TV Special
Description
Bardock is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball media franchise, recognized as the biological father of the series' protagonist, Goku (originally named Kakarot), as well as his elder brother, Raditz. As a member of the Saiyan race, a warlike species of mercenaries, Bardock serves as a low-class Saiyan warrior who leads a small platoon of four other soldiers on missions to conquer planets for the tyrant Frieza. His name is a pun on "burdock," continuing the series' tradition of naming Saiyans after vegetables.
Physically, Bardock bears a striking resemblance to his son Goku, sharing nearly identical facial features and spiky black hair, a fact that has led other characters who knew him to recognize the familial relationship when they later encounter Goku. He is distinguished from his son primarily by a prominent scar on his left cheek, a blood-stained white headband he wears tied around his forehead, and the standard-issue battle armor of Frieza's army, which features a unique shoulder design.
In his initial and most famous portrayal in the 1990 television special, Bardock embodies many typical Saiyan traits. He is a cold-blooded, ruthless fighter who loves combat and destruction, and he shows little initial interest in his newborn son Kakarot, dismissing him due to his low fighting power. Despite this apathy towards his children, Bardock demonstrates a deep sense of camaraderie and loyalty towards the members of his own platoon, treating them as a close-knit family. He is characterized by a laid-back, fearless, and sharp-minded demeanor, often displaying a calm intelligence that allows him to see through situations that others cannot. After being gravely wounded and witnessing the death of his comrades, his personality undergoes a significant shift, transforming his apathy into a determined and courageous resolve to defy the fate he has foreseen.
Bardock's primary motivation in the story shifts from carrying out Frieza's bidding to a desperate struggle for survival and vengeance. This change is triggered when, during a mission on the planet Kanassa, a surviving native casts a spell on him that grants him the psychic ability of precognition. Through fragmented visions, he sees the impending destruction of his homeworld, Planet Vegeta, at the hands of Frieza, as well as glimpses of his infant son Kakarot's future on Earth. When his premonitions begin to come true and his own platoon is betrayed and massacred by Frieza's elite soldier, Dodoria, Bardock's motivation becomes singular. He attempts to warn his fellow Saiyans of the coming genocide, but they refuse to believe him. Ultimately, he chooses to make a desperate, solitary last stand against Frieza himself, not only to avenge his fallen comrades but also to change his own destiny and that of his son, dying with the hope that Kakarot will one day avenge their race.
Within the narrative, Bardock serves as a crucial piece of backstory for Goku, revealing his origins as a Saiyan sent to Earth as an infant. His role is that of a tragic hero whose defiance in the face of overwhelming odds sets the stage for the main events of Dragon Ball Z. His key relationships are central to his development. His wife, Gine, is one of the rare Saiyans with whom he shares an authentic emotional bond, and she is the one who convinces him to send their son away to safety. In later retellings of the story, his relationship with his sons is explored further, showing a brief but pivotal moment where seeing Kakarot sparks a heroic change within him, though his connection to his elder son Raditz is depicted as notably more distant and less caring. The loss of his platoon members, including his closest comrade Tora, serves as the emotional catalyst for his final rebellion, and he adopts Tora's blood-soaked bandana as a symbol of his vow for revenge.
The character's development varies across different adaptations. In the original television special, Bardock's arc is one of a hardened, brutal mercenary who is awakened to a greater purpose through tragedy and the gift of foresight. He transforms from a fighter who cares little for his son to a father who sacrifices himself for a future he will not live to see, dying with a smile as he envisions Goku facing Frieza. Later stories, such as the Dragon Ball Minus manga chapter and the film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, reinterpret his personality, portraying him not as an apathetic warrior but as a caring and proactive father from the start, who personally plans Kakarot's voyage to Earth to save him from Frieza's impending purge.
As a Saiyan, Bardock possesses all the standard abilities of his race, including superhuman strength, speed, agility, and durability. He can manipulate ki to fly and project energy blasts, and possesses a Saiyan tail that would allow him to transform into a Great Ape under a full moon. His signature technique is an energy sphere attack known as the Final Spirit Cannon or Riot Javelin. His most unique ability is the precognitive clairvoyance granted to him by the Kanassan warrior, which allows him to see future events, although he cannot always control these visions. While considered a low-class warrior, he is noted to be exceptionally powerful for his class, with a combat power approaching ten thousand, which is high enough to rival King Vegeta himself.
