By litzigig
angeloutoftime@another.com
December 23, 2001
At first glance, some people may dismiss this editorial as entirely pointless. Any idiot can see that the main theme of Goku’s personality is being so likeable, no one would ever want to say a bad word about him. However, recently it seems all I hear is Goku bashing left, right, and center. I’m not saying everyone has to love Goku, but what I can’t stand is that this seems to be some sort of emerging trend, a lot of mindless people saying “Goku sux” just to sound subversive or controversial, or whatever. I understand if he’s not your favorite character, after all, if it’s interesting psychological development you’re after, you won’t find it in Goku. My point is that that, in itself, is the beauty of Goku.
A lot of people say he’s dumb; I would disagree. He’s not dumb, just simple. Believe it or not, it’s not the same thing. He appears dumb next to some of the other characters because he doesn’t have a load of different, complex motives behind his actions and he doesn’t have deep-seated psychological resentments; he’s a simple guy with a simple motive, to do the right thing. I would argue that justice is a concept so deeply sown into Goku’s being that he doesn’t need to give his actions a whole lot of thought, he just follows his conscience and before you know it, he’s saved everyone’s ass from extinction yet again. How can you have a problem with that?
A lot of people dismiss him as a “goody goody,” too good to be true in fact. But answer me this, how many despicably good people do you know who really enjoy a good fight? Not many I’m guessing. The truth is, Goku does have an edge to him; given, it’s not as prominent as in Vegeta or Piccolo, but it’s there. He fights for fun, he couldn’t live without it. He’s not some sterile super hero who only uses his powers to promote justice; he also enjoys giving someone a good kicking every now and again. I know a lot of you think his whole “give everyone another chance” indium is irritating, and I know this counter argument is tired but, Vegeta and Piccolo. Need I say more? He does it because he believes that there’s good in people. You may think that’s dumb, but there’s a lot dumber and less noble beliefs to be had (and I’m sure half of you have them). It’s not because he’s a weak character who can be easily manipulated, the fact is that when he does give someone another chance, it’s the only one they’re getting, as we saw with Freeza.
Another criticism is that all he cares about is food. This one is hardly worth replying to, I mean, do you people actually watch the show? He also cares about keeping the human race out of the proverbial “other dimension” and of course kicking a few bad guys around on the way to that goal (all in a thoroughly fair and square way of course).
The truth is, Goku as a character is a work of genius. He’s exactly the right balance of all round good guy and violent upholder of justice. If he was a saint, the show would be unwatchable … it’d be Pokemon with humans fighting. If he was jaded or had too many psychological issues, the show would be too dark and it’s comedic aspects would be even more surreal and ridiculous. Goku has to be the way he is, so like it or watch something else!