"Goku Only Cares About Fighting (And Food)"

[LunarMoon]

Is complete and utter rubbish that an extremely large number of dub detractors appear to believe, many of whom will hyper focus on his motivation for sparing of Vegeta whilst ignoring every piece of characterization that had occurred throughout the previous 240 chapters of the manga. The common line of reasoning is that Goku in the original manga is largely amoral, only cares about fighting, and that the Funimation dub altered him into a moralistic superhero (“Superman in a gi”). Take away Goku’s morals, though, edit out his characterization so that he only cares about fighting, and he becomes a typical saiyan like Raditz, Nappa, or for that matter, Turles, who existed as a character to demonstrate this point.

The only reason he even became as competent at fighting as he ever became is because, in chapter 3 of Dragon Ball, he decided to travel several miles out of his way in order to transfer a beached turtle back to the ocean. He was then rewarded by Roshi with martial arts training and a cloud that only allows extreme goody goodies to ride it. He later obtains the Genki Dama, a move that explicitly only allows insanely selfless (or pure evil) individuals such as Goku, Gohan, and adult Krillin to handle it.

In the original manga, he may have spared Vegeta because he believed that he would offer him a challenge in the future, but he spared Nappa even after making a joke out of him and permanently breaking his back. He then went on to spare Frieza, who had ceased to be a challenge to him, and the members of the Ginyu Force, including Jeice who he had comically overpowered and humiliated, and through retcon he had spared Dr. Gero. He somehow managed to sacrifice his life for others on two occasions, immediately attempts to take his fights out of populated areas every chance he gets (Vegeta, Gero, Majin Vegeta), was regularly criticized by both Vegeta and Frieza for being too soft, was disgusted by what he had initially heard about the saiyans from Raditz, and through movie and anime canon, is regularly sent on missions to save the universe (Broly, Jamemba, several villains in the Pikkon arc). The “mercy” scene from the Funimation Dub may differ from the original, but it was far from out of character.

Goku is more superheroic than the majority of superheroes in the Marvelverse and DCU, more so than most anti-heroic portrayals of Batman, and infinitely more so than someone like Rorschach of the Watchmen comic. You will never see Goku attack his closest friends and allies, such as Krillin and Yamcha, over some hero vs hero pissing contest as in Marvel’s Civil War, torture an individual who is significantly weaker than himself like many greyer portrayals of Batman, or outright ridicule his opponents in the same way as many of the more obnoxious portrayals of Spider-Man. Goku, Funimation version or not, is more of a blatant superhero than most superheroes are.

Note: Tried to keep this short, but really wanted to cover most of the points that have been consistently bugging me for a while now. If TLDR, the most important stuff is in paragraph 1.

[TheMightyOzaru]

Goku really only does in all seriousness. I would add his friends into that mix though since he clearly cares about them. Fighting seems to take precedence over them though since he's willing to take risks to receive a challenge. I.E. letting Freeza power up to 100%.

[Kaboom]

Nobody's saying that Goku's not a good and merciful person who's willing to help others in need. Just that it's not his life's mission to be a superhero.

His motto is "I want to improve myself," not to be a sworn protector of the innocent, light in the darkness, yadda yadda. But when you threaten his friends/family/planet/dinner, then yeah, he'll kick your ass.

[Ringworm128]

"You killed Krillin!!! Oh well."

[TheGmGoken]

Well to be fair. This is true. Just add the fact he cares for his friends as well(Even more than food. But less than fighting perhaps). Most dub fans(Stereotype fans of course) will say he's a SuperHero. Something he is not. Gohan is a superhero. Not Goku. Goku's life is about Fighting, Eating, and his family/Friends. He live to get stronger. He need to eat to live. And when the time comes. He's there for his family. I doubt if a murder would to kill 80 people...I doubt Goku would care unless the murder is a strong foe. GreatSaiyaman MIGHT care. But Goku would't.

[LunarMoon]

I doubt if a murder would to kill 80 people...I doubt Goku would care unless the murder is a strong foe. GreatSaiyaman MIGHT care. But Goku would't.

Killing people for kicks and giggles is a great way to tick Goku off (which is why it amused Vegeta to do so at the World Tournament). Gohan would definitely care. He risked getting himself and Krillin killed just to save Dende.

