Bardock is one of the most interesting characters in Dragon Ball. Apart from being the father of Goku, Bardock has shown some important involvements in the franchise, even though he didn’t appear too much.
Bardock was first shown in Dragon Ball Z, in several flashbacks, as he was opposing Frieza. Bardock was one of the few Saiyans who had the courage to confront the intergalactic tyrant. Goku’s father even had a dedicated Dragon Ball Z movie that was known as “Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku” and launched in 1990.
Looking further, a 2018 movie known as “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” also presented a few flashbacks of Bardock and Gine, the mother of Goku. Bardock was shown as carrying his son Goku in a capsule while the beloved Saiyan was a baby.
The Dragon Ball Super Manga reveals exciting stuff about Bardock
Spoilers ahead! If you don’t want to be spoiled, go back now!
Chapter 76 of the Dragon Ball Super Manga shows both Goku and Vegeta in the middle of some very important events. Granolah is the main antagonist, and he became comparable in strength with Ultra Instinct Goku or Ultra Ego Vegeta.
Granolah is eager to have his revenge on the Saiyans, the race that killed his people, the Cerelians. The chapter confirms that there are also good Saiyans, as one of them tried to save Granolah and his mother. That Saiyan is none other than Bardock, the father of Goku.
Is Dragon Ball Super Manga setting the stage for Bardock’s return?
One thing’s for sure: fans surely want to see Bardock coming in Dragon Ball Super, and that could be a strong enough reason for the manga and, therefore, the animated show to bring Goku’s father back. Let’s not forget that the Dragon Ball Super anime has been pretty faithful with the demands of the fans: Master Roshi participated in battles again, Gohan became able to compete with Goku once again, Yamcha and Krillin became complete wastes as in the internet memes, and the examples could continue. It could happen the same with Bardock.
There are plenty of reasons to believe that Bardock will make a come-back. The father of Goku surely deserves more praise.
Characters from the past are often brought back
Dragon Ball Super, whether we’re talking about the anime or the manga, is well-known to often bring back characters from the past. Frieza was brought back two times, for instance. Broly was also revived, and who knows who’s up next. Yet again, let’s not forget the Super Dragon Ball Heroes anime that has brought back important characters from the past only to engage them in battle. Even Janemba was added, a character who appeared in an old Dragon Ball movie.
Now, the ultimate question arises: why wouldn’t Bardock be brought back as well? Gathering the needed dragon balls was never a problem, and Goku would be willing to do it. Also, Vegeta could use the balls to bring back his entire Saiyan race, as any Dragon Ball fan knows that Frieza almost completely wiped it out many years ago. Therefore, Bardock would be revived as well. Goku was sent to Earth in pretty much the same day when Frieza eradicated the Saiyans, when our hero was a baby. Everyone’s favorite Saiyan was also one of the very few members of the Saiyan race left alive.
You must not think even for a moment that Dragon Ball Super would have a problem in making Bardock’s strength high enough to be able to be anywhere close to those of Goku and Vegeta. Dragon Ball never had such “problems”, as the writers were always creative enough to bring innovative scenarios.