Bardock’s story has been getting a lot more love lately, especially after his return in the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie and his role in the Super manga. What used to be a short, tragic backstory has turned into something a lot deeper—and fans are noticing.
Compelling and captivating fans with gripping narratives, both Goku and Bardock offer an abundance of depth to the Dragon Ball mythos. With all that in mind, who has the better history between this father and son?
Bardock’s Story
Although he has more limited screen time, Bardock is among the most popular and beloved Saiyans. The “Bardock – The Father of Goku” television special was a thought-provoking look into the betrayal and eradication of the Saiyan race. The Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie would later retcon the story of Bardock, but the overall theme and outcome would remain the same.
Bardock sparked a one-man rebellion against the tyrant Frieza and his intergalactic army, an effort he knew was futile. These actions would eventually and poetically lead to Frieza’s initial demise at the hands of Goku on Namek, adding a layer of tragedy and redemption to the already renowned Dragon Ball lore.
Bardock’s Impact
Bardock’s story has a legacy that surpasses his brief anime and manga appearances, solidifying him as one of the most popular video game characters. Even in Sparking! Zero’s vast roster, Bardock is still a formidable force and a fan favorite. Whatever factor cements his popularity, Bardock is immensely favored among fans. People are innately drawn to the tragic hero, and he embodies that theme with valorous grit. This theme is often lacking in Dragon Ball, making Bardock’s story and the impact that much more profound.
We’ve only just seen a semblance of a connection between Goku and Bardock thanks to the Granolah arc, and hope to see more of it in future arcs.
Goku’s Story
Goku’s journey is the heart of Dragon Ball. Both father and son are representations of perseverance, but only Goku has had multiple opportunities to show this. Technically, there is no story without Bardock’s decision to send Goku to Earth, creating the entire encompassing tale as we know it. The history of Bardock is woven so delicately into the timeline that fans recognize him for his significance. Ultimately, Bardock’s story and history is rightfully overshadowed by Goku, the Saiyan we’ve all watched grow up. The story belongs to Goku, after all, and his father sadly isn’t as crucial to the narrative as our titular hero is.
Final Thoughts
Considering the massive discrepancy between Goku and Bardock’s screen time, it’s difficult to say if Bardock’s story is “better,” but it’s unquestionably phenomenal. Some fans do prefer Bardock, and that’s a respectable notion; there is room for debate on both sides.
We even find ourselves leaning towards his more somber narrative sometimes. However, although deeply moving and even Shakespearean, Bardock’s tragedy does not outweigh the influence of Goku’s epic evolution.
