In universe explanations are the most fun, so no "Toriyama..."

[Hitiro]

It's a possibility that it is a specific trait of beast humans. Just like how Tenshinhan can grow extra arms and split his body because he has some alien heritage from the three eyed clan. I would assume that beast humans also have specific traits.

[supercat]

It's a possibility that it is a specific trait of beast humans. Just like how Tenshinhan can grow extra arms and split his body because he has some alien heritage from the three eyed clan. I would assume that beast humans also have specific traits.

This seems very plausible, and is pretty much the only thing I could think of as well. If regular humans had this capability, I think we would have seen it happen more throughout the events of DB and possibly even DBZ.

[Hitiro]

This seems very plausible, and is pretty much the only thing I could think of as well. If regular humans had this capability, I think we would have seen it happen more throughout the events of DB and possibly even DBZ.

Possibly Dragon Ball. But I doubt the Z era. We get told by Oolong that even though he transforms he is still as weak/vulnerable. He can't turn himself into a shield and take bullets for instance. He can't lift things that would be heavy for a normal person as a giant either(well unless you count the gag scene with the ramen bowl).

[Polyphase Avatron]

This seems very plausible, and is pretty much the only thing I could think of as well. If regular humans had this capability, I think we would have seen it happen more throughout the events of DB and possibly even DBZ.

Possibly Dragon Ball. But I doubt the Z era. We get told by Oolong that even though he transforms he is still as weak/vulnerable. He can't turn himself into a shield and take bullets for instance. He can't lift things that would be heavy for a normal person as a giant either(well unless you count the gag scene with the ramen bowl).

Still, a fighter who is already formidable in combat could make good use of this kind of technique (become small to avoid enemy attacks, extend their reach, create more arms/limbs like Tien, etc.)

[Hitiro]

This seems very plausible, and is pretty much the only thing I could think of as well. If regular humans had this capability, I think we would have seen it happen more throughout the events of DB and possibly even DBZ.

Possibly Dragon Ball. But I doubt the Z era. We get told by Oolong that even though he transforms he is still as weak/vulnerable. He can't turn himself into a shield and take bullets for instance. He can't lift things that would be heavy for a normal person as a giant either(well unless you count the gag scene with the ramen bowl).

Still, a fighter who is already formidable in combat could make good use of this kind of technique (become small to avoid enemy attacks, extend their reach, create more arms/limbs like Tenshinhan, etc.)

I suppose. But I was thinking of shape shifting in a more traditional sense as in becoming objects that would be beneficial. Like a gun or a sword. But if none of their properties apart from the their size changes then the only useful thing to do with shape shifting is as you said.

[supercat]

Actually, if the battle power of the user is great enough, turning into certain objects could actually be a great tactic. Just think back to Vegetto vs Buuhan.

[Hitiro]

Actually, if the battle power of the user is great enough, turning into certain objects could actually be a great tactic. Just think back to Vegetto vs Buuhan.

That was due to Vegetto's Ki though. Oolong already proved that transforming into things like bombs or vehicles don't increase his stats in any way. He is still as durable as a pig.

[Doctor.]

Actually, if the battle power of the user is great enough, turning into certain objects could actually be a great tactic. Just think back to Vegetto vs Buuhan.

That was due to Vegetto's Ki though. Oolong already proved that transforming into things like bombs or vehicles don't increase his stats in any way. He is still as durable as a pig.

Yeah, but Puar's shape shifting is more advanced, and he cut off Goku's tail.

[Hitiro]

Yeah, but Puar's shape shifting is more advanced, and he cut off Goku's tail.

Providing she is durable enough could she not do that? She would be converting herself into a sharp object. I guess making sharp things is also a possibility. But like I said, the materials you become don't enhance your stats in any way. If you wanted to become a shield for someone you'd have to be a durable yourself because turning into a shield isn't doing to make you as durable as a shield.

[supercat]

Actually, if the battle power of the user is great enough, turning into certain objects could actually be a great tactic. Just think back to Vegetto vs Buuhan.

That was due to Vegetto's Ki though. Oolong already proved that transforming into things like bombs or vehicles don't increase his stats in any way. He is still as durable as a pig.

That's why I referred to the user's battle power.

Of course some normal Earthling with a power level of 3 wouldn't be able to suddenly taken down Raditz just because they transformed into some crazy weapon. However, imagine the damage a powerful fighter would be able to do if they turned into a tiny ball of Katchin.

[Doctor.]

Yeah, but Puar's shape shifting is more advanced, and he cut off Goku's tail.

Providing she is durable enough could she not do that? She would be converting herself into a sharp object. I guess making sharp things is also a possibility. But like I said, the materials you become don't enhance your stats in any way. If you wanted to become a shield for someone you'd have to be a durable yourself because turning into a shield isn't doing to make you as durable as a shield.

I highly doubt that Puar would be durable enough to take a swing from Oozaru Goku's tail, let alone cut it.

And, I'm sorry if this is off-topic, but isn't Puar male?

[Hitiro]

Yeah, but Puar's shape shifting is more advanced, and he cut off Goku's tail.

Providing she is durable enough could she not do that? She would be converting herself into a sharp object. I guess making sharp things is also a possibility. But like I said, the materials you become don't enhance your stats in any way. If you wanted to become a shield for someone you'd have to be a durable yourself because turning into a shield isn't doing to make you as durable as a shield.

I highly doubt that Puar would be durable enough to take a swing from Oozaru Goku's tail, let alone cut it.

And, I'm sorry if this is off-topic, but isn't Puar male?

I don't see why she wouldn't be durable enough to chop Goku's tail off. You'd be surprised at how much less durable an object needs to be to cut something. People have been killed by things less durable than themselves. People have been killed by being stabbed by a paper shank in prison.

I've always thought Puar was female. Puar may be male, lol.

[Sora Saiyan]

If I'm remembering right Puar is indeed male.
From what I remember reading Toriyama was asked if Puar is male or female before, and he answered with something like "I pictured him as a male when I was drawing him"

[Strife1]

If Pu'ar is able to cut Oozaru Goku's tail, then that part of shape shifting has nothing to do with durability as it was effective and Pu'ar was not damaged in the end. It could be arguable that this is because of Pu'ars graduation compared to Oolong's inadequacy.
So this brings up an important question, what are the properties of shape shifting and was is the extent of ability in regard to an experienced/graduated shape shifter.
-Ability to transform big or small
-Can change into the general appearance of someone they haven't studied
-Able to transform into objects harder or softer than themselves.
-Ability to change physical states of matter. When Oolong transformed into the robot, he had a bowl of hot liquid which burned him. This caused him to drop the bowl and chopsticks. This being said are they able to transform into multiple objects at once which are not connected to each other? He's able to manipulate his body temperatures as well.
Above all else shapeshifters must have grand knowledge and must study creatures, objects, and just about anything extensively.

As far as the original question, is it possible that it's just taboo? I liked the comment mentioned earlier about it being a 'beast-human' exclusive technique as that could be a possibility as well.

And Pu'ar is a boy.