He's the main character of the show, one of the most important characters in animation history, and a major reason we're bothering to have a podcast, but what do we know about Goku, really?
Join Jelli and Bekinney as they take the first real steps into Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon by tackling episode 1 of the anime "The Secret of the Dragon Balls" and then have a discussion about the character of Goku.
In this episode:
- Our hosts prepare to leave for their mission
- Brief plot synopsis of the episode "Secret of the Dragon Balls"
- Brief discussion of favorite moments from the anime episode
- Brief analysis of some of the pop culture references including Michael Jackson, Madonna, and 80s fashion included in the episode
- Definition of the terms Yokai and Ningen
- Introduction to Japanese honorifics
- Introduction to Goku as a character, including very briefly his Saiyan roots and birth name of Kakarott
- Akira Toriyama's design process in the creation of Goku, including his more monkey-inspired concept, and influences from action starts like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, and other manga and anime characters such as Astro Boy and Merry Melodies and Mega Man
- Goku's literary inspirations from Journey to the West: the character Sun Wukong, a key ally to the Buddhist Monk, Tang Sanzang, the literary character based on Xuanzang.
- Goku's lack of desire in terms of having a wish for the Dragon Balls, and his inner contented nature.
- A discussion of Goku's race
- Goku's abilities (or lack thereof) as a father
- The inspiration behind Goku's Power Pole
- A discussion of whether Goku is overconfident and cocky
- A discussion of whether Goku is a "boring" character and the flat character arc including other examples such as Wonder Woman, and Superman - and the similarities and differences between Goku and Superman
- How Goku's flat character arc contrasts with more traditional growth character arcs such as those for Vegeta, Piccolo, Yamcha, Krillin, and Bulma, and even less traditional arcs like Frieza and Zamasu.
- and more, including some general pop culture and editorializing, and an argument over whether Goku is stupid.
This is the first full discussion of a topic of many more along the way as we'll uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise.
