Goku
Template:Animanga-in-universe Template:Redirect6
| Son Goku | |
|---|---|
| Dragon Ball character | |
| File:DragonballZ-Episode287 188.jpg Son Goku by Akira Toriyama | |
| First appearance | Manga chapter 1 Dragon Ball episode 1 |
| In-universe information | |
| Relatives | Burdock (father) Raditz (brother) "Grandpa" Son Gohan (Adoptive grandfather) Chichi (wife) Gyumao (father-in-law) Son Gohan (son) Son Goten (son) Videl (daughter-in-law) Mr. Satan(daughter-in-law's father) Pan (granddaughter) Son Goku Jr. (great-great grandson) |
Son Goku (孫 悟空, Son Gokū, Goku in the FUNimation dub) is the main protagonist of the popular Dragon Ball manga and anime series, created by Akira Toriyama. At first, Goku's representation in the Dragon Ball story was parodied on Sun Wukong (the Chinese variant of the name), the leading character in the Chinese novel Journey to the West. As Dragon Ball developed from an adventure to a martial arts sensation, Goku's direct reference to this classic character in literature is quickly departed. When the manga was adapted into anime, the series was split into two sub-series. The first sub-series told the history of Goku's childhood and went by the original name of the manga; while its more familiar sequel sub-series called Dragon Ball Z covered his adulthood. A third anime only sub-series was produced called Dragon Ball GT that continued Goku's story, ten years after the end of Dragon Ball Z, and the written Dragon Ball series.
Heritage and appearance
Goku was born as Kakarotto (カカロット, Kakarotto, Kakarot in the FUNimation dub), a member of an extraterrestrial race called the Saiyans. This race inhabited a planet called Planet Vegeta, however, Goku was sent to Planet Earth to conquer it and make it suitable for sale on the galactic market. Goku's history and appearance are unique when compared to other superheroes simply because Dragon Ball was not intended to be ongoing. Goku originally appeared in the series as a boy with dark hair, a lean build, and a very unusual characteristic, a monkey tail. These physical traits are later explained to be typical of all Saiyans. Due to Goku's tail being the single characteristic that enables his uncontrollable transformation to the Oozaru, it is removed permanently by Kami late in the series, though he does lose it a couple of times earlier, temporarily.
Goku is unique for a Saiyan, being that he does not possess the typical behavioral traits of the race, such as extreme aggression and ruthless behavior. This is due to an accident that he suffered as a child, where his programmed aggression and memory were erased due to head trauma. Because of his devotion toward Earth, he dresses in an Asian martial arts uniform instead of the traditional Saiyan battle armor. Goku's uniform consists of an orange full-body outfit (yellow-orange in the manga and red-orange in the anime) with a dark blue short-sleeved under shirt, belt, wristbands, and boots. He is also known to use the symbols of his training masters. The first symbol that Goku uses was the symbol of his first master Muten-Rôshi's, which stood for Kame, meaning "turtle. "[1] Later he wears the symbol of his next master, Kaio-sama for "Kai" (meaning "world") while battling the Saiyans. After Goku recovers from his battle with the saiyans, Kaio-Sama sends him another gi with the symbol meaning "Go" (meaning either "enlightenment" or "wisdom") which also appears in his name's Japanese symbols. As the series progresses, he discards these symbols, becoming a master instead of a student by training his child Son Gohan, and later a pupil named Uub.
Even though Kakarot is Goku's original name, he prefers to be called "Goku" that he was given upon his arrival on Earth. When Goku learns of his origins as an extraterrestrial, he rejects his heritage, but later accepts it during his battle with the galactic overlord named Frieza. Only Saiyans refer to Goku by his Saiyan name. Due to a unique genetic trait in Saiyan genetics, Goku's physique almost perfectly mimics his father Bardock (though his appearance perfectly mimics another Saiyan named Turles). Another unique trait in Saiyan genetics is that the Saiyans evolved to retain their youthfulness for combat, so as a result, Goku ages very slowly when he reaches about age thirty, appearing very young even when he is middle-aged.
Goku's original name fits in with the rest of his family; all the known members in his family are a pun on vegetables that are related to each other. "Kakarotto" is a pun on "carrot", while Goku's older brother named Raditz who is introduced as a supervillain at the beginning of Dragon Ball Z is a pun on "radish" and Goku's father Burdock, is named after an herb of the same name.
