Did Goku Ever Really Change As A Person?

[TheBlackPaladin]

Here's something I was thinking about not too long ago. I really love Goku's character, but as far as I can tell, he didn't really develop or change much as a character from the time he was introduced to the time that the story was over. Which is not necessarily a criticism, by the way. Just like how in many stories we come to take pleasure in how predictable a certain character's responses will be, there was a certain charm in how familiar we became with Goku. At first we found humor in how strange Goku could sometimes be, but eventually we found humor in how expected his strange responses were. We stopped laughing in a "that's so weird" way and instead laughed in a "that's so Goku" kind of way. Even the rage that triggered his first Super Saiyan transformation was something that we had seen before. Was there ever a moment when Goku did something or said something, and you thought, "Man, a younger Goku NEVER would have done/said that"?

For me, I could think of no such instance. That's in stark contrast to some other characters like Gohan, for example. He starts off as a somewhat cowardly, pampered child, before becoming a very brave and capable fighter. We see this development over many, many episodes, as well. It would appear that Goku never had such a metamorphosis.

I love the character, but after a relatively short period of time, you can know what to expect. Or...am I just a weirdo in this instance? Does anybody else have any thoughts about how Goku changed (or rather, how he didn't change) as a person?

[matt0044]

No more Pat Pat, that's for sure. Plus, he's less innocently vulgar (saying something poop related not knowing how gross it is to others, you know) and doesn't get naked a lot anymore (due to his age and the Manga's age rating).

[Chuquita]

Even though it's kind of rebuttalled by the very Goku-ish scene where he wonders what gender Videl is (and oh what reactions he gets from Gohan and Videl after asking that XD ), the first thing that pops into my head as oddly un-Goku-like and more teen-Kuririn-esque is a later scene when he tries to bribe the old Kai with (a kiss? a date? Awkward touchy things? I forget.) from Bulma or Videl.

[Attitudefan]

Well, for one thing, Goku becomes more reserved. Only as a SSJ does he revert to how he was when he was a child. Goku doesn't want to kill everything that could possibly harm him or his friends like when he was a child.

[DBZAOTA482]

Initally Goku was this rowdy little boy that no understanding of social norms whatsoever but after spending time with other (like Bulma and Kuririn), it became less of a problem and he also killed his enemy without hesitation but mellows out after being displined by Kami as he taught the value of life. After that, he more or less remains the same hillbilly manchild who loves to fight all throughout, and pretty much is the only character that doesn't go through any major changes. The only change in DBZ as far as I'm concerned as that he becomes a little more Saiyan-like as he learns to nurture and nature.

I also think he makes up for his lack of serious progression throughtout the series as he is the character with the most layers. Beyond the face value of a happy-go-lucky battle-addict with a pure of heart, he shows some darker, more selfish points which gives an interesting constrast and shows of a suprisingly complex character that deals with several inner contradictions within himself. One good example is when he was forced to get physical with Gohan when he basically tried to get himself killed by Cell and when he was giving a prep talk to Goten and Trunks for them to train, I was surprised to see Goku get like that. Even Vegeta admires his determination at times.

[Michsi]

He definetely changes throughout the course of the story, though it's far more subtle when compared to the others. Are there instances where I think his younger version would have handled things differently than his adult self? Yes. For instance , I don't think teen Goku would have let Vegeta live for the sake of wanting to fight him gagain. Tbh, it would take a way longer post to explain exactly what I mean, because there is a lot to discuss when it comes to his development as a character.

This thread might help a little, particulary Chiper's post.

Even though it's kind of rebuttalled by the very Goku-ish scene where he wonders what gender Videl is

Huh? When does this happen? Is this from the anime? As far as I remember, he actually assumes he is dating her or something when he first sees them waiting in line together in the manga.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

For instance , I don't think teen Goku would have let Vegeta live for the sake of wanting to fight him gagain.

