Goku's De-aging and Intelligence in Dragon Ball DAIMA: Exploring the Impact on His Character Traits

The Impact of De-aging on Goku's Intelligence in Dragon Ball DAIMA

As one of the most iconic characters in anime history, Goku has consistently been at the forefront of Dragon Ball's narrative. Known for his innocence and simplistic view of the world, Goku's character has often been a subject of debate, particularly concerning his intelligence. In "Dragon Ball DAIMA," Goku's de-aging into a child appears to highlight and perhaps exaggerate this element of his character, raising questions about whether reverting to a child's form has indeed altered his mental faculties.

Goku's Naivety: A Key Character Trait

Goku's life story explains much of his perceived foolishness. Raised in isolation by Grandpa Gohan, Goku was naïve and uneducated about social norms and basic knowledge that most humans possess. His journey through "Dragon Ball" and "Dragon Ball Z" shows him as a quick learner when it comes to martial arts, yet he remained ignorant of non-combat-related subjects. This characteristic was consistently portrayed as endearing rather than indicative of a lack of intelligence.

In these early series, Goku was seen as a genius in battle, capable of quick thinking and innovation in high-pressure situations. His strategic mind was a reflection of his dedication to martial arts, rather than academic learning or societal norms. This aspect is critical to understanding why Goku's intellect is often questioned outside of combat scenarios.

Goku’s Intelligence in Dragon Ball Super

"Dragon Ball Super" escalated Goku's character traits, leaning heavily into his naiveté for comic relief. Instances such as his confusion about kissing, despite being married for decades, and his general lack of awareness about simpler aspects of life outside combat brought his intelligence, or lack thereof, into question. Goku's approach often resulted in dire circumstances, such as forgetting critical items during battles or instigating events with universe-altering stakes without fully comprehending the consequences.

These behaviors positioned Goku as a character whose intelligence is paradoxical: he is a martial arts savant but struggles with basic real-world understanding and social cues.

De-Aged Goku in Dragon Ball DAIMA

"Dragon Ball DAIMA" adds another layer to this discussion with its plot device of de-aging key characters, including Goku. The show asserts that, though their bodies have been turned into those of children, characters like Bulma and Vegeta retain their adult minds. The same cannot as confidently be said of Goku.

Episodes of "DAIMA" illustrate an exaggerated version of Goku’s naïve nature:

• Goku’s Conduct in the Demon Realm: Despite being informed about the necessity of discretion, Goku fails to adhere to this, speaking out of turn at crucial moments.
• Inability to Recognize Threats: Goku exhibits an alarming neglect of danger signs from suspicious allies, willing to trust inherently despite evidence suggesting betrayal.
• Forgetting the Importance of Disguise: His failure to keep his disguise on in public spaces leads to avoidable chaos, highlighting a regression in situational awareness.

A Humorous, Yet Challenging Depiction

While this childlike behavior brings humor to the series, it also challenges the consistency of Goku’s character. The question arises of whether Goku’s behaviors are a consequence of his physical transformation or if they are an amplified reflection of his established personality.

Backlinks:

• For more on Goku's upbringing and influences on his character visit here.
• Explore a detailed breakdown of Goku’s intelligence throughout the series read this article.

Ultimately, "Dragon Ball DAIMA" uses the de-aging process not only as a narrative device but also as a means to explore and potentially exaggerate Goku's most persistent character flaw—his simplistic and often oblivious nature. Whether this transformation makes him "dumber" as the series progresses will depend on how the narrative continues to balance humor with character development.