Son Goku's charm and fighting power: A thorough evaluation of the main character of Dragon Ball

Son Goku's charm and fighting power: A thorough evaluation of the main character of Dragon Ball

The appeal and reputation of Son Goku

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

novel

■ Release date

July 1928

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Production

Acme Company

■ Story

detail

A long time ago, there was a big rock called Kurotai-seki at the top of Mount Huaguo in China, and one day it broke with a loud noise, giving birth to a stone monkey. While playing around in the mountains with his fellow monkeys, he found a big waterfall. Everyone believed that whoever jumped into the waterfall would be the king, and the stone monkey became the diving king. The monkey set out on a journey in search of eternal life. In the thirteenth year, he met the hermit Subhuti, and after a thousand days of hardship, he learned the art of transformation and was given the name of Son Goku. When he returned to his hometown of Suiren-do, he found that his monkey servants had been kidnapped by the Demon King of the World of Mixed Worlds. He went to rescue them, and squirted out hundreds of bean monkeys, defeating the demon king. After that, he obtained the Nyoi-bo in the Dragon Palace, called himself the Great Sage of Heaven, and felt like he had conquered the world. He incurred the wrath of the Jade Emperor of the time, but was saved from danger by Shakyamuni, and was sealed away in the Gogyo Mountains to warn him against violence. Later, he was saved by Tripitaka Priest, became his disciple, and protected him on the road.
Source: History of Japanese Animation Films, p. 198

■ Main staff

detail

Directed and photographed by Takahiro Ishikawa

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

Son Goku is a Japanese animated film released in 1928, whose story and characters are still loved by many people today. This work is based on the Chinese classic novel "Journey to the West" and tells the epic story of Son Goku from his birth to accompanying Tripitaka's journey.

The character of Son Goku is free-spirited and powerful, yet also has a human side that deeply moves the audience. His adventures teach us the importance of courage in the face of difficulties and the importance of friendship. In addition, his unique abilities, such as his staff and transformation techniques, provide visual appeal and maximize the potential of animation.

Acme Shokai, the company in charge of producing this work, used cutting-edge technology for the time to successfully portray Son Goku's movements and expressions in a realistic way. In particular, Takahiro Ishikawa, who was in charge of direction and photography, made a major contribution, and the beauty of the images, which combined his technique and artistry, has the power to draw the audience into the world of the story.

■ Background and influence of the work

Considering the historical background of 1928, when this work was released, it is clear that the Japanese animation industry was still in its infancy. However, Son Goku had a huge impact on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. In particular, the personalities of the characters and the method of storytelling have influenced many later works.

Furthermore, by using classical Chinese literature as its subject matter, this work also played an important role in terms of cultural exchange. Born at the crossroads of Japanese and Chinese culture, this work has touched the hearts of people in both countries and has received international acclaim.

■Character Analysis

Son Goku is a character who loves freedom and adventure, and his actions are often unpredictable. However, deep in his heart, he has a strong will and a sense of justice to protect his friends. The appeal of this character lies not only in his strength, but also in his human weaknesses and the process of his growth.

Many other characters also appear around Son Goku. In particular, his relationship with Tripitaka Houshi depicts a deep bond that goes beyond that of a master and disciple, and is a central theme of the story. Furthermore, antagonistic characters such as the Demon King of the World and the Jade Emperor also play important roles in encouraging Son Goku's growth.

■Video and Music

The visual beauty of Son Goku was created using the technology of the time, and the depiction of Son Goku's movements and expressions leaves a strong impression on the audience. Ishikawa Takahiro's direction skillfully changes the camerawork to match the development of the story, providing visual excitement.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this work. The background music not only adds excitement to Son Goku's adventure, but also plays a role in expressing his inner thoughts. Music in battle scenes in particular has the power to heighten tension and excitement, drawing the audience into the world of the story.

■ Work evaluation and recommendation

Son Goku is loved by many people for its story, the charm of its characters, and the fusion of beautiful visuals and music. This work not only shows the possibilities of animation, but also has depth as a human drama, making it a work that can be recommended to a wide range of generations.

This is a must-see film, especially for those who are interested in animation and classical Chinese literature. It can also be enjoyed by the whole family, and is a great opportunity to teach children the importance of courage and friendship. The adventures of Son Goku will provide audiences with excitement and emotion, and will be a memorable story.

■ Related works and recommendations

If you enjoyed Son Goku, we also recommend the following related works, which will help you to further understand the adventures of Son Goku and the charm of his character.

  • Journey to the West - A classic Chinese novel that inspired the story of Sun Wukong. Learn more about the adventures of Sun Wukong.
  • Dragon Ball - A popular anime featuring a character modeled after Son Goku. You can feel the influence of Son Goku in the character.
  • "Sarutobi Sasuke" - Although it is a ninja story, it features free-spirited characters like Son Goku, giving it a fascinating adventure.

Above, we have introduced in detail the appeal and evaluation of Son Goku. This work is loved by many people not only for its history and culture of animation, but also for its touching story and charming characters. Please watch it once and experience the excitement.

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