Tien Shinhan (天テン津シン飯ハン or 天てん津しん飯はん Tenshinhan) is a disciplined, reclusive and heavily devoted martial artist, and one of the strongest Earthlings within the Dragon Ball universe. He also possesses a few non-human traits due to being descended from the alien Triclops race.

He is the main antagonist of the Tien Shinhan Saga and was originally a student of the Crane School who desired revenge against Goku for defeating his mentor, Mercenary Tao, but realized he was on the wrong side with the help of Master Roshi. He battles alongside the other Z Fighters against major threats to the Earth, often courageously engaging enemies far more powerful than himself.[12] However, he spends most of his time training with his lifelong best friend, Chiaotzu.

Tien Shinhan is a tall and very muscular bald-headed man. In his early appearances, he has a leaner physique, which gradually becomes bulkier. His by far most prominent feature is his third eye, which he has inherited from his alien ancestors (although some sources claim the third eye was achieved via intense meditation).[13] The third eye is indeed real, as he has proved at several occasions that he can both move it around and close it, and even shoot ki laser beams out of it. Allegedly, Tien is not naturally bald, as it is stated by his former mentor, Master Shen, that he shaves his head much like Krillin does, though unlike Krillin he has never been seen unshaven. Another noteworthy trait of his is the large scar on the right side of his chest, starting at his collarbone and running all the way down to his abdomen; Tien received this scar at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament during his fight against his former mentor, Mercenary Tao, who caught him off guard with his illegal Hidden Blade attack, scarring him for life.

Throughout the series he was worn a large number of outfits. However, out of all of his many outfits, the most iconic one most likely has to be the Gi he wore during the Androids Saga; which consists of a green baggy toga-like top, a pair of baggy green pants, red-and-green wristbands, black boots with yellow covers and a red sash. Another notable outfit is the Gi he wore during the Fusion Saga, which consists of a blue dogi, a white undershirt, a pair of baggy white pants, red-and-black wristbands, black boots, a red sash and a white cape. Tien's non-combat outfit typically consists of a Hanfu-style robe with loose pants and boots, in contrast to the Manchu-style clothing that most Chinese characters in the series wear.

Tien wears a formal outfit which consists of a green vest that has the kanji "天" on the front, a black shirt, a pair of black pants, a brown-red kilt, black boots and an orange sash in Battle of Gods and the manga version of the Universe 6 and Universe Survival Sagas. In Resurrection ‘F’ and the anime version of the Universe 6 and Universe Survival Sagas he wears a primarily black, pale yellow and brown-red version of this outfit.