Let me tell you something about Raditz. If you’re a Dragon Ball fan, you’ve probably heard his name thrown around a time or two. But I bet you haven’t really thought about him much, right? I mean, in the world of Goku, Vegeta, and their colorful roster of foes and allies, poor Raditz gets a pretty rough deal. But here’s the thing—Raditz is way more important than people give him credit for, and honestly, he deserves more love. A LOT more.
Who is Raditz, Anyway?
Okay, so let’s rewind a bit. Raditz is the older brother of Goku, the guy who just, well… doesn’t get enough recognition. If you’re anything like me (a proud Dragon Ball nerd, of course), you’re probably wondering, “How the heck did I forget about Goku’s older brother?” And trust me, it’s not entirely your fault.
In Dragon Ball Z’s first few episodes, Raditz crashes the Earth scene with all the grace of a guy who just lost his keys and his patience. Goku has no idea who this guy is, and honestly, neither does anyone else. And why should they? In a world where you’re constantly battling world-destroying foes, Raditz gets buried in the mix.
Anyway, here’s the kicker: Raditz isn’t just some random guy who showed up out of nowhere. He’s one of the last surviving members of the Saiyan race. And let’s be real—that should’ve given him a little more airtime, right? The guy’s got a whole backstory, and not just as Goku’s brother but as a fighter, a warrior who was bred for battle. Yet, for some reason, he gets dismissed as the guy Goku smacks down in the first few episodes of DBZ. Really?
The First Encounter – Goku and Raditz’s Fateful Meeting
So let’s break down that first encounter because it’s a wild ride. Goku, who’s been living the simple life on Earth, comes face to face with his older brother for the first time. No big deal, right? Just a nice, relaxing chat about how they share the same bloodline. But no—Raditz isn’t there to catch up over a cup of tea. Oh no. He’s here to bring Goku to his senses.
He tells Goku, in the most blunt way possible, that he’s actually a Saiyan warrior—sent to conquer planets and destroy life for the glory of the Saiyan race. Now Goku is confused. Seriously—this is a guy who spent years in a rad little cottage, living his best “I’m-just-a-guy-with-a-saiyan-past” life. Now, all of a sudden, he’s told he’s a universe conqueror? Yeah, this is a whole lot to take in. And Raditz? He’s all, “Yeah, I’m your brother. Now join me, and let’s get back to destroying things.”
Goku? Yeah, not so much. He spends most of the conversation blinking like, “Wait… what?”
Raditz: A Villain Who’s Not Quite a Villain
Okay, let’s get one thing clear—Raditz is technically a villain. But is he really that bad? I mean, come on. The guy is a product of his upbringing, raised on the Saiyan’s brutal “destroy-and-conquer” mantra. It’s kinda like blaming a wolf for being a predator—it’s in their DNA, right?
The thing about Raditz is that he’s more of a tragic figure than anything else. His entire identity is tied to a dying race, and in his own way, he’s just trying to fulfill the legacy of his people. The poor guy never stood a chance. He wasn’t given any room to be anything other than a warrior. It’s heartbreaking if you really think about it.
Fast forward past three failed attempts to win Goku over, and what do we get? A fight. But it’s not just any fight—this one has real emotional weight behind it. Goku is forced to choose between saving his brother and saving Earth, and as much as it sucks, he ends up doing the right thing. It’s one of those moments that really hits you, because Goku doesn’t want to hurt Raditz—he wants to be a good brother. But the guy’s just too far gone.
And let’s be honest: Goku didn’t exactly have a choice. The fate of the world was at stake, and as much as Goku probably felt like a terrible brother, what was he supposed to do? Bring Raditz over for a “family reunion” and tell him that maybe Earth wasn’t such a bad place after all? Yeah, nah.
Raditz’s Impact on Goku
Raditz’s death has a huge impact on Goku, and this is where we start to see the true depth of Goku’s character. This isn’t just about a fight for the Earth. This is about Goku realizing that his bloodline isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. He’s part of a warrior race that was bred to fight and conquer.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, right? But it’s one that ultimately helps Goku grow as a character. Sure, he gets a little distracted by, I dunno, becoming the strongest fighter in the universe, but Raditz’s death forces him to confront the darker aspects of his lineage. The guilt? It’s there. The realization that his heritage is full of destruction? It’s there too.
And let’s be real here—Goku’s not perfect. He might be a hero, but Raditz’s death shows us that Goku’s journey is more complex than just “saving the world.” He’s also dealing with his own identity, his Saiyan blood, and the struggles that come with it. It’s a messy, imperfect situation that adds serious emotional weight to Dragon Ball Z.
Why Raditz Deserves More Love
Let me take a moment to clarify: Raditz deserves more love. Like, WAY more love. He’s not just some forgettable side character. He’s Goku’s older brother. That’s a pretty important relationship, don’t you think? Think of all the family drama and unresolved issues that come with having a sibling. Now, throw in the fact that your sibling is a warrior bred for destruction and, well, things get messy.
Raditz doesn’t get the fanfare of other characters in Dragon Ball Z, and that’s honestly kind of a tragedy. Sure, he was a villain, but the dude didn’t really stand a chance. He wasn’t given the opportunity to evolve or change. He was killed off before he could ever really explore what it meant to be Goku’s brother in any meaningful way.
And, if I’m being real, he could’ve been so much more. Imagine Raditz turning over a new leaf, realizing that not all Saiyans have to be evil. Imagine him fighting alongside Goku and Vegeta, becoming a reluctant ally. It could’ve been the most epic redemption arc. But nope. We never get to see that. Raditz is reduced to a plot device, and that’s a darn shame.
The Legacy of Raditz: What Could Have Been
Imagine this: Raditz, instead of being just a footnote in Dragon Ball Z history, is given his own story. A backstory where he actually gets a chance to redeem himself, to come to terms with the monster he was created to be. That’s the story that could’ve made him a true fan favorite.
But that never happened. Sigh. Instead, Raditz gets remembered as the dude who got his ass kicked by Goku and Piccolo. And let’s be real—that’s just not fair. The guy deserves more than that.
Conclusion: Giving Raditz the Respect He Deserves
Here’s the thing: Raditz is not just some footnote in Goku’s backstory. He’s a pivotal character who deserves so much more than he was given. Goku’s first real confrontation with his past, his bloodline, and his destiny? That’s powerful. That’s important. And honestly, it’s a missed opportunity that we didn’t get to see more of Raditz. So, here’s to Raditz—Dragon Ball’s forgotten Saiyan brother. May he get the love and recognition he deserves.
About the Author
