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Template:DB Character Son Goku (孫 悟空, Son Gokū, or Goku in the English versions) is a fictional character and main protagonist who first appears in the popular anime and manga series called Dragon Ball created by famous mangaka Akira Toriyama. At first, his representation in the Dragon Ball story was parodied off Sun Wukong (the Chinese variant of the name), a central protagonist 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 series was adapted to anime, the series was split into two sub-series. The first sub-series told the story of Goku's childhood and went by the original name of the manga; while its more popular 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 Kakarotto (カカロット, Kakarotto), a member of the fictional race of aliens called the Saiyans who inhabited the fictional planet called Planet Vegeta. Goku's history and appearance are unique when compared to other super heroes simply because the story of Dragon Ball was not intended to be a continuing story, or even a story that primarily focused on martial arts. Goku originally appears in the series as a boy with dark hair, a lean build, and a monkey tail; however, these physical traits are later explained to be typical of Saiyans. Goku's tail is removed early in the series when he is living on Earth.

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. Due to his devotion toward the Earth, he dresses in an Asian martial arts uniform instead of the traditional Saiyan battle armor. Goku's signature color is orange, with a blue undershirt, belt, wristbands and boots. He is also known to use the symbols of his training masters. Early on, he uses Muten Roshi's symbol for "Kame", Later he wears the symbol of his next master, Kaio-sama which means "Kaio" while fighting the Saiyan Prince, Vegeta (it should be noted that Kaio-sama's symbol is actually two symbols on top of each other). After Goku gets out of the hospital, Kaio-Sama's sends him another GI with the symbol meaning "Go", which stands for "enlightenment" or "wisdom". After the series progresses, he discards these symbols, becoming a master instead of a student by training his son named Son Gohan, and later a pupil named Uub.

Even though Kakarrotto is Goku's original name, he prefers to be called by the name "Goku" that he was given upon his arrival on Earth. When Goku learns of his origins as an alien, he rejects his heritage, but later accepts it during his battle with the galactic overlord named Freeza. Only Saiyans refer to Goku by his Saiyan name, the Saiyan character in the series Vegeta is very particular about calling him by his Saiyan name; believing that Goku should be proud of his Saiyan heritage. Due to a unique genetic trait in Saiyan heritics, Goku's physique almost perfectly mimics his father Burdock's. Another unique trait in Saiyan heritics 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 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 villian at the beginning of Dragon Ball Z is a pun on "radish". Also, Goku's father Burdock, whose name is revealed in the television special "Bardock: Father of Goku" is named after an herb of the same name.

Personality

Being pure of heart, Goku is known for his naïve, energetic personality, but Goku is also known to have a fierce love of competition, specifically fighting. He 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 Goku's personality has earned him respect from former rivals, developed alliances, and even friendships with them. Goku is particularly unusual in his traits, being that even though all the dangers that he faces in the series, his only phobia is needles.

Even though most of Goku's traits are very different than 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. He is observed to be naive and child-like, even at the end of the series when he is middle-aged.

History

The following account of the character's biography is based primarily on the original manga series, with mentions from the anime series where it is appropriate.

Dragon Ball

File:Kidgoku.jpg
Kid Goku in Dragon Ball

Originally, Kakarotto was sent to Earth to annihilate all species of life on the planet, in order to make Earth suitable for sale on the galactic market. When Kakarotto arrives on Earth, he is adopted and raised on a remote mountian by an elderly martial artist named Son Gohan, who renames the boy Son Goku. An incident one day causes Goku head trauma, erasing his programmed Saiyan nature. Unaware of his alien origin and his mission, Goku becomes a naive child, completely void of evil. One night, Goku reveals a transformation typical of Saiyans called an Oozaru, resulting in the accidental death of Son Gohan. Son Gohan left him one possession before he died, a magical stone called a Dragon Ball.

