Son Goku

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Son Goku (孙悟空)
Alias(es)	Kakarot
Species/Race	Saiyan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Z Fighters; defender of Earth 64 118
Occupation/Role	Martial artist and frontline fighter against major threats
Status	Alive; competing in an inter-universal tournament 254 256
First Appearance	46

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Kaioken	51 64	Uses Kaioken upon returning to Earth; later pushes it to tenfold Kaioken against Betkas, but remains at a slight disadvantage.
Super Saiyan	67	Awakens after Frieza kills Krillin; his hair becomes gold, his eyes emerald green, and his aura turns golden.
Super Saiyan 2	133	Joins Vegeta, Gohan, and Betkas in Super Saiyan 2 against Broly.
Super Saiyan 3 — temporary	137	Temporarily reaches Super Saiyan 3 after Betkas's Super Saiyan God power forces open the group’s bottlenecks.
Super Saiyan 3	168	Achieves the form through a near-death recovery and a Senzu Bean during the battle with Xia Sa'er.
Super Saiyan 4	234	Breaks past Super Saiyan 3 on Grand Kai's Planet, releasing an aura felt across the universe.

Background / History

Goku spends a year in the afterlife after Old Kami prevents him from being immediately saved with a Senzu Bean. Motivated by Betkas's overwhelming strength and the anticipated Saiyan threat, he races across Snake Way and trains under King Kai. 46

He returns to Earth in time to confront Vegeta and aid his injured allies, using Senzu Beans to restore himself, Krillin, Yamcha, and Gohan. 51 During the Namek conflict, Krillin's death at Frieza's hands drives Goku into his first Super Saiyan transformation. 67

Bardock is identified as Goku's biological father. 21 Much later, Bardock helps guide Goku's consciousness into a dark space while Goku suffers from an unexplained illness and confronts a suppressive shadowy phantom. 92

Appearance

Goku normally wears an orange martial arts uniform. 61 His transformations dramatically alter his hair, aura, and physique.

• Super Saiyan — golden hair, emerald-green eyes, golden aura, and occasional lightning. 67
• Super Saiyan 3 — extremely long golden hair reaching behind his legs, increased musculature, and blue lightning around his body. 168
• Super Saiyan 4 — a further transformation that visibly changes his physique. 234

Personality

Goku is driven by the excitement of fighting strong opponents. Betkas's presence repeatedly stirs his fighting spirit, even when Goku recognizes the danger involved. 64 68 He nevertheless prioritizes Earth and its people when they are threatened, responding seriously to Betkas's warning of a possible massacre and choosing battlefields away from populated areas. 68 118

Unlike Betkas, Goku favors growing strong enough to handle hostile Saiyans rather than immediately eliminating them. 151 He is also notably humble about his own power, preferring actual combat over making claims about his strength. 185 When allies are endangered, his usual easygoing demeanor gives way to determination and urgency. 169 256

Abilities & Skills

Saiyan Physiology and Transformations

Goku gains strength through battle and recovery from severe injuries, with near-death experiences serving as catalysts for major breakthroughs. 168 170

• Reached Super Saiyan after Krillin's death. 67
• Uses Super Saiyan 2 against threats including Broly and Majin Buu. 133 204
• Super Saiyan 3 provides immense power but requires substantial energy to maintain. 168 200
• Reaches Super Saiyan 4 after breaking through his prior limit. 234

Ki Sensing and Flight

Goku can sense approaching ki, assess threats, fly at extreme speed, and suppress or release his own energy as needed. 64 118 191

• Detects Betkas's approach and prepares for battle. 64
• Selects an open battlefield to avoid harming innocent people during Cell's arrival. 118
• Can travel as a streak of light when moving with Vegeta and Betkas. 199

Kaioken

Goku uses Kaioken to multiply his combat ability at the cost of exhaustion.

• Dispels the technique after facing Vegeta and immediately requires a Senzu Bean. 51
• Uses tenfold Kaioken against Betkas, landing a surprise blow but failing to overcome the power gap. 64

Instant Transmission

Goku trains to master Instant Transmission after Earth's destruction and later uses it for rapid travel and rescue. 72 147

• Travels with Betkas from the Other World back to the living world. 147
• Returns home after sensing Gohan's weakened ki. 180
• Can distribute supplies and regroup allies in Purgatory. 158

Kamehameha

Goku employs the Kamehameha as a major energy attack.