Character personality
Goku is the first in the series to exhibit a purity of heart, meaning that he is completely void of evil and temptation. Being pure of heart, Goku is known for his naïvity and selflessness, and is often observed to be concerned with other people, regardless of how evil they seem to be. This unusual trait in Goku's personality is contrasted by his fierce love of competition, specifically fighting. Goku is often criticized by the other characters for giving his rivals a chance to change their intentions instead of killing them off. But as a result, this trait of his personality has earned him respect from former rivals, developed alliances, and even friendships with them.
Even though most of Goku's traits are very different from other Saiyans, he shares the Saiyan love for food and combat, and often neglects his duties as a husband and friend in order to train. Goku's desires mostly reflect his ambition to not only compete against others, but also to surpass his own limits, becoming an inspiration for his friends who also fight. Goku's personality is one of the few in the series that has almost no changes as the series continues, remaining naive and child-like throughout the course of the series, even at the end of the series when he is middle-aged.
History
Dragon Ball
Early life
Goku is introduced in the series as a young boy, living alone in the wilderness after the death of his adoptive grandfather. At the start of the series, Goku claims his age to be fourteen, however it is later discovered that he was actually twelve, the mishap occurring from his own mathematical error. Goku is discovered by a young city girl named Bulma, who is searching for the Dragon Balls, seven magical balls that when brought together summon Shenlong. Goku possesses one of the balls, and Bulma offers him the opportunity to travel the world with her, looking for the rest of them. Goku accepts the offer, wanting to fulfill his dream of becoming the world's strongest martial artist.
As the series continues, Goku gains a noted possession called the Kintoun, a cloud on which only a pure heart can ride. Goku also meets many strong fighters and makes new friends. Amongst the people he meets, he meets his martial arts master Muten-Rôshi, his fellow student and best friend Kuririn, a samurai named Yajirobe and trains under Kami-sama. Later in the series, he encounters the Red Ribbon Army, and destroys it all through pure power. Wiping out an entire army single handedly. Goku then saves the world from the demon king Piccolo Daimao. After saving the Earth Goku faces Piccolo Daimao reincarnation at the World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku defeats the demon king, finally claims the title of "strongest under the heavens" and then marries Chichi.[2]
Dragon Ball Z
Early adult life
Following a five year gap between the defeat of Piccolo Jr. and the beginning of Dragon Ball Z, Goku is seen to have built a family with his wife Chi-Chi, and their son named Son Gohan. A warrior of the alien Saiyans arrives on Earth and reveals to Goku his Saiyan heritage. Realizing that they now have a common enemy, Goku and Piccolo set aside their rivalry and form an alliance to defeat Raditz. As a result, Goku is killed and sent to the afterlife to train with the "Lord of Worlds" (Kaio-sama), in order to prepare for the upcoming battle against two more Saiyans.
Goku learns techniques such as the Kaiō-ken ("Fist of Worlds") and the Genki dama ("Energy Sphere" or "Spirit Bomb"), and his strength increases substantially due to the increased gravity in Kaio-sama's planet. One year after his death, the Dragon God Shenlong revives Goku so he can fight the Saiyans.[3] When Goku arrives back on Earth, Goku easily defeats one of the Saiyans named Nappa, then challenges the more powerful Saiyan named Vegeta. Afterwards, Goku is the victor after receiving assistance from Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe. Vegeta swears revenge on Goku and his friends as he retreats.[4]
The Super Saiyan
After witnessing the casualties of the battle against the Saiyans, Goku travels to Piccolo's planet called Planet Namek to search for the Namekian Dragon Balls in order to revive the warriors who had died against the Saiyans. Goku discovers that the powerful galactic overlord named Freeza is also on Planet Namek, searching for the Dragon Balls in order to gain immortality. Goku also discovers that Vegeta is on the planet, however had offered to team up with him to battle Freeza, with assistance from Gohan and Kuririn. Seeing how Goku's power had dramatically increased since battling him on Earth, Vegeta begins to suspect that Goku was a legendary Saiyan warrior called a "Super Saiyan". After a hard battle against Freeza, which resulted in both Vegeta's and Kuririn's deaths, Goku's rage toward Freeza enables his full transformation to Super Saiyan. Goku battles Freeza with his new power and defeats him after everyone is sent back to Earth. and Goku defeats Freeza, and returns to Earth a year later, everyone who had died against Freeza and Vegeta were revived.[5]
The perfect warrior
After Goku returns home, he is met by another Super Saiyan from the future named Trunks. Trunks informs Goku of a bleak future for Earth, where two very powerful androids (Jinzō'ningen) are terrorizing his world. Trunks also reveals that everyone who could fight for the Earth were killed by the androids, aside from Goku, who had died naturally due to a heart virus before the arrival of the androids. Trunks provides Goku with an antidote for the heart virus. Goku spends the next 3 years training with Piccolo and Gohan, not showing any signs of illness.
