Thread by @YoseSr_

A thread on Super Saiyan and the exploration of Nature/Nurture in Dragon Ball

Somewhat of a continuation of my last thread so read it if you get the chance as it explains in greater details the main thematic framework of Dragon Ball

In the Saiyan-Namek arcs, the story explores Goku's growth influenced by his Saiyan heritage. The intention behind Goku's arc is evident throughout the Saiyan and Freeza arcs. The Saiyan ideal is established as an obstacle for Goku to overcome, shaping his journey as an underdog.

Toriyama intentionally made Goku different from the rest of the Saiyans, emphasizing his unique path. There's a conflict between nature and nurture in Goku's character, stemming from his origins as a discarded Saiyan due to his weak power.

Ironically, if the Saiyans had considered him strong enough, he would have shared the same fate as the rest of his people. Instead, he was spared due to the classism within Saiyan society, which eventually led him to become a powerful fighter.

Despite being a Saiyan, Goku now identifies himself as Son Goku from Earth and the typical Saiyan love for violence is reframed as a love for fighting.

On the other hand, Vegeta represents the epitome of Saiyan culture, a society founded on the Darwinian principle of survival of the fittest. Strength is the sole measure of worth, and the weak and disabled are considered burdens not worth protecting.

There's no room for empathy or compassion in his ideology. He embodies the representation of nature as his beliefs have been ingrained in him since his birth as a Saiyan elite, giving him a sense of specialness and purpose.

While Goku was saved from his people's fate due to his inherent weakness, Vegeta was spared because of his inherent superiority. As a result, these characters embody contrasting ideals that exist on opposite ends of the spectrum, which culminates in their first fight.

The contrast between Goku and Vegeta becomes evident through subtle details. For instance, Nappa extending his hand to Vegeta for help differs from Krillin extending his hand to Goku

Vegeta callously eliminates a crippled Nappa because the latter was no longer useful to him.

Meanwhile, Goku extends his arm to reassure Krillin that he’ll handle Vegeta and come back safely.

The theme of Goku's earthly nurture versus Vegeta's Saiyan nature is prevalent in the fight. Vegeta consistently looms over Goku, utilizing higher ground to assert his superiority. In contrast, Goku, influenced by his Earthly martial arts teachings, prefers to remain grounded.

Their divergent fighting styles further emphasize the contrast. Vegeta relies on his biological nature to gain an advantage, employing techniques like the Oozaru transformation. Conversely, Goku draws upon acquired skills such as the Genki Dama and Kaioken, representing nurture.

Goku's driving motivation stems from his passion and his desire for continuous improvement. This mindset originates from the teachings of Roshi, who instilled in him the notion that there is no ultimate peak and that someone stronger always exists.

Thus, when faced with the possibility that Vegeta might surpass him in strength, Goku maintains a positive outlook.

Vegeta's motivation is rooted in his Saiyan pride, which is inherent to his nature. His goal is to win and demonstrate his superiority over others.

When Goku gains the upper hand in their battle, Vegeta's perspective becomes increasingly filled with frustration. He struggles to accept that he may not be the ultimate pinnacle of power.

Goku's relentless improvement and his belief that there is always someone stronger stands in stark contrast to Vegeta's outlook. While Goku finds fulfillment in the process of growth, Vegeta's pursuit of superiority leads to frustration and an inability to accept his own limits

The Namek arc serves to further highlight the contrasting characteristics between Vegeta and Goku. Vegeta explicitly describes the Super Saiyan and makes it clear that Goku does not fit the description.

However, the events of the arc reveal that Goku's deviation from that description is precisely why he attains the Super Saiyan form. He does not conform to the image of a heartless and violent Saiyan that Vegeta confines himself to.

Accepting Vegeta's final request represents him reconciling with his Saiyan heritage, which has been a source of internal struggle since its revelation. Yet rather than solely accepting his nature, Goku rises above those ideals while remaining true to his nurturing and upbringing

By highlighting Goku's emotional capacity and his ability to empathize with others, the Namek arc presents him as more than just a typical Saiyan. His willingness to forge meaningful bonds and his refusal to adhere to the heartless Saiyan stereotype sets him apart from Vegeta.

Goku's transformation into a Super Saiyan is directly tied to his humanity and emotional attachments as shown how he gained the form by witnessing his best friend die. It showcasing his capacity for growth and surpassing the confines of his Saiyan heritage which do not define him

During his relentless pursuit of revenge against Freeza after Krillin dies, Goku exhibits a self-centered drive fueled by his own desires. This mirrors the behavior of the antagonists in the series, who are willing to do anything to satisfy themselves,

Regardless of the consequences for others. This is subtly reflected in small details, such as Goku's speech bubbles transitioning from round to angular, paralleling the angular speech bubbles used for the antagonists.

This shift is also apparent in Goku's fighting style in his battle against Freeza. Initially, when given the choice by Freeza to fight on the ground or in the air, Goku chooses the ground, reflecting his upbringing and training as a martial artist.

However, everything changes when Krillin is killed. Goku's focus shifts, and he no longer fights solely to defeat Freeza but also to humiliate and kill him. As a result, he consistently takes the fight to the sky, showcasing a more aggressive and ruthless approach.

Once almost everyone is revived by the Dragon Balls, a change occurs in Goku's demeanor. He brings the fight back to the ground, and Freeza even remarks that Goku now desires a hand-to-hand fight, and this shift signifies a return to Goku's martial arts roots.

The subsequent times Goku ascends into the air, he transforms back into his Super Saiyan form, displaying his immense power. Ultimately, it is during his next aerial encounters that Goku seemingly "kills" Freeza.

In his battle against Freeza, Goku grapples with the conflict between his inherent nature and the influences of his upbringing.

In harnessing the near-uncontrollable rage accompanying the Super Saiyan transformation, Goku never lost his sense of self-

thereby disproving Vegeta and his ideology. The error in Vegeta's thinking was believing that one needed to act like a Saiyan to achieve this form, when, it required the duality of his Earthly nurturing and Saiyan nature.

Goku's transformation represents the culmination of everything he has become on Earth, alongside his gradual acceptance of his Saiyan lineage. Through this metamorphosis, he truly discovers himself and embodies the best of both worlds.

These internal conflicts lead to Goku's inner turmoil after "killing" Freeza, despite fulfilling his own intentions. This showcases the complexity of morality and highlights the realization that things are not simply black and white.

The Saiyans are portrayed as morally bankrupt individuals, and in a series centred around both physical and mental growth, it is not surprising that the characters become stronger by discarding the negative aspects associated with their Saiyan heritage such as their tails,

tendencies for conquest, and pursuit of immortality. Overcoming Freeza is representative of Goku overcoming typical Saiyan ideology; not through conformity but by breaking the mould.

End of Thread

Will make a Part 2 on how this theme is explored in the Cell/Boo arcs with Vegeta’s Development