From Luffy and Naruto to Tanjiro and Sailor Moon, anime has produced countless iconic protagonists. But one stands above them all: Goku. What puts him at the pinnacle of anime heroes?
“Dragon Ball,” created by Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama, was a global phenomenon, selling more than 260 million copies worldwide. The series inspired toys, shows, movies and a wide range of collaborations.
Inspired by the classical Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” Toriyama’s manga was later adapted into two highly successful anime series, “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z,” along with 19 animated films, three TV specials, and two sequel series (“Dragon Ball GT” and “Dragon Ball Super”), according to Corey Hutchinson of Screen Rant.
Son Goku, the main protagonist of “Dragon Ball,” is a Saiyan from Planet Vegeta who was sent to Earth as an infant. Originally tasked with conquering the planet, Goku lost his memory after a childhood accident and instead grew up to become Earth’s protector.
Goku is not just a great anime protagonist — he helped shape the anime genre itself.
“‘Dragon Ball’ helped the foundation of this format with its story arcs and all the important aspects crammed into them,” Sandoval wrote for the Miami High News.
Goku consistently pushes himself for the people he cares about. He shows audiences that while life brings challenges, with hard work, effort and resilience, obstacles can be overcome. Goku gave fans hope and motivation — inspiring some to train, to persevere, and to believe that anything is possible with determination. These qualities separate him from other anime characters such as Luffy or Naruto. Despite his immense powers, Goku remains relatable through his playful personality and serious attitude.
“There are many factors that contribute to an effective shonen protagonist, and Goku stands out because he never lets his immense strength get in the way of his childhood glee and excitement,” Daniel Kurland of CBR News said.
Toriyama, who died in 2024, left behind a legacy that shaped the anime industry forever.
“The main innovation, though, was Goku being a new kind of protagonist. Quite eccentric, always hungry, naïve and impulsive but with solid values and determined to become the best of all,” Filippo Barra wrote in Hypercritic.
Goku’s influence is still felt across the industry. Without him, many of today’s most popular anime heroes would not exist. Luffy’s appetite-driven personality and Naruto’s carefree outlook are just two traits modeled after Goku.
“The impact of ‘Dragon Ball’ was much larger than its initial audiences, serving as a gateway into manga, anime, and Japanese culture for a whole generation worldwide, popularizing the genre beyond the borders of Japan,” Shella Vasquez wrote in the Tacoma Ledger.
“Dragon Ball” has become one of the most popular anime franchises in the world thanks to its memorable characters, engaging story arcs and expansive world-building. Toriyama may be gone, but his impact will never be forgotten.
And at the center of it all is Goku – a character who proved that strength means nothing without kindness, perseverance and joy. He is the blueprint for the modern shonen hero, the spark that shaped an entire generation of anime and manga. Other protagonists may inspire, but none have transformed the genre – or connected so deeply with fans worldwide – the way Goku has.
