By
Casandra Ronning
Published 23 minutes ago
Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.
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Dragon Ball’s hero, Goku, stands as one of anime’s most iconic and powerful protagonists. He’s known for his spirited charm, optimism, and drive to continuously grow, making him a role model for generations of fans. For decades, through countless battles and challenges, he’s always delivered unforgettable and thrilling moments of heroism.
However, in recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the franchise’s portrayal of him. While he may remain largely aligned with his personality traits, certain moments and interactions present a version of the hero that longtime fans aren’t entirely familiar with. In some ways, it makes his character feel disconnected and less compelling than in his earlier portrayals.
Longtime Fans Watched Goku Grow Since Childhood
Goku’s introduction in the original Dragon Ball series established him as an innocent, curious, and cheerful character. His worldview was limited to what he learned and experienced growing up in the mountains with his Grandpa Gohan, with strength, survival, and exploration sitting at the center of his everyday life. He grew up to be honest, genuine, and determined.
He was also known by audiences and supporting characters for his battle instinct and naivety. While he was physically strong and adept, social norms were a different story entirely, leading to countless humorous moments in the series. Goku may be tactfully intelligent when facing opponents, but his limited world experience and lack of education were equally noticeable.
Fans watched Goku grow as a character as he encountered new allies, rivals, and threats along his journey. He was challenged by others and barriers that stood in his path, formed tight bonds with companions, and gradually began to develop a growing sense of emotional awareness and a sense of responsibility.
While his approach to life remained simple, it was clear that he was developing as a character. Even as the series continued to lean into comedy and lightheartedness, Goku remained consistent throughout everything. This consistency carried over to Dragon Ball Z, where he only continued to grow and learn from his life experiences.
Dragon Ball Z Turned Goku Into a Responsible Hero
Dragon Ball Z continued to build on the foundation created by the original series. Goku was entering a new stage of his life with his trademark optimism and curiosity intact; however, it was clear he was different from his early years, with a stronger sense of awareness regarding his role as a protector.
This was seen through his relationships with his family and friends throughout Dragon Ball Z. From the very beginning, with the arrival of his brother, Raditz, Goku considered the safety of those around him in a more serious light, likely due to his experiences and losses while battling the fearsome King Piccolo.
With the heightened stakes, Goku was thinking beyond his own ambition of becoming the strongest and took consequences far more seriously. He was patient, disciplined, and willing to trust others during critical moments. Goku demonstrated sound judgment in battle throughout the Namek, Android, and Cell Sagas, proving he could balance the thrill of battle with responsibility.
Dragon Ball Super Subtly Undoes Years of Character Growth
By the time Dragon Ball Super is introduced, Goku’s behavior shifts in ways that don’t reflect his growth in the previous series. While he retains many of his personality traits, including his curiosity, cheerfulness, and naivety, it’s handled in a way that is far more exaggerated and simpler in comparison to the end of Dragon Ball Z.
Moments such as when he reacts to Videl’s pregnancy with questions about food are proof that Super oversimplified his character, especially given that he has two sons of his own. This can also be seen in the Goku Black arc when he shows confusion about kissing, further exaggerating his character’s simplicity and his image of naivety.
Super leans too heavily into this exaggeration, making it feel as though Goku regressed.
Some fans might argue that Dragon Ball Super’s interpretation of Goku is to highlight his purity and childlike spirit and is closer to the original intent for his character. His earliest adventures were full of misunderstandings and unfiltered reactions, making him charming and approachable, and Super may be trying to recreate that image of him.
However, innocence doesn’t inherently require a lack of common sense and awareness, and Super undoes Goku’s years of growth in Z. He once balanced this simplicity with a perceptiveness that, while not sharp in social situations, was expected of someone of his age and life experiences. Super leans too heavily into this exaggeration, making it feel as though Goku regressed.
Goku Lost The Best Aspects Of His Character Growth
Ultra Instinct Goku in Dragon Ball Super anime
The version of Goku in Dragon Ball Super feels distant and disconnected from the person at the end of Dragon Ball Z. The experience, responsibility, and growth he gained through the battles against Frieza, Cell, and Buu were critical moments in his development as a character. It created a strong foundation for Goku that feels faded in Super.
Goku’s progression, shaped by years of trials and perseverance, has become harder to recognize. He becomes almost infantilized, with other characters regarding him differently as well. He was once more mature, relied on his intelligence when it was called for, and stood as a more traditional hero. Dragon Ball Super, however, makes his childish side more pronounced.
In Super, Goku is portrayed as more selfish and reckless. At times, Goku even put his desire to fight above the safety of others, a sharp contrast to his role as a protector in Dragon Ball Z. It’s clear in the way other characters engage with Goku, especially Vegeta, who shows more exasperation with him than he did in Z.
Goku has noticeable growth across several decades, but in recent years, it seems as though the storyline is stagnating and regressing his character. Dragon Ball Z developed its character with a balance of intelligence, maturity, and childishness that feels diminished in Dragon Ball Super. Goku will always be a fan-favorite hero; however, the shift in his portrayal is rather disappointing.
Dragon Ball
Created by
Akira Toriyama
First Film
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Latest Film
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
First TV Show
Dragon Ball
Latest TV Show
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
First Episode Air Date
April 26, 1989
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