Dragon Ball: Goku's hidden name connects him to an ancient legend
Goku
's true name has a surprising origin that connects him to one of the greatest heroes in Asian mythology and that radically alters how fans view him.
Even if you've been following Dragon Ball since the beginning, you might not be aware of the significance behind Goku's name. Though to most fans he's simply 'Goku,' or by his
Saiyan
name 'Kakarot,' there's a third name that hints at a far older and more mystical origin linked to ancient folklore. Goku's name and journey were based upon Journey to the West, one of the most significant texts in all of Chinese literature.
Recognizing this mythic wellspring reveals that Goku is more than just an awesome ass kicker. He's a titan of historical contemplation, metaphysical inquiry, and the Buddhist notion of spiritual advancement.
Goku's name isn't just 'Kakarot'—It comes from a mythic monkey king
Long before Dragon Ball became an anime phenomenon, read all over the world, in dozens of languages, creator Akira
Toriyama
initially conceived it as a light-hearted, adventure-filled reboot of the Chinese epic Journey to the West. In that tale, one of the protagonists is the Monkey King, the legendary
Sun Wukong
.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Write Better, Work Smarter With This Desktop App
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
In Japanese, his name transforms into Son Goku—the exact name Toriyama ultimately chose for his hero. So while Goku's birth name as a Saiyan is indeed Kakarot, his Earth name derives from another heroic figure who traveled, vanquished powerful foes, and searched for ultimate knowledge and enlightenment.
What 'Son Goku' really means – A path to enlightenment
In the Buddhist context,
Son Goku
'awakened to emptiness' or 'aware of the void.' It's a magical gender-neutral name that conveys a path of self-discipline, calm, and empowerment. Just the spiritual adventure Goku is undertaking.
This concept is evidenced beautifully in Goku's development across the course of Dragon Ball Super. The further he trains and the more powerful opponents he faces, he starts to realize that it's not only about learning to hit harder. It's about learning to master his emotions and stay cool in the heat of battle.
That's what makes Goku's Ultra Instinct transformation so special. It signifies something deeper, both about Mario and the personal journey he's undertaken.
Ultra instinct Goku: The true meaning of power and peace
In the climax of Dragon Ball Super, Goku finally attains Perfected Ultra Instinct after the angel-in-training Merus gives his life for him. This moment, I assure you, is not motivated by anger or retribution, but rather by serenity and understanding. Goku doesn't go berserk. He achieves complete consciousness and mastery over his form, body, mind, even his feelings.
Later, during the Granolah the Survivor Saga, Goku takes this even farther by fully mastering
True Ultra Instinct
. Just as important is the new suit's approach to Peter's emotions. As opposed to repressing them like the last suit, this new form combines his feelings with his strength. It's an enormous defining moment for Goku's character. He does not fight the way an untamed Saiyan or a raging broly fighter anymore. He fights in the manner of a cool-headed, clear-minded seasoned fighter trained in the ways of martial arts.
This redefinition is actually well suited to fit the deeper historic meaning of Son Goku, which is essentially someone who attains enlightenment through strife, cultivation, and harmony.
Goku's journey is a reflection of legendary hero journeys
Goku's tale is replete with otherworldly skirmishes and enormous energy projectiles. At its core, it's the narrative of a fighter who becomes a more enlightened, serene individual the further he goes. Similar to Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, Goku, at first, is a dangerous, uncontrollable martial artist. Yet, through years of practice and maturity, Moore is not shy about showing the evolution of this character. He ultimately serves as the calming anchor that everyone else needs.
Here's the kicker. Akira Toriyama had foreshadowed this from the beginning by naming him Son Goku.
Goku's journey is a reflection of legendary hero journeys
Goku's tale is replete with otherworldly skirmishes and enormous energy projectiles. At its core, it's the narrative of a fighter who becomes a more enlightened, serene individual the further he goes. Similar to Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, Goku, at first, is a dangerous, uncontrollable martial artist. Yet, through years of practice and maturity, Moore is not shy about showing the evolution of this character. He ultimately serves as the calming anchor that everyone else needs.
Here's the kicker. Akira Toriyama had foreshadowed this from the beginning by naming him Son Goku.
Goku's name and legacy continue to be important today for several reasons:
Cultural Impact: Goku is a beloved character in anime and manga, representing strength and perseverance. His influence extends beyond Japan, reaching fans worldwide.
Inspirational Themes: Goku's journey embodies themes of hard work, determination, and self-improvement. These themes resonate with audiences, encouraging them to strive for their goals.
Iconic Status: As the main character of "Dragon Ball," Goku has become an icon in popular culture. His recognizable appearance and catchphrases have made him a staple in various media.
Evolution of Character: Goku's character has evolved throughout the series, showcasing growth and development. Fans appreciate seeing his journey and the challenges he faces.
Community and Fandom: The Goku fandom fosters a sense of community among fans. Discussions, fan art, and conventions celebrate his legacy, keeping his name alive.
For fans of the series, this understanding brings a richer interpretation of Goku's character arc. For new fans who are just starting to watch Dragon Ball, it's the perfect introduction to let you know that this isn't your typical action-based anime. It's an incredibly pervasive, modern-day myth, that is nevertheless grounded in deep, ancient roots and powerful, dangerous themes.
So the next time you see Goku power up, just keep in mind you're not just witnessing an epic battle you're witnessing an artistic triumph.
