TV-Series
Description
Crown Prince Nataku, also known as the War God Prince, is a figure whose origins are steeped in tragedy and artificial creation. He was not born through natural means but was instead created as a genetic hybrid, a fusion of material from youkai from the lower world and the gods of heaven. This origin, orchestrated by Li Touten, classifies Nataku as a heretical being. He was designed for a singular purpose: to serve as a powerful and obedient weapon in Li Toutens political schemes within Heaven. Nataku is considered the only successful result of these experiments, standing apart from numerous failed attempts collectively known as the monstrous Natakus. In the heavenly army, he holds the unique and burdensome distinction of being the only member permitted to kill, a role that earns him the unofficial and chilling title of Killing Puppet. Physically, Nataku appears as a small, thin boy with a round, boyish face. His appearance varies in different tellings; he is sometimes depicted with dark hair and gold eyes, and other times with blonde hair and violet eyes. He is typically dressed in large white robes adorned with gold designs.
Despite his grim purpose, Natakus true personality is that of an individualistic and perceptive child. From a young age, he was disgusted by the hypocrisy of the adults around him, who would blame others for their faults and use people as tools for their own advancement. He promised himself he would never become like them, yet found himself unable to disobey his father's wishes. Growing up, it was impossible for him to trust anyone, as those who did not openly scorn him were only interested in using him. He knew his fathers affection was suspect and that he was viewed as a tool, but for his own sake, he pretended it was a form of love. This isolated childhood, forced to kill from an age that left deep scars, made him seem remote and arrogant to most of Heaven. However, when alone or in the presence of his one true friend, he acts his age, becoming playful, mischievous, and somewhat bratty. He has an impish sense of humor, once going so far as to draw nose hairs on the sleeping Jade Emperor. He is naturally inquisitive about the world and secretly craves affection and companionship, even if he does not seek it out.
Natakus central and most defining relationship is his friendship with Son Goku. They met when Goku was a new, nameless arrival in Heaven, and the two golden-eyed boys, both outsiders, became fast friends. Gokus offer of friendship for its own sake was a profound gift to Nataku, who had never experienced such unconditional acceptance. In Gokus company, Nataku could be a child, sharing secret places in the heavens and making promises to explore together. This bond ultimately sealed his tragic fate. When Li Touten, seeing Goku as a threat to his power, ordered Nataku to kill his only friend, Nataku found himself trapped. He could not disobey his father and could not bring himself to kill Goku. In a final, desperate act of defiance, he turned his sword upon himself, choosing to cut his own strings rather than commit the unthinkable act. He died in the arms of the general Kenren, his last words expressing regret over the unfulfilled promise to explore the heavens with Goku.
Following Li Toutens death, Natakus body was found in a hidden laboratory, barely clinging to life. While his physical wounds healed, his mind retreated into an empty shell. He was placed on a throne in the divine garden of Heaven, where the goddess Kanzeon Bosatsu kept him company, hinting that he was waiting for someone, waiting for Goku. In Saiyuki Reload Blast, five hundred years later, Nataku reappears. He has awakened from his catatonic state, but his personality is seemingly gone, replaced by something mechanical and hollow. He recites lines like a machine, attacking demons he perceives as threats without any recognition of his past. He is dispatched by the Heavens to relieve the Sanzo party of their mission, but his actions are erratic. Upon encountering the Sanzo group, he shows no sign of remembering Goku, though Goku himself feels a deep sense of familiarity. His immense power remains, but he operates as an empty instrument of the Heavens will, leading to a confrontation where he attacks his former friend and his companions without recognition. His mental state remains fractured, leaving his true motivations shrouded in mystery. As a War God Prince, Nataku possesses phenomenal combat abilities, having been created for battle and strong enough to have previously sealed away the Great Youkai, Gyumaoh. His power is so immense that even the combined efforts of the Sanzo party feel like an unwinnable boss battle, and he is capable of defeating powerful demons and beings with little effort.
Despite his grim purpose, Natakus true personality is that of an individualistic and perceptive child. From a young age, he was disgusted by the hypocrisy of the adults around him, who would blame others for their faults and use people as tools for their own advancement. He promised himself he would never become like them, yet found himself unable to disobey his father's wishes. Growing up, it was impossible for him to trust anyone, as those who did not openly scorn him were only interested in using him. He knew his fathers affection was suspect and that he was viewed as a tool, but for his own sake, he pretended it was a form of love. This isolated childhood, forced to kill from an age that left deep scars, made him seem remote and arrogant to most of Heaven. However, when alone or in the presence of his one true friend, he acts his age, becoming playful, mischievous, and somewhat bratty. He has an impish sense of humor, once going so far as to draw nose hairs on the sleeping Jade Emperor. He is naturally inquisitive about the world and secretly craves affection and companionship, even if he does not seek it out.
Natakus central and most defining relationship is his friendship with Son Goku. They met when Goku was a new, nameless arrival in Heaven, and the two golden-eyed boys, both outsiders, became fast friends. Gokus offer of friendship for its own sake was a profound gift to Nataku, who had never experienced such unconditional acceptance. In Gokus company, Nataku could be a child, sharing secret places in the heavens and making promises to explore together. This bond ultimately sealed his tragic fate. When Li Touten, seeing Goku as a threat to his power, ordered Nataku to kill his only friend, Nataku found himself trapped. He could not disobey his father and could not bring himself to kill Goku. In a final, desperate act of defiance, he turned his sword upon himself, choosing to cut his own strings rather than commit the unthinkable act. He died in the arms of the general Kenren, his last words expressing regret over the unfulfilled promise to explore the heavens with Goku.
Following Li Toutens death, Natakus body was found in a hidden laboratory, barely clinging to life. While his physical wounds healed, his mind retreated into an empty shell. He was placed on a throne in the divine garden of Heaven, where the goddess Kanzeon Bosatsu kept him company, hinting that he was waiting for someone, waiting for Goku. In Saiyuki Reload Blast, five hundred years later, Nataku reappears. He has awakened from his catatonic state, but his personality is seemingly gone, replaced by something mechanical and hollow. He recites lines like a machine, attacking demons he perceives as threats without any recognition of his past. He is dispatched by the Heavens to relieve the Sanzo party of their mission, but his actions are erratic. Upon encountering the Sanzo group, he shows no sign of remembering Goku, though Goku himself feels a deep sense of familiarity. His immense power remains, but he operates as an empty instrument of the Heavens will, leading to a confrontation where he attacks his former friend and his companions without recognition. His mental state remains fractured, leaving his true motivations shrouded in mystery. As a War God Prince, Nataku possesses phenomenal combat abilities, having been created for battle and strong enough to have previously sealed away the Great Youkai, Gyumaoh. His power is so immense that even the combined efforts of the Sanzo party feel like an unwinnable boss battle, and he is capable of defeating powerful demons and beings with little effort.