Key Takeaways
- Goku’s consistent personality is seen as a flaw by critics, but his childlike charm has made him a beloved character.
- Critics argue Goku’s focus on fighting overshadows everything else, but his desire to improve inspires fans worldwide.
- Despite being considered simplistic and aloof, Goku’s influence on the anime genre and fans worldwide makes him a great character.
As a lifelong fan of anime and a self-proclaimed Dragon Ball connoisseur, I can confidently say that Goku is far from being a bad protagonist. In fact, he’s one of the best characters ever created in the world of fiction!
The Dragon Ball franchise is renowned not just as a standout Shonen anime, but potentially one of the most iconic animations ever made. Throughout its existence, numerous other major franchises within the industry have acknowledged and paid tribute to this series, particularly its legendary main character who has won the hearts of countless fans – Son Goku.
Goku is undoubtedly one of the few faces of anime that are known on a first-name basis around the world and has left a legacy so strong that most Shonen anime protagonists take after his personality in one way or another. However, over the years, many fans and detractors of Dragon Ball have chastised him as being a bad main character for several reasons, so let’s take a look at whether or not this is actually the case.
Is Goku A Bad Protagonist?
A Look At These Claims
| First Appearance | Dragon Ball, Episode 1, “The Secret of the Dragon Balls” |
|---|---|
| Debut Date | February 26, 1986 |
| Story Arc | Emperor Pilaf Saga |
In the initial episode of the Dragon Ball series, Goku stepped into the spotlight as the central character, guiding us through numerous adventures. From the get-go, one common criticism of Goku as an outstanding protagonist is that his character has remained fundamentally unchanged since his first appearance. Essentially, Goku’s personality has stayed consistent, much like how he was in the original Dragon Ball series when he was still a child.
This is a foundational problem that many have with him. By having him remain exactly the same as he always was, even in his adulthood, Goku has remained very childish and aloof, with many arguing that he’s just outright stupid, recalling instances throughout the years of him doing or saying very questionable things. This exaggerated aloofness is at its worst in Super, when he had no idea what kissing was despite having 2 sons, or even recently in the manga, when he forgot who Pan was.
Critics often find this aspect troubling about him – the frequent use of shallow humor at the expense of his character development. Even long-time fans of Goku from Dragon Ball Z express disappointment and hope for a more serious portrayal, similar to how he was in many parts of that series.
Additionally, it’s often criticized that Goku prioritizes fighting and self-development above everything else, including the welfare of others. A striking instance of this is when Gohan was compelled to battle Cell, causing Goku to give the antagonist a Senzu Bean to restore his strength, leaving many others perplexed and dismayed. Furthermore, some argue that Goku’s character is overly simplistic due to his morally upstanding traits, resulting in a character who seems too one-dimensional and unremarkable.
Addressing All Claims
Why Goku’s A Great Character
Goku is often considered one of the most cherished characters in fiction. Despite some criticisms suggesting he’s quite simple and uniform, a convincing response to that argument could be: Not every character needs to be deeply complex and multidimensional to excel in their role within a story. While it’s true that Goku hasn’t undergone much development since his days in Dragon Ball, if his personality were to drastically change, fans might not recognize him as the same character they’ve grown attached to over time.
One of the most remarkable aspects of him is his innocent and friendly demeanor, which have significantly impacted his genre and continue to make him one of the most celebrated fictional characters today. In fact, the creator of the highly intricate and significant anime series “One Piece,” Eiichiro Oda, openly acknowledges Goku’s impact on his work, often reflecting this influence in the character he created, Luffy, who shares many personality traits with Goku.
Even a low-class warrior can surpass an elite, with enough hard work.
Moreover, since Goku was among the first anime characters to be entirely pure with traits like kindness, compassion, and innocence, his personality shouldn’t be labeled as clichéd. His aloofness also stems from this purity. Although there are moments where Goku appears overly foolish or careless, these instances don’t diminish the greatness of his character in the grand scheme of things.
Goku’s desire to get stronger is perhaps one of the greatest things across all fiction when it comes to instilling some form of discipline in the viewers. Many people use his resilient spirit to improve facets of their lives, whether in the world of Dragon Ball or real life. As for the examples given about him putting his need to fight stronger opponents above all else, Goku never did it with the wrong intentions, only to better himself as much as possible, even showing disdain and anger at his opponents if they were outright evil, knowing that at this stage he has to do everything he can to defeat them.
When Gohan squared off against Cell, Goku provided him with a Senzu Bean, not because anyone else could comprehend it, but rather due to his absolute faith in Gohan’s skills. This was essentially a risky move, as Goku himself admitted he couldn’t have defeated Cell had the fight continued. In essence, though Goku may appear foolish and unsophisticated, he is far from being a negative character. He has inspired countless fans worldwide and stands as one of the most exceptional fictional characters, revered not just by readers but also by other writers.
Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
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2024-11-21 20:34