Is Goku based off Wukong?

Yes, Goku from the popular anime and manga series Dragon Ball is indeed loosely inspired by Sun Wukong, the legendary character from the Chinese classic Journey to the West (西遊記, Xī Yóu Jì). The creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama, has openly acknowledged that Goku's character is based on Sun Wukong, and many elements of Goku's design, personality, and abilities are drawn from the Monkey King.

Key Parallels Between Goku and Sun Wukong:

1. Monkey King Origins:

• Goku has a monkey-like appearance in his early days, with a tail and primal nature that strongly resemble Sun Wukong, who is a monkey born from a magical stone and has extraordinary strength and agility.
• Goku’s character begins with a naïve and wild personality, much like the young and rebellious Sun Wukong, who seeks out immortality and power.

2. The Staff (Ruyi Jingu Bang) / Power Pole:

• Sun Wukong wields the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff that can change size and is incredibly powerful, used for various tasks, including fighting and as a means of transportation.
• Goku has a similar weapon, the Power Pole (Nyoi-bo), a staff that can also extend and shrink at will. In the early Dragon Ball series, Goku uses the Power Pole in a very similar manner to how Wukong uses his staff.

3. Flying Cloud (云朵, Yún Duǒ) / Flying Nimbus:

• Sun Wukong can ride the Cloud (often referred to as the "Cloud of Emptiness" or Jin'gang Cloud), which allows him to fly at great speeds.
• Similarly, Goku rides the Flying Nimbus, a magical cloud that can only be ridden by pure-hearted individuals. This concept is clearly inspired by Wukong’s magical cloud.

4. Immortality & Power:

• In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong seeks immortality through various means, including stealing the Peach of Immortality and the Elixir of Life. Eventually, he becomes invulnerable and nearly unbeatable, a result of his many powers.
• Goku, too, starts as an incredibly powerful character who constantly seeks to grow stronger through training, fighting, and acquiring new abilities. His quest for strength mirrors Wukong’s search for greater power. Goku, in his own way, also achieves near-immortality through the Dragon Balls, which can grant him eternal life or wish for specific powers.

5. Rebellion Against Authority:

• Sun Wukong defies the Heavenly Court and the gods, particularly when he feels disrespected by the celestial hierarchy. His pride and rebellion are key aspects of his character.
• Goku shares some of this rebellious spirit in his earlier years. Though less defiant than Wukong, Goku doesn't follow rules or authority unless it aligns with his sense of justice or desire for self-improvement. For example, Goku initially ignores the King Kai's instructions or goes off on his own path, much like Wukong challenges the gods.

6. Transformation Abilities:

• Sun Wukong has the ability to perform 72 Transformations, allowing him to turn into different creatures and beings.
• Goku also has the ability to transform, most notably through his Saiyan transformations such as Super Saiyan or the Kaio-Ken techniques, all of which enhance his power.

7. Journey to Seek Knowledge:

• In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong embarks on a journey of spiritual growth and enlightenment. He is eventually sent on a mission to protect the monk Xuanzang as he travels to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India.
• In Dragon Ball, Goku’s journey is similarly about personal growth, training, and learning new things. Though his goals are initially more about fighting and becoming stronger, Goku’s journey eventually leads him to protect Earth and the universe, just like Wukong protects the Buddhist scriptures.

Differences Between Goku and Sun Wukong:

While there are clear influences from Sun Wukong on Goku, there are also significant differences in their personalities, origins, and development:

• Goku is more innocent and pure-hearted than Wukong, who starts off as a more mischievous and arrogant character.
• Goku is also much more serious in his training and growth, whereas Sun Wukong is often depicted as rebellious, mischievous, and occasionally full of pride, though his character evolves in the Journey to the West.
• Goku is not a monkey by nature (though he starts with a monkey tail), and his journey focuses more on his Saiyan heritage and the growth of his abilities as a martial artist rather than a journey for immortality.

Conclusion:

Goku is indeed inspired by Sun Wukong from Journey to the West. While Dragon Ball borrows several elements, such as the magical staff, flying cloud, and the rebellious spirit, it also introduces a unique character with distinct traits. Goku's inspiration from the Monkey King is a blend of Chinese mythology and modern storytelling, and over the years, Goku has become a legendary figure in his own right, much like Wukong.

For anyone interested in seeing the connection between these two iconic characters, a deeper dive into both Journey to the West and Dragon Ball reveals even more similarities in themes of strength, transformation, and personal growth.