Unlocking Goku's Age: Revealing his Secrets Across the Dragon Ball Sagas!

Summary

Goku's journey in the Dragon Ball saga has witnessed a remarkable progression in his age, as he has transformed from a young child to a teenager, a young adult, and even a proud grandfather. While his physical appearance may not always align perfectly with his actual age, it is indeed extraordinary that Dragon Ball grants its characters the ability to age and evolve.

Goku's age can be deduced based on the different sagas: 14 in the Emperor Pilaf saga, 16 in the Tien Shinhan and Demon King Piccolo sagas, and 24 in the Saiyan and Frieza sagas. Throughout the series, Goku's age continues to progress, reaching 42 in the Battle of Gods saga, 47 during the Tournament of Power, and around 49 in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. However, his Saiyan physiology enables him to maintain his youthful appearance. Including an older, mentor-like version of Goku in future releases could be advantageous for Dragon Ball.

Goku's age has always been a topic of curiosity among fans throughout all the Dragon Ball sagas, including Dragon Ball Super. This beloved franchise has been entertaining audiences for nearly four decades, witnessing the growth and aging of Goku and his companions. By encompassing various mediums such as anime, manga, and other sources, there is ample information available to track the timelines and understand how Goku's journey has unfolded thus far.

What sets Dragon Ball apart is the repeated portrayal of Goku's aging process. Initially introduced as a child, he gradually progresses into a teenager, a young adult with a family, and in Dragon Ball Super, he even embraces the role of a grandfather. It is noteworthy that Goku's physical appearance may not always correspond to his current stage in life, but the fact that the series allows its characters to age is a commendable aspect worth acknowledging.

Goku's age is not explicitly stated in every saga, particularly in Dragon Ball Super. However, there are enough clues in the storyline to make a reasonable estimation. It is important to mention that only canon sagas will be considered here, excluding Dragon Ball GT as well as the movies and video games in the franchise.

How Old Goku Is In The Emperor Pilaf Saga

The Emperor Pilaf saga marked the beginning of Goku's journey in Dragon Ball as he embarked on his first-ever quest to find the mystical Dragon Balls. At the start of the saga, Goku mistakenly claimed to be 14 years old due to his limited education and difficulty with counting. However, after receiving training from Master Roshi, Goku acquired enough knowledge to accurately determine that his actual age in the series' introduction was 12, not 14.

How Old Goku Is In The Tournament & Red Ribbon Army Sagas

At the age of 12, Goku participated in the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. In the final round, he engaged in a fierce battle against Master Roshi. However, when Goku embarked on his search for the Dragon Balls, a whole year had passed since their last use, making him 13 years old during the Red Ribbon Army saga. The events that unfolded during this saga would serve as a foundation for numerous future narratives, including the Android saga and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

How Old Goku Is In The Tien Shinhan & Demon King Piccolo Sagas

After overcoming the Red Ribbon Army and reclaiming the Four Star Dragon Ball, Goku dedicated himself to rigorous training in preparation for the highly anticipated 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. With three years passing by, Goku entered the tournament at the age of 16 and engaged in a fierce battle against Tien. Following the tournament, Goku, now a teenager, found himself thrust into a momentous confrontation with the nefarious Demon King Piccolo, marking his first valiant effort to safeguard the world from malevolence.

How Old Goku Is In The Piccolo Jr. Saga

In order to avenge his own death, King Piccolo created a child. To prepare for the ultimate showdown in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku underwent intensive training with Kami for three years. At the age of 19, Goku confronted and emerged victorious over Dragon Ball's Piccolo, showing mercy in the end. This climactic battle not only marked the conclusion of the Dragon Ball era, but also set the stage for the subsequent Dragon Ball Z era and the entire franchise as a whole.

How Old Goku Is In The Saiyan & Frieza Sagas

Five years elapse between the conclusion of Dragon Ball and the commencement of Dragon Ball Z, which means Goku is 24 years old at the beginning of the Saiyan saga. After Goku's demise, a year goes by as everyone readies themselves for the arrival of Vegeta and Nappa, resulting in Goku being 25 during the latter part of the saga. This age remains consistent throughout the Frieza saga, as it transpires in the same year as the battle with Vegeta and Nappa.

How Old Goku Is In The Android & Cell Sagas

Following the events of the Namek saga, two years transpire and Goku, now 27 years old, returns to Earth. It is during this time that he encounters Future Trunks of Dragon Ball Z, who reveals the imminent arrival of formidable androids. After three more years pass, Goku, now 30 years old, witnesses the androids' appearance. As both the androids and Cell prove to be overwhelming opponents, the Dragon Team resorts to utilizing the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. This chamber allows them to undergo a year's worth of training within a single day. Naturally, Goku takes advantage of this opportunity, further complicating the question of his age. By the end of the battle against Cell, Goku is physically 31 years old.

