Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Goku’s Mother

Dragon Ball fans already know that Son Goku’s family tree is a bit confusing. When the character was introduced, Goku was being raised by his grandfather on Earth. However, when Dragon Ball Z came around, fans learned that Goku had a far more complex lineage than previously assumed. The sequel quickly told fans that Goku was actually a member of the Saiyan race, and they soon discovered more about the hero’s brother and father. However, details about Goku’s mom were kept secret for quite sometime – but that’s not the cast anymore.

If you are curious about Goku’s mother, then you are in luck. Akira Toriyama finally filled in fans about the female Saiyan after his readers asked for years. The character never had a chance to appear in any anime titles, but the creator of Dragon Ball did ensure Goku’s mom got a brief spotlight in the manga.

Goku’s mother Gine debuted in a special Dragon Ball side story called “Dragon Ball Minus: The Departure of the Fated Child.” The woman had long dark hair, onyx eyes, and still carried her Saiyan tail well into adulthood. Unlike her husband Bardock, Gine was very gentle and had a gullible personality much like Goku. Her kind temperament made her unsuited for battle, and Bardock fell in love with Gine as such. Their partnership was a rare one in the Saiyan community as the race usually selected mates for breeding purposes rather than affection.

However, Gine managed to catch Bardock’s eye as she used to be a member of his team. The leader was often forced to save Gine, and the pair eventually married after she left fighting to work on Planet Vegeta. The couple then had two children, Radtiz and Kakarot.

Eventually, Gine finds her docile nature challenged when word spreads that Freeza is looking to destroy the Saiyans for fear they will rise against him. Bardock tells Gine he will steal a pod for Kakarot to escape in since Raditz is working off-planet with Prince Vegeta. Gine worries, telling Bardock it isn’t like a Saiyan to worry about their children, but her husband admits Gine’s softness has rubbed off on him.

Before Planet Vegeta gets destroyed, Gine and Bardock bid farewell to Kakarot. The heroine is understandably upset as she parts way with her son, assuring Kakarot they will find him if possible. Bardock warns a sleeping Kakarot about Freeza’s scouters who would try to kill them, and then the parents watch as their Saiyan son slips out into space.

In the manga, there is no definite mention of Gine’s death, but she is presumed to have passed when Freeza destroyed Planet Vegeta.

You can check out the character design for Gine below!

Dragon Ball Super‘s “Universal Survival” saga is part of the recent simulcast agreement that sites like Crunchyroll and Funimation have scored. Dragon Ball Super airs on Crunchyroll Saturdays at 7:15 p.m. CST. Toonami will begin airing the English dub on Adult Swim Saturdays at 11:30 p.m.