Dragon Ball made a bold decision in choosing to age Goku into his adult form, a move that ultimately transformed the series—and significantly impacted the shonen action genre. This strategic decision liberated many writers from the limitations of their character arcs, paving the way for innovative storytelling.
The name “Goku”typically conjures images of the adult protagonist from the beloved franchise. However, fans of the series are well aware that Goku’s journey commenced during his childhood. This approach was fairly conventional for shonen manga, as the protagonist’s age corresponded with that of the target audience, facilitating a relatable narrative. The concept of aging Goku was not initially part of the plan, which led creator Akira Toriyama to face considerable opposition from editors who were apprehensive that altering the character could jeopardize the series’ newfound success.
Goku’s Growth Into An Adult Was All Toriyama’s Doing
Toriyama Decided by Himself to Age Goku Up
As Toriyama recounted in an interview translated by Kanzenshuu, he faced significant resistance when proposing the change: “Apparently in shonen manga, changing what the main character looked like was a big no-no, but I didn’t care about that.[Goku’s] head/body ratio made fighting hard, so I said that if the series was going to start focusing more on battles, then I needed to make him an adult. But this really shocked them: ‘The series has finally gotten popular, and now you want to go and change everything!’” His determination ultimately forced the issue, allowing for Goku’s transformation despite the pressures from editorial staff.
This was indeed a risky maneuver. The concept of a time skip and character aging mid-narrative was almost unheard of at the time. Had the fanbase rejected Goku’s new design, it could have led to a decline in popularity that might have prematurely ended the series before reaching the iconic Z era. Nonetheless, Toriyama skillfully maintained key features of Goku, such as his signature hairstyle and orange gi, crafting an adult version that retained the essence of the character’s youth.
The transformation proved beneficial, particularly evident during the Piccolo Jr. Saga, where the redesigned Goku showcased a more dynamic fighting style. Moreover, Toriyama’s decision opened the floodgates for other characters to be redesigned, heralding a revitalized era for the series that has become emblematic for countless fans.
Goku Paved the Way for Other Timeskip Redesigns
Dragon Ball’s Timeskip Became a Model for Other Series
The innovative approach used by Dragon Ball to skip through time periods, ageing characters, and introducing fresh designs was revolutionary. This inspired numerous series, particularly those that followed in the 90s and 2000s, including the famed “Big Three.”For instance, the significant time skip in Naruto led to the series being rebranded as Naruto Shippuden, reflecting a matured cast and storyline. Such transformations injected new vitality into long-running sagas, allowing character development to occur off-screen.
It is fascinating to consider the impact of Toriyama’s resolve against editorial pressures; without it, fans might never have encountered the adult Goku that has since become an iconic figure, recognizable even to those outside the fandom. This highlights the valuable lesson that crafting engaging narratives sometimes necessitates embracing risk—something Toriyama demonstrated expertly. The decision to age Goku not only refined his appearance but also aligned the series’ tone with the overarching narrative Toriyama aimed to tell.
Today, timeskips are a standard trope in anime storytelling, alongside tournament arcs and character transformations—many elements solidified by Toriyama’s pioneering work. His willingness to defy conventions and advocate for what he believed was essential for the narrative helped Dragon Ball achieve global acclaim, reaffirming his status as a master storyteller. Aging Goku proved to be a pivotal choice, significantly enhancing the narrative’s depth and resonance.
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