When the androids appear, Goku battles one of them named Android #19. It is only then that Goku shows signs of illness, he is rushed from the battlefield. After recovering from the illness, Goku discovers that even more powerful androids named #17, #18 and #16 have been activated and defeated the Z warriors. After witnessing a greater threat arrive in the form of the artificial being named Cell, Goku knew that they had to find a way to ascend the Super Saiyan. Goku ascends the Super Saiyan by training for an elapsed year in the Room of Spirit and Time. However, Goku trains Gohan in the room, knowing that his son was the only one with the power to truly ascend the Super Saiyan and defeat Cell.
Cell attains his perfect form during Goku and Gohan's training, and decides to host a Tenkaichi Budokai called "The Cell Games" in order to test his power. Goku faces Cell at the tournament, only to pass the match on to Gohan who had become a Super Saiyan during their training. Cell forces Gohan to transform into a Super Saiyan 2. After seeing that he could not defeat Gohan, Cell begins to self-destruct in an attempt to destroy the Earth, forcing Goku to teleport Cell to Kaio-sama's planet, where Goku dies in the explosion. Cell regenerates and returns to Earth, more powerful than before. Gohan defeats Cell with help from Goku's spirit in the afterlife. After the battle, the Z warriors attempt to revive Goku, but Goku chooses to remain in the afterlife, believing himself to be the cause of many of the threats to Earth and his loved ones, explaining why he trained Gohan to succeed him.[6]
The new generation
Seven years after the events of Cell, Goku is given permission to return to Earth for one day to participate in the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai. During this time, he discovers that he has a second child named Son Goten. Goku's peaceful day on Earth is interrupted by the appearance of the Lord of Lords (Kaioshin), who informs Goku of a Universal threat that has been dormant on Earth for millions of years. The monster named Majin Buu lies dormant on Earth, attempting to be revived by the evil wizard named Babidi. Goku and the Z fighters attempt to stop Babidi from reviving Buu. However, Buu is revived during this time.
Knowing that he would need the Dragon Balls, Goku stalls Buu with his newest Super Saiyan transformation called Super Saiyan 3, so that they could retrieve the Dragon Radar before Buu unknowingly destroyed it. Goku later revealed that he could have defeated Buu in this form, however, he wanted to see the new generation learn to deal with threats for themselves. Goku returns to Other World, and finds Gohan training with Kaioshin. During this time, an ancient Kaioshin releases all of Gohan's dormant power, and he returns to Earth to fight Buu, only to be defeated by him, as Buu absorbs Gotenks (a fusion between Goten and Trunks) and Piccolo. Goku arrives to help him but Gohan is absorbed into Buu before a fusion can be made. Goku then fuses with Vegeta, who was returned to Earth by Lord Enma power to assist in fighting Buu. The pair create the super warrior Vegetto.
Vegetto easily overpowers Buu before getting intentionally absorbed in order to rescue all those who had been absorbed by Buu. Inside Buu's body, Vegetto is forced to separate back into Vegeta and Goku. The duo find all the absorbed warriors and rescue them (except Fat Buu), after which Buu transforms into an insane child-like form of himself. Goku, Vegeta, the new Guardian of Earth Dende, and the "world champion" Mr. Satan are teleported to Kaioshin's Planet by Kaioshin, seconds before Buu destroys Earth.
