Dragon Ball Super Is Really Stressing How Goku Isn’t A Villain

Dragon Ball fans, let’s face it; Goku isn’t the most self-aware person. The hero can tap into […]

September 5, 2017, 3:09pm

Dragon Ball fans, let’s face it; Goku isn’t the most self-aware person. The hero can tap into a host of insanely powerful Super Saiyan forms, but the protagonist wasn’t gifted with anything fans would call common sense. Over the years, Goku has toed the line between hero and villain thanks to his actions. But, in the most recent episode of Dragon Ball Super, the anime went out of its way to stress the Saiyan is still a good guy at heart.

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Last weekend, Dragon Ball Super aired its 99th episode, and the episode contained a much-needed encounter between the multiverse’s Kaioshin. Following the destruction of Universe 9, the angel Mojito admits he’s sad his charges were the first to go. The deity says the loss was expected given Universe 9’s low Mortal Rank, but the Kaioshin from Universe 1 then steps in to make an important note.

When the episode cuts to Anato, the Kaioshin explains the multiverse should be grateful towards Goku rather than upset. The Saiyan may have been the one to propose the Tournament of Power, but Goku did not tell Zen-Oh to erase the losing universes. In fact, the god was planning to cull straggling universes anyway, and Goku’s suggestion gave low-ranking teams a chance to save their homes. Instead of being blasted away without warning, the universes now have a chance to prove Zen-Oh wrong, and that is all thanks to Goku.

Of course, plenty of Dragon Ball fans were already leaning towards this outlook on Goku . The Saiyan isn’t like Goku Black or even Freeza; He has no malevolent urge to destroy things for the sake of being evil. No, Goku is simple in the way he strives to better himself as a fighter, and the hero will do whatever it takes to get stronger.

Dragon Ball Super may have taken a firm stance on Goku’s role as a hero, but that doesn’t meant the multiverse has to go with it. Universe 9 held a grudge against Goku for his reckless actions, and Universes 4 and 11 also aren’t too fond of the hero. Goku may not have incited the Tournament of Power with any ill-intent, but the guy now carries the event’s responsibility upon his hulking shoulders. Goku has one massive target on his back thanks to his past dealings with Zen-Oh, and fans can only wait to see how the hero manages to overcome the burden. If the Saiyan has anything to say, he’ll be shaking off his haters left and right in the next episodes of Dragon Ball Super.

The synopsis of Dragon Ball Super‘s current saga can be read here: “According to an invitation that Goku gets, Zen-Oh (Omni King) is starting a martial arts tournament between all the universes called “Chikara no Taikai” (Tournament of Power). But it is the beginning of universal destruction. Something awaits the winners and losers of this tournament. What will become of this fierce team battle between each universe’s elite warriors?

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 airs the English dub on Adult Swim Saturdays at 11:30 p.m.