When Goku was twelve, he met a teenage girl named Bulma, who was looking for the seven Dragon Balls. She wanted to ask the Dragon God Shenlong for the perfect boyfriend. Goku joined her on her quest, in order to fulfill his dream of training in martial arts and becoming the world's strongest warrior. After the quest was complete, Goku goes to train with the great martial arts master named Muten-Rôshi, or "Kame-Senin". Goku learns a special fighting technique called the Kamehameha that is composed from ki energy. He also meets a fellow student named Kuririn, who is a rival at first, but soon becomes Goku's best friend.[1] Goku competes in the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai several months later, only to lose to a disguised Muten-Rôshi in the final round.

After the Tenkaichi Budokai, Goku searches for the Dragon Ball that Son Gohan had given to him. The Dragon Balls had scattered all over the Earth after Shenlong had appeared, and Goku wanted to find his grandfather's Dragon Ball. Goku defeats the Red Ribbon Army, who are searching for the Dragon Balls in order to gain world domination, finding Gohan's Dragon Ball in the process. 3 years later, Goku competes in the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, but is narrowly defeated in the final round by a warrior named Tenshinhan. Immediately after the tournament, the demon king named Piccolo Daimao appears, aiming to assassinate all martial arts masters so he can have undisputed reign over the world. After a difficult series of battles, Goku eventually manages to defeat Piccolo and save the Earth. Moments before Piccolo's death however, he vows revenge and reincarnates himself in the form of an egg, which hatches into Piccolo Jr.[2]

After the battle, Goku accepts the grueling training of Kami-sama, the god of Earth for three years.[3] [4]Goku arrives to participate in the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, as does Piccolo Jr. Goku also gets married to the Ox Princess named Chi Chi that he had accidentally promised marriage to years earlier. Piccolo Jr vows revenge on Goku for his predecessor's death. In the final match Goku becomes severely injured, however, defeats Piccolo; finally claiming the title of the "strongest under the heavens".[5]

Dragon Ball Z

Saiyan Saga

File:Enter Goku.jpg
Adult Goku in Dragon Ball Z

At the start of Dragon Ball Z, Goku has built a family with Chi-Chi and their son, Son Gohan (whom he'd named after his grandfather). It is after a five year period of peace, a powerful threat arrives on Earth and Goku's origin as a Saiyan is revealed to him. The threat introduces himself as Raditz, Goku's older brother. After defeat by Raditz, Raditz kidnaps Gohan. Goku then forms a bitter alliance with Piccolo in order to defeat Raditz. The pair are successful in defeating Raditz, but unfortunately, Goku dies in the ensuing battle.

Before dying, Goku learns that two more Saiyan warriors would be coming to Earth in a year. Once in the afterlife, Goku trains under the greatest martial arts master in the universe named Kaio-sama. Goku learns techniques such as the Kaiō-ken and the Genki Dama, always under great gravity in Kaio-Sama's tiny planet. One year after his death, the Dragon God Shenlong revives Goku so he can fight the Saiyans.[6] When Goku arrives back on Earth, Goku easily defeats one of the Saiyans named Nappa, however, falls to the stronger Saiyan named Vegeta. Using the Genki Dama, and the assistance from Gohan and Kuririn, Vegeta is overcome, and Goku allows him to escape with his life.[7]

Freeza Saga

After recovering from his battle with Vegeta, Goku travels to Piccolo's planet called Planet Namek to aid Gohan, Kuririn and Bulma in searching for the Namekian Dragon Balls in order to wish the warriors who had died against Vegeta back to life. Goku learns of a very powerful galactic overlord named Freeza on Planet Namek, searching for the Dragon Balls in order to gain immortality. Goku arrives to discover that Vegeta was also on the planet, however, had aided Gohan and Kuririn against Freeza's special team called the Ginyu Force. Goku defeats the Ginyu Force with help from Vegeta, Gohan and Kuririn. Goku then battles Freeza after healing.

