Goku Black: The Dark Reflection of a Saiyan Hero
Who Is Goku Black?
In the expansive universe of Dragon Ball Super, one character stands out for his eerie resemblance to the franchise’s beloved protagonist, Goku. But make no mistake — Goku Black is far from a hero.
Cold, merciless, and driven by twisted divine ideals, Goku Black is a villain who took the fandom by storm, blending the familiar strength of Goku with a hauntingly malevolent personality.
Origin Story: A Body Stolen, A Plan Born
Goku Black isn’t a mere clone or alternate version of Goku. He is, in fact, Zamasu, a Supreme Kai apprentice from Universe 10.
Disillusioned by what he saw as the chaos and evil of mortal existence, Zamasu developed a hatred for humanity and the gods who allowed mortals to exist.
Using the Super Dragon Balls, he wished to switch bodies with Goku — a mortal he deemed unworthy of divine power.
In his new Saiyan body, Zamasu retained his own mind, becoming Goku Black, and began his genocidal mission to erase all mortal life across timelines — a plan he dubbed the “Zero Mortals Plan.”
Goku Black in Dragon Ball Super
Goku Black makes his first appearance in the Future Trunks Saga of Dragon Ball Super. His presence devastates Trunks’ future world, forcing Trunks to return to the present and seek help from Goku and Vegeta. The saga that unfolds is one of the most intense and philosophical arcs in the series.
Black’s demeanor is chilling. While he looks like Goku, he speaks like Zamasu — calm, composed, and filled with divine superiority.
He sees mortals as impure, and his every action is fueled by a desire to “purify” the multiverse.
Powers and Transformation: Super Saiyan Rosé
In the body of Goku, Black possesses all of Goku’s raw power and instincts. But what truly sets him apart is his divine energy, resulting in the unique transformation: Super Saiyan Rosé.
- This form is similar to Super Saiyan Blue in strength, but instead of blue, his hair turns a vibrant pink, signifying a fusion of godly ki and Saiyan might.
- He also creates a ki scythe, which can tear open dimensional rifts.
- Over time, Black’s power increases exponentially, as he learns to fight better in Goku’s body.
Goku Black and Future Zamasu: A Divine Duo
Goku Black doesn’t work alone. He partners with a version of Future Zamasu, his counterpart from another timeline. This twisted duo becomes a near-unstoppable force.
While Black fights in Goku’s stolen body, Future Zamasu becomes immortal via the Super Dragon Balls. Together, they lay waste to Trunks’ world, even fusing into Fused Zamasu — a godlike being with unparalleled strength.
Concept and Creation
Goku Black was conceptualized as a twisted mirror to Goku, drawing inspiration from the trope of “evil doppelgängers” seen in Japanese tokusatsu shows like Kamen Rider and Ultraman.
Akira Toriyama designed the character to feel familiar yet unsettling, merging Goku’s iconic appearance with the godlike ego and sinister morality of Zamasu.
His role in Dragon Ball Super served as a philosophical foil to the heroes—embodying divine tyranny cloaked in Saiyan strength.
According to interviews, the contrast between Goku’s pure-hearted nature and Black’s god-complex was central to his thematic design.
Appearance and Visual Design
Though Goku Black shares Goku’s body, his visual identity is unique. He wears a dark grey martial arts gi with a red sash, paired with black pants and white boots.
His most defining accessories are the green Potara earring on his left ear and the Time Ring on his right hand, both symbolizing his divine origins.
His aura—especially when transformed into Super Saiyan Rosé—is colored with shades of pink and purple, reflecting his divine yet corrupted energy. Subtle facial expressions and sinister smiles further distinguish him from the heroic Goku.
Voice Acting and Performances
In the Japanese version, Goku Black is voiced by Masako Nozawa, the same legendary actress who voices Goku, which adds an eerie familiarity to the character.
In the English dub, Sean Schemmel delivers a distinct and more menacing performance to reflect Goku Black’s cruelty and arrogance.
The voice acting plays a major role in conveying the duality of the character—retaining Goku’s voice, yet injecting it with malice and contempt.
Appearances in Video Games and Spin-offs
Goku Black has become a fan-favorite antagonist and features in numerous Dragon Ball video games including Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, FighterZ, Dokkan Battle, Legends, and Super Dragon Ball Heroes.
In these games, he often appears alongside Fused Zamasu or as a standalone boss. He also plays a prominent role in the Super Dragon Ball Heroes anime and manga, where alternate versions of Goku Black, such as the Masked Saiyan or Crimson-Masked Saiyan, make appearances.
These adaptations expand his lore beyond the main series.
Powers, Techniques, and Signature AbilitiesGoku Black’s powers are a dangerous fusion of Saiyan combat ability and divine energy. He can manipulate ki into bladed weapons, most notably his Energy Blade and Violent Fierce God Slicer.
His Black Kamehameha is a corrupted version of Goku’s iconic attack, and he shows the ability to summon a massive energy scythe that rips through dimensions.
His power increases rapidly through battle, thanks to his Saiyan physiology, making him stronger the more he fights. These unique abilities distinguish him from both Goku and Zamasu.
Super Saiyan Rosé and Transformations
Goku Black’s signature transformation is Super Saiyan Rosé, a divine variant of the Super Saiyan Blue form. Unlike regular Super Saiyan transformations, Rosé channels divine ki, resulting in pink hair and a vibrant purple-pink aura.
It symbolizes his fusion of godly energy with a mortal Saiyan body. His power in this form rivals even the strongest fighters in Universe 7. In other media, such as Heroes, Goku Black is also shown using forms like Super Saiyan Rosé 2 and 3, although these are considered non-canon.
Timeline Mechanics and Multiverse Complexity
Goku Black’s origin involves one of the most complex timelines in the Dragon Ball franchise. He is the result of Zamasu from an unaltered timeline stealing Goku’s body using the Super Dragon Balls, then traveling to Future Trunks’ timeline.
Even after present-day Zamasu is erased by Beerus, the Time Ring allows Goku Black to remain unaffected. These events create a split timeline where Fused Zamasu is born.
Understanding the mechanics of time travel, divine invulnerability, and alternate realities is essential to grasp Goku Black’s full story arc.
Fan Reception and Legacy
Goku Black is widely regarded as one of the best villains in the Dragon Ball franchise. His tragic yet terrifying origin, his aesthetic design, and his eerie juxtaposition of Goku’s face with evil intent make him a fan favorite.
The Super Saiyan Rosé transformation became iconic, and Goku Black’s calm yet ruthless attitude has inspired:
- Countless fan theories
- Cosplays at conventions worldwide
- An entire subgenre of doujinshi and fan art, often exploring darker or alternative versions of Goku’s morality
Goku Black in Doujinshi and Fan Media
Due to his visual appeal and twisted story, Goku Black has become a popular subject in doujinshi culture, including:
- Yaoi doujinshi pairing him with Future Zamasu or even Goku himself (exploring the identity conflict)
- Action doujinshi reimagining the Future Trunks saga
- Erotic fan comics (often featuring transformations or domination tropes, tapping into the character’s god complex)
Sites like Tsumino and related communities often feature user-generated doujinshi exploring the boundaries of Goku Black’s character in creative, adult-oriented ways.
The Philosophy Behind Goku Black
Beyond the action