Highlights
- Goku’s friendships with colorful characters in Dragon Ball are built over time, as they warm up to his boundless enthusiasm and learn to share his interests.
- Goku treasures the mystical cloud, Flying Nimbus, like a beloved family pet, showing the quality of his character and his ability to form deep connections.
- Vegeta and Goku, two sides of the same coin, develop a friendly rivalry as they both strive to become the strongest fighter, understanding each other on a deeper level than anyone else.
Goku is the main protagonist of Dragon Ball, so he obviously meets numerous colorful characters in his long journey. Because he’s such a likable guy, many of these characters have become his friends. Unfortunately, the hero’s short attention span and preoccupation with martial arts mean he doesn’t have much time for socializing. Thankfully, a few faces have stuck around.
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Certain Dragon Ball heroes have cemented themselves as Goku’s best friends. Ironically, most of them start on the wrong foot. Over time, though, they warm up to the monkey-tailed hero and his boundless enthusiasm. They may even come to share his interests. In turn, he begins to treasure them above even the Dragon Balls themselves.
5 Flying Nimbus
This mystical cloud is a gift from the Turtle Hermit. Goku can ride it due to being pure of heart, and it’s a constant source of aid whenever he’s in need. Though it has no dialogue, it does seem to have a personality akin to Aladdin’s magic carpet.
For that reason, Goku treasures the Nimbus like a beloved family pet. He’s always happy to see it and grateful for its help. It then reciprocates those feelings. On the other hand, he’s visibly distressed whenever the Nimbus is harmed or destroyed. Many people might treat this cloud as just a means of transportation, but this behavior shows the quality of Goku’s character. Horses or other mounts can often become one’s closest companions. Apparently, that also goes for the Flying Nimbus.
4 Piccolo
This Namekian is initially a villain bent on the same world domination as his father, but Goku swiftly stops him. They’re soon up against a common foe and must work together. Goku sacrifices himself to save the planet, and it’s here that Piccolo sees that his rival’s inner strength matches his outer might. This isn’t what earns his friendship, though.
That’s largely thanks to Goku’s son, Gohan, whom Piccolo trains to aid against further threats. He can’t help but admire the kid’s vigor and starts to care for him. Before long, Gohan holds the green guy in the same regard as Goku. That sense of belonging prompts Piccolo to cease hostilities against his former enemy, gaining a new perspective on the kind of man he is and how fulfilling his life can be.
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Meanwhile, Goku sees Piccolo as a stalwart yet grumpy ally. He’s a crafty opponent in their battles, so Goku often turns to him for wisdom and strategy. At the same time, he’s grateful for the guidance he gives to Gohan and his concern for the boy’s wellbeing. The Namekian is an able guardian when Goku can’t be.
3 Vegeta
Here’s another tale of redemption. Goku’s fellow Saiyan begins as his bitter enemy. Vegeta invades the Earth in search of the Dragon Balls, but Goku spares his life once the battle ends. From here, the villain becomes fixated on surpassing the hero. He always stays close, relentlessly training and eagerly awaiting a rematch.
Over time, that feud gradually turns into a friendly rivalry. Living on Earth, Vegeta slowly acclimates to human kindness despite his Saiyan pride and lust for battle. Raising a family and fighting alongside his former enemy against greater foes, he learns the virtues of a peaceful life without forsaking his warrior spirit. At the end of the day, Vegeta and Goku are two sides of the same coin; they both want to become the strongest fighter, but the latter simply does it without the need to assert his dominance over the weak. That mirror image makes him Vegeta’s worthiest adversary.
The feeling is mutual. Goku recognizes Vegeta’s kindred spirit as a Saiyan. By extension, he sees his own instinctual need for self-improvement reflected in his rival. From that perspective, they understand each other on a deeper level than anyone else.
2 Bulma
Goku’s oldest friend, Bulma is the first human that he encounters (aside from his grandfather). She initially plans to swindle him out of his Dragon Ball. Despite herself, however, she’s touched by his absolute innocence and optimism, realizing that there’s more to life than material gain. On the flip side, Goku looks up to her as a source of knowledge. She guides him out of his isolated existence and instructs him on the ways of the world. Each person has plenty to teach the other.
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This forges a lifelong connection. Goku respects Bulma’s intelligence and resourcefulness, deferring to her in virtually every area except fighting. She continues pointing out his blunders in terms of manners and other subjects, but she also appreciates how he finds the best in the little things. He’s basically the brother she never had. As such, she knows she can count on him to be there for her and everyone else on Earth.
1 Krillin
The first of many rivals, Krillin is a fellow disciple under Master Roshi. The cynical monk initially doesn’t think much of the monkey boy’s earnestness. Over months of intense training, though, they develop a deep respect for one another’s abilities and aspirations. They encourage each other in tough times and celebrate their victories together.
That friendship lasts well into adulthood. While Goku far surpasses Krillin in strength, neither loses any respect or love for the other. On the contrary, they rely on each other more and more. Krillin even looks out for Gohan while his father is away. He also relaxes with the family in their downtime. It’s no wonder that, of all his friends, Krillin is the one whose death pushes Goku to become a Super Saiyan.
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