Bardock

The low-class warrior who saw his doom and fought the tyrant anyway.

Bardock is a legendary Saiyan warrior and the father of Goku, whose life story bridges the gap between the brutal history of Planet Vegeta and the origins of the series' main protagonist. First introduced in the 1990 television special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku as the leader of a platoon of Saiyan warriors, he was later incorporated into the series' canon continuity by Akira Toriyama. Unlike many of his kin who reveled in conquest without question, Bardock possessed a unique ability to see visions of the future. This gift revealed the coming destruction of Planet Vegeta, and Bardock made a final stand when Frieza destroyed the planet.

Quick Facts

Franchise

Dragon Ball

Creator

Takao Koyama; Katsuyuki Sumisawa

Designer

Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru; Akira Toriyama

Spouse

Gine (wife)

Children

Kakarot
Goku (youngest son)
Raditz (eldest son)

Occupation

Mercenary

First

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990)

Species

Saiyan

Lore & Background

Born into a society that valued strength above all else, Bardock was initially just another soldier in Frieza's army, tasked with conquering planets for sale. During a routine incursion on the planet Kanassa, one of its surviving inhabitants struck Bardock, giving him its native ability to see into the future. These visions showed him the destruction of Planet Vegeta and his own death at the hands of Frieza, shattering his loyalty to the galactic overlord. Realizing that Frieza planned to wipe out the Saiyan race once they became too powerful or unreliable, Bardock attempted to rally his comrades against their master. Dodoria massacred Bardock's teammates, and Bardock failed to prevent the destruction of Planet Vegeta at the hands of Frieza. Before the planet's destruction, Bardock convinced Gine to send their infant son, Kakarot (Goku), to Earth in a space pod.

Reader's Guide

Bardock represents a pivotal shift in the Dragon Ball narrative, transforming the Saiyan race from generic villains into a tragic culture with a complex history. While his initial appearance was in a standalone television special, modern canon has integrated his backstory as the definitive origin of the Saiyan genocide. Despite seeing his own death and the destruction of his world, he chose to act rather than submit. His relationship with Goku is indirect but profound; by sending him away, Bardock unknowingly ensured that a warrior raised on Earth would develop the compassion and morality necessary to defeat the tyrant who destroyed their home. Toriyama considers Bardock to be one of the strongest low-class warriors, but below a mid-class warrior in power.

Did You Know?

Bardock was originally created as a standalone character for a TV special before being retroactively integrated into the main Dragon Ball Z storyline and manga continuity.
His wife, Gine, is the owner of a butcher shop; she was once a member of Bardock's team but retired from it as she is not an effective fighter due to her gentle nature.
In the spin-off manga Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock, he survives the destruction of Planet Vegeta, is sent into the past and becomes a Super Saiyan while fighting Frieza's ancestor Chilled.