Son Goku

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Son Goku (孙悟空)
Alias(es)	Goku; Gohan's grandson; Master Roshi's grand-disciple
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Dragon Ball search party; Turtle School
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; Dragon Ball seeker; World Martial Arts Tournament contestant
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Son Goku is a pure-hearted boy raised in the mountains by his grandfather, Son Gohan. He treasures the Four-Star Ball as his grandfather's keepsake and initially refuses Bulma's attempts to obtain it. Lin Xuan persuades him to join the Dragon Ball search by promising an adventure with powerful opponents, while assuring him that the Four-Star Ball will be returned afterward. 5

During the journey, Goku consistently acts on Son Gohan's teaching that people in trouble should be helped. He insists on carrying a lost old sea turtle back to the ocean despite Bulma's objections. 6 This act leads to his meeting with Master Roshi, who recognizes him as Son Gohan's grandson and therefore his own grand-disciple. 7

Master Roshi gives Goku the Flying Nimbus after Goku proves capable of riding it, a feat limited to those with pure, innocent, and kind hearts. 7 Goku later learns that his grandfather died after being trampled by a monster during a full-moon night, though he does not yet know that he himself was that monster. 7 19

After the Dragon Ball adventure, Lin Xuan recommends that Goku train under Master Roshi and enter the World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku eagerly accepts, seeking to refine his rough fighting techniques and challenge stronger martial artists. 19

Appearance

Goku is a young boy with a mountain-raised, rugged presentation and a visibly nonhuman tail.

• Spiky black hair. 5
• Orange training outfit. 5
• Fluffy tail. 5
• Often carries oversized catches, including a fish weighing several hundred pounds. 5
• Transforms into a gigantic black-furred Great Ape under a full moon. 15

Personality

Goku is innocent, direct, and exceptionally pure-hearted. He mistakes Bulma's car for a monster, sees her gun as an unfamiliar weapon, and cannot be swayed by her offers of money or seduction because he does not understand their value. 5

He is driven primarily by the joy of fighting. The prospect of meeting strong opponents immediately convinces him to travel with Bulma and Lin Xuan, and he repeatedly reacts to threats with excitement rather than fear. 5 8 10

Despite this battle focus, Goku is compassionate and principled. He refuses to abandon the lost sea turtle, pursues Oolong without using a lethal Kamehameha because the Four-Star Ball is still on him, and treats his match with Krillin as both a contest and an expression of friendship. 6 9 50

Abilities & Skills

Exceptional Physical Strength

Goku possesses strength far beyond ordinary humans from his first appearance.

• Carries a fish larger than himself, weighing several hundred pounds, without strain. 5
• Carries the old sea turtle to the sea without difficulty. 6
• Defeats Oolong's intimidating Ox-King form with a single punch. 8 9
• Easily restrains Yamcha during the latter's nighttime attack after Yamcha had previously pressured him in combat. 11
• Knocks out preliminary opponent Giant Axe Barton with one finger tap. 45

Flying Nimbus Riding

Goku can ride the Flying Nimbus due to his pure heart.

• Uses it as his primary means of travel during the Dragon Ball journey. 7
• Pursues Oolong through the air and outpaces his transformations. 9
• Travels rapidly to retrieve Master Roshi from Kame House. 12

Kamehameha

Goku can gather and fire blue energy waves.

• Follows Lin Xuan's instructions to compress a Kamehameha into a needle-thin beam, striking a structural weak point in Pilaf's steel chamber and enabling the group's escape. 14
• Uses a stronger Kamehameha than Krillin during their tournament match, overpowering Krillin's incomplete beam. 50
• Avoids using the technique against Oolong while the Four-Star Ball could be endangered. 9

Combat Instinct and Adaptability

Goku quickly absorbs combat guidance and responds well to unusual opponents.

• Learns to look past Oolong's frightening disguise after Lin Xuan explains that its form is hollow and unstable. 8
• Stalls Oolong instead of pursuing him recklessly, exploiting the shapeshifter's five-minute transformation limit. 9
• Trusts Lin Xuan's precise instructions when escaping Pilaf's trap. 14
• Uses speed and afterimages against Krillin in the World Martial Arts Tournament. 50

Great Ape Transformation

Under a full moon, Goku involuntarily becomes a destructive Great Ape.

• Grows into a black-furred ape over ten meters tall. 15
• Loses all awareness of allies and attacks indiscriminately. 15
• Destroys Pilaf's castle during the transformation. 15
• Reverts to normal when Oolong cuts off his tail at Lin Xuan's instruction. 15
• Has no memory of the transformation afterward. 19

Equipment / Items

• Four-Star Ball — His grandfather Son Gohan's keepsake; Goku permits it to be used for the Dragon Ball quest on the promise that it will return to him afterward. 5
• Flying Nimbus — Gift from Master Roshi, usable only by someone with a pure heart. 7

Relationships

• Son Gohan — Adoptive grandfather and martial arts teacher; Goku deeply treasures the Four-Star Ball as his final keepsake. 5 7
• Master Roshi — Goku's grandmaster through Son Gohan; recognizes him as a grand-disciple, gives him the Flying Nimbus, and later trains him. 7 19
• Lin Xuan — Companion and trusted guide; persuades Goku to join the quest, directs him in critical battles, and encourages him to train for the World Martial Arts Tournament. 5 14 19
• Bulma — Dragon Ball quest companion; their differing priorities frequently clash, but they remain partners and agree to reunite at the tournament. 6 19
• Oolong — Initially a pursued adversary, then a reluctant teammate; Goku captures him after waiting out his transformation limit. 9
• Yamcha — First meets Goku as a desert bandit and martial opponent; Yamcha initially gains the upper hand, but Goku later subdues him easily during the night infiltration. 10 11
• Krillin — Turtle School fellow disciple and friend; they compete seriously but warmly in the tournament, strengthening their mutual respect. 44 50

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragon Ball Search

• Joins Bulma and Lin Xuan after learning the quest will offer adventure and powerful opponents. 5
• Helps the old sea turtle return to the sea and receives the Flying Nimbus through Master Roshi's gratitude. 6 7
• Defeats Oolong's false Ox-King form, then captures him after stalling out his transformation ability. 8 9
• Battles Yamcha in the desert and later helps defeat him when he infiltrates the group. 10 11
• Fetches Master Roshi to aid Ox-King and Chi-Chi at Flame Mountain. 12

Pilaf Castle and Great Ape Incident

• Escapes Pilaf's secret chamber by firing a highly focused Kamehameha at a weak point identified by Lin Xuan. 14
• Transforms into a rampaging Great Ape under the full moon, demolishing Pilaf's castle. 15
• Returns to normal after his tail is cut off and remains unaware of what happened. 15 19

World Martial Arts Tournament

• Reunites with Lin Xuan and Bulma at Papaya Island after training with Master Roshi. 44
• Wins his preliminary match against Giant Axe Barton with a single finger tap. 45
• Faces Krillin in the tournament; after a playful opening, he wins their high-speed battle by overpowering Krillin's Kamehameha. 50
• Advances to the semifinals alongside Lin Xuan. 50

Trivia

• Goku initially calls Bulma's car a “monster.” 5
• He is more interested in the Flying Nimbus than the Dragon Balls after receiving it. 7
• His strongest motivation for joining the Dragon Ball journey is the chance to fight strong opponents. 5
• His ki perception later finds Lin Xuan impossible to read, causing Goku to believe Lin Xuan feels weaker than Krillin. 44