Fans were understandably floored when Goku said that he finally understood what Saiyan pride meant in chapter #84 of Dragon Ball Super, but this was not the first time that hero embraced his Saiyan heritage. He did this and more during his battle against Frieza on Namek, but many fans may not remember it because the Dragon Ball anime, unfortunately, completely retconned these crucial moments from the original manga by Akira Toriyama.
Goku Officially Beat The Superman Of His Universe
The first of these many retcons began with Goku’s reaction to Vegeta’s story regarding Frieza’s mistreatment of their people before Vegeta’s death. After Vegeta died in chapter #308 of Dragon Ball, Goku identified himself to Frieza as someone raised on Earth, but added that he was also a Saiyan. Goku then swore that he would destroy his opponent in the name of every Saiyan and Namekian he killed. In episode #86 of the anime, however, Goku doesn’t just leave the Saiyan race out of his oath by only swearing on Vegeta and everyone else Frieza killed: when Frieza realizes Goku looks just like the Saiyan Bardock (his father), Goku says he doesn’t care.
Goku Actually Embraced His Saiyan Heritage During His Battle Against Frieza
In addition to later mocking Frieza for being beaten by a Saiyan, when Goku becomes a Super Saiyan for the first time, he identifies himself in the same way as he did when Vegeta died. When Frieza asks who he is in chapter #319, Goku goes out of his way to say he’s a Super Saiyan, which he never says outright in the anime where, in episode #92, Goku declares himself as the hope in the universe, the answer to those who cry out for peace, the protector of the innocent, and the light in the darkness. However, nowhere does Goku mention anything about being a Saiyan.
Episode #92 also adds a conversation between Goku and what’s assumed to be Vegeta’s spirit. When “Vegeta” tries to convince Goku to fight for their people, Goku says he doesn’t know how to think like a Saiyan and can only relate to their shared dislike for Frieza. It is implied that Goku uses this similarity to try and take out Frieza with a Spirit Bomb. None of this happens in the manga. With so many instances where the anime went out of its way to eliminate every time Goku identified as a Saiyan, it’s no surprise that many fans forgot Goku actually embraced being a Saiyan long before Dragon Ball Super.
The Dragon Ball Super Manga Also Retconned Goku’s Saiyan Heritage
Goku’s embrace of his Saiyan heritage wasn’t just retconned in the anime. The manga appears to be guilty of this as well. At the end of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film, Goku makes tremendous headway by telling the eponymous Legendary Super Saiyan to call him by his Saiyan name, Kakarot. However, Dragon Ball Super chapter #92 shows Broly referring to him as Goku. Since this chapter takes place after Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan’s actions imply that he either forgot, or the manga decided to retcon what Goku said to him.
When Goku says in Dragon Ball Super chapter #84 that he finally understands Saiyan pride, it feels like a huge moment. While it still is, it’s important to remember that Goku actually embraced his heritage long ago, even if, due to the Dragon Ball anime, many fans may not be aware of it.
