In the heat, smoke, and fire of battle, no sight struck a deeper fear in opponents than the blue, white and gold of Saiyan battle armor, but surprisingly Goku has never donned the telltale sign of Saiyan warriors until a recent chapter of Dragon Ball Super.
Like the Spartans of ancient Greece, the Saiyans have developed into one of the pre-eminent military societies and cultures in Universe 7. Their fighting ferocity is literally a basic element of their DNA. Understanding their military effectiveness, after conquering and destroying their home planet of Vegeta, Frieza compelled the Saiyans to serve in his army. As part of the Frieza Force, the Saiyans were provided a unique battle armor that allowed them to achieve their fullest potential in battle. Like in any army, Saiyan battle armor came in multiple forms, with the specific form used dependent on the situation. However, the most commonly known type, that was normally worn by Saiyans in the Freiza Force consisted of a blue body suit, with white gloves, boots, and a white and gold chest plate. This was lightweight but protective, and extremely flexible. Indeed, it had the capacity to keep its form even when a Saiyan transformed into a Great Ape.
Chapter 84 of Dragon Ball Super finally sees Goku don the Saiyan armor after fighting hundreds of battles across a long career. This comes after hearing the story of his father Bardock, Goku, at long last embraces his Saiyan identity and feels “the pride of the people.” Interpreting this to mean Goku wants to be like his father and wear the traditional Saiyan battle armor, Monaito dresses Goku and Vegeta in the battle armor.
Despite Goku’s Saiyan heritage and martial inclinations, this is the first time in the manga that he is seen wearing the Saiyan battle armor. To be sure, his normal “combat uniform” is his equally iconic martial arts gi. Seeing Vegeta in the armor is nothing new. As a leading member of the Frieza Force, Vegeta was often observed in Saiyan battle armor. He continued wearing the uniform until Bulma created a new one for him based on the original model during the Androids Saga. The only previous instance of Goku wearing anything remotely like Saiyan battle armor was the armor Bulma created. In Dragon Ball Z Chapter 196, Goku and Gohan are shown wearing the armor when they emerged from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber after their training to fight Cell. However, once outside the chamber Goku immediately changed to his more loose-fitting, action-friendly gi.
His time wearing the traditional Saiyan battle armor in Dragon BallSuper chapter 84 is equally short-lived as almost as soon as the armor materializes on him, he asks Monaito to give him back his original outfit. He and Vegeta then quickly change into their old clothes to take on Gas. Despite the fact that the Saiyan battle armor was developed to provide extreme protection without impairing the wearer’s fighting ability and style, it took the discovery of his Saiyan roots to finally convince Goku to try it on for a brief moment. That’s one small step for Goku‘s open-mindedness, one giant leap for Saiyan pride.
