Goku's mother...appearing soon?!

[Herms]

If it came from aubergine, wouldn't it be more like ジーン (Jiin) than ぎね (Gine) ?

This is correct. I've said it a few times, but the "gine" in "aubergine" is pronounced completely different than "Gine" as in Goku's mother. In aubergine it's pronounced like "jean/gene", but Gine is pronounced like "Ghi-ney" (think of New Guinea; it's not a perfect match but that's the closest thing in English I can think of off hand). Japanese kana isn't like the English alphabet; pronunciation doesn't vary wildly based on context (kanji, on the other hand...). A different pronunciation means a different spelling, and so in kana the "gine" in "aubergine" would not be spelled with even a single letter in common with the name of Goku's mother.

The name pun for Gine isn't confirmed, it can be Aubergine or Negi or even something else. Toriyama usually uses Vegetable names in English for Saiyans, if he did the same thing for Gine, then it's Aubergine. But he didn't revealed the name pun for Gine yet, so we don't know on which one it is based.

Going off of all of the above, the bottom line is that "aubergine" is simply not a potential candidate. There's no actual connection there to the character's name; it's just an illusion created by an accident of English spelling.

Anyway, it's not 100% confirmation and it's not even from Toriyama, but there's a little caption in the Q&A saying "anyway, 'Gine'...it must come from negi, right?"

Napa or Nappa cabbage is a name used in English.

It's still a Japanese word; the way it's used in English doesn't even quite line up with it's Japanese meaning, where it refers to leafy vegetables in general rather than any particular kind of cabbage in particular. Toriyama says in DB Forever that "this might just be my dialect, but leafy vegetables like spinach are called ‘nappa’ , so I took it directly from that". He obviously wasn't thinking about whether or not the word is used in English. That's not a rule he had floating around in his head.

[Kaboom]

I also like how Toriyama, despite seemingly going out of his way to avoid actually answering this question, still gave enough information to declare the Bardock special's rating of him as out of continuity. Bardock can't be close to 10,000 and thus much stronger than Nappa and probably kid Vegeta if he would get promoted based on his battle power, and if he isn't able to become a mid-class warrior based on that.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions about this so quickly -- Toriyama only strictly says that Bardock never was "promoted," not that he never got strong enough to be. If Bardock spent most of his time out on missions one after another and gained strength rapidly in the process, the opportunity for promotion may simply have never occurred.

I'm having flashbacks to the early parts of "part two" of Naruto, where Naruto himself returns to the village to find that most (if not all) of his peers have been promoted to Chunin level or higher, while Naruto himself is still technically a Genin in rank despite being stronger than most of them. I can easily picture something similar being the case with Bardock.

[RandomGuy96]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions about this so quickly -- Toriyama only strictly says that Bardock never was "promoted," not that he never got strong enough to be. If Bardock spent most of his time out on missions one after another and gained strength rapidly in the process, the opportunity for promotion may simply have never occurred.

Bardock is in the upper ranks as far as low-class warriors go, but he isn’t able to become a mid-class warrior.

Seeing as how the question was specifically about Bardock's potential, and how strong he could plausibly get, the wording of this statement pretty heavily implies that he just meant (base) Bardock never got stronger than Nappa in his lifetime. He might even be weaker than Raditz's 1,500, considering the general trends of this series. And since this was a Q and A about Episode of Bardock... it's very possible that this means that even Super Saiyan Bardock is weaker than Captain Ginyu

[Herms]

This one just confuses me. Weren't Vegeta and King Vegeta super-elites, not elites? Elites were a much weaker class that included such folks as Nappa, so it can't just be those two. Or maybe he confused elite and mid-class?

Vegeta does describe himself as a "super elite" when fighting Goku, and Nappa calls himself an "elite warrior" and member of the "nobility". So...yeah, seems Toriyama's redefining terms a little here. This is also the first place the phrase "mid-class warrior" has ever been used, to my knowledge. Prior to this there was only ever talk of "low class", "elite", and "super-elite", with the phrase "lowest-class warrior" sometimes tossed around too for good measure, usually to describe Raditz.

Since it's never been used before, I guess we can assume "mid-class" is equivalent to what Nappa refers to as "elite" when hyping himself up. Which makes Vegeta's "super-elite" equivalent to what Toriyama here labels as simply "elite". I guess we can hand-wave all this by saying Nappa and Vegeta like to pad their resume, so to speak.

[TheGmGoken]

This one just confuses me. Weren't Vegeta and King Vegeta super-elites, not elites? Elites were a much weaker class that included such folks as Nappa, so it can't just be those two. Or maybe he confused elite and mid-class?