• Finishes Frieza with a Kamehameha after the battle with King Cold. 79
• Trades Kamehameha attacks with Gogeta during their tournament match. 256

Equipment / Items

• Senzu Beans — uses them to recover himself and restore injured allies; later supplies Vegeta and Betkas with two each before they separate in Purgatory. 51 158
• Martial arts uniform — orange fighting attire worn during his journey to Namek. 61

Relationships

• Betkas — Saiyan rival, recurring opponent, and eventual companion in Purgatory. Their differing views on killing hostile Saiyans lead to heated arguments, but they fight and travel together when necessary. 64 151 179
• Vegeta — competitive Saiyan ally and rival. Goku repeatedly aids him with Senzu Beans, while Vegeta later entrusts Goku with defeating Xia Sa'er. 51 169
• Son Gohan — his son; Goku is proud of Gohan's breakthroughs and trusts his potential in battle. 103 123 199
• Son Goten — family member and fellow Saiyan fighter; Goku is initially kept unaware of the full details behind the future Broly threat. 80 103
• Piccolo — trusted ally. Goku asks him to keep his departure to face Majin Buu secret from his family. 191
• King Kai — mentor during Goku's year in the afterlife and a continuing source of information about threats to Earth. 46 72
• Bardock — biological father who later assists during Goku's illness by guiding his consciousness toward the phantom. 21 92
• Beerus — God of Destruction who seeks Goku out after sensing his Super Saiyan 4 transformation; the two begin an intense battle. 234 236
• Gogeta — opponent from Universe Sixteen whose missing memories and resemblance to Goku create an unusually personal confrontation. 254 256 257

Story Role / Major Arcs

Saiyan and Namek Conflicts

• Trains under King Kai to prepare for the Saiyans' arrival on Earth. 46
• Returns to challenge Vegeta and protect his injured friends. 51
• Travels toward Namek while training aboard his spaceship. 61
• Awakens Super Saiyan after Frieza kills Krillin. 67

Betkas and the Shadow Phantom

• Fights Betkas after their reunion, discovering that even tenfold Kaioken is insufficient to win. 64
• Meets Betkas on Planet Yardrat, where both transform into Super Saiyans before Betkas warns him about Earth. 68
• Collapses from a mysterious illness and confronts a shadowy phantom within a dark space. 92
• Later faces another shadow creature alongside Betkas and recognizes the need for greater strength. 96

Androids, Cell, and Broly

• Faces Cell directly and realizes that Cell is holding back despite Goku fighting at full strength. 119 120
• Battles Broly alongside Vegeta, Gohan, and Betkas as a Super Saiyan 2. 133 135
• Temporarily reaches Super Saiyan 3 through Betkas's godly power, then learns that continued training can allow a permanent breakthrough. 137 138

Purgatory

• Enters Purgatory with Vegeta and Betkas to test himself against its vast population of Super Saiyans. 151 158
• Saves Vegeta after his battle with Desia and later confronts Xia Sa'er. 164 165
• Achieves Super Saiyan 3 during the Xia Sa'er battle and accepts Vegeta's faith that he will win. 168 169
• Returns to Earth after six years of relentless combat against Rotkas and Purgatory's strongest warriors. 179

Majin Buu and Divine Battles

• Assists East Supreme Kai against Majin Buu's revival while remaining calm about the threat. 185
• Overpowers Majin Buu in Super Saiyan 2 form. 204
• Attempts to surpass his current transformation limit, fails, and immediately resolves to train harder. 224
• Reaches Super Saiyan 4, drawing the attention of Beerus and beginning a battle with the God of Destruction. 234 236

Inter-Universal Tournament

• Enters a match against Universe Sixteen's Gogeta, beginning in Super Saiyan 2. 254
• Refuses to yield despite Gogeta's apparent advantage and declares his intention to win. 256
• Recognizes Gogeta as both a worthy opponent and a potential companion, even as their connection remains unclear. 257

Notable Quotes

“Isn't this what you wanted? To fight me, or to fight Vegeta!” 256

“You're a good opponent, and also a good companion... and likewise, a good enemy...” 257