Raditz

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Raditz
Alias(es)	Saiyan Raditz; Kakarot's elder brother; “Raditz the Coward” (formerly)
Species/Race	Saiyan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Prince Vegeta's combat squad; Frieza Force; Earth defenders
Occupation/Role	Upper-class warrior; planetary conquest operative; Earth defender
Status	Deceased
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Over 300 combat power	8 11	As a very young Saiyan, he could dent an alloy training-wall with a punch; his potential earned him upper-class warrior status and assignment to Vegeta's squad.
1,600 combat power	17 18	Reached at age seven after years of high-intensity sparring under Gou Kong; exceeded the 1,500 power attributed to his later original Earth invasion.
3,800 combat power	50	His growth later stagnates despite daily training; Gou Kong promises to personally train him for Vegeta's arrival in one year.
7,500 combat power	53 56	After nearly half a year of mountain training under Gou Kong, his power nearly doubles. He also learns ki sensing and suppression rather than relying exclusively on a Scouter.
8,200 combat power	59	Recovered from severe injuries with a portion of a Senzu Bean; his combat power rises from 7,500 alongside his recovery.

Background / History

Raditz was born to Bardock and Gine as their eldest son and older brother to Kakarot. Unlike low-class Saiyans, he was recognized as an upper-class warrior while still very young, an unusually rare advancement that placed him among the Saiyan race's limited elite pool. 10 11

Following his promotion, Raditz was assigned to Prince Vegeta's combat squad for planetary-conquest missions. His placement alongside the prince was viewed as official recognition of his potential, though he began with power only slightly above 300. 11

For roughly four years, Gou Kong served as Raditz and Vegeta's sparring instructor under King Vegeta's orders. The training was harsh and repeatedly left Raditz exhausted, but it raised his combat power to 1,600 by age seven. 17 18

Raditz departed Planet Vegeta with Vegeta on a long-term mission shortly before Frieza's destruction of the planet. Before leaving, he was eager to see Kakarot and say goodbye. 19

As an adult, Raditz traveled to Earth to recruit Kakarot into the Saiyans' planetary-conquest work. When Kakarot refused and demanded Gohan's return, Raditz fought Goku and Piccolo, vastly overpowering both. Gou Kong's sudden appearance interrupted the battle; Raditz was shocked to learn that his former mentor had survived Planet Vegeta's destruction. 43 46

After Gou Kong forced him to apologize, Raditz accepted a peaceful arrangement on Earth. He later revealed that Vegeta had intercepted his open scouter communications and was heading to Earth with an estimated battle power of at least 30,000. 49 50

Raditz subsequently spent nearly half a year training in Earth's mountains with Gou Kong. Their regimen included daily sparring, carrying ancient trees and meteorite fragments as weights, hunting for food, and training beneath the moon before Piccolo destroyed it. This training raised Raditz's power from 3,800 to 7,500 and taught him to sense and suppress ki. 51 53

Though initially afraid to oppose Vegeta and Nappa due to his history of being derided as a coward, Raditz chose to remain with Gou Kong and defend Earth. He openly rejected Vegeta's demand that he return to their side, declaring that he would no longer accept being treated as a weakling. 52 56

During the Saiyans' assault on Earth, Raditz fought Nappa and briefly sent him into a rock wall with a full-power strike. However, Nappa's superior strength ultimately overwhelmed him. Goku later restored Raditz with a Senzu Bean after defeating Nappa. 56 57 58 59

During King Cold's attack, Raditz was the only member of his group able to react in time to a laser aimed at Krillin and Gohan. He pushed both out of the attack's path but was struck through the chest himself, dying from the wound. 112

Appearance

Raditz is an adult Saiyan with wild black hair that hangs to his ankles. He wears Saiyan battle armor and a green scouter over his left eye during the Earth confrontation. 43 46

• Long, ankle-length black hair. 43
• Green scouter worn over his left eye during his initial Earth confrontation. 46
• Saiyan battle suit. 46
• Wore crude beast-hide clothing during his mountain training with Gou Kong after his battle suit and bodysuit were ruined. 53
• Possesses a Saiyan tail in childhood. 10

Personality

As a child, Raditz is proud of his upper-class status, ambitious about becoming an elite Saiyan, and openly idolizes Gou Kong. He is eager for missions and recognition, but is also absent-minded enough to nearly forget his departure and farewell to Kakarot. 10 11 19

In battle, Raditz is confident, cruel, and contemptuous toward opponents he considers weak. He invokes Saiyan pride to pressure Kakarot into joining him and toys with Goku and Piccolo despite their coordinated resistance. 43 44 45

He nevertheless retains attachment to his family and mentor. He wants to visit Kakarot before his mission, claims he could not bring himself to hurt his brother, and ultimately accepts Gou Kong's demand to apologize and train for the threat posed by Vegeta. 19 49 50

Raditz is deeply insecure about his comparative weakness and admits that fear of death led him to target weaker enemies during planetary-conquest missions. Branded “Raditz the Coward,” he initially doubts his ability to confront Vegeta and Nappa, but Gou Kong's encouragement helps him reclaim his resolve and reject the label. 52

Having chosen to side with Gou Kong, Raditz shows greater courage and loyalty. He refuses Vegeta's offer to return to the Saiyan group, fights Nappa despite the power gap, and ultimately gives his life to protect Krillin and Gohan. 56 112

Abilities & Skills

Saiyan Combat Ability

Raditz is a powerful upper-class Saiyan whose childhood training gave him a substantially stronger foundation than his original Earth-invasion counterpart. 17 18

