Dragon Ball: Whatever Happened To the Ox King?

Dragon Ball: Whatever Happened To the Ox King?

Highlights

  • The Ox King was once one of the richest characters in Dragon Ball, supporting Chi-Chi and Goku’s family with treasure from Fire Mountain.
  • However, a fire buried all his treasure, leading to financial struggles and Goku having to find work to support the family.
  • While the Ox King’s role diminished, side characters like him provide important connections and tools for the main characters to thrive.

As a seasoned Dragon Ball fan who’s been with the series since its early days, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I think about characters like the Ox King. He was once a towering figure, both literally and figuratively, supporting Chi-Chi and Goku’s family with his wealth from Fire Mountain. But much like the fire that consumed his treasure, his role in the series has diminished over time.


Initially, Dragon Ball drew inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, and it featured numerous characters from its early comic days. One of these characters was the Ox King, Chi-Chi’s father, who, along with the Briefs family, could be among the wealthiest individuals on Earth. The Ox King used to provide financial support for Goku’s family when they lived together, ensuring their prosperity and generally keeping them away from trouble. Lately, though, it seems that the Ox King is no longer able to maintain this level of support, causing some speculation that he may have experienced a decline in his wealth during Dragon Ball.

However, is it truly accurate to say that? A more crucial question arises: What led to the Ox King’s transformation into a secondary character, and why can’t he provide for the family that Chi-Chi has established now?

Understanding The Ox King

What Exactly Makes Him Rich?

Dragon Ball: Whatever Happened To the Ox King?

In the beginning, the character of the Ox King was already a straightforward figure, even simple in nature. He was, in fact, the massive ruler of Fire Mountain, adorned with an unparalleled wealth that he himself had amassed. The Ox King is a towering and somewhat intimidating figure, yet beneath this facade lies a harmless and jovial spirit. With his vast riches and a castle to call his own, why would he feel the need to embark on any conquest? After all, isn’t it true that wealth and power of one’s own domain can provide more than enough entertainment?

It’s intriguing that as the story progresses, the significance of his roles seems to diminish, yet he plays a crucial part in ensuring Chi-Chi and Goku maintain their nutritional needs due to their immense appetites. After all, the Ox King possesses wealth hidden within Fire Mountain that has sustained the family for years. Surprisingly, it appears that he’s recently struggled to continue providing for the Son family. One might wonder why, given his presumed status as one of the world’s wealthiest men aside from the Briefs family. Has he depleted his riches or lost them? Not exactly. Instead, let me clarify why he can no longer support the Son family.

The Ox King’s Future

And Why It Isn’t Hopeless

Dragon Ball: Whatever Happened To the Ox King?

Although the Ox King is unable to aid the Son family financially, his loss of wealth was an unavoidable consequence of the great fire that engulfed Fire Mountain and buried his treasures. This unfortunate event forced him to disclose the truth about his losses to Chi-Chi. Consequently, Goku was compelled to seek employment as a farmer or something similar to sustain the family in the future. Despite this turn of events, Goku assumed a more significant role within the family and the Dragon Ball narrative. However, the Ox King’s character does not become central in subsequent story arcs, only making occasional appearances to underscore his existence.

However, side characters like him aren’t necessarily unliked or even irrelevant in the long run. The Ox King was relevant in the background as the father of Chi-Chi, and especially as a huge connection to why Goku even managed to marry Chi-Chi in their adult years. Side characters are useful in their regard, because they provide tools for the main character to succeed and thrive in their story while taking action on their own. That’s the role that the Ox King has played for a huge portion of the story. That is what has happened, and its unlikely that we will get any more material regarding the Ox King. However, that doesn’t mean that there is no reason for the Ox King to be here, considering that every side character has had their own use in the way of making the world feel alive. At the end of the day, Dragon Ball has made good use of the Ox King, and the story is all the better for it.

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2024-08-06 22:03