Physically, Bardock bears a striking resemblance to his son Goku, sharing nearly identical facial features and spiky black hair, a fact that has led other characters who knew him to recognize the familial relationship when they later encounter Goku. He is distinguished from his son primarily by a prominent scar on his left cheek, a blood-stained white headband he wears tied around his forehead, and the standard-issue battle armor of Frieza's army, which features a unique shoulder design.
In his initial and most famous portrayal in the 1990 television special, Bardock embodies many typical Saiyan traits. He is a cold-blooded, ruthless fighter who loves combat and destruction, and he shows little initial interest in his newborn son Kakarot, dismissing him due to his low fighting power. Despite this apathy towards his children, Bardock demonstrates a deep sense of camaraderie and loyalty towards the members of his own platoon, treating them as a close-knit family. He is characterized by a laid-back, fearless, and sharp-minded demeanor, often displaying a calm intelligence that allows him to see through situations that others cannot. After being gravely wounded and witnessing the death of his comrades, his personality undergoes a significant shift, transforming his apathy into a determined and courageous resolve to defy the fate he has foreseen.
Bardock's primary motivation in the story shifts from carrying out Frieza's bidding to a desperate struggle for survival and vengeance. This change is triggered when, during a mission on the planet Kanassa, a surviving native casts a spell on him that grants him the psychic ability of precognition. Through fragmented visions, he sees the impending destruction of his homeworld, Planet Vegeta, at the hands of Frieza, as well as glimpses of his infant son Kakarot's future on Earth. When his premonitions begin to come true and his own platoon is betrayed and massacred by Frieza's elite soldier, Dodoria, Bardock's motivation becomes singular. He attempts to warn his fellow Saiyans of the coming genocide, but they refuse to believe him. Ultimately, he chooses to make a desperate, solitary last stand against Frieza himself, not only to avenge his fallen comrades but also to change his own destiny and that of his son, dying with the hope that Kakarot will one day avenge their race.
Within the narrative, Bardock serves as a crucial piece of backstory for Goku, revealing his origins as a Saiyan sent to Earth as an infant. His role is that of a tragic hero whose defiance in the face of overwhelming odds sets the stage for the main events of Dragon Ball Z. His key relationships are central to his development. His wife, Gine, is one of the rare Saiyans with whom he shares an authentic emotional bond, and she is the one who convinces him to send their son away to safety. In later retellings of the story, his relationship with his sons is explored further, showing a brief but pivotal moment where seeing Kakarot sparks a heroic change within him, though his connection to his elder son Raditz is depicted as notably more distant and less caring. The loss of his platoon members, including his closest comrade Tora, serves as the emotional catalyst for his final rebellion, and he adopts Tora's blood-soaked bandana as a symbol of his vow for revenge.
The character's development varies across different adaptations. In the original television special, Bardock's arc is one of a hardened, brutal mercenary who is awakened to a greater purpose through tragedy and the gift of foresight. He transforms from a fighter who cares little for his son to a father who sacrifices himself for a future he will not live to see, dying with a smile as he envisions Goku facing Frieza. Later stories, such as the Dragon Ball Minus manga chapter and the film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, reinterpret his personality, portraying him not as an apathetic warrior but as a caring and proactive father from the start, who personally plans Kakarot's voyage to Earth to save him from Frieza's impending purge.
As a Saiyan, Bardock possesses all the standard abilities of his race, including superhuman strength, speed, agility, and durability. He can manipulate ki to fly and project energy blasts, and possesses a Saiyan tail that would allow him to transform into a Great Ape under a full moon. His signature technique is an energy sphere attack known as the Final Spirit Cannon or Riot Javelin. His most unique ability is the precognitive clairvoyance granted to him by the Kanassan warrior, which allows him to see future events, although he cannot always control these visions. While considered a low-class warrior, he is noted to be exceptionally powerful for his class, with a combat power approaching ten thousand, which is high enough to rival King Vegeta himself.