• Overwhelmed Goku and Piccolo with a single casual punch. 43
• Blocked their combined assault while maintaining control of the fight. 44
• Moved quickly enough to leave an afterimage and evade Goku's attack. 44
• Endured Piccolo's fully charged Special Beam Cannon with only his armor damaged. 46
• Was knocked back by Gohan's sudden 1,307-power attack, but remained standing. 46
• Reached 7,500 combat power through mountain training and landed a full-power punch that sent Nappa into a rock wall. 53 56
• Fought alongside Piccolo and the Z Fighters against Nappa, though Nappa's power eventually overwhelmed their combined efforts. 57
• Reacted quickly enough to shield Krillin and Gohan from King Cold's laser attack. 112

Ki Sensing and Suppression

After training with Gou Kong in Earth's mountains, Raditz learns to sense ki directly and suppress his own battle power to double digits. This removes his former dependence on Scouters and helps him avoid detection by the Frieza Force's surveillance network. 53

Scouter Use

Raditz uses a Frieza Force scouter to measure combat power and maintain long-distance communication. 31 46

• Detected Gohan's sudden spike to 1,307 combat power. 46
• His failure to close the scouter's communication channel allowed Vegeta to learn of Kakarot's refusal and announce his approach to Earth. 50
• Retained his Scouter even after learning ki sensing and suppression, using it to measure Gou Kong's combat power. 51 53

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Scouter — Measures combat power and supports interstellar communication; worn over his left eye during his initial Earth arrival. Raditz later keeps it despite learning to sense ki. 31 46 53
• Saiyan battle suit — Standard combat armor worn during his Earth arrival. 46
• Space Pod — Used to confine Gohan after abducting him; Raditz later refuses to sell it because of his Saiyan pride. 44 46 51

Relationships

• Bardock — Father; Raditz inherited Bardock's unwillingness to admit defeat and was born a rare upper-class warrior despite Bardock's low-class origin. 8 11
• Gine — Mother; was present when he celebrated his promotion and discussed his placement in Vegeta's squad. 10 11
• Kakarot / Son Goku — Younger brother; Raditz initially tries to recruit him into Saiyan conquest, but Goku rejects both the Saiyan identity and Raditz's demands. After Raditz allies himself with Earth's defenders, Goku saves him from Nappa and gives him a Senzu Bean. 19 43 58 59
• Gohan — Nephew; Raditz abducts and confines him in a Space Pod, but Gohan's rage-driven power spike catches him off guard. He later sacrifices himself to save Gohan and Krillin from King Cold. 44 46 112
• Gou Kong — Mentor and father-figure-like elder brother; trained Raditz for years, forces him to apologize on Earth, and pledges to train him against Vegeta. Gou Kong's support helps Raditz overcome his fear and embrace his decision to oppose Vegeta. 17 19 49 50 52 56
• Prince Vegeta — Squad leader and childhood teammate; considers Raditz somewhat foolish but acknowledges that he can work hard. Raditz later rejects Vegeta's authority and chooses Gou Kong's side. 11 19 55 56
• Nappa — Former squadmate and enemy during the Saiyan assault on Earth. Nappa initially underestimates Raditz's 7,500 combat power but ultimately defeats him through superior strength. 56 57
• Piccolo — Enemy on Earth; Raditz dismisses him as a weak nuisance and withstands his Special Beam Cannon. They later fight on the same side against Nappa. 43 46 57
• Krillin — Initially one of Earth's defenders against the Saiyans; Raditz later saves him from King Cold's lethal laser attack at the cost of his own life. 57 112
• King Cold — Killer; Raditz dies after taking King Cold's laser attack to protect Krillin and Gohan. 112

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Saiyan Career

Raditz is promoted to upper-class warrior at age three and assigned to Prince Vegeta's squad, placing him on the frontline path of planetary conquest. 10 11

Gou Kong's Training

He spends years sparring under Gou Kong alongside Vegeta. The brutal training produces rapid growth, raising him to 1,600 combat power by age seven. 17

Departure from Planet Vegeta

Raditz leaves with Vegeta for a mission expected to last over a year, shortly before Planet Vegeta's destruction. His immediate concern is seeing Kakarot before departing. 19

Earth Confrontation

Raditz arrives on Earth, abducts Gohan, and tries to recruit Kakarot. He defeats Goku and Piccolo decisively, survives Gohan's attack and Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon, then is interrupted by Gou Kong's unexpected arrival. 43 46

Alliance Against Vegeta

Following Gou Kong's intervention, Raditz apologizes and remains on Earth. When he learns Vegeta is coming in approximately one year, he agrees to resume training under Gou Kong. 49 50

Mountain Training

Raditz trains with Gou Kong in Earth's mountains for nearly half a year. He develops ki sensing and suppression, increases his battle power from 3,800 to 7,500, and gains the resolve to confront the Saiyans who had once intimidated him. 51 52 53

Saiyan Assault on Earth

When Vegeta, Nappa, and Turles arrive, Raditz openly rejects Vegeta and fights alongside Gou Kong and Earth's defenders. He challenges Nappa, is severely injured in the ensuing battle, and is restored by Goku's Senzu Bean. 55 56 57 58 59

Death Against King Cold

During King Cold's attack, Raditz protects Krillin and Gohan from a lethal laser by taking the blast himself. The wound through his chest kills him, and his death becomes the catalyst for Gou Kong's rage and later Super Saiyan awakening. 112 113 114

Trivia

• Raditz was already considered high-class or upper-class at age three. 10 11
• His childhood combat power of 1,600 surpassed the 1,500 associated with his original Earth invasion. 17 18
• He is described as carefree and prone to sleeping during serious conversations. 18 19
• He favors rare-cooked barbecue. 50
• He was derisively known as “Raditz the Coward” because he habitually chose weaker opponents during conquest missions. 52
• Despite Gou Kong's attempts to sell their equipment for a more comfortable life, Raditz refused to sell his Space Pod or Scouter out of Saiyan pride. 51