Goku

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Goku (悟空)
Alias(es)	Sun Wukong; Wukong
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Turtle School; Bulma's Dragon Ball-search party
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; Dragon Ball seeker
Status	Active 49
First Appearance	Chapter 3 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Combat Power 10	3	Recorded during his early mountain sparring with Ziye.
Combat Power 16	11	Listed after the Fire Mountain conflict and Master Roshi's arrival.
Great Ape Combat Power 160	19	Transforms into a rampaging giant ape under moonlight; his tail is cut off to return him to normal.
Combat Power 115	26	Reaches this level after Master Roshi's training and advances to the World Martial Arts Tournament final.
Combat Power 155	35	Recorded during the Fortuneteller Baba arc.

Background & History

Goku's grandfather is Son Gohan, whose death leaves Goku without the family member he most wants to see again. While living in the mountains, Goku trains and spars with Ziye; he is thrilled to have found a strong opponent after Gohan's death. His initial goal in joining Bulma's journey is to use the Dragon Balls to resurrect his grandfather. 3 5

During a moonlit training exercise at Kame House, Goku transforms into a giant ape and attacks Ziye. Ziye identifies the ape as Goku and reveals that severing its tail will reverse the transformation. 19 Goku later reunites with Son Gohan through Fortuneteller Baba's service, but Gohan can remain in the mortal world for only one day and does not wish to be resurrected. 16 37

Appearance

Goku is a small, youthful martial artist whose size causes spectators to underestimate him during the World Martial Arts Tournament. 25

• Has a tail, which initially serves as a major weakness and enables his Great Ape transformation. 19 37
• Wears a Turtle School martial arts uniform during the tournament. 21 25
• Arrives at the later tournament wearing a saber-toothed tiger hide. 46

Personality

Goku is innocent, direct, and guided by Son Gohan's instruction to help others rather than act selfishly. He insists on returning Sea Turtle to the ocean despite Bulma's objections, and his pure heart allows him to ride the Flying Nimbus. 6

He is intensely competitive but treats rivalry as motivation rather than hostility. Goku repeatedly vows to surpass Ziye, supports Krillin after their match, and seeks stronger opponents to test himself. 5 26 35 His enthusiasm can also make him naive or impulsive, such as when Monster deceives him with a sneak attack or when he rushes off alone to retrieve Dragon Balls. 25 38

Abilities & Skills

Turtle School Martial Arts

Goku undergoes Master Roshi's physical conditioning alongside Ziye and Krillin, including labor, stone retrieval, weighted turtle shells, and strength training. The regimen dramatically improves his speed, strength, and agility. 20 21

• Can leap dozens of meters after removing his weighted shell. 21
• Defeats larger opponents through speed, resilience, and raw striking power. 25 36
• Trains to remove the vulnerability of having his tail grabbed after losing to Ziye in their tournament final. 28 37

Kamehameha

After witnessing Master Roshi extinguish Fire Mountain, Goku rapidly learns the Kamehameha and destroys nearby rocks with his first attempt. 12

• Combines his Kamehameha with Ziye and Yamcha's attacks to break out of Pilaf's trap. 14
• Uses the technique against Son Gohan while he is disguised as Fortuneteller Baba's Mysterious Man. 36
• His energy attacks become a core part of his tournament fighting style. 26

Afterimage Technique

Goku learns the Afterimage Technique after seeing Krillin use it, then uses it to counter Krillin in their semifinal match. 26

• Creates a deceptive afterimage to misdirect opponents.
• Demonstrates his ability to learn martial arts techniques through observation. 26

Great Ape Transformation

Under moonlight, Goku transforms into a giant ape with a recorded combat power of 160. In this state, he becomes violent and attacks allies without recognizing them. 19

• The transformation increases his combat power tenfold from 16 to 160. 19
• Removing his tail returns him to human form. 19
• His tail later regrows; he conditions it until having it grabbed no longer drains his strength. 25 37

