Akira Toriyama dragon ball is full of unforgettable people who have become some of the anime's most celebrated characters. Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, and Frieza have become essential figures, but there would be no dragon ball without Goku. dragon ball has changed a lot over the years, but Goku has always been the powerful protagonist and ultimate hero of the franchise. dragon ball chronicled Goku's evolution from a 12-year-old boy to a proud grandfather who is as strong as a god. Goku is determined to push his limits and there is no end to what this inspiring hero can accomplish.

Goku's more recent achievements, like his rise to True Ultra Instinct power or his defeat of the Planet Devourer Moro, are ubiquitous and hard to forget. That said, Goku's early years and the character's unusual backstory get far less attention. It's easy for these details to slip by and go unnoticed. Goku's origins are just as important as his current milestones, and they provide some fascinating insights into this iconic character.

10 Grandpa Gohan is responsible for Goku's passion for martial arts

Goku is one of the strongest and most talented martial artists in dragon ballIt's the multiverse. It's fair to say that Goku would have been incredibly powerful regardless of his origins, but Grandpa Gohan is responsible for instilling the basic fundamentals of martial arts in Goku. Grandpa Gohan was a prolific martial artist and studied under Master Roshi and trained alongside the Ox King, where he also learned the Kamehameha. Gohan practicing martial arts with Goku during his early years helps him learn how to properly defend himself and he would likely have a much harder time defeating dinosaurs and Bear Thieves without this guidance.

Goku also proves to be a natural when studying under Master Roshi and is able to quickly excel in these lessons because he is so passionate about combat. Goku's continued interest in martial arts as a child could very well be his way of honoring a connection with Grandpa Gohan and respecting his wishes. Goku eventually gets to fight Grandpa Gohan, test his power, and ultimately surpass him during Fortuneteller Baba's tournament.

9 A head injury erases Goku's original Saiyan programming to destroy the human race

Goku is such a generous and courageous individual that it's easy to forget that he was sent to Earth with an apocalyptic agenda. Goku's initial goal as a Saiyan was to land on Earth and destroy the human race so that the planet could later be resold, likely to Frieza. Raditz later arrives in Dragon Ball Z to finish this job that Goku failed to accomplish. The only reason Goku doesn't carry out this destructive plan is because Grandpa Gohan accidentally drops him on his head, which erases his killer instinct and elicits a kinder, truer behavior from the child.

Interestingly, Goku's backstory surrounding his exodus to Earth has been revised over the years. It is revealed that Goku's parents, Bardock and Gine, send Goku to Earth not because they want to or because Goku has a mission, but because Planet Vegeta is about to be destroyed. Both of these backstories may technically be true, but their origins in Dragon Ball Minus and Dragon Ball Super: BrolyGoku's prologue suggests a more sentimental reason for Goku's departure from Planet Vegeta.

8 Goku and his Great Ape form are responsible for Grandpa Gohan's death

dragon ball establishes that Grandpa Gohan helped raise Goku after finding him as a baby in the forest. However, the reason why Goku is an orphan when Bulma finds him in dragon ballThe first episode of is because Grandpa Gohan has died in the meantime. This is a tragic turn of events, but it is made even more melancholic when it is discovered that Goku is the one responsible for Gohan's death. Goku transforms into a Great Ape one night and accidentally kills his replacement guardian.

The audience is able to discover this after Goku's Great Ape transformation into dragon ball. However, Goku does not connect these dots until his battle against Great Ape Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z. It's a harrowing sequence as Goku humbly apologizes to his fallen guardian. Goku, until this epiphany, had always believed that a random monster of nature was responsible for Grandpa Gohan's death.

7 Goku believes that Grandpa Gohan's spirit is in the four-star Dragon Ball

The seven Dragon Balls are iconic relics and audiences are used to seeing Goku and company on grand adventures to collect them all. However, dragon ball begins with Goku having no knowledge of the wish-granting capabilities of these magical orbs. Goku is in possession of the Four-Star Dragon Ball not because he wants to collect all seven and make a wish, but because he believes that Grandpa Gohan's soul is in the Dragon Ball.

It's a sweet superstition that has given Goku hope and a sense of community during the years he's been alone. That's why Goku cherishes the Dragon Ball. It's only when Bulma's Dragon Radar locates the Four-Star Ball that Goku learns of its power and that it's a piece of a greater whole. After that, Goku still shows reverence for the Four-Star Ball, which is why he turns it into an heirloom-like piece of clothing for Gohan. It's his way of connecting his son with his namesake.

6 Goku's classic electric pole weapon used to belong to Grandpa Gohan

Goku develops incredible abilities that include destructive energy attacks, intimidating Super Saiyan transformations, and impressive ki techniques such as flight and instant transmission. The original dragon ball starts in a much more grounded place, and while Goku is physically strong, he still relies heavily on the abilities of his Power Pole. The Power Pole is a valuable weapon that can extend to nearly unlimited lengths. It is an extremely strong weapon and many dragon ball fans are excited about the return to Goku's arsenal in Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Goku values the Power Pole because of its strength, but he also holds an important connection to Grandpa Gohan, who was the one who gave it to Goku in the first place. Grandpa Gohan received the Power Pole from his own martial arts master, so there's a real sense of legacy to it as it's passed down through the generations. Goku doesn't give the Power Pole to Gohan, but it would make a touching gift for Pan.

