In defense of... Son Goku?

[parron]

Ah, Son Goku. Probably one of the most recognizable anime characters out there. Not only is he the main character and main hero of the series, Dragonball is also nothing if not his life story... from childhood to - uh, grandfather-hood. Yes, he's ridiculously strong. Yes, he's slow on the uptake and unintentionally insensitive (with equal amounts "

Comments

[twitchytwitch]

Whaaaat? How could people think that about Goku? He's so adorable. ;_;

Fandom, you dissappoint me.

[parron]

It's weird. I wouldn't ever think people would bash him or attack him - I mean. It's GOKU. - except that thing on fandomsecrets, and there was a PLURAL number of people attacking him.

I was sad.

[juddpoynter]

Ehh? I like Goku, and yes, he's an idiot, but a lovely one at that!

People who watch it, and claim he abuses his family etc, clearly have messed up minds and decided to twist the scenes into something evil when we ALL know it was innocent.

[parron]

"But that's what subtext is for," I'm sure they say.

[la_trombonista]

About A- wasn't that scene supposed to be humorous? Goku was unaware of his own strength and started apologizing like crazy when ChiChi went through the wall.
Sakura-haters use a similar argument- "She's always hitting Naruto!" Again, it's always supposed to be humorous. Some haters need a sense of humor.

[parron]

Eighty percent of DBZ is supposed to be humorous... and yeah, that scene was definitely "light hearted filler." But that doesn't matter! Who cares about context! Hitting = abuse!

[intertribal]

Wow, abusive is REALLY shocking - how sad that someone would think that. Absent, maybe, but I agree that it's not his fault and he in any case doesn't mean to cause any pain to his family. He's neglectful in the sense that people in the military are neglectful of their families, which is to say, not at all.

"Just go watch the episode in the Android/Cell saga where he recovers from the heart illness, okay?"

One of my favorite episodes ever. I'm a hardcore G/CC.

[parron]

Oh, I agree that Goku's an absent father/husband completely. The difference being that it's not, as some seem to think, because he gets so caught up in his training he forgets to come home for a decade or two.

One of my favorite episodes ever. I'm a hardcore G/CC.

I was always neutral to the pairing - not that I disliked it, just, not drawn to it, but I re-watched that saga/episode recently, and damn. Sudden shipping like woah.

[intertribal]

Yeah, agreed. Then again people that think it's forgetfulness also tend to think he's a COMPLETE moron, not just a partial moron who doesn't think through decisions enough, doesn't seem to believe how much he's needed, and in my opinion doesn't consider what he wants enough.

Ha ha ha, awesome. We will convert you all.

[parron]

Yeah - Goku's book stupid and way too trusting, but at the same time... he's not THAT stupid. I think part of it is just how he takes absolutely everything in stride - it's easy to underestimate him in that sense.

(One of the things I find funny about GT is that kid!Goku acts exactly like adult!Goku - but even more laid back - but since he looks like a kid, everyone else suddenly starts talking down to him. It's not just fandom!)

[jlarinda]

Oh god wtf Goku's like. RETARDEDLY KIND. That's a HUGE part of his character, how on earth can anyone think he's abusive or neglectful or anything? At most, he's just too innocent/naive/etc (also a huge part of his character |D;) and focuses way too much in training (and again |D;), but it's not like anyone resents him or is traumatized by it or anything, it's just the way he is - and his kids and wife LOVE him to bits and respect that he's a dork who loves to fight and train and whatever.

[parron]

The abusive part is just stupid. And while a case can certainly made for neglectful, it's like, if you stop to think about it for a few seconds... how is that his fault? Like, "sorry for dying?"