Vegeta does describe himself as a "super elite" when fighting Goku, and Nappa calls himself an "elite warrior" and member of the "nobility". So...yeah, seems Toriyama's redefining terms a little here. This is also the first place the phrase "mid-class warrior" has ever been used, to my knowledge. Prior to this there was only ever talk of "low class", "elite", and "super-elite", with the phrase "lowest-class warrior" sometimes tossed around too for good measure, usually to describe Raditz.

Since it's never been used before, I guess we can assume "mid-class" is equivalent to what Nappa refers to as "elite" when hyping himself up. Which makes Vegeta's "super-elite" equivalent to what Toriyama here labels as simply "elite". I guess we can hand-wave all this by saying Nappa and Vegeta like to pad their resume, so to speak.

Or just simple Saiyan- cocky-ness. I mean didn't Raditz call himself an elite warrior before as well?

[RandomGuy96]

If he did, then he wouldn't technically be wrong. Even if he wouldn't fit the technical definition of a long destroyed system, he could still be very powerful for a low-class, and a few steps above the average Freeza grunt. Which is supported by Gohan and weighted Krillin being read at "about 1,500", same as Raditz, then one-shotting two generic Freeza troopers. And he's certainly stronger than 99% of the galaxy, and far stronger than any of Earth's warriors. So he would be an elite warrior, if not technically an elite saiyan.

[Gozar]

I'm jumping into the discussion a little bit late here, but I guess my opinion on this matter is that I'm both really happy and a little upset.

I'm happy because I really enjoy Bardock as a character and Toriyama giving some detail as to him being different from the other Saiyans is really interesting and good news to me. As for Goku's mother, I really enjoy the little tidbits about her. I find nothing wrong with a little basic information being brought to light after all of these years,

My problem, however, is the fact that she will be appearing in the bonus manga of "Jaco." One of the things that I really enjoy about DragonBall as a whole is the fact that Toriyama doesn't really delve too deeply into information. I like that a lot of DragonBall's elements are left up to fan interpretation, theory, and fanfiction. I would prefer Toriyama just tell us a little about Gine and the allow fans to speculate, rather than giving her some sudden appearance nearly 20 years after the end of his original Manga.

To be honest, I feel that a lot of the DragonBall fan base has become way too scientific in their approach to in-universe discussion. What I mean is that too many discussions seem to be an internet contest of who can flex their informational muscles the best. Quoting excepts from guide books, interviews, and (dear Lord) Battle Powers are the prime form of discussion. What's really become lost in recent years is sheer opinionated discussion about characterization and reasons for certain event, similar to what one would come across in a Book Club discussion.

I hope that with as little information given about Gine as possible, this turn of events will produce some really spirited discussion and debate as to Goku's personality and mental state.

[DNA]

Okay, I've been very late to all these parties we've been having around. I see a lot of interesting bits of information. I'm eager to see more of this Goku's mother business :D

Also, I just thought this was funny, as Herms was describing, you got the terms Super Elite, Elite, Mid Class, Low Class and then Lowest Class, whilst some of these are probably the same, I have to laugh at the fact that Raditz is Lowest Class and it kinda sounds like something below Low Class.

Raditz is just the lowest of the low, the butt of the Saiyan jokes, poor guy. Well, at least he got to hook up with Jadoushin, so not everything is bad for that dude.

[Herms]

Or just simple Saiyan- cocky-ness. I mean didn't Raditz call himself an elite warrior before as well?

Kinda-sorta. He refers to himself as a "first-rate warrior" (一流の戦士) who has no trouble killing his own brother, in contrast to Goku. It's not really tying into any cast system the way the "low-level/mid-level/elite" stuff does, and in context it's not even talking about power so much as attitude: "I'm not soft like you, I'm a true warrior!" That kind of thing.

[MediaFanGirl93]

Sorry to change the subject, but anyone think it would be cool if Goku grew up, raised by both of his biological parents?

[Duo]

Sorry to change the subject, but anyone think it would be cool if Goku grew up, raised by both of his biological parents?

So...basically a version of Raditz or Nappa that looks like Bardock..?

At best, he'd end up being just slightly more honorable than normal because of his father. Still would be a blood thirty murderer who would likely never become anything glorious.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

Considering the direction BoG and Dragonball Heroes has taken with the image of the franchise, I hope she isnt some weird princess-orihime type character... that would just kill my whole image of Bardocks tastes in women; which is why if his mother is anything like Celipa/Fasha, is however then I'd be totally accepting of that. The Fanfic of Goku's mother's interpretation fits enough of my impression: the Turnip character I think her name was, where she looks more like Raditz and is a low-class peseant. Its just the personality they assign her is what I'm concerned of. We have Vegeta's younger brother who was a complete wuss already.

For your information, it also says that she was not cut out for fighting due to being gentle. She used be a member of Bardock's team and "developed some feelings for" Bardock after being saved by him for several times. It was a rare case for Saiyans who normally don't develop male-female relationships except for for "breeding purposes".

