Isn't the Mafuba kind of inconsistent?

[theawesomepossum777]

It is said that if you use the technique; the Mafuba can endanger your life. However, Tenshinhan is shown practicing using the Mafuba in a few panels of the manga. So you don't die if you're just practicing for the real usage of it? It's even more confusing in the anime when Tenshinhan does get the chance of using it on Piccolo, and he doesn't die afterwards.

[Kamiccolo9]

It is said that if you use the technique; the Mafuba can endanger your life. However, Tenshinhan is shown practicing using the Mafuba in a few panels of the manga. So you don't die if you're just practicing for the real usage of it? It's even more confusing in the anime when Tenshinhan does get the chance of using it on Piccolo, and he doesn't die afterwards.

If you're strong enough, you can survive it. Kami wasn't worried about dying when he used it in the 23rd Budokai.

[Draken]

Can't remember if it was anime only or not but didn't KP say the reason was cause Drum went and knocked KP out of the way which for somehow some reason saved both of their lives?

[RandomGuy96]

It is said that if you use the technique; the Mafuba can endanger your life. However, Tenshinhan is shown practicing using the Mafuba in a few panels of the manga. So you don't die if you're just practicing for the real usage of it? It's even more confusing in the anime when Tenshinhan does get the chance of using it on Piccolo, and he doesn't die afterwards.

If you're strong enough, you can survive it. Kami wasn't worried about dying when he used it in the 23rd Budokai.

Makes you wonder why no one thought to try it against Buu...

[Tyro]

Can't remember if it was anime only or not but didn't KP say the reason was cause Drum went and knocked KP out of the way which for somehow some reason saved both of their lives?

I don't know about any of that but Tenshinhan never tried using it because he broke the rice cooker when he was practicing the technique.

[TheGmGoken]

Anime _ if you're strong it'll not hurt you to death.
Manga_ He Broke that shit.
Personal Canon: What happen to this attack? Tien could have used it on Boo.

[Tyro]

Anime _ if you're strong it'll not hurt you to death.
Manga_ He Broke that shit.

Your manga anime explanation is the best that we can come up with for the manga as well. Either that, or God intended to kill that guy by using his body, but I highly doubt that since he was disappointed that he damaged it when he was hit by Yamcha's Sokidan.

Edit: Since we're talking about it:

Mafuuba [Demon Seal Wave]
First Appearance: Chapter 135
Category: special
People: God, Kame-sennin, Tenshinhan, Mutaito
Special Characteristics: A secret art which Kame-sennin’s master, Mutaito, devised in order to seal up Piccolo Daimao, the incarnation of evil. Firing all one’s life energy from the palm of your hands, this creates a violent, spiraling wind which draws in the opponent, sealing them like this into an airtight container affixed with magic charms. A normal person will perish when they use this secret art. Kame-sennin fired it at the revived Piccolo Daimao in exchange for his own life, but it ultimately failed. (Daizenshuu 2, p.207/Daizenshuu 4, p.113)

Reverse~
First Appearance: Chapter 181
Category: ki manipulation
People: Piccolo
Special Characteristics: A technique where he seals up his opponent by firing an even more powerful Mafuuba than theirs. At the 23rd Tenkaichi Budoukai, Kami was himself sealed within a small bottle affixed with charms when he tried to seal up Piccolo. (Daizenshuu 2, p.208)

So it makes sense that it kills anyone as strong as or weaker than Kame Sen'nin was at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, give or take the gap between him and God.

[Kaboom]

Perhaps it costs you more of your "life force" when you use it against a stronger opponent. Thus Muten Roshi died because he was far weaker than King Piccolo, Tenshinhan was fine just by practicing with it, Piccolo Jr didn't have anything to fear against Kami, etc...

[Tyro]

Yeah, maybe it won't kill you at all if you use it on someone weaker than yourself, thereby letting you get by by using less life energy. But you can seal away opponents much stronger than yourself if you use all you've got, even though you're much, much weaker.

[rereboy]

This could have all been avoided if Toriyama had included someone saying that a fighter can survive using the technique if he is strong enough (like Kami when he used or after he used it). He didn't but since it makes perfect sense that's my explanation for it.