TV Special
Description
Borgos is a Saiyan warrior who appears exclusively in the 1990 television special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku. He is a member of the low-class Saiyan mercenary platoon led by Bardock, the father of the series' protagonist, Goku. His original Japanese name, Totepo, is a pun on the word for potato, which was adapted to Borgos for the English release. Physically, Borgos is the largest member of his squad, a balding Saiyan of considerable size and muscular build, with black hair that reaches his ears and characteristic dark eyes.
In terms of personality, Borgos is best described as the strong, silent type. In the original Japanese version of the special, he is almost entirely mute, with his only vocalization being a battle cry just before his death. This silence gives him an imposing and stoic presence, suggesting a warrior who lets his actions speak for him. However, he is also noted to have quite an appetite, a trait consistent with many Saiyans. Despite his lack of dialogue, his actions indicate a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty. He is a ruthless and skilled fighter, as expected of a Saiyan mercenary, but he fights alongside his comrades with a sense of honor and teamwork. The English dub provides him with a few additional lines that reinforce this bond, referencing the strange dreamlike experience of transforming into a Great Ape alongside his teammates.
Borgos's background is that of a low-class Saiyan who works for the interstellar tyrant Frieza. His role in the story is to serve as one of Bardock's trusted teammates, often fighting on the front lines to clear planets of their native populations so they can be sold. His primary motivation, like most Saiyans, is likely the thrill of combat and the completion of his missions, but his deep-seated loyalty to his squad is his defining characteristic. He shares a close professional relationship with his platoon members: the leader Bardock, the hot-headed Tora, the sole female warrior Fasha, and the burly Shugesh. Together, they form an effective and cohesive unit.
The character does not undergo any significant personal development within the narrative, as his role is to support the protagonist Bardock and to be a casualty of Frieza's growing paranoia. His key moment in the story occurs when his squad is assigned to conquer Planet Meat while Bardock is recovering from an injury. Unbeknownst to them, this mission is a trap set by Frieza's elite soldier, Dodoria. Borgos, along with his comrades, is ambushed by Dodoria's elite forces. True to his resilient nature, Borgos is one of the last members of his squad to fall, putting up a prolonged fight before being killed by a powerful, fatal blow to the face. His death serves as a critical emotional catalyst for Bardock, fueling the protagonist's rage and his final, desperate stand against Frieza.
Regarding abilities, Borgos possesses the standard powers of a Saiyan warrior. He is capable of using his ki to fly and to enhance his physical strength and durability. According to supplemental material like Dragon Ball Carddass, his power level is approximately 4,000. Like all Saiyans with their tails, Borgos can transform into a Great Ape when he looks at a full moon. In this colossal form, his power increases tenfold, and he demonstrates the ability to use a Mouth Energy Wave, firing a powerful beam of energy from his mouth to destroy his enemies. In some video game adaptations, he is also depicted using a yellow energy attack called Angry Launcher in his base form.
In terms of personality, Borgos is best described as the strong, silent type. In the original Japanese version of the special, he is almost entirely mute, with his only vocalization being a battle cry just before his death. This silence gives him an imposing and stoic presence, suggesting a warrior who lets his actions speak for him. However, he is also noted to have quite an appetite, a trait consistent with many Saiyans. Despite his lack of dialogue, his actions indicate a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty. He is a ruthless and skilled fighter, as expected of a Saiyan mercenary, but he fights alongside his comrades with a sense of honor and teamwork. The English dub provides him with a few additional lines that reinforce this bond, referencing the strange dreamlike experience of transforming into a Great Ape alongside his teammates.
Borgos's background is that of a low-class Saiyan who works for the interstellar tyrant Frieza. His role in the story is to serve as one of Bardock's trusted teammates, often fighting on the front lines to clear planets of their native populations so they can be sold. His primary motivation, like most Saiyans, is likely the thrill of combat and the completion of his missions, but his deep-seated loyalty to his squad is his defining characteristic. He shares a close professional relationship with his platoon members: the leader Bardock, the hot-headed Tora, the sole female warrior Fasha, and the burly Shugesh. Together, they form an effective and cohesive unit.
The character does not undergo any significant personal development within the narrative, as his role is to support the protagonist Bardock and to be a casualty of Frieza's growing paranoia. His key moment in the story occurs when his squad is assigned to conquer Planet Meat while Bardock is recovering from an injury. Unbeknownst to them, this mission is a trap set by Frieza's elite soldier, Dodoria. Borgos, along with his comrades, is ambushed by Dodoria's elite forces. True to his resilient nature, Borgos is one of the last members of his squad to fall, putting up a prolonged fight before being killed by a powerful, fatal blow to the face. His death serves as a critical emotional catalyst for Bardock, fueling the protagonist's rage and his final, desperate stand against Frieza.
Regarding abilities, Borgos possesses the standard powers of a Saiyan warrior. He is capable of using his ki to fly and to enhance his physical strength and durability. According to supplemental material like Dragon Ball Carddass, his power level is approximately 4,000. Like all Saiyans with their tails, Borgos can transform into a Great Ape when he looks at a full moon. In this colossal form, his power increases tenfold, and he demonstrates the ability to use a Mouth Energy Wave, firing a powerful beam of energy from his mouth to destroy his enemies. In some video game adaptations, he is also depicted using a yellow energy attack called Angry Launcher in his base form.