What is Karin?

[Mr. Piccolo]

What is the nature of Karin? Besides being a Cat Sage, he is listed in Daizenshuu 4 as one of the People of the Heavens, so is he a deity of some sort? I have also read that Karin is immortal, so it really seems that he is some kind of supernatural being. If so, where did he come from? I am guessing that it is not Earth, so maybe Heaven or the Kaioshin Realm?

I used to theorize that Karin was a demigod, like Hercules or Gilgamesh from Greek and Sumerian mythology respectively, but the demigod label would perhaps better fit somebody like Goku, or at least Goku before we learn that his unusual power is derived from his Saiyan heritage.

The fact that Karin is immortal, has magical abilities, and seemingly has some sort of observer role on Earth prompts me to think of him as a kind of minor deity, like a Greek or Roman rustic deity associated with a particular place (in Karin’s case, the Holy Land of Karin).

[Herms]

According to Daizenshuu 7 and the later guidebooks, Karin came from the afterlife and was sent to Earth to assist the planet's god. Popo's the same way. Also according to Daizenshuu 7, this sort of setup is apparently done on many planets, with assistants from the afterlife but the planet's god chosen from among the planet's population, the idea being that a species' fate should be determined by the species itself.

[Marker]

I always thought of him as a sort of gate keeper of Kami's sanctuary. He helps to determine who is strong or righteous enough to ascend to Kami's realm and meet God face to face. I guess... Sort of like King Yenma is to the Kaio's.

[CaBrPi]

I always thought of him as a sort of gate keeper of Kami's sanctuary. He helps to determine who is strong or righteous enough to ascend to Kami's realm and meet God face to face. I guess... Sort of like King Yenma is to the Kaio's.

That's a good comparison. I never thought of it that way.

[Piccolo Daimao]

I think I remember someone here comparing Karin's role being akin to God's bodyguard. But yeah, like Mr. Popo, he's from the afterlife and was sent down to Earth to assist its god.

Now, another question: was Karin named after the tower, or did he name the tower after himself?

[Ringworm128]

I always thought he was a talking animal like Puar and Oolong who just happened to be chosen to guard the tower, like how Kami was just a normal Namek who got to be God.

[Fox666]

It seems unlikely that Karin is immortal, since not even the Kaioshin lives forever. He is like the ogres or Bubbles, a creature born in the afterlife, who serves as God's receptionist.

[MisguidedGhost]

So, wait, does every planet with sapient life have a guardian and the resultant assistants? Like, did planet Vegeta have a guardian?

[Piccolo Daimao]

So, wait, does every planet with sapient life have a guardian and the resultant assistants? Like, did planet Vegeta have a guardian?

I think the Daizenshuu said that the Saiyans would've been too unstable to have a god, and would've probably killed him anyway. Or something like that.

It seems the closest the Saiyans ever had to a god was the legendary Super Saiyan. (Maybe that's why, in the Viz version of the manga, Vegeta described himself as "the Saiyan messiah" after reaching Super Saiyan.)

[MisguidedGhost]

I think the Daizenshuu said that the Saiyans would've been too unstable to have a god, and would've probably killed him anyway. Or something like that.

It seems the closest the Saiyans ever had to a god was the legendary Super Saiyan. (Maybe that's why, in the Viz version of the manga, Vegeta described himself as "the Saiyan messiah" after reaching Super Saiyan.)

Ah, okay. That makes sense. Thanks.

[Piccolo Daimao]

I think the Daizenshuu said that the Saiyans would've been too unstable to have a god, and would've probably killed him anyway. Or something like that.

It seems the closest the Saiyans ever had to a god was the legendary Super Saiyan. (Maybe that's why, in the Viz version of the manga, Vegeta described himself as "the Saiyan messiah" after reaching Super Saiyan.)

Ah, okay. That makes sense. Thanks.

You're welcome.