Did you know that Goku, the beloved hero of Dragon Ball, has an unexpectedly rich and transformative history behind his design? Akira Toriyama, the creator of the series, revealed that Goku was originally meant to resemble an actual monkey. In an interview, Toriyama shared insights into how this idea evolved and why it changed, offering fans a deeper understanding of one of anime’s most recognizable characters.
Initially, Toriyama’s concept for Goku was inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, where the main character, Sun Wukong, is a monkey. This led Toriyama to think of creating Goku as a similar monkey character. However, he soon realized that following this route would lack innovation. Toriyama decided to redesign Goku as a human boy, which turned out to be a pivotal move in shaping the iconic character we know today.
A Unique and Distinguishable Design
Toriyama’s creative process was aimed at making Goku stand out from other anime characters. Drawing inspiration from his previous work Dragon Boy, where the protagonist had wings, Toriyama wanted a physical feature that would make Goku instantly recognizable. The solution came in the form of a tail, a feature that became central to Goku’s identity. Whether hidden behind a rock or in the spotlight, Goku’s tail ensured that fans could always identify him.
As the story progressed, with the introduction of the Dragon Balls and the epic journey to collect them, the series evolved into the legendary Dragon Ball we know today. Toriyama’s decision to shift from a monkey-like design to a more human appearance ultimately set the stage for the series’ massive success. This change in Goku’s design became one of the most important milestones in Toriyama’s career, leaving a lasting legacy in anime.
