Bardock. He's a low-class warrior. He's a cold-blooded killer. He's the guy who somehow, despite being a minor character in the grand scheme of the Dragon Ball timeline, became one of the most beloved figures in the entire franchise. Honestly, if you look at the screen time Bardock the father of Goku actually gets compared to characters like Vegeta or Piccolo, it’s kind of wild how much weight he carries in the fandom. People love an underdog. But more than that, people love a tragedy.
He isn't a hero in the way we think of Goku. Not even close.
When Akira Toriyama first introduced the concept of Goku’s father, he wasn't trying to create a saint. He was creating a Saiyan. That means Bardock was someone who spent his days wiping out entire civilizations for a paycheck—or rather, for the survival of his race under Frieza’s thumb. He was brutal. If you met him in a dark alley (or on a doomed planet), he wouldn't offer you a senzu bean. He'd probably just blast you without looking. Yet, something shifted. Whether it was the psychic curse of the Kanassans or a sudden burst of paternal instinct in Dragon Ball Minus, Bardock became the first Saiyan to say "no" to the status quo.
The Two Versions of Bardock: It's Complicated
If you ask two different fans who Bardock is, you might get two totally different stories. That's because we basically have two distinct versions of the character. First, there's the 1990 TV Special, Bardock - The Father of Goku. This is the gritty, blood-soaked warrior most older fans grew up with. In this version, Bardock is a thug. He’s part of a crew that gets slaughtered by Dodoria’s elite, and his rebellion is fueled by revenge and a terrifying psychic vision of his planet’s literal end. It’s dark. It’s visceral. He wears a blood-stained headband that belonged to his fallen comrade, Tora. It’s heavy stuff.
Then you have Dragon Ball Minus and Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
Toriyama decided to rewrite the history a bit. In this "canon" version, Bardock is a bit more... let's say, sentimental? He actually likes his wife, Gine. That was a big deal because, according to Toriyama’s interviews in Saikyō Jump, Saiyans don't really do "love." They do "mating for reproduction." But Bardock and Gine were different. They had a bond. This version of Bardock sends Goku to Earth not because he sees a vision of Goku fighting Frieza, but because he has a "bad feeling" and wants to save his son. It’s a softer take, and honestly, it split the fanbase right down the middle.
Some people hate it. They think it makes him too much like Superman’s dad, Jor-El. Others find it more human. Or, well, more Saiyan-human.
👉 See also: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
Why the Kanassan Curse Changed Everything
In the original special, the catalyst for Bardock's change isn't love; it's a curse. After conquering Planet Kanassa, the last surviving inhabitant strikes Bardock with a gift—or a plague—of precognition. He starts seeing the future. He sees the destruction of Planet Vegeta. He sees his son, Kakarot, growing up on a backwater planet called Earth.
Imagine being a guy who only understands strength and suddenly being forced to watch your own extinction.
It broke him. But it also woke him up. He tried to tell the other Saiyans, but they laughed. They were too arrogant. They thought they were invincible because they were the "warrior race." Bardock was the only one who saw the ceiling closing in. That loneliness is what makes Bardock the father of Goku so compelling. He stood alone against an empire. When he flew up to confront Frieza’s ship, he wasn't just fighting for his life; he was trying to change a destiny he already knew was written in stone.
The tragedy is that he failed. Or did he?
He died in the vacuum of space, vaporized by Frieza's Supernova. But in those final seconds, he saw a vision of Kakarot standing face-to-face with Frieza on Namek. He died smiling. He knew that even if he couldn't do it, his son would. That’s top-tier storytelling. It bridges the gap between the cynical world of the Saiyans and the hopeful future Goku represents.
The Power Level Myth: Was He Actually Strong?
Let's talk numbers. People love power levels.
✨ Don't miss: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
In the 1990 special, it’s mentioned that Bardock’s power level was approaching 10,000. For a low-class warrior, that’s insane. To put that in perspective, Nappa—an elite—was only around 4,000 when he arrived on Earth years later. Bardock was a freak of nature. He was constantly on the front lines, getting "Zenaki" boosts (the Saiyan trait where they get stronger after healing from a near-death experience) because he was always getting beat up in the trenches.