File:Transformed at Last.jpg
Super Saiyan Goku

Goku arrives on the battlefield, realizing that he was too late to save the mortally wounded Vegeta. Before his death, Vegeta pleads for Goku to kill Freeza, which Goku promises to do. However, Freeza overwhelms Goku, and Goku is forced to use the Genki-Dama. Freeza survives the blast, and kills Kuririn. Frustrated and vengeful, Goku transforms into the legendary Saiyan warrior called a Super Saiyan, easily overwhelming Freeza. Knowing that he would be defeated, Freeza attempts to destroy Planet Namek; relying on his ability to survive in space. Goku and Freeza fight on the dying planet, until Freeza is severely injured by his own attack. Goku gives Freeza some of his own energy with the intention of giving Freeza a chance to survive. Freeza however takes the energy and uses against Goku, forcing Goku to finally defeat him. Back on Earth, everyone who was killed was revived by the Namekian Dragon God named Porunga, with Goku nowhere to be found.[8]

Android/Cell Saga

Goku returns to Earth after a year in space, only to meet another Super Saiyan named Trunks, who is from the future. Trunks reveals that two androids (Jinzō'ningen) are destroying his world. Trunks provides Goku with an antidote for a heart virus which resulted in his natural death in the future before he was able to battle the androids. Goku spends the next 3 years training with Piccolo and Gohan, not showing any signs of illness.

When the Jinzō'ningen appear, Goku battles Android #19, only to show symptoms of the virus during the battle. Goku is defeated by #19 but is saved by Vegeta and is brought away from the battle where the vaccine is administered. Vegeta in the meantime kills 19 after revealing that he too has ascended to Super Saiyan. After recovering from the illness, Goku discovers that #17, #18 and #16 have been activated, and a greater threat arrives in the form of an artificial being named Cell. Goku knew that he would not be able to defeat Cell, and after witnessing his son Gohan's rapidly evolving power, he trained him for an elapsed year in the Room of Spirit and Time in order for Gohan to succeed him and save the Earth from Cell. Goku's suspicions of his son being stronger then him are proven correct when he witnesses his son become a Super Saiyan and surpass him.

After obtaining his ultimate power, Cell is determined to face Goku by hosting a Tenkaichi Budokai called "The Cell Games". On the day of the tournament, Goku faces Cell, demonstrating to Gohan how Cell fights. Goku then passes the match onto Gohan, where Cell's torment of Gohan's friends and family forces him to transform into a Super Saiyan 2, where he easily dominates Cell. Desperate, Cell begins to self-destruct, forcing Goku to sacrifice himself and teleport together with Cell to Kaiosama's planet where the explosion kills Goku. Cell regenerates from a single cell and returns to Earth, only to be more powerful then before. Gohan struggles to overcome Cell until Goku spiritually gives his son support from otherworld, allowing him to kill Cell. After the battle, the Z Warriors try to bring Goku back to life with the Dragon Balls, 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. Which was why he trained Gohan to succeed him.[9]

Majin Buu Saga

On the day of the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai, Goku is given permission to return to Earth for one day to participate, allowing him to again see his loved ones and meet his youngest son, Son Goten. During the tournament, Goku is informed by Kaiōshin of the imminent threat posed by the evil wizard Babidi and so leaves to face the new danger. Arriving at Babidi's ship, Goku and his allies are forced to face Babidi's henchmen, unwittingly providing power to the slumbering monster named Majin Buu. Babidi possesses Vegeta by awakening the evil within him. Vegeta then forces Goku to fight him until Buu is released from his slumber due to the massive amount of energy lost during the fight. Before they can face Buu, Vegeta feigns a forfeit and knocks Goku unconscious. Upon awakening, Goku realizes that both Gohan and Vegeta had fallen to Buu. He trains Goten and Vegeta's son Trunks to fuse before he is forced to return to the other world.

File:Ss3goku.jpg
Super Saiyan 3 Goku

Goku faces Buu in battle, unveiling his Super Saiyan 3 form and nearly destroying Buu. Goku returns to the Other World. Learning that Gohan is training with Kaiōshin, Goku teleports to the Kai Planet, observing the battle on Earth through a crystal ball. When Gohan's training is complete, he returns to Earth to fight Buu. Rou Dai Kaiōshin transfers his life force to Goku to resurrect him and allow him to aid Gohan in battle, armed with two special earrings that allow two warriors to permanently fuse. Before he can fuse with his son, Gohan is also absorbed leaving Goku desperate until Vegeta is allowed back to earth. The pair fuse to create Vegetto.