Fighting seems to take precedence over them though since he's willing to take risks to receive a challenge. I.E. letting Freeza power up to 100%.

If fighting took precedence over his friends and family...he would be Vegeta prior to the Buu Saga.

[TheMightyOzaru]

I really don't see how you come to that conclusion. Just because he cares more about improving himself than his family and friends, doesn't mean he's exactly like Vegeta prior to the Buu arc. You also seem to be under this impression that Goku can't care about others while still caring more about improving himself.

[MDSTSSJ]

What matters to Goku is:

Train: Always surpass his limits and become stronger and stronger. Improve himself more and more as Kaboom said.

Fight: Fight against powerful opponents and even much more powerful than him because it pushes him to search ways to be more powerful.

Eat: He loves to eat as much as fight as we always see.

He cares about Earth but his main interest is because Earth is his home and because his family and friends lives there!

Marvel Superheros?? They don't know what it's like living by the sword.

I really really like the way that Kakarotto is!

[TheGmGoken]

I doubt if a murder would to kill 80 people...I doubt Goku would care unless the murder is a strong foe. GreatSaiyaman MIGHT care. But Goku would't.

Killing people for kicks and giggles is a great way to tick Goku off (which is why it amused Vegeta to do so at the World Tournament). Gohan would definitely care. He risked getting himself and Krillin killed just to save Dende.

Fighting seems to take precedence over them though since he's willing to take risks to receive a challenge. I.E. letting Freeza power up to 100%.

If fighting took precedence over his friends and family...he would be Vegeta prior to the Buu Saga.

Did you read my post? I said Goku wouldn't care UNLESS the murderer was STRONG. Majin Vegeta is STRONG!

[LunarMoon]

I really don't see how you come to that conclusion. Just because he cares more about improving himself than his family and friends, doesn't mean he's exactly like Vegeta prior to the Buu arc. You also seem to be under this impression that Goku can't care about others while still caring more about improving himself.

Because prior to the Buu Saga the same could also be said of Vegeta. He cared far more about fighting than he did about either his son, or his comrades, such as Nappa or Raditz. Then the Buu Saga happened and he quickly came to the conlusion that he would sacrifice his life without gaining anything in return. As for Goku, the idea that he cares more about fighting than he does about his friends just sounds incredibly off. It's not like he came upon Krillin's death and felt fortunate, regarding it as a fair trade, because he'd have the chance to fight a challenging opponent (Tambourine, the guy who beat Krillin with one kick). Goku's fought many battles in which the thrill of fighting never even factored in.

Did you read my post? I said Goku wouldn't care UNLESS the murderer was STRONG. Majin Vegeta is STRONG!

He wasn't excited by the fact the fact that Vegeta was strong (for killing a bunch of unpowered civilians). He was angry at the fact that Vegeta was killing a bunch of unpowered civilians.

[TheGmGoken]

I really don't see how you come to that conclusion. Just because he cares more about improving himself than his family and friends, doesn't mean he's exactly like Vegeta prior to the Buu arc. You also seem to be under this impression that Goku can't care about others while still caring more about improving himself.

Because prior to the Buu Saga the same could also be said of Vegeta. He cared far more about fighting than he did about either his son, or his comrades, such as Nappa or Raditz. Then the Buu Saga happened and he quickly came to the conlusion that he would sacrifice his life without gaining anything in return. As for Goku, the idea that he cares more about fighting than he does about his friends just sounds incredibly off. It's not like he came upon Krillin's death and felt fortunate, regarding it as a fair trade, because he'd have the chance to fight a challenging opponent (Tambourine, the guy who beat Krillin with one kick). Goku's fought many battles in which the thrill of fighting never even factored in.

Goku still care for his friends. He just like fighting better. Where was he when Bulma had those parties? Where was he when Birsu was kicking everyone ass? Goku still love his friends and rage when they're hurt. But fighting is more important. Honestly you're making Goku out as a bigger herothan what he actually is.

[dbzfan7]

Goku doesn't only care about fighting and food. He only cares about what he's interested in. Toriyama said so himself.