Goku wanted to kill Daimao so badly for killing Kuririn & Kame Sennin, and that was before learning about Shen Long's death, yet he could show mercy to Vegeta & Nappa later, who had killed Yamcha, Tenshinhan, Chaozu & Piccolo (which also resulted the deaths of Kami and Shen Long). Same with Freeza who had killed so many people, including all of the Saiyans, all of the Namekians, and Kuririn. I think that's a huge change.
Other changes from child to adult were that he became more polite & educated.

[Kingdom Heartless]

That Videl line may have been more about the fact that she had a boyish haircut.

[dbgtFO]

^I am as confused as Michsi here.
Which line are you and Chuquita talking about?

References to the chapter and page number would be nice.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Page one or two of Chapter 432 I think?

It's the one right after Vegeta destroys the punch machine and they go off to watch the Junior Division. Goku is surprised that Gohan's friend is a girl, and then questions them to confirm that Videl is actually a girl.

[Michsi]

and then questions them to confirm that Videl is actually a girl.

He does? All I remember is him saying something like "Oh so you're meeting with girls now" to Gohan. Maybe the translation isn't correct in my version ?

[dbgtFO]

I see..
In the danish manga, this is not mentioned instead Goku just says, what Michsi said.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

He does? All I remember is him saying something like "Oh so you're meeting with girls now" to Gohan. Maybe the translation isn't correct in my version ?

Viz says something along the lines of "Oh, so your friend's a girl?", "That is a girl, right?". I don't remember Herms mentioning it as a Vizism for the podcast either...

[matt0044]

^I guess Videl's tomboyish hairdo threw him for a loop there.

[dbgtFO]

Along with the fact, that she barely has any breasts... I can totally understand Goku's confusion.

[Michsi]

Doesn't Krillin in the next panel go something like "Nice going, Gohan! She's really cute!" as sorta like an additon to Goku's comment about him meeting with girls now? I'm trying to remember where and who exactly he asks if Videl is a girl. I don't have the volumes with me right now.

[Piccolo Daimao]

Yeah, Goten asked Gohan who Videl was when she came back for training with her new short haircut, so I guess Gokuu was the similar, only he still knew she was female since he was an adult and, well, he deduced that even the girlish-looking Upa was a boy back when he was a child (whereas, in an interesting twist, Kuririn thought Upa was female and called him "cute").

Anyway, by the 22nd Tenkaichi Budoukai, he seemed to take battles somewhat more seriously, like the scene where Gokuu nonchalantly tells Kuririn not to use a Kamehameha on him because it wouldn’t do anything against his strength. And there was no more “pat-pat”, randomly pulling out his cock to piss, or gender confusions anymore.

And then, after Kami’s training, he appeared to learn the value of life, as evidenced by him sparing opponents far below him (e.g. Nappa, the Ginyuu Tokusentai, Freeza—even when he was a Super Saiyan), whereas when he was a child, Gokuu pretty much killed any villain that came his way (e.g. the bear, numerous Red Ribbon Army henchmen, Tao Pai Pai, Tambourine, Piccolo Daimaou). The only person that Gokuu actually killed after Daimaou was Yakon.

However, I think it was Cipher who said that Gokuu was the only character who actually got worse as the series progressed, making increasingly dangerous and selfish decisions after another, citing Super Saiyan as one of the factors.

[coola]

For me, Goku was the best person at his teen years, he love fighting, but doesn`t hesistate to kill enemy, that harm his friends, after that, he become worse and worse, with so stupid decisions, that didn`t bring the end of world/universe, only because of incredible lucky circumstances, like "We need to team up, because there is stronger enemy" It`s kinda original, main character becoming less likeable as series progress.

[jjgp1112]

He became a little bit more intelligent and arrogant, and let's just say he understood why Master Roshi liked those girly magazines

[DBZAOTA482]

Along with the fact, that she barely has any breasts... I can totally understand Goku's confusion.

That reminds me of some fan-art where Videl was bunched up with Bulma and Chichi, as she seems jealous of their much bigger chest sizes.