Uh-Oh... Now I can already picture what she'll be like... gentle characters always follow a strict design archtype and have the same personality tropes. I really hope she is genuine enough to fit the series mithos continuity. I hope we get someone like Celipa, looks badass, wears the armour but has a calm personality (which she did)... and not a "motherly" stereotypical anime cliche. Wears a long gown, has extremely long straight hair, has a constant sympathetic smile on her face... speaks softly.... no.

[Herms]

The interview at the very least implies Cold and Freeza are the only members of their "race" and aren't born through normal reproductive means; "Freeza's race" is even in quotes.

If we can put an end to "the Changeling race" I suppose I'm on board with it, but Dragon Ball Heroes has thrown around the term "Freeza Clan"...

The term used in the Q&A is フリーザ一族, "Freeza Clan/Family/Race", the same term used in DB Heroes. The idea in the Q&A isn't so much that Freeza and Cold are the only members of their clan, but rather that they're the only two of their clan who are so gosh-darn strong and evil. So even though it's the "Freeza Clan", it's not like the whole clan is full of guys just like Freeza. Cold and Freeza are exceptions, mutants different than their peers. Which still seems pretty strongly at odds with the Freeza Clan as shown in DB Heroes, or the characters Coola and Chilled.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

The interview at the very least implies Cold and Freeza are the only members of their "race" and aren't born through normal reproductive means; "Freeza's race" is even in quotes.

If we can put an end to "the Changeling race" I suppose I'm on board with it, but Dragon Ball Heroes has thrown around the term "Freeza Clan"...

The term used in the Q&A is フリーザ一族, "Freeza Clan/Family/Race", the same term used in DB Heroes. The idea in the Q&A isn't so much that Freeza and Cold are the only members of their clan, but rather that they're the only two of their clan who are so gosh-darn strong and evil. So even though it's the "Freeza Clan", it's not like the whole clan is full of guys just like Freeza. Cold and Freeza are exceptions, mutants different than their peers. Which still seems pretty strongly at odds with the Freeza Clan as shown in DB Heroes, or the characters Coola and Chilled.

Its been often implied that everyone of Freeza's species seems to have an inherent superiority complex, though it can just be those in HIS political family tree that act like that, if King Cold himself preaches this mentality than maybe the rest of his species do to.. but only the strong ones. (A Dende-like version of Freeza would feel way too weird and even flat-out bizzare enough to really work considering most of their moves involve "death" and genocide attacks.)

[RandomGuy96]

The term used in the Q&A is フリーザ一族, "Freeza Clan/Family/Race", the same term used in DB Heroes. The idea in the Q&A isn't so much that Freeza and Cold are the only members of their clan, but rather that they're the only two of their clan who are so gosh-darn strong and evil. So even though it's the "Freeza Clan", it's not like the whole clan is full of guys just like Freeza. Cold and Freeza are exceptions, mutants different than their peers. Which still seems pretty strongly at odds with the Freeza Clan as shown in DB Heroes, or the characters Coola and Chilled.

Aren't the Freeza Clan members in DBH depicted as good guys? If they aren't, they could just not fulfill the power requirement, and be much, much weaker than Cold and Freeza. He did say that Freeza and Cold were the only ones with such a high level of battle power and cruelty.

As for Chilled and Cooler... Chilled doesn't seem to fit the power requirement, as base Bardock could make him bleed, and Cooler... Toriyama either just didn't consider him or more likely outright forgot. Or maybe Cooler is actually a super nice guy, and we just didn't get to see that side of him.

[Herms]

Aren't the Freeza Clan members in DBH depicted as good guys?

Well, you can play as them. I don't know if that really makes them good guys, though.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

Aren't the Freeza Clan members in DBH depicted as good guys?

Not only that, they are not even real Freeza Clansmen: they are Earthling everyday kids that take a Freeza Clan form when playing the game.

[penguintruth]

More deification of Goku's parents, the Sainted Bardock and Lady Gine of Galilee.

Whatever happened to Goku being brain damaged and from poor stock (a low-class warrior who couldn't put a dent in Dodoria and a woman so unimportant she wasn't worth mentioning) but, through hard work, unleashing the legendary Super Saiyan?

Nope. Now he's the offspring of really amazing, great people, one of whom was a time-travelling hero AND Super Saiyan.

When you overexplain something it just becomes utterly f***ing stupid.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

Whatever happened to Goku being brain damaged and from poor stock

When was it stated that Goku is a good guy because of his brain damage? All I know is that it erased his memories.

[penguintruth]

Whatever happened to Goku being brain damaged and from poor stock

When was it stated that Goku is a good guy because of his brain damage? All I know is that it erased his memories.

Roshi says that Grandpa Gohan said Goku was a little shit, bumped his head, and then wasn't a little shit.

A little baby doesn't have "memories". Saiyan babies destroy the planets they're sent to because it's in their nature to destroy.