5 Master Roshi teaches Goku how to read and count

Goku enters dragon ball as an extremely sheltered individual who lacks basic knowledge of many common worldly details, such as the difference between boys and girls. Goku has existed comfortably in a small bubble for the first 12 years of his life, and is suddenly thrust into the world when he embarks on his Dragon Ball adventure with Bulma. Master Roshi becomes a vital martial arts teacher to Goku and Krillin, but also helps the boy learn to read and write. Goku incorrectly believes he is 14 years old when dragon ball starts because he thinks 14 is the number that follows 11.

This is an oddly sweet gesture from Roshi that often goes unnoticed. Roshi helps Goku acquire these crucial skills, but it seems he's still relatively rusty in these departments. Goku is shown barely passing the written tests to Dragon Ball Supermartial arts tournaments. Additionally, it is revealed that Chi-Chi's shopping lists for Goku are incredibly rudimentary and feature more visuals than written words.

4 It is proven that he has no darkness in his heart

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a hero occasionally having dark impulses and struggling with his actions. That said, dragon ball repeatedly shows that Goku has a truly pure heart that is completely absent of any darkness. This is first established with Goku's ability to ride the Flying Nimbus, which is a privilege reserved only for pure-hearted individuals. However, dragon ball It also showed that Chi-Chi, Arale Norimaki, Uub, Gohan and Goten are worthy of riding the Nimbus and that it is not a privilege exclusive to Goku.

Taking it a step further, Goku's battle against Spike, the Devil Man, involves the use of the dangerous Devilmite Beam. The Devilmite Beam amplifies this darkness in its target's heart and transforms it into destructive energy that usually kills the individual. Spike is completely stunned when this attack hits Goku, but it proves to be completely ineffective against him due to the purity of his heart.

3 Bardock wishes to the eternal dragon that Goku succeeds

THE Dragon Ball Super The manga's grueling battle against Gas results in an illuminating flashback to Bardock's previous encounter with the villain Heeter Force. These flashbacks reveal that Bardock is actually a Saiyan anomaly who was willing to risk his own safety to help others and that he has more in common with Goku than previously believed. Dragon Ball Super Chapter 83, 'Bardock vs. Gas, Part 2', features a melancholic Dragon Ball wish from Bardock to the Eternal Dragon of Planet Cereal, Toronbo. Bardock casually requests that "his children prosper", which could be open to many interpretations.

There are some readers who believe that Bardock's wish is actually what set Goku up for repeated successes over the years and was a guiding force that helped keep him safe and reach such impressive heights. It's possible that Goku's progress and growth are the result of a Dragon Ball wish, but that might not be so simple either. After all, this wish applies to both Goku and Raditz - not just Goku - and Raditz's life was much less successful. Plus, Goku still died on two separate occasions, so it's not like he's invincible.

2 Goku gets married because he thought he was food

Goku meets Chi-Chi for the first time back there dragon ballSeventh episode of, but they spend hundreds of episodes apart before their unexpected reunion at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. The original dragon ball ends with a beautiful wedding ceremony between Goku and Chi-Chi, where they are surrounded by friends and family. Dragon Ball Z builds on this happy ending by giving Goku and Chi-Chi a son, Gohan. Goku and Chi-Chi's marriage has always been a bit temperamental, and Goku often puts his wife's feelings above his own. Goku would rather train and go on fantastical adventures than work a menial job and be restricted to a more ordinary domestic life.

Goku's struggle to fit into this mold makes a little more sense when you understand that he never really wanted to get married and didn't realize what he was getting himself into. Goku ignorantly believes that Chi-Chi's proposal is actually a form of food, rather than a lifelong commitment. Upon learning the truth, Goku decides to go through with it because he gave Chi-Chi his word—and thinks it would be rude to break a promise. This is far from the best reason to get married, but it does help to better understand his carefree attitude toward marriage. Dragon Ball Z.

1 Your hidden potential is revealed through volatile and ultra divine water

dragon ball is a series dense with mysterious methods that help individuals unlock their hidden potential, be it the talents of Grand Elder Guru, Gohan's Ultimate upgrade, or even Shenron's recent Piccolo power boost in Dragon Ball Super: Super HeroIt is easy to forget that Goku is one of the first individuals to undergo such an experiment to become strong enough to fight Demon King Piccolo. Korin possesses the Ultra Divine Water, a mystical elixir that draws out a person's latent abilities. However, there is a great risk involved in drinking the Ultra Divine Water. If it does not work, the individual will die due to the poisonous nature of the water.

The Ultra Divine Water has only been drunk by 13 people before Goku, none of whom survived. Goku has to assume some dark illusions before he can drink this relic, but he proves successful. The Ultra Divine Water not only makes Goku stronger, but it also gives him the ability to sense ki. Some fans also believe that the only reason Goku survives drinking the Ultra Divine Water is because he is a Saiyan, not human, and that his Saiyan nature can also exponentially increase the Ultra Divine Water's capabilities.