Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku

July 31 2023

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku Doragon Bōru Zetto Tatta Hitori no Saishū Kessen ~Furīza ni Idonda Zetto-senshi Kakarotto no Chichi” is a fascinating television special based on the popular anime series Dragon Ball Z.

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku

Originally broadcast on Fuji Television on October 17, 1990, this special falls between episodes 63 and 64 of the TV series, capturing the attention of Japanese viewers and garnering a 23,6% rating. The film is an extraordinary opportunity for fans to explore never-before-seen details on the story of Bardock, father of the protagonist of the series, Son Goku, and on the genocide of the Saiyans, perpetrated by the galactic tyrant Frieza.

The plot of the film focuses on the last days of the life of Bardock, a valiant Saiyan who, together with his team, carries out missions of destruction on various planets. Everything changes when Bardock is shot by a Kanassian warrior who gives him the ability to see the future. Through these visions, Baddack helplessly witnesses the destruction of the planet Vegeta and the tragic extinction of his people by Frieza. Desperate to warn the other Saiyans of imminent danger, Bardock realizes that he is the only one who senses the deadly threat hanging over his race.

In a gesture of courage and desperation, Baddack goes in search of Frieza to face him and try to save his companions and his planet. However, his courageous attack proves useless against Frieza's Supernova, which causes the destruction of Bardock, most of his guards and the planet Vegeta itself. Before dying, Bardock has a vision of the future, where his son Kakarotto (better known as Goku) faces Frieza on the planet Namek. With the certainty that Goku will defeat Frieza, Bardock dies with a smile, telepathically communicating to his son to avenge the Saiyan people.

The film also sheds light on the birth of Goku, initially known as Kakarotto, and his escape to Earth, where he is greeted by a gentile elder named Gohan. The older Gohan becomes Goku's adoptive grandfather, promising to raise the child as a skilled martial arts fighter.

The story of Dragon Ball Z – Origin of the myth has met with considerable success among Dragon Ball fans around the world, demonstrating once again the unparalleled charm and enduring appeal of this famous saga. In 2011, the Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock manga was released, which serves as a sequel to the special, bringing further developments to the already rich Dragon Ball universe. This success was followed by an anime short of the same name, based on the manga.

The legacy of Dragon Ball Z: Origin of the myth is engraved in the memory of Dragon Ball fans, who continue to revere the series and its characters. The story of Baddock and the heroism of the Saiyan warrior have become an inseparable part of the Dragon Ball mythos, further enriching the storyline and background of the franchise.

In conclusion, Dragon Ball Z – Origin of the myth represents a milestone in the history of Dragon Ball and continues to be a source of inspiration for fans of cartoons and comics around the world. Its ability to captivate audiences and offer a more complete vision of the Dragon Ball universe makes it an essential point of reference for lovers of this epic saga.

Characters of Dragon Ball Z – The origin of the myth

Baddack (バーダック Bādakku) Bardock is a valiant Saiyan warrior and is the father of Raditz and Kakarotto (better known as Goku). He leads a small platoon made up of four other Saiyans: Toma, Seripa, Toteppo and Panbukin. While his combat level is modest at 10.000, he displays great courage and dedication in protecting his people. While on a mission to the planet Kanassa, Bardock is shot by a Kanassian warrior, giving him the gift of precognition. This allows him to see the future and witness the destruction of planet Vegeta and the extinction of the Saiyans by Frieza. With the courage to face Frieza alone, Baddack becomes a hero in the history of the Saiyans.

Thomas (トーマ Tōma) Toma is one of Bardock's most trusted team members and possibly his best friend. After Baddack is injured during a mission, Toma takes him to doctors on planet Vegeta. He is the only survivor when the team is attacked by Dodoria, but dies in Bardock's arms, revealing Frieza's treachery to Goku's father. Toma is recognizable by the blood-stained bandage that he wore on his left arm, which will become the band that Bardock wears on his forehead. The most powerful blow to him is the Fire Wave, performed on the planet Kanassa.

Seripa (セリパ Seripa) Seripa is a friend of Bardock and a member of his team. After deciding to leave for the planet Mith with the rest of the team, she is killed along with the others by Dodoria's soldiers. Her name is a pun derived from the English word “parsley,” which means parsley.

Toteppo (トテッポ Toteppo) Toteppo is one of Bardock's team members. He has a noticeable scar on his forehead, baldness and fair skin. He is silent and eats very often. He is killed along with the rest of the squad while Bardock is absent, during the attack by Dodoria's men. His name is probably an anagram of the English word “potato,” which means potato.

Panbukin (パンブーキン Panbūkin) Panbukin is another member of Bardock's team. His name is probably a reference to the English “pumpkin,” which means pumpkin in Italian.

Toolo (トオロ Tōro) Toolo is a warrior from the planet Kanassa, the only survivor of the onslaught of Bardock's team. He later attacks Baddack, transferring to him the innate power of his race, precognition. After being hit by Toma with an energy blast, he survives long enough to warn Bardock of the imminent end of his race. He is then defeated by Bardock with another energy blast. His voice continues to haunt the Saiyan even after Bardock's return to planet Vegeta.

These characters played a significant role in the storyline of “Dragon Ball Z: Origin of the myth,” providing an immersive experience for fans of the Dragon Ball universe.

Technical data

Regia Mitsuo Hashimoto
Subject Akira Toriyama
Film script Takao Koyama, Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Char. design Minoru Maeda, Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru
Artistic Dir Tomoko Yoshida
Music Shunsuke kikuchi
Studio Toei Company, Bird Studio, Toei Animation
Network Fuji Television
1st TV 17 October 1990
Relationship 4:3
Duration 48 min
Publisher it. Dynamic Italy (home video)
Italian network Rai 2
1st Italian TV July 14 2001
Italian dialogues Luciano Setti (original dub)
Tullia Piredda, Manuela Scaglione (redubbing)