In a series as long spanning as Dragon Ball, there is bound to be several characters who swap over from the good side to the evil side; and vice versa. Piccolo and Vegeta, who were often referred to as "the best of the bunch" both has truly great character-defining moments along the way. This is particularly true of Piccolo, who has many moments that were both greatly heroic and, unfortunately, others that were filled with villainy.

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He has some of the most memorable moments in the whole series, particularly early on in the show. These moments are what makes him such a beloved character throughout the entire series, even as his importance fluxes all over the place as the show wears on.

10 Heroic: Trying To Protect Android 17

Anime Piccolo Regeneration DBZ

This was an act more of self-preservation rather than anything innately heroic. Piccolo had to try to stop Cell from absorbing Android 17 at any cost. He did everything he could, expending whatever energy he had to try to take out the parasitic bug.

It was to no avail, of course, but it showed the biggest part of his character. He above all others, aside from Goku, can let bygones be bygones, a heroic trait if there ever was one.

9 Villainous: Swallowing Kami

Anime Kami Dragon Ball

This is was back when he was Piccolo Jr, near the height of his villainy. He and Kami squared off in the World's Martial Art Tournament, in a battle that truly wasn't much of one. While disguised as Hero, Kami tried to use the Evil Containment Wave on Piccolo, only to have it shockingly deflected back at him.

It wasn't the act of defeating Kami that was truly evil however, it was that he swallowed the bottle that Kami was sealed in, making sure he couldn't be freed.

8 Heroic: Dying With Earth In GT

GT had an abundance of things wrong with it, but one of the few brights spots was the decision Piccolo made during the Baby arc. The arc itself is generally pretty good, however, it's this scene that sticks in people's heads.

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Even those that hate the series will admit it was a well-done scene. The way that Piccolo would willingly let himself die to ensure that the Black Star Dragon Balls would turn to stone was incredibly heroic. The talk with Gohan right before he died was even more impactful. It may not be "canon," but it more than earns a mention.

7 Villainous: Making Krillin Quit

Krillin practically made his name on getting his rear kicked, but that wasn't always the case. In Dragon Ball, he was a more than capable fighter, rather than just being there to get tossed around before Goku would enter a fight.

He'd always been seen as just a notch or two below Goku, which made the complete dismantling of him that Piccolo did so surprising. The fact that he overpowered Krillin so much that he forced the young boy to quit is pretty dastardly.

6 Heroic: Training Gohan

Fans of the series often joke that Piccolo is Gohan's real dad, and it's something that is grounded in some form of reality. Their bond is incredibly strong and served as the main reason he became a true hero to the earth.

Taking on Gohan as a student started as something that Piccolo only did to honor Goku's sacrifice, and it showed in his training methods. He didn't pull any punches to toughen Gohan up. His opinion of the boy only continued to soften as the series went on.

5 Villanous: No Gratitude For Being Spared

This isn't nearly as bad as killing someone, but a lack of gratitude at being saved is something only a villain in anime would do. Unsurprisingly, all of the ones Goku has tried to spare have acted the same way, too overcome with their pride to see what was done for them.

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As with the rest, Piccolo only had thoughts of revenge on his mind, swearing that he'd not only defeat Goku but kill him the next time they fought. Little did he know how true that would be.

4 Heroic: Sacrificing Himself For To Protect Gohan

This was the moment that viewers knew all that talk Piccolo had about still being a villain was going to be tossed aside. The way he unselfishly used his own body to shield Gohan from harm against Nappa was such a great scene.

It showed his development and how much he cared for Goku's kid. It's forever going to be one of the more iconic scenes attached to the character, one so well done that it even manages to crop up again in Super.

3 Villainous: Whooping Up On Gohan

Gohan Training with Piccolo

This happens rather regularly, even when they are training, it feels like Piccolo is just tossing him around like a rag doll. The scene this is referencing is during the filler Garlic Jr arc in Dragon Ball Z, when Piccolo just constantly whooped up on Gohan for what felt like the entire length of an episode.

It was all a ruse so Piccolo could get close enough to release Kami and Mr. Popo, but that doesn't change the punishment that got dished out on the way there.

2 Heroic: Sacrificing Himself For Gohan Part 2

It was mentioned earlier and here it is, the second time that Piccolo sacrificed himself to save Gohan. This one didn't have the same level of impact on it since it'd already been done before and lacked the same level of emotional weight to it.

In fact, the scene itself seemed like blatant pandering, but it doesn't change the heroic deed by Piccolo. No matter how old he is nor the circumstances that they are in, Piccolo is always going to be there for Gohan.

1 Villainous: Killing Goku

This move was created solely for this purpose, to kill Goku, and surprisingly, it did just that. It's one of those rare times that a villain got what they wanted in the end, and that's what Piccolo was by this time. He hadn't yet fully made the transition into Anti-hero and eventual hero status yet.

This was the scene that made everyone realize that Dragon Ball Z was going to be far different than Dragon Ball, not just from a fighting aspect, but with how much darker it'd be.

NEXT: Dragon Ball: 10 Biggest Mistakes Piccolo Ever Made (That We Can Learn From)