Thirty-six years after his debut, Bardock, Goku’s father, remains one of the most beloved characters in the entire Dragon Ball franchise.
Dragon Ball is one of the longest-running and most iconic manga and anime franchises of all time, particularly in the shonen genre. There is no denying that creator Akira Toriyama developed most of its characters. However, not every familiar face loved by fans originated on the pages of his manga.
As the animation studio behind the franchise’s hit series, Toei Animation has made significant contributions to Dragon Ball’s popularity. The anime adaptation was a tremendous success in Japan before quickly becoming a global phenomenon after taking the West by storm. Beyond adapting the main story from the manga, the studio also created numerous spin-offs, sequels, and prequels outside Toriyama’s original storyline.
During the 1990s, animators and directors often had considerable creative freedom to introduce new characters and entirely new transformation forms, many of which eventually became iconic among fans. Bardock, Goku’s father, is one of the franchise’s most legendary characters. He was first introduced in the television special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku. Originally broadcast in Japan on October 17, 1990, the character continues to enjoy the same enduring affection from fans 36 years later.
Goku’s Father First Appeared in a Non-Canon Special
Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, one of the anime’s most renowned animators and character designers, was primarily responsible for designing Bardock and the other characters in the special. The episode served as a prequel to the original story, following Goku’s father before Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, the homeworld of the Saiyan warriors.
Set 12 years before the main events of the series, the 1990 special follows Bardock and his fellow Saiyan warriors as they carry out missions under Frieza’s command. The Saiyans had served Frieza for a long time, becoming his most effective workforce.
Thanks to their extraordinary physical strength, they could easily conquer planets and prepare them to be sold to the highest bidder. However, Frieza eventually turned against the Saiyans. He constantly feared that a Super Saiyan would emerge from their race and defeat him with the power of the legendary warrior.
After his infant son, Kakarot, was sent to Earth, Bardock fought on the front lines in an attempt to prevent Frieza from destroying the planet. Nevertheless, no Saiyan could match the villain’s overwhelming power. The original special was a tremendous success, turning Bardock into a fan-favorite character.
Bardock Officially Becomes a Dragon Ball Icon
Years after the special aired, Toriyama briefly incorporated Bardock into the main storyline, paying tribute to his efforts to save his son and fellow Saiyans. The 1990 special revealed that Goku had been sent to Earth as part of a mission to conquer the planet. This background aligned more closely with the original story, but everything changed in Dragon Ball Super, when Bardock officially became part of the main canon.
A brief flashback in Chapter 77 revealed that Bardock had foreseen the tragedy that would befall his homeworld. This was why he sent his infant son to Earth, a planet with a low power level where the child could hide from Frieza’s pursuit. This development fundamentally changed the character’s core identity, and whether that change was for better or worse depends on each fan’s perspective.
Toei’s version of Bardock is more ruthless, cold, and emotionally distant, fitting the mold of an antihero. Toriyama, on the other hand, portrayed Bardock as a more loving and gentle father who sent his son away to protect him from the impending catastrophe. One version presents a complex character with morally ambiguous traits, while the other depicts a tragic hero.
Despite their significant differences, both versions of Bardock have earned considerable affection from audiences, although Toei’s interpretation appears to have a slight edge in popularity among fans. What makes Bardock so compelling is that he does not conform to the conventional standards of a typical “hero.”
The Saiyans were never a peaceful race. They were notorious for their bloodlust and relentless pursuit of power. Bardock was no exception when he first appeared as a ruthless Saiyan warrior who took pride in battle and conquest, just like his fellow Saiyans. This is precisely why the original 1990 animated special feels more consistent with the setting and culture of Planet Vegeta.
Sources: gamek