Vegetto easily overpowers Buu before being purposefully absorbed by Buu to rescue his friends. The mystic nature of Buu's insides forces Vegetto's fusion to become unstable and the two separate back into Vegeta and Goku. They are confronted inside Buu's mind by an incarnation of Buu. Goku and Vegeta escape from Buu's body but Buu quickly destroys Earth. Goku, Vegeta, Dende and Mr. Satan are rescued by Kaioshin and teleported to the Planet of the Kais.

Buu eventually traces them and again battles the two Saiyans. After Goku is worn out, Vegeta ask Dende to use the Namekian Dragon Balls to restore Earth and all of its inhabitants, to use their energy to create a Super Genki-Dama. With persuasion from Mr Satan, the Genki-Dama is supplied with a vast amount of energy which Goku then uses on Kid Buu. After a brief struggle, another wish is made to restore Goku's energy, allowing him to destroy Buu with the Genki Dama. Goku settles his rivalry with Vegeta and restores peace to the Universe.

Ten years later, Goku meets Buu's human reincarnation named Uub and trains him to be his successor as the Universe's greatest defender.[10]

Dragon Ball GT

Baby Saga

File:SonGokussj4.jpg
Super Saiyan 4 Goku

10 Years after Goku met Uub, an accidental wish by Goku's first enemy in Dragon Ball named Emperor Pilaf upon the Black Star Dragon Balls turns Goku into a child again. Goku is then tasked with 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 Planet Vegeta. The Tsufurujin and the Saiyans lived on the same planet until the Saiyans killed off the Tsufurujin, and took the planet for their own. Upon their return to Earth, Goku and his friends encounter Baby again who has possessed Vegeta and enslaved all life on Earth. Against Baby-Vegeta, Goku's child body is easily beaten and he is almost killed, being saved by Kibitoshin in his final moments.

On Planet Kaioshin, Rou Dai Kaioshin plan to re-growing his Saiyan tail to increase Goku's power. Confident, Goku travels to Planet Plant and confronts Baby only to be defeated again. Defeated, Goku stares up at Earth, its reflected moon-light causing him to transform into a raging Golden Oozaru before Pan calms him down, allowing him to ascend into a Super Saiyan 4. Goku defeats Baby Vegeta, forcing Baby to flee Vegeta's body before Goku kills Baby.

Super 17 Saga

A badly beaten Trunks arrives at Goku's door revealing his attacker to be Android #17. Goku follows the orders given to Trunks and leaves for Hell, through a black-hole in the sky, where he meets Dr. Myu, and Dr. Gero, who leave and seal the exit behind them, trapping Goku in the afterlife. To worsen matters, Cell and Freeza both appear. After a short fight, Cell and Freeza manage to drag Goku into the deepest part of Hell, where an old lady traps him within a block of ice.

Being one of the living, in contrast to being dead like the other members of Hell, it enables Goku to escape and incapacitate Freeza and Cell. Goku, still trapped in Hell, asks Enma Daio for help, to which Enma responds that his powers are being blocked and he cannot release Goku. Piccolo and Dende then create another portal between the living world and Hell to allow Goku's escape.

Goku battles the newly fused Super 17, with the help of Android #18. Goku defeats Super 17, piercing his stomach with a Ryū Ken before finishing him with a Kamehameha.

Shadow Dragon Saga

Goku and his companions wanted to restore the planet's damage with the seven Dragon Balls, but instead of Shenlong, seven evil Dragons have emerged from the Dragon Balls negative energy. Goku, follow by Pan, confront and defeat six dragons, but the most powerful enemy of all, One Star Dragon, Yi Xing Long, absorbs the other Dragon Balls into himself, forming Super Yi Xing Long. Gohan, Goten, Trunks and Ubb try to fight but are easily defeated. Vegeta arrives along with Bulma and uses a Bruitz Waves Generator to turn into a Golden Oozaru and transforms into a Super Saiyan 4. Desperate to end the Dragon's wrath, Vegeta suggests the fusion dance with Goku to make Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. Gogeta nearly defeats Yi Xing Long, but his fusion time ends before the battle can be finished. The evil Dragon beats all the warriors to death, throwing his powerful negative energy to Goku. Mortally wounded, Goku starts gathering all the energy of the universe into a Genki Dama, and annihilating Yi Xing Long with it, returning the Dragon Balls to how they once were and purging them of evil. Later, the real Shenlong appears and heal Goku and his friends, telling them that no more wishes shall be granted. Goku however, in exchange for one last wish, agrees to give up his place on Earth and accompany the Dragon back to the realm from which it came. The seven Dragon Balls are absorbed into Goku's body, and the dragon and Goku vanish.