Flying Nimbus Compatibility

Goku can ride and call the Flying Nimbus because of his pure heart. Master Roshi is unable to ride it himself. 6

• Uses the cloud for rapid travel and aerial maneuvering. 25 38
• Uses it to return to the tournament ring after being thrown out by Monster. 25
• Is later instructed by Master Roshi to travel on foot rather than rely on it for training. 38

Equipment / Items

• Flying Nimbus — Given to Goku by Master Roshi as a reward for helping Sea Turtle return to the ocean. 6
• Power Pole / Ruyi Golden Cudgel — Extending staff carried by Goku; recognized by the Ox-King as an item connected to Master Roshi and Son Gohan. 5 10
• Dragon Ball Radar — Left in Goku's care by Bulma so he can search for Son Gohan's Four-Star Ball. 16
• Four-Star Ball — Son Gohan's relic, recovered by Goku after his training near Korin Tower. 31

Relationships

• Ziye — Closest friend, sparring partner, and principal rival. They travel for the Dragon Balls, train under Master Roshi, and agree to meet again at future tournaments. 3 21 38
• Son Gohan — Goku's late grandfather. Goku seeks to revive him, reunites with him through Fortuneteller Baba, and promises to continue training after Gohan returns to the Otherworld. 5 16 37
• Master Roshi — Mentor who gives Goku the Flying Nimbus and trains him in the Turtle School's physical foundations. 6 20 21
• Bulma — Dragon Ball-search companion who provides transportation and the Dragon Ball Radar. 5 16
• Krillin — Turtle School training partner and friendly tournament rival; Goku defeats him with the Afterimage Technique before helping him up. 21 26
• Upa — Goku retrieves the final Dragon Ball so Upa can revive his father. 31 38
• Yamcha — Former bandit who later becomes an ally and fellow tournament participant. 8 21

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragon Ball Journey

Goku joins Bulma and Ziye after learning that the Dragon Balls might revive Son Gohan. He helps return Sea Turtle to the sea, receives the Flying Nimbus from Master Roshi, assists at Fire Mountain, and learns the Kamehameha after seeing Roshi use it. 5 6 10 12

After Pilaf's forces steal a Dragon Ball, Goku helps break out of Pilaf's castle and recovers the final Dragon Ball. Shenron refuses Goku's resurrection wish because Son Gohan does not want to return to life. 14 16

Turtle School Training and First Tournament

Goku trains at Kame House with Ziye and Krillin. After his uncontrolled Great Ape transformation, Ziye cuts off his tail to save everyone. 19

At the World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku defeats Monster despite being thrown out of the ring, defeats Krillin in the semifinals, and reaches the final against Ziye. Ziye ultimately defeats him by exploiting his tail weakness, motivating Goku to train the weakness away. 25 26 28 37

Korin Tower and Red Ribbon Army

After the tournament, Goku travels independently, confronts Tao Pai Pai near Korin Tower, and trains with Korin and Ziye. He then joins Ziye in searching for the remaining Dragon Balls needed to revive Upa's father. 30 31 32

Fortuneteller Baba's Palace

Goku fights Fortuneteller Baba's warriors, including Devilman, whose Devil Beam fails because Goku has no evil thoughts. He then defeats the Mysterious Man, who is revealed to be Son Gohan. 36 37

After Baba locates the final Dragon Ball, Goku retrieves it from Pilaf and uses the Dragon Balls to resurrect Upa's father. He then separates from Ziye and Krillin to train by travelling the world on foot. 38

Return to the World Martial Arts Tournament

Goku returns in time to register for the next tournament, having grown taller and continued his independent training. He remains eager to face Ziye and proposes training together after the competition. 46 48

Notable Quotes

“I have to train hard. I'm definitely going to surpass you.” 5

“Ever since I lost to Ziye at the last World Martial Arts Tournament, I've been training my tail every day. I don't have that weakness anymore!” 37

“Grandpa, I will work hard to become stronger!” 37