Image via Crunchyroll

Who is Goku Black in ‘Dragon Ball’ and why did he turn evil?

A twisted version of prime Goku, Goku Black is on a mission to destroy all life in the galaxy.

Every hero has their ultimate nemesis. For many, it is their own personal demons – but the monster shadowing Goku is very real.

Recommended Videos

We all have our dark side, but Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama took this literally. Goku is the hero of the franchise – an ultra-loyal, totally stand-up guy that is incapable of feeling negative emotions. In many ways, he is the ideal warrior for good and has proved this by saving the planet multiple times.

Zamasu, on the other hand, is a dangerous enemy who defeats the version of Goku from Universe 10 and steals his body, morphing himself into a twisted lookalike of Goku. Goku Black has a simple if totally unhinged mission – to destroy all mortal life everywhere. Often referred to only as “Black,” he becomes the main antagonist of the Future Trunks Saga of Dragon Ball Super.

Goku Black believes that mortal beings are primarily responsible for everything negative. By eliminating all of them, he wants to restore “balance” to the multiverse. With such evil intent, it is no surprise that our very own Goku from the prime Dragonball universe decides to try and stop him.

Apart from his gothic choice of clothes and always-angry expression, Goku Black is identical to Goku in all ways save one – his earring. Fans in the know have recognized Goku Black’s earring (always worn on his left) as a Potara, a secret weapon of immense power worn by the Supreme Kai in each universe. Goku Black’s Potara allows him to wield the time ring – an almost mythical device that propels the user across the timescapes, all the while shielding them from changes in the diverging timelines.

Black may be one of the strongest and most fanatical enemies Goku has ever encountered.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ movie release window, cast, plot, and more
Read Article ‘One Piece’: Goro Goro No Mi, explained
Goro Goro No Mi
Read Article Is there a ‘Demon Slayer’ Infinity Castle Arc release date?
Tanjiro looking stressed in the middle of a fight in Demon Slayer.
Read Article Will there be an Elbaf ‘One Piece’ arc?
Colorful spread drawn by Oda of Brogy and Dorry smiling with their arms crossed in One Piece Little Garden
Read Article Will there be ‘Ninja Kamui’ season 2?
Joe Higan standing near the fire in Ninja Kamui
Related Content
Read Article ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ movie release window, cast, plot, and more
Read Article ‘One Piece’: Goro Goro No Mi, explained
Goro Goro No Mi
Read Article Is there a ‘Demon Slayer’ Infinity Castle Arc release date?
Tanjiro looking stressed in the middle of a fight in Demon Slayer.
Read Article Will there be an Elbaf ‘One Piece’ arc?
Colorful spread drawn by Oda of Brogy and Dorry smiling with their arms crossed in One Piece Little Garden
Read Article Will there be ‘Ninja Kamui’ season 2?
Joe Higan standing near the fire in Ninja Kamui
Author
Matthew Doherty
Matthew Doherty is a writer at We Got This Covered. His work has also appeared on WorthPoint and The Collector. Matthew loves to write about anything TV and movie related, but has an obsession for all things Star Trek. In his spare time, he is writing a science fiction novel that will be finished at some point in the 22nd Century.