Yamcha, or Yamucha (飲茶) in the original Japanese, the desert bandit, is a fictional character from the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. He is a human and at one time had a relationship with Bulma. His constant companion is the shape-changing Pu'ar. His first appearance was in issue #7 of the Dragon Ball manga. In the early Harmony Gold English Dragon Ball dub from the 1980's, he is known as Zedaki.

Dragon Ball

Yamcha entered the series during the first season of Dragon Ball as an antagonist to Son Goku. He was the first opponent who was capable of fighting the young saiyan in a head-on battle.

After being bested by Goku though, Yamcha decided to join with him and Bulma on their quest for the Dragon Balls. He secretly planned on making a wish that would allow him to overcome his fear of girls. That plan fell apart when a different wish was made, but he ended up with Bulma anyway.

Dragon Ball Z

Yamcha later trains with Master Roshi and becomes a Z Fighter. In the battle against the saiyans Vegeta and Nappa during the Saiyan Saga, he is killed when a Saibaman clings to him and self-destructs.

After being returned to life after the Freeza Saga, Yamcha plays a diminished role in the series. He does what he can in the Cell Saga, but is overwhelmed by even a Cell Jr. During the Buu Saga, Yamcha does not even fight, he is simply turned into chocolate and eaten when Buu rampages on Kami's lookout. His last real action in the series is giving Goku his energy to help form the Spirit Bomb that defeats Buu.

Yamcha is generally considered one of the weakest Z Fighters, on about the same level as Chaozu. But a careful look into official power level ratings during the Saiyan Saga show that Yamcha was actually a stronger fighter than Chaozu and even fan favorite Krillin (Yamcha's idle power level was 1,480, whereas Krillin's idle power level was only 1,083) and probably was stronger until he stopped training after the Cell Saga.

Special Abilities

Kamehameha

Yamcha is able to pull off the basic Kamehameha attack.

Rogafufuken (Wolf Fang Fist)

Yamcha's trademark attack, it's a fast series of powerful swipes, grips and kicks. While executing this move, Yamcha's body is seemingly replaced by that of a wolf.

During his fight with Tenshinhan in the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, Yamcha uses the Shinrogafufuken (New Wolf Fang Fist). With this technique Yamcha jumps very high between his opponent and the sun (so that he can't be seen) and then descends upon his opponent. Once contact is made, he executes a rapid series of fast mid-air kicks, flips off his opponent, then does a powerful roundhouse finish.

Sokidan

An energy ball that Yamcha can guide with great precision and control. Unlike other homing attacks, the sokidan doesn't automatically follow it's target, as Yamcha has full control of it at all times. He must remain stationary and focused to manipulate the attack.