Who is Goku‘s Brother? The Tragic Tale of the Saiyan Warrior Raditz
As an avid Dragon Ball expert and gaming content creator, one of the most common questions I see is "who is Goku‘s brother?" While many know Goku‘s sons Gohan and Goten, few remember the story of his infamous biological older brother, Raditz.
In this guide, we‘ll analyze Raditz‘s history, his explosive fight with Goku, and what makes the two Saiyan warriors so uniquely different. Strap in for a wild ride into Saiyan family dysfunction!
Introducing Raditz – The Elder Son of Bardock
Raditz is the biological older brother of Goku and estranged first son of the Saiyan warrior Bardock and his partner Gine.
According to the Dragon Ball FighterZ encyclopedia, Raditz exhibited tremendous fighting potential from youth on Planet Vegeta. However, unlike most Saiyans who revel in battle, he demonstrated no passion or enthusiasm for combat or conquest.
Despite reservations about his younger brother Kakarot (Goku), Raditz left as an infant with the infant Saiyan prince Vegeta to conquer worlds per Frieza‘s orders.
For over two decades, Raditz traveled the stars purging civilizations. But over this dark era, any remaining empathy in him eroded away into cold ruthlessness. The stage was set for an explosive reunion with his forgotten family.
The Corrupted Elder Brother Comes to Earth
After over 20 years apart, a now adult Raditz finally tracks a 24-year old Goku down to Earth seeking aid to tackle a formidable foe.
However, Goku refuses to abandon Earth and attacks Raditz after threats to obliterate humanity. This leads to a cataclysmic battle between the brothers (chronicled in vivid detail by Kotaku).
A vicious Raditz brutally thrashes his younger Saiyan sibling, showcasing a merciless fighting style honed from eradicating worlds alongside Prince Vegeta and Nappa.
Just as Raditz moves to land a killing blow, Goku‘s son Gohan unleashes his latent power in a rage, stunning Raditz as his scouter explodes. Goku grabs Raditz in a full nelson, sacrificing himself by allowing Piccolo to pierce them both through the chest with a fierce energy blast.
Thus, the elder brother Raditz perishes in his opening Dragon Ball Z arc – but his influence dramatically reshapes events moving forward.
Analyzing the Philosophical Divide Between the Saiyan Brothers
While bonded by blood, Goku and Raditz showcase radically different values – the legacy of their divergent upbringings.
As infants, both were sent to conquer worlds per Saiyan custom. However, a head injury erased Goku‘s innate aggression. Raised kindly under Master Roshi‘s tutelage, compassion and protecting others became core for Goku.
Conversely, Raditz was sharpened into a remorseless killing machine oversees by the tyrant Frieza and Vegeta. He embodies the cruel Saiyan warrior stereotype.
This manifests through their fight dynamics – Raditz relies on brute force and lethal attacks, while Goku focuses more on neutralizing threats. Their rift highlights complex themes of nature versus nurture.
Digging Into Their Family History Reveals Surprises
As Goku‘s only blood brother, Raditz‘s history is intrinsically tied to Bardock – their shared father. Bardock himself was an average Saiyan warrior until Frieza decided to eradicate the Saiyans entirely, fearing the legend of the Super Saiyan.
As chronicled by ScreenRant, Bardock makes a valiant last stand against Frieza. While killed alongside Planet Vegeta, this act of defiance against overwhelming odds suggests nascent good existed even among such ruthless warriors.
Visualizing Goku‘s family ties to Raditz and their famous father Bardock
This connection to Bardock and Goku‘s mother Gine perhaps indicates why Raditz struggled internally with his mission – lingering traces of compassion passed down.
Ultimately Raditz rejected these virtues, tragically cementing himself as Goku‘s first true opponent. But their filial bond and common ancestry still persisted despite crossing swords.
Conclusion – A Classic Shonen Tale of Family and Fate
The heart-wrenching story of Goku and Raditz distills core themes in Dragon Ball around family, compassion, and the latent potential within even violent clans like the Saiyans.
While Raditz faced an unceremonious end, his ties to Goku reshaped the Dragon World forever. This iconicarc kicked off the epochal Saiyan-Namek sagas chronicled through Z, Super, manga, and more.
So when you next re-watch Goku‘s epic first face-off against his brother, remember the deeper symbolism behind such shonen clashes. The ripples of this fight still stir discussions today across billions of Dragon Ball fans worldwide – and I predict they always will.
What were your key takeaways on the history between Goku and Raditz? Let me know in the comments below!