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 the Kintoun, forever ending the Dragon Ball series. The fate of the Dragon Balls is unknown, however Goku passes the four-star ball down to Goku Jr. the same way his Grandpa Gohan passed it down to him.

Forms and transformations

File:GokuForms.jpg
Goku in all of his Super Saiyan forms throughout Dragon Ball Z. He is also performing his signature attack called the Kamehameha Wave.

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 ware-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 of Dragon Ball called Dragon Ball GT, making Goku 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 millenia to achieve this. Goku achieved this transformation when he was overcome by rage from the death of his best friend, Kuririn, at the hands of the evil over lord Freeza. He continues to train this form throughout the series, eventually mastering the first form to fight the artifical being named Cell, and moving on to an ascended Super Saiyan called Super Saiyan 2, and transforming even further to Super Saiyan 3 during his training in the other world. During the sequel series Dragon Ball GT, Goku achieves his last transformation called Super Saiyan 4, which is not pictured.

Techniques and special abilities

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 that he is only able to perform this technique in his regular state. When he attempted to use it against Android 13, as a Super Saiyan, he absorbed its energy instead of throwing it, though it still fueled him to victory.

Kaiō-Ken (Fist of the Worlds)

The Kaioken was taught to Goku by Kaio-Sama and is one of Goku's most famous attacks in the Dragon Ball series. 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.

Kamehameha (Turtle Destruction Wave)

File:Kamehameha.jpg
Goku using the Kamehameha Wave
Goku's most famous attack that was taught to him by Muten Roshi. This attack becomes the trademark technique in the series. The Kamehameha is a powerful, constant stream of energy hurled at an opponent usually through the hands. 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 not as powerful as Muten Roshi's. Goku later developed several and more powerful variations of this attack during the course of Dragon Ball. The name may be derived from the great Hawaiian ChiefKamehameha I.

Ryū-Ken (Dragon Fist)

Ryū-Ken is the first and only technique that Goku created himself. He charges his energy into his fist and it creates a Shenlong-like dragon that he drives through the opponent he is facing. An exception to this was an Oozaru, instead of a dragon. This happened during Dragon Ball, when Goku defeated Piccolo Daimao.

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 power signal.

Voice actors

In the English versions 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.

Toei Animation

FUNimation (Ocean Group):

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 "Kid" Goku Dragon Ball GT)

Appearances in other media

Video games

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball GT

Unknown Series

All games listed chronologically.

Manga

Notes and references

  1. ^ Dragon Ball Graphics Novel Volume 3. "The training of Kame-Sen´nin" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319227
  2. ^ Dragon Ball Graphics Novel. Volume 12." The Demon King Piccolo" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 159116155X
  3. ^ Dragon Ball Graphics Novel. Volume 13. "Piccolo conquer the world" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319863
  4. ^ Dragon Ball Graphics Novel Volume 14 "Heaven and Earth" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 159116169X
  5. ^ Dragon Ball Graphics Novel Volume 16."Goku vs Piccolo" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1591164575
  6. ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphics Novel Volume 2."The Lord of Worlds" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319316
  7. ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphics Novel Volume 4. "Goku vs Vegeta" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569319332
  8. ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphics Novel Volume 11. "The Super Saiyan" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1569318077
  9. ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphics Novel Volume 19. "Death of a Warrior" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 1591167515
  10. ^ Dragon Ball Z Graphics Novel Volume 26. "Good bye Dragon world" USA, CAN.2003 — ISBN 142150636X
  • [1]Dragon Ball manga.
  • [2]Dragon Ball Z manga.
  • [3]FUNimation web site.
  • [4]Atari web site.
  • [5]Official Dragon Ball web site Australia.