Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Son Goku (孙悟空) |
| Alias(es) | Kakarot 13 21 |
| Species/Race | Saiyan 21 23 |
| Gender | Male 5 87 |
| Affiliation | Z Fighters; Son family 2 5 |
| Occupation/Role | Martial artist and mentor to his son, Son Gohan 7 12 |
| Status | Alive in the main timeline shown; a counterpart in another timeline is revived after dying 87 68 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 3, “A Message from the Future” 3 |
Power Progression
The novel depicts several versions of Goku across different timelines. Rows marked alternate timeline do not describe the main-timeline Goku.
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Saiyan | 3 | Already capable of transforming when he returns from Yardrat; demonstrates the form for Future Trunks. |
| Super Saiyan Full Power | 13 | Achieves sustained, controlled transformation after a month of eating, sleeping, and sparring in Super Saiyan form with Gohan. |
| Super Saiyan 2 | 21 | Breaks through while training against Piccolo, whose power had risen after fusing with Kami. |
| Super Saiyan 2, further developed | 36 | Advances toward full power during another year of hard training; this is refinement, not a new transformation. |
| Super Saiyan 3 | 73 | Reveals the form while sparring with Gohan on Mount Paozu; its stamina cost soon becomes apparent. |
| Super Saiyan — alternate timeline | 23 | A Goku who had never gone to Namek achieves the form after two years of training with the visiting Gohan. |
| Super Saiyan 2 — alternate timeline | 52 | A Cell Games-era Goku reaches the form during half a year of group training. |
Background and History
Goku escapes the destruction of Planet Namek in a working spaceship and lands on Yardrat. He stays there for over a year, learning some of its unusual abilities before returning to Earth. On arrival, he learns that Future Trunks has already defeated Frieza and King Cold; Goku says he could have rushed back with Instant Transmission if necessary 3.
At Mount Paozu, Goku trains with Gohan and Piccolo. His normal-state battle power is estimated at around five million after his recovery from Namek, and he adjusts his strength to make sparring useful for Gohan 7 8. Father and son later enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Vegeta. Goku pushes Gohan through severe sparring until Gohan becomes a Super Saiyan, then works with him to control the transformation's energy and emotions 12 13. After Gohan's next breakthrough, Goku and Vegeta fight him repeatedly during the chamber's final month 14.
Goku's eagerness for a challenging fight sometimes creates danger. During the conflict with Cell, he gives Cell Senzu Beans, strengthening their opponent; Gohan rebukes him, and Goku promises not to repeat the mistake 33. In a Cell Games-era timeline, Goku fights Cell but surrenders despite an opportunity to finish him, intending for that timeline's Gohan to take his place. Cell then attacks the crowd 50.
Later, Goku reaches Super Saiyan 3, but Gohan can withstand him in his normal state during a spar on Mount Paozu 73. He continues seeking training on North Kai's Planet. When he returns home because he misses Chi-Chi's cooking, Chi-Chi scolds him for being absent and knowing little about Gohan's schooling or Goten's daily life. Goku soon challenges Gohan again; despite using Super Saiyan 3 against Gohan's Super Saiyan form, he is knocked unconscious by a controlled strike 87.
Appearance
Goku is recognizable by his spiky black hair and easygoing grin. He wears Yardrat clothing on his return to Earth and is later seen in an orange martial arts uniform 3 87.
- Super Saiyan: Upright golden hair, emerald-green eyes, and golden ki 3.
- Super Saiyan 2: Golden aura accompanied by arcs of electricity 21.
- Super Saiyan 3: Long golden hair and a pronounced brow ridge without eyebrows 73 74.
Personality
Goku is friendly and quick to welcome others: an alternate-timeline Goku immediately treats the visiting Gohan as family and offers him food 21. He is also intensely motivated by training and sparring, repeatedly asking Gohan to fight after family meals 16 73.
His carefree approach can conflict with his responsibilities. Chi-Chi criticizes his long absences, while North Kai is exasperated when Goku leaves a training task unfinished simply to go home for food 87. His decision to give Cell Senzu Beans likewise shows how his interest in a fight can override caution 33.
Abilities and Skills
Saiyan Transformations
- Super Saiyan: Greatly raises his fighting power; Goku demonstrates it shortly after returning from Yardrat 3.
- Super Saiyan Full Power: Maintains the form without leaking ki or being dominated by its combative emotions 13.
- Super Saiyan 2: Achieved through demanding combat training against Piccolo 21.
- Super Saiyan 3: Provides a further increase in power but rapidly drains his stamina 73.
Martial Arts and Ki Techniques
- Close combat: Spars extensively with Gohan, Vegeta, and Piccolo, and trades sustained blows with Super Perfect Cell 14 21 32.
- Kamehameha: Uses the beam against Gohan in training and during his fight with Cell 13 50.
- Instant Transmission: Learned during his stay on Yardrat; uses it to travel between locations, including to Piccolo and back to Mount Paozu 3 73 87.
- King Kai Fist: An alternate-timeline Goku can withstand roughly tenfold use and employs it against Turles's forces 21.
Relationships
- Son Gohan — His elder son and frequent sparring partner. Goku helps him reach Super Saiyan, though Gohan eventually surpasses him in their matches 12 13 73 87.
- Chi-Chi — His wife. She welcomes his return but objects to his absences and lack of attention to their sons' lives 5 87.
- Son Goten — His younger son. Goku is startled by how easily Goten becomes a Super Saiyan 74 87.
- Piccolo — Training partner whose increased power drives Goku to improve; Goku also invites him to spar with the family 21 73.
- Vegeta — Fellow Saiyan and competitive training partner 14 21 74.
- North Kai — Hosts Goku's training, though Goku abruptly leaves his planet to return home for Chi-Chi's cooking 87.