Majin Buu finds Goku and battles him. After an unsuccessful attempt to overpower Buu, Porunga is used to revive the Earth and its inhabitants. Goku forms a Genki Dama using Earth's energy and Buu is destroyed. Ten years later, Goku meets Buu's human reincarnation named Uub and trains him to be his successor as the Universe's greatest defender.[7]
Dragon Ball GT
Vengeance from the past
Ten years after Goku met Uub, an unfortunate wish by Pilaf upon the Black Star Dragon Balls turn Goku into a child again. Goku is then set with the task of returning all 7 Black Star Dragon Balls back to Earth after they separate across the galaxy to prevent the destruction of Earth. During his journey, Goku encounters Baby, a creation of the Tsufurujin, a race that lived on the Saiyan home planet called Planet Vegeta before they were destroyed by the Saiyans. Upon their return to Earth, Goku and his friends again encounter Baby, who has possessed Vegeta as an act of revenge against the Saiyans. Against Baby-Vegeta, Goku is defeated, however, is saved when he is brought to Kaioshin's Planet.
On Kaioshin's Planet, Rou Dai Kaioshin plans to re-grow Goku's Saiyan tail to increase Goku's power. After his tail is regrown, Goku confronts Baby Vegeta a second time only to fall again. During this time, Goku transforms into a Golden Oozaru. When Goku gains control of the form, he transforms into the Super Saiyan 4 form. Goku defeats Baby Vegeta, forcing Baby to flee Vegeta's body before Goku kills him.
The re-emergence of Android 17
After defeating Baby, a new threat arrives in the form of a new Android 17. After opening the gates of Hell, Goku enters only to be trapped inside. Android 17s creator Dr Gero and Baby's creator Dr Myu escape from Hell only to reveal a second Android 17. The two android 17s fuse to create "Super 17". Meanwhile, Goku is released from Hell by help from Piccolo and Dende.
Goku battles the new Super 17 and, with the help of Android #18, Goku was able to kill Super 17. Peace is restored to the Earth.
The evil dragons
After defeating Super 17, Goku attempts to restore the Earth with the Dragon Balls, however, due to the negative energy built up from over-usage of the balls, seven evil Dragons emerge from the Dragon Balls negative energy. Goku defeats six dragons with the help from his grandaughter Pan, but one of the Dragons named Yi Xing Long absorbs the other six Dragon Balls into himself, forming Super Yi Xing Long. Goku fights Super Yi Xing Long, however, is defeated. Bulma uses a device that enables Vegeta to turn into a Super Saiyan 4, allowing him to assist Goku. Vegeta purposes a fusion with Goku, making Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. Gogeta nearly defeats Super Yi Xing Long, but his fusion time ends before the battle can be finished. Yi Xing Long defeats all the warriors and Goku is severely wounded. Goku then gathers all the energy of the universe into a Genki Dama, and defeats Yi Xing Long with it. Shenlong summons himself, telling them that no more wishes would be granted for a 100 years. Goku as a result accompanies Shenlong back to the realm from which he came.
Goku returns to Earth 100 years later to observe his great-great grandson, Goku Jr., fight a descendant of Vegeta's named Vegeta Jr. Seeing peace restored, Goku flies off on his special cloud called the Kintoun, finally ending the Dragon Ball series. The real fate of Goku remains unknown.
Forms and transformations
As a member of the Saiyan race, Goku has acquired the ability to transform by physical training. By transforming his body, Goku greatly enhances his abilities from the previous state. As a child, he is able to transform into the Saiyan were-monkey called the Oozaru. However, he is not able to transform into the Oozaru at will due to the required component of special radiant waves emitted by the full moon. As with all Saiyans, Goku was born with a tail which is a vital characteristic for transforming into an Oozaru. It is removed later in the original Dragon Ball series, however, is regrown in the third sub-series Dragon Ball GT, helping Goku to regain the ability to transform into an Oozaru.
Goku is the first Saiyan in the series to achieve the legendary transformation of Super Saiyan. He was the first Saiyan in over a millennium to achieve this. Goku achieved this transformation when he was overcome by rage from the death of Kuririn by the hand of Freeza. He continues to train this form throughout the series, eventually gaining two advanced states of the regular Super Saiyan called the Super Saiyan 2nd Grade and Super Saiyan 3rd Grade. Eventually, he masters every aspect of the Super Saiyan in order to fight the artificial being Cell. Goku then transforms even further to Super Saiyan 2 which was first seen in the fight against Majin Vegeta, but had been achieve during his training in Other World. Super Saiyan 3 was also obtained during his training in the Other World, first appearing in the fight against Majin Buu. During the sequel series Dragon Ball GT, Goku achieves his last transformation called Super Saiyan 4.
