Goku is arguably the most popular anime character ever. Having debuted over four decades ago, Dragon Ball‘s protagonist has appeared in several different forms across a number of entries in the storied franchise, helping to make lifelong anime fans out of different generations of viewers around the world.
As a small, mysterious tailed child in the mountains, one of Weekly Shōnen Jump‘s strongest fighters, or an icon and the face of an industry, Goku has inspired countless fans and artists alike over the years. Despite the more recent arrival of some newer popular heroes, no anime and manga character has ever been as recognizable or influential as Son Goku.
However, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong to call Goku anime’s worst hero. As shocking as it may sound, Dragon Ball‘s main character doesn’t resemble much of a stereotypical hero at all. There’s a history of anime fans misunderstanding that all so important element of Goku’s character, but it’s also what helps make the Saiyan so cool.
Goku Is Anime’s Worst Hero
Dragon Ball’s Iconic Main Character Isn’t Much of a Hero at All
Goku’s reputation as a hero is sterling, with anime fans around the world celebrating him as one of anime’s all-time greats. In reality, Goku is a far more complicated of a character than his reputation would suggest. There’s a dichotomy between his actions and intentions that causes a disconnect in the way Goku is viewed by the anime community.
On the surface, Dragon Ball‘s protagonist has saved not only the world, but the universe, countless times. In battles against increasingly powerful foes, Goku has, time and time again, protected his home and loved ones from a few of the most evil villains in fiction. On the flip side, he’s also repeatedly endangered those same loved ones, the planet, and the universe as a whole.
Goku’s feats in battle cannot be denied, and the number of people he’s saved speaks for itself. But he’s also a selfish, fighting-crazed lunatic who wants nothing more than to fight new, strong opponents. The truth about Goku is that he’s a pretty terrible person, who, if he wasn’t as powerful as he is, would have long ago been the reason for incomprehensible damage.
Beyond the fact that he’s willingly absent for the majority of his children’s lives, or spends most of his time dead or away training rather than with his wife and family, he directly puts everyone in the series in danger at seemingly every turn. Following the defeat of Piccolo at the 23rd World Tournament, nearly every villain arrives either in search of Goku or because of Goku.
At the same time, Goku is often the only one capable of defeating those foes, and he always comes through when needed. Creator Akira Toriyama wrote his protagonist that way on purpose, citing a ‘poison’ that’s always present within the Saiyan. He’s a good guy, without question, but he isn’t a superhero. And that’s exactly what makes Goku such a well-written character.
Goku Is One of Anime’s Most Interesting Characters
Goku’s Moral Hiccups Are What Makes Him So Compelling
Dragon Ball debuted during the era of ultra-strong, naturally good shōnen heroes. To this day, the most popular characters in anime and manga are built from that mold, with someone like Demon Slayer‘s Tanjiro being a natural progression on that very trope. However, it’s Goku’s unwillingness to fit the naturally good description that has helped him stand out.
From the moment Bulma hits him with her car, Dragon Ball makes it clear that Goku isn’t some character who intends to save the world out of the goodness of his heart. Instead, the series’ early moments paint him as a simple boy who knows little about the world around him, and acts out of impulse and need.
Through interactions with the people of Earth, he begins to care about others in his own way, while still retaining the streak of selfishness that’s always present in his character. Typically, it wouldn’t take long for such a character to get old, but Akira Toriyama made the genius move of altering everyone’s perceptions of Goku halfway through his story.
The introduction of the Saiyans is arguably Toriyama’s finest moment as a writer, simultaneously greatly expanding the scope of the universe while also giving an explanation as to why exactly Goku is the way he is. Instantly, his Saiyan heritage makes him anime’s most fascinating case of nature vs. nurture.
Thanks to his Saiyan genes, Goku selfishly wanted to fight Frieza at full power. However, the very reason he transformed in the first place was out of rage for what Frieza had done to his best friend, a very human response. That divide in Goku’s personality might disqualify him from being a hero, but it also makes him an incredibly fun character to follow.
Dragon Ball, and its lovable and endlessly compelling main character, have achieved the status of anime royalty. No other show or character can compare to their influence. And though Goku might not be a great hero, he’s one of the greatest characters in anime and manga history.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