How Old Goku Is In The Buu Saga

The longest period of time in the Dragon Ball canon occurs after Gohan's triumph over Cell as a Super Saiyan 2. Following this victory, seven years transpire during which Goku, in order to avoid causing trouble on Earth, voluntarily remains deceased and continues his training in Heaven. Ultimately, Goku is resurrected at the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z's Buu Saga, returning to Earth as a 38-year-old man without any discernible signs of wear and tear from his previous death.

How Old Goku Is In The Battle Of Gods Saga

Dragon Ball Super took over as the new official continuation of the Dragon Ball series, replacing the non-canon Dragon Ball GT. To kick off the storyline, a significant timeskip was introduced. In the Battle of Gods saga, the narrative moved four years ahead, bringing Goku's age to 42. In this saga, Goku's quest was twofold: seeking the exhilaration of becoming a Super Saiyan God and preventing Beerus from obliterating the Earth. The events of the Battle of Gods saga laid the foundation for the subsequent storylines in Dragon Ball Super and the franchise as a whole.

How Old Goku Is In The Golden Frieza, Universe 6, & Future Trunks Sagas

One year passes between Goku's battle with Beerus and the reappearance of Frieza in Dragon Ball Super, making Goku 43 years old. Following the victory over the resurrected Frieza Force, Goku and his comrades join forces with Beerus to engage in combat against Champa's team of warriors from Universe 6. Taking into account that Goku and Vegeta undergo three years of training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku would be around 46 years old during the confrontation against Universe 6. The events of the Future Trunks saga occur at an unspecified time after that, but no significant time has evidently elapsed, indicating that Goku's age remains the same.

How Old Goku Is In The Universal Survival Saga & Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Following the Future Trunks saga and leading up to the Universe Survival saga, it is evident from Dragon Ball Super: Broly that Goku has aged once again. Dragon Ball Super: Broly takes place shortly after the Tournament of Power, and considering the utilization of the Dragon Balls in the movie, it can be inferred that at least a year has transpired since they were last employed to revive Frieza. Consequently, it can be deduced that Goku is approximately 47 years old during the Tournament of Power.

How Old Goku Is In The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, Granolah The Survivor Saga, & Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

How Old Goku Is At The Very End Of Dragon Ball Z

Following Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the subsequent storylines are the Galactic Patrol Prisoner and Granolah the Survivor Sagas in the manga, as well as the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film in 2022. Although the precise timeline of events within the manga arcs is unclear, Pan is depicted as being three years old in Super Hero, indicating that two years have elapsed since Broly. Consequently, Goku is around 49 years old during the events of Super Hero. Throughout most of Super Hero, Goku is not present, allowing Gohan and Piccolo to demonstrate their capability in saving the world without him. However, even in what would be considered middle age for an average human, Goku remains a formidable force.

While Goku's age has been extensively analyzed, another aspect worth discussing is his age at the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z. The series wraps up a decade after the Buu saga, and factoring in Goku's utilization of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in Dragon Ball Super, he would presently be around 51 years old. Furthermore, considering the frequent reliance on the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in recent material, it is likely that Goku will continue to age before reaching the original finale. However, as of now, it remains uncertain if this will indeed occur.

How Old Goku Is In Dragon Ball GT

While Dragon Ball GT is not considered part of the official storyline, the age of Goku in the series is still a topic of interest. At the beginning of GT, which takes place five years after Dragon Ball Z, Goku is 56 years old, taking into account the events of Dragon Ball Super. The events in the first half of GT transpire over the course of one year, making Goku 57 after defeating Baby. His age remains constant in the second half, as no significant time passage occurs. If we assume that Goku truly appeared in the epilogue and Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy, this would mean that Goku aged another 100 years, reaching a staggering age of 157, the highest age he has ever been in the franchise.

Why Goku Doesn't Age

In Dragon Ball, one striking observation about Goku's age is that after reaching adulthood towards the end of Dragon Ball, he appears to halt the aging process. Despite nearing the age of 50, his physique, strength, stamina, speed, and other abilities remain as sharp as ever. Vegeta explains that this is because pure-blooded Saiyans stop physically aging once they reach their physical prime. It allows them to fight for extended periods, with only their muscle mass undergoing changes. Dragon Ball Super reinforces this idea by revealing that a Saiyan is considered young even at the age of 80. Hence, it is evident that Goku's youthful appearance is primarily influenced by his Saiyan physiology.

Dragon Ball Needs To Age Up Goku

In the ongoing story of Dragon Ball, Goku's seemingly eternal youth, while canonically justified, poses some challenges. Despite the introduction of multiple generations meant to succeed Goku, he remains an enduring and iconic character, never permanently stepping aside. As a result, stories like Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero have to find ways to explain Goku's absence in order to give other characters their time in the spotlight. Additionally, it feels odd when Goku appears to be the same age as his adult son.

To propel Dragon Ball forward, it could be beneficial to visually depict Goku's age by giving him a more weathered appearance. This could be explained through the use of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, as a consequence of an enemy's attack, or through various other means. Presenting Goku as an older mentor figure, similar to Master Roshi in earlier Dragon Ball stories, could be an interesting direction for the franchise to explore in future releases.