He made his appearance in chapter #113 "The 22nd Tenkaichi Budōkai", first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on February 24, 1987,[2] entering the World Martial Arts Tournament to defeat Son Goku and his fellow-students.

Numerous pieces of merchandise have been released bearing his likeness including action figures, key chains, and capsule toys.

"[3] Tien is loosely based on Erlang Shen from Journey to the West, a three-eyed taoist deity who first appears as an adversary of Sun Wukong, later becoming his ally and rival.

[4] After Suzuoki's death in 2006, Mitsuaki Madono voiced Tien in several video games such as Burst Limit and World's Greatest Adventure, before Hikaru Midorikawa took over the role for Dragon Ball Kai and all media since.

"Crane Sage", "Master Shen" in Funimation's anime dub), who has him and Chiaotzu enter the Tenkaichi Budōkai to prove his students' superiority.

[9] Tien wins the tournament after destroying the stage with the powerful but potentially life-threatening Kikōhō, and after abandons Master Shen with Chiaotzu.

After the death of Krillin at the hands of King Piccolo, Tien and Chiaotzu offer to help Roshi in the search for the Dragon Balls.

After Goku kills Piccolo, he is taken by Yajirobe to be healed at Korin Tower, while Tien reunites with Bulma, Yamcha, and Launch, the latter of which nurses him back to health.

After these two events and beyond, Goku decides to recruit Tien for the Tournament of Power team for Universe 7, and learns that he and Chiaotzu have formed a martial arts dojo.

After Yurin brainwashes Master Roshi, the latter defeats Tien, who agrees to join the Tournament of Power as he believes the ten million Zeni falsely promised by Goku will help repair the village.

[29] The two are subsequently challenged by Goten and Trunks, who fuse into Gotenks,[30] and Goku and Vegeta, defeating both pairs to assert themselves as the best tag team.

[31] In the 2018 game Dragon Ball FighterZ, Tien is guarded by Chiaotzu while the two are approached by clones until Goku and Krillin arrive.

After Krillin explains the situation, Tien states his intent to fight alongside them against the clones and agrees to Chiaotzu's help on the condition that he does not leave his side.

[33] He is referenced by American rapper Soulja Boy in the uncut version of his song Goku, where he states that he "feels like Tien" along with other Dragon Ball characters and Pikachu.

"[37] Davey C. Jones of Active Anime noted that "Tien's redemption made an interesting side story" and that it was "crucial in the final episodes" of the King Piccolo arc.

[38] Chris Beveridge of Mania Entertainment commented on episodes 62-92 of Dragon Ball, saying, "there are some dull moments to be had, especially as I don't find Tien or Chaozu to be interesting characters.