The Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama has mainly focused on the growth and development of its lead character, Goku. The storyline portrays his transitions from being solitary to forming his own family and building friendships with former foes.
Throughout the iconic anime franchise, the Saiyan protagonist has undergone significant growth and development – from a young boy portrayed in the original manga/anime series to a fully matured adult (and then, in the now non-canon Dragon Ball GT, back to his younger self). In this article, we will explore Goku’s age, both in terms of his physical appearance and personal growth, across the series.
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In Dragon Ball, What Is Goku’s Age?
In the beginning, Bulma, a teenager searching for the Dragon Balls, finds Goku and discovers that he is only 11 years old. Together with Yamcha, Oolong, and Puar, they try to prevent Emperor Pilaf from using the Dragon Balls for world domination. As Goku reaches the end of his eleventh year, he trains under Master Roshi along with Krillin, to get ready for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Unfortunately, he narrowly loses to Roshi, who was in disguise as Jackie Chung.
During the three-year gap between the 22nd and the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku took it upon himself to dismantle the Red Ribbon Army. He participated in the tournament at the young age of 15 but was defeated by Tien. After the tournament, Goku and his friends defeated King Piccolo, only to find out that his stronger son was planning to enter the next tournament and conquer the Earth. Goku underwent training under Kami and Mister Popo, both of whom were earth guardians, and eventually emerged victorious in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament as an 18-year-old. He defeated Piccolo and got married to Chi Chi immediately after.
What Is Goku’s Age in Dragon Ball Z?
At the beginning of Dragon Ball Z, Goku’s age is 23 and he has a young son named Gohan who is five years old. After discovering his Saiyan ancestry from his malevolent brother Raditz, Goku sacrifices his life to help Piccolo defeat Raditz forever. While the Z Fighters prepare for the arrival of Raditz’s superiors, Vegeta and Nappa, Goku trains in the afterlife. When he is brought back to life using the Dragon Balls, Goku’s physical age remains unchanged at 23, but his chronological age advances to 24 after he assists in driving Vegeta away from Earth.
Following his triumph over Frieza, Goku undergoes a rigorous three-year training with the Z Fighters, in preparation for the arrival of the androids foretold by the alternate future Trunks. At the time, Goku’s age was 26 physically, but 27 years old in terms of chronological age. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Goku and Gohan opt to undergo further training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, an enclosed space located in the heavenly Lookout that remains largely immune to the effects of time in the outside world. After a year inside the chamber, Goku emerges at the physical and chronological age of 27, ready to confront Cell in the Cell Games.
Goku gave his life to save Earth from Cell and remained dead for seven years until the Elder Kai resurrected him to help defeat Majin Buu. When Buu was defeated, Goku was still 27 years old physically, but he was actually 34 years old chronologically. The series then jumped ahead 10 years, and at that point, Goku was physically 37 years old and chronologically 44 years old. Vegeta also noted that Saiyans age slower once they reach their physical prime, allowing them to fight for longer periods with more effectiveness.
In Dragon Ball GT, How Old Is Goku?
Goku spends almost a year recovering the Black Star Dragon Balls, but his efforts to use them in saving the Earth are futile. As a result of Earth’s destruction, Goku’s physical age is now 12, while his mental age is 50. The series then proceeds with a one-year leap in time for its climactic story arc, which leaves Goku at 13 years old physically and 51 years old mentally. GT concludes with an epilogue and a TV special set roughly a century into the future, where Goku merges with the Eternal Dragon and returns to his prime physical state as an adult. His precise physical age is uncertain, but he would be around 151 years old mentally at the end of GT.
The Age of Goku in Dragon Ball Super
At the conclusion of the Dragon Ball Super anime series and its follow-up movie, Broly, Goku’s age is stated to be 32 in terms of his physical state, but when it comes to his mental state, he is believed to be 39. Although there is a continuation of the manga series after Broly’s events and the end of the anime, it is unclear how much time has passed. It should be noted that Goku hasn’t yet reached 40 years old, physically, since the events of the Z epilogue are still pending.
Conclusion
In conclusion, discovering Goku’s age across every Dragon Ball anime series is a fascinating journey that sheds light on the character’s growth and development. From his humble beginnings as a child in the original Dragon Ball series to his adulthood and fatherhood in Dragon Ball Super, Goku has undergone significant changes both physically and mentally. Despite the inconsistencies in his age across different adaptations and timelines, Goku remains a beloved and iconic character in the world of anime and manga. Understanding Goku’s age and his journey can deepen our appreciation for his character and the Dragon Ball franchise as a whole.