He was a blue-collar warrior.
However, against Frieza, 10,000 is nothing. Frieza’s first form was 530,000. It wasn't a fight; it was an execution. Yet, the Episode of Bardock manga and OVA introduced the idea that he didn't die, but was instead sent back in time to become the "Legendary Super Saiyan." While many fans consider this a "what if" scenario rather than hard canon, it fed into the obsession with Bardock's potential. If he had lived, would he have reached Super Saiyan Blue? Probably not without the god ritual, but he certainly had the drive.
What Dragon Ball Super Changed in the Granolah Arc
If you haven't kept up with the Dragon Ball Super manga, you’re missing the most significant development for Bardock in decades. The Granolah the Survivor Saga actually dives back into Bardock’s past via a recording on an old Scouter.
We find out that Bardock actually saved Granolah and his mother during a Saiyan invasion of Planet Cereal.
Why? Because seeing Gine and his newborn son had softened his edges. He couldn't bring himself to kill a mother and child. He even ended up fighting a member of the Heeter Force, Gas, and managed to win through sheer "Saiyan Will." This is a massive piece of the puzzle. It shows that Goku’s "nature" might not just be from hitting his head as a baby. Maybe, just maybe, he inherited a sliver of empathy from his old man.
🔗 Read more: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
This creates a bridge between the two versions of the character. He’s still the rough warrior, but he’s capable of individual moments of mercy. It makes him more three-dimensional than just a "guy who sees the future."
The Impact of Gine
We can't talk about Bardock without mentioning Gine. For the longest time, Goku’s mom was a total mystery. When she was finally revealed, she wasn't a fighter. She worked in a meat distribution center. She was kind.
In Saiyan culture, she was a weakling.
But Bardock loved her. Their relationship is the reason Goku exists. If Bardock had been a "standard" Saiyan, he might have never cared enough to check on his son or worry about Frieza’s suspicious orders. It was his connection to his family that gave him the intuition to act. It’s a subtle shift from the original "psychic" explanation, but it anchors the story in character motivation rather than just magic plot devices.
Misconceptions You Should Probably Drop
- He was a good guy: No. He was a mass murderer who happened to do one or two good things at the end of his life.
- He is the same as the Masked Saiyan: Only in Dragon Ball Xenoverse and Heroes. In the actual story, he’s dead.
- He knew Goku would become a hero: In the original special, he saw visions of the future, but he didn't know the details. He just knew his son would be the one to kill Frieza.
- He reached Super Saiyan in canon: He didn't. The Episode of Bardock where he fights Chilled is generally considered a spin-off.
How to Appreciate Bardock Today
To really understand Bardock the father of Goku, you have to look at him as a bridge. He is the transition point between the old, cruel Saiyan ways and the new era of heroes. He represents the potential for change.
If you want to dive deeper, don't just stick to the anime. Look at the Dragon Ball Super manga chapters 77 through 83. They provide a much more nuanced look at his combat style and his personality. Also, watch the opening scenes of Dragon Ball Super: Broly again. Notice the way he looks at the planet as he’s flying away—it’s not fear. It’s a weird mix of resignation and defiance.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 1990 Special: If you've only seen Super, go back and watch the original Bardock - The Father of Goku. The soundtrack alone is worth it.
- Read the Granolah Arc: It’s the most "human" Bardock has ever been, and it explains a lot about Goku’s own hidden power.
- Check out Akira Toriyama’s Interviews: Specifically the ones in Dragon Ball Full Color: Frieza Arc, where he explains the social structure of Saiyans. It puts Bardock’s "low-class" status into a much clearer perspective.
Bardock isn't just a footnote. He’s the foundation. Without his brief moment of rebellion, the story of Dragon Ball never happens. He didn't just give Goku his looks; he gave him a chance. And in the brutal world of the Saiyans, that was the greatest gift a father could give.