Check out our list of the
latest Hindi
,
English
,
Tamil
,
Telugu
,
Malayalam
, and
Kannada movies
. Don't miss our picks for the
best Hindi movies
,
best Tamil movies,
and
best Telugu films
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dia Mirza calls for more biodiversity parks to help children bloom
Picture Credit: X Actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza shared glimpses of her visit to a lush green space in Mumbai called The Nest, expressing admiration for the way the park has been transformed into a biodiversity hotspot. Calling the visit a "Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces," Mirza emphasized the importance of regular interaction with nature, noting its health benefits-from regulating blood pressure and strengthening the immune system to helping children thrive. She praised The Nest for its thoughtful landscaping that incorporates native species, turning the park into a model of ecological restoration within an urban setting. In her post, the 'Sanju' actress also acknowledged the Nature Sky Walk created by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), calling it a step in the right direction for promoting environmental awareness and green living in the city. On Wednesday, Dia Mirza took to her Instagram handle and shared a video of her kids playing in the garden and wrote, "Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces in #Mumbai Regular interaction with nature helps regulate our blood pressure, strengthens our immune system and grounds us. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free Chess. No Ads. Just Fun Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo " "Our children thrive in nature! @radha82 'The Nest' is such a great example of how a park can be converted into a biodiversity hotspot, simply by mindfully introducing more native species! Love what has been achieved here and believe that this is prototype that can be easily replicated across Mumbai and India. Many congratulations. Hope to keep coming back And the Nature Sky Walk by @mybmc," she added. Earlier on World Environment Day , Dia had lauded Professor Chetan Singh Solanki-widely known as "The Solar Man of India"-for his relentless dedication towards the Finite Earth Movement. Highlighting his mission to promote sustainable living, she applauded his continued efforts to inspire climate responsibility across communities. Reinforcing the urgency of environmental action, the 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actress pointed to stark data from the Global Footprint Network, which reveals that humanity is consuming natural resources 1.7 times faster than Earth's ability to regenerate.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Panchayat's new Season 4 to be released early on fans' demand. Here is the new official date and where to watch
Looks like democracy in Phulera works faster than we thought. In a clever twist that blurred the lines between fiction and fanfare, Panchayat Season 4 is arriving earlier than expected, thanks to an interactive campaign that let fans 'vote' their way to an earlier release date. Originally slated for July 2, the highly anticipated season of the beloved TVF show will now premiere on June 24 on Amazon Prime Video . The streamer confirmed the updated release date with a tweet that captured the show's signature flavour: ' Shuru ho chuka hai election. Manju Devi ya Kranti Devi, kiski hogi selection #PanchayatOnPrime, New Season, June 24.' — PrimeVideoIN (@PrimeVideoIN) Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Election campaign The quirky promotional campaign was rolled out like an actual village election, where fans were asked to choose between Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar)—and in doing so, decide when the show should drop. The online election sparked a hilarious virtual showdown, with fake manifestos, rap battles, and wild promises ranging from 'airbag-fitted cycles' to 'village runways.' In the campaign video, Sachiv Ji (Jitendra Kumar) played the voice of reason, proposing the unique idea: if fans voted in time, the show could premiere early. That was all it took for fans to support their candidate and, more importantly, unlock Season 4 sooner. The buzz also saw Pradhan Ji (Raghubir Yadav) and Vikas (Chandan Roy) rapping for Manju Devi's campaign, only to be hilariously countered by Bhushan a.k.a. Banrakas, singing for his wife Kranti Devi. The playful tone and rustic wit that define the show were on full display in the campaign—an effective teaser for the drama, laughs, and emotional moments fans can expect in the new season.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Anees Bazmee marks 26 years of 'Sirf Tum', Calls it a 'Story that never ages'
Picture Credit: X As his directorial 'Sirf Tum' turned 26, filmmaker Anees Bazmee called the Sanjay Kapoor-starrer a story that never ages. Anees took to Instagram, where he shared the poster featuring Sanjay and Priya Gill. He captioned the post: "26 years of Sirf Tum Some stories never age. They only grow deeper in the hearts of those who lived them and those who watched them. " "To be part of something so timeless, so full of pure love and raw beauty - it's more than just a memory, it's a blessing I carry every day. Grateful for the love." 'Sirf Tum' also stars Jackie Shroff , Mohnish Bahl and Sushmita Sen . With soulful music by Nadeem-Shravan, the film is a remake of the 1996 Tamil film Kadhal Kottai. It told the story of Deepak and Aarti falling in love with each other but they have never met. They exchange letters but do not know about each other's whereabouts. Talking about Bazmee, he made his directorial debut with Hulchul in 1995, however his first commercial success came in 1998 with the film Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of the year. He went on to direct the top-grossing comedies including No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Ready, Welcome Back, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free Chess. No Ads. Just Fun Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo Sanjay made his debut in Hindi cinema in 1995 with the movie Prem, opposite Tabu. His next movie was Raja opposite Madhuri Dixit. He went on to star in several films as a lead actor such as Auzaar, Mohabbat and Sirf Tum. In 2002, he appeared as a villain playing the psychotic husband of Esha Deol in Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe. The actor started playing supporting roles in films like Qayamat: City Under Threat, Julie, Luck By Chance and Shaandaar. He turned to producing with his first production Tevar starring his nephew Arjun Kapoor releasing in 2015. He played a cameo appearing alongside his brother Anil for the first time in Mubarakan. In early 2018, Sanjay was cast in the anthology film Lust Stories as a lead character opposite actress Manisha Koirala. He was cast in the movie The Zoya Factor as his real life niece Sonam Kapoor's on screen father.
