A Dragon Ball fan discovers a key fact on Goku’s story after 40 years
The truth about the death of grandfather Gohan
Derek Padula, an expert in Dragon Ball Known as “Dragon Ball Scholar”, he found the definitive answer on when his grandfather Gohan died. According to Padula, Goku was orphan two years before the start of the manga, which means that only 10 to 12 years survived. The information comes from Bird Land Press 15An official Bulletin of Akira Toriyama published in 1984, which had so far gone unnoticed.
For those who do not remember the details, grandfather Gohan died tragicly: Goku, without being aware of his true Saiyan nature, looked at the full moon and became Oozaru, the giant beast that destroys everything on his path. In the middle of the frenzy, he ended up killing his beloved adoptive grandfather without realizing him. Later, when Bulma finds him in chapter 1 of the manga, Goku mentions that his grandfather died “a long time ago”, which led to the confusion during the exact moment of his death.
The details that have gone unnoticed for years
Although this information was originally published in 1984, few were noticed because he was buried in a lesser -known Toriyama bulletin. The ironic is that these data were revealed in the same year that the first chapter of Dragon Ball Was released in Weekly Shonen JumpWhich makes more surprising that it has gone unnoticed for so long.
Another factor that contributed to confusion is the same inaccuracy of Goku as regards his age. When Bulma knows him, he says he is 14 years old, but then in his formation with Maestro Roshi it turns out that he really has 12. This little change could have been an editorial decision to keep Goku in a closet closer to the target audience manga at that moment.
The evolution of Goku and the transition to adulthood
The discovery of the exact moment of the death of grandfather Gohan also allows us to better understand the temporary line of Dragon Ball. After the first manga saga, there is a temporary leap three years before the martial arts tournament number 23, in which Goku already appears as a young adult.
According to the official documents completed in Akira Toriyama files April 2024, finding the ideal design for adults for Goku was a challenge for the creator. Toriyama has experienced several hairstyle styles, facial expressions and clothes before deciding the final version we all know.
Although Goku’s most iconic image for fans is that of an adult fighter Dragon Ball ZThe franchise recently explored its childhood with Dragon Ball Daima. This new series, published on 11 October 2024, reinvented Goku and his friends in a children’s version while looking for new Dragon Balls in the demonic kingdom. Dragon Ball Daima Its broadcast will end on February 28, 2025 and will be broadcast weekly by Crunchyroll, with its English dubbing starting from January 10th.
The impact of grandfather Gohan on Goku’s life
Grandfather Gohan was not only responsible for the collection of Goku, but also instilled the values of goodness, respect and discipline which characterized it throughout the series. Their influence becomes evident in the way Goku treats their enemies, often preferring to give them a second possibility instead of eliminating them without remorse. Without Gohan, the protagonist of Dragon Ball I could have followed a completely different path.
Another interesting aspect is that Gohan was one of the few humans in the universe of Dragon Ball This knew how to raise a Saiyan without knowing his true nature. Despite his apparent fragility compared to other powerful characters, his inheritance lives in Goku, who always remembers him with Honey and admiration. This shows that the real force is not always in physical power, but on the impact we leave on others.
A legacy that continues to grow
From his debut in 1984, Dragon Ball Has gone from being a manga in Shonen Jump become a global phenomenon. The franchise has led to countless adaptations, also Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super y Super Dragon Ball Heroes. In addition, the most recent films, such as Dragon Ball Super: Super HeroThey continue to expand the universe created by Akira Toriyama.
This recent discovery on grandfather Gohan is proof that, despite the time, Dragon Ball It continues to keep secrets and surprises for your fans. And you, what do you think of this discovery?!