Techniques and special abilities
Kamehameha (Turtle Destruction Wave)
- The Kamehameha is one of the most widely parodied attacks in media, it is also Goku's signature attack that was taught to him by Muten Roshi. The Kamehameha is a powerful, constant stream of ki hurled at an opponent. The attack is performed by cupping the hands at the side of the body, drawing them back and saying "KA-ME-HA-ME-HA" in five stages, before thrusting the hands forward and shooting a blue energy beam towards the target. Goku learned to use this technique by mimicking Muten Roshi, who used it to put the flames out on Fry-Pan Mountain during the original Dragon Ball series but Goku's was at first not as powerful as Muten Roshi's. Goku later mastered it and developed several more powerful variations of this attack during the course of Dragon Ball. The name is derived from an ancient Hawaiian king.
Kaiō-Ken (Fist of the Worlds)
- The Kaioken was taught to Goku by Kaio-Sama and is one of Goku's most commonly used attacks in the Dragon Ball series prior to his Super Saiyan ascension. The Kaioken is a sudden eruption of ki, doubling Goku's physical abilities and strength. Through training, Goku was able to increase the multiplier that the Kaiōken had on his power. Even though this attack gives Goku a sudden explosion of energy, the effect of it is extremely dangerous. If Goku multiplies the attack too much for his body to handle, he could kill himself by vaporizing his body.
Genki-Dama (Spirit Bomb)
- Goku's most powerful attack that was taught to him by Kaio Sama, the Genki Dama draws ki energy from a specified group into a giant mass. Goku has only used this attack only three times in the Manga, but more times in the anime and movies. The downside is that he is quite vulnerable during its lengthy creation time. It is suggested in Dragon Ball Z movie 7 that he is only able to perform this technique in his regular state, however this is later contradicted in the original series when he transforms into a Super Saiyan and uses it to defeat Majin Buu.
Shunkan Idô (Instantaneous Movement)
- An ability Goku learned on his way back to Earth from Namek on a remote planet called Yardrat. It allows him to teleport nearly anywhere instantly so long as he focuses on a specific ki signal at the desired location. He places two fingers on his forehead to focus on a concentration of ki energy.
Ryū-Ken (Dragon Fist)
- Ryū-Ken is Goku's first and only technique that he created. It's performed by charging your ki in your fist and then releasing it in form of a Shenlong-like dragon, which drives through an opponent. An exception is Goku's attack used to defeat Piccolo Daimao. In that case the ki took form of an Oozaru rather than a dragon.
Voice actors
In the English-language dubs of Dragon Ball, the voice actors for Goku and many other characters of the series have changed as a result of the series changing dubbing studios and requiring recasting.
- Saffron Henderson (Kid Goku (1995 dub))
- Ian James Corlett (Adult Goku in Dragon Ball Z, Season 1)
- Peter Kelamis (Adult Goku in Season 2)
- Kirby Morrow (Adult Goku from the end of the Cell Saga (ep 144) to the end of DBZ)
FUNimation (in-house actors):
- Sean Schemmel (Adult Goku in Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Super Saiyan 4 Goku in DBGT)
- Stephanie Nadolny (Kid Goku in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT)
Other appearances
- Goku appears in all Dragon Ball video games released.
- Goku has a cameo appearance in Neko Majin Z as Neko Majin's teacher.
- Goku appears in a One Piece and Dragon Ball crossover story titled Cross Epoch. He travels with Monkey D. Luffy to Shenlong's tea party.
References
- ^ http://chineseculture.about.com/library/extra/character/blsc_turtle.htm
- ^ Dragon Ball Graphic Novel Volume 16."Goku vs Piccolo" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1591164575
- ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel Volume 2."The Lord of Worlds" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319316
- ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel Volume 4. "Goku vs Vegeta" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319332
- ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel Volume 11. "The Super Saiyan" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569318077
- ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel Volume 19. "Death of a Warrior" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1591167515
- ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel Volume 26. "Good bye Dragon world" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 142150636X
External links
- [1]Dragon Ball manga.
- [2]Dragon Ball Z manga.
- [3]FUNimation web site.
- [4]Atari web site.
- [5]Official Dragon Ball web site Australia.
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