Toriyama:
Goku isn't interested in child-rearing, probably. He's completely unqualified to be a father. (laughs) He doesn't even have a job. Goku wants nothing other than to get stronger, and it feels like he doesn't have any other instincts. So he shows absolutely no interest in things he's not interested in. I'd bet he wouldn't have had any interest in marriage, either.

http://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/ ... ama-nozawa

So if he's not interested..he doesn't care.

[TheGmGoken]

Goku doesn't only care about fighting and food. He only cares about what he's interested in. Toriyama said so himself.

Toriyama:
Goku isn't interested in child-rearing, probably. He's completely unqualified to be a father. (laughs) He doesn't even have a job. Goku wants nothing other than to get stronger, and it feels like he doesn't have any other instincts. So he shows absolutely no interest in things he's not interested in. I'd bet he wouldn't have had any interest in marriage, either.

http://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/ ... ma-nozawa/

The interview also said he wants to get stronger. Which supports my case. He care for food, friends, and fighting. Thats the only thing that interest him. Oh! The 4 star ball as well.

[TheMightyOzaru]

I really don't see how you come to that conclusion. Just because he cares more about improving himself than his family and friends, doesn't mean he's exactly like Vegeta prior to the Buu arc. You also seem to be under this impression that Goku can't care about others while still caring more about improving himself.

Because prior to the Buu Saga the same could also be said of Vegeta. He cared far more about fighting than he did about either his son, or his comrades, such as Nappa or Raditz. Then the Buu Saga happened and he quickly came to the conlusion that he would sacrifice his life without gaining anything in return. As for Goku, the idea that he cares more about fighting than he does about his friends just sounds incredibly off.

It's not off, it's just how Goku is.

[The Monkey King]

I doubt if a murder would to kill 80 people...I doubt Goku would care unless the murder is a strong foe. GreatSaiyaman MIGHT care. But Goku would't.

What? You seriously think that if Goku witnessed a gunman kill people in cold blood he wouldn't put a stop to it? You think he's that apaphetic?
And I don't see how you can put Gohan down as a maybe Gohan would be pretty pissed off.

[LunarMoon]

I really don't see how you come to that conclusion. Just because he cares more about improving himself than his family and friends, doesn't mean he's exactly like Vegeta prior to the Buu arc. You also seem to be under this impression that Goku can't care about others while still caring more about improving himself.

Because prior to the Buu Saga the same could also be said of Vegeta. He cared far more about fighting than he did about either his son, or his comrades, such as Nappa or Raditz. Then the Buu Saga happened and he quickly came to the conlusion that he would sacrifice his life without gaining anything in return. As for Goku, the idea that he cares more about fighting than he does about his friends just sounds incredibly off.

It's not off, it's just how Goku is.

It's off, because that's not what happened. The thrill of fighting a challenging opponent never even entered into his fight with Tambourine.

[TheMightyOzaru]

How do you know that? Yes, Goku wanted to avenge his friend, but as a whole fighting is his number 1 priority. Toriyma himself said that.

[LunarMoon]

How do you know that? Yes, Goku wanted to avenge his friend, but as a whole fighting is his number 1 priority. Toriyma himself said that.

Toriyama said that fighting is his number 1 priority? Where did he say that? His friend died and he got to fight a challenging opponent in exchange. Nothing would indicate that he found that to be a fair trade off.

[TheMightyOzaru]

And why would it be? He'd obviously prefer to fight someone strong without his friend dying, but that doesn't mean fighting isn't number one on his list. Toriyama stated this a few posts up. Read dbzfan7's post.

[Kamiccolo9]

How do you know that? Yes, Goku wanted to avenge his friend, but as a whole fighting is his number 1 priority. Toriyma himself said that.

Toriyama said that fighting is his number 1 priority? Where did he say that? His friend died and he got to fight a challenging opponent in exchange. Nothing would indicate that he found that to be a fair trade off.

dbzfan already posted this.

Goku doesn't only care about fighting and food. He only cares about what he's interested in. Toriyama said so himself.

Toriyama:
Goku isn't interested in child-rearing, probably. He's completely unqualified to be a father. (laughs) He doesn't even have a job. Goku wants nothing other than to get stronger, and it feels like he doesn't have any other instincts. So he shows absolutely no interest in things he's not interested in. I'd bet he wouldn't have had any interest in marriage, either.

http://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/ ... ama-nozawa

So if he's not interested..he doesn't care.