Unmasking the Saiyan Doppelgangers: Why Do Goku, Turles, and Bardock Look Like They Shared a Barber?
Have you ever confused Goku with Turles? It happens, often. The Dragon Ball universe has many battles and power levels. Yet, the character designs can perplex. Goku, Turles, and Bardock share a striking resemblance. Are they related? Clones? Or is there a simpler reason?
The Official Word: Turles Isn’t Exactly Family
Let’s be direct. In the vast canon of Dragon Ball, Turles and Goku are not blood relatives. There are no family trees or reunions. Turles cannot be called Goku’s brother, cousin, or even that uncle who shows up uninvited. If their relationship were a Facebook status, it would say, “It’s complicated.” They merely look alike. That’s the deal.
The Case of the Cloned Faces: Low-Class Saiyan Edition
If they aren’t family, what explains the resemblance? Akira Toriyama’s notes point to Saiyan social hierarchy and basic character design recycling. Both Goku and Turles are low-class Saiyan warriors. In Saiyan culture, “low-class” means grunt work and limited gene variation. Imagine a cookie cutter; instead, it produces Saiyan faces.
This lack of genetic diversity in the lower ranks means many low-class Saiyans appear similar. It’s not about blood relations. It’s about Saiyan societal norms. Think of mass-produced cars: same chassis, different colors and parts. Goku and Turles have the same base features but markedly different experiences.
Misconceptions and Fan Theories: Brothers in Arms (or at Least in Saiyan Armor)
The visual similarity fuels endless fan theories. Some fans speculate they might be brothers or twins. This idea draws from dramatic storytelling. Some claim their fights hint at a sibling rivalry. In truth, such theories clash with the series’ stance. They look alike mainly due to the repetitive nature of Saiyan genetics in lower classes.
Others think Turles is a “dark reflection” of Goku. It’s like an evil twin, minus the twin. Turles showcases what Goku might have become had he embraced his Saiyan nature in a more destructive way. He’s the “what if” character, which adds depth. This contrast reveals their choices and highlights their characters beyond shared traits.
Meet Romaine: Turles’s Offspring (Yes, Turles Had a Family)
For those who don’t know, Turles has a son named Romaine. Born in Age 762 to Turles and an unidentified Saiyan woman, Romaine’s existence introduces a domestic side to Turles. Even villains find moments for romance and parenting, albeit with questionable methods. Romaine’s birth coincides with Frieza’s movements, who nearly disrupted Turles’s plans of conquest.
Bardock: The Original Goku Face Template
Let’s talk about Bardock, Goku’s biological father. His likeness to Goku is even more profound than Turles’s. This similarity stems from genetics. Bardock is the template of Goku’s features. When Frieza first fought Goku, flashbacks of Bardock revealed the resemblance and stirred memories of past slaughters. Family resemblances can be striking.
Bardock’s Brood: Raditz, the Less Goku-Looking Sibling
Bardock has another son, Raditz, who is Goku’s elder brother. Raditz, known as “Raditz the Runt,” is a mid-class Saiyan warrior. His appearance diverges from Goku’s. He is taller, leaner, with a Vegeta-like hairstyle. Sources suggest Raditz’s design resembles Vegeta intentionally, emphasizing his higher class. Even within Saiyan families, visual diversity exists. You can check fan discussions about Raditz’s appearance differences for more insights.
Gine: The Saiyan Mom in the Picture
Next, we have Gine, Bardock’s wife and Goku and Raditz’s mother. Although not as prominent as Bardock, her role adds depth to the family dynamics. Gine is depicted as gentler than typical Saiyans. Instead of fighting, she worked in meat distribution. Her nurturing side shows in Dragon Ball Super’s Granolah the Survivor Arc. Goku likely inherited some kindness from her, a contrast to Saiyan aggression. While Gine doesn’t look like Goku, her presence intricately shapes his character.
Broly’s Beef with Baby Goku: An Unlikely Saiyan Connection
Now, let’s touch on Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan. Broly dislikes Goku intensely. Why? Baby Goku’s crying drove him mad. In the original Dragon Ball Z film, Broly’s disdain stems from their shared nursery. Baby Goku’s constant wailing triggered Broly’s latent rage. This odd origin reveals another strange connection between Saiyans. It’s about shared experiences rather than DNA discrepancies.
Bardock’s Battle Scars (and Lack of Super Saiyan Hair)
Bardock features a prominent facial scar, distinguishing him from Goku. The story behind it is unclear but likely symbolizes his warrior pride. Interestingly, Bardock is not portrayed as a Super Saiyan in official timelines. Non-canon depictions exist, but he remains a non-Transformed Saiyan in the main narrative. Power isn’t solely determined by lineage but also by personal potential and unique circumstances.
Saiyan Population Check: Fewer Than You Think
Finally, let’s discuss the overall Saiyan population. There are “4 Pure Saiyans (or 7 counting Nappa, Raditz, and Para…)”. This underscores the near extinction of their race. The destruction of Planet Vegeta drastically reduced their numbers, leaving only a few survivors. This rarity enhances encounters between Saiyans in Dragon Ball, even if some are similar-looking low-class warriors sharing faces with the protagonist.
So, next time you see Goku and think he’s Turles (or vice versa), remember: it’s not a graphics error; it’s Saiyan genetics at work. Maybe, a bit of design convenience too. But who can complain when it leads to intriguing, if often interchangeable, characters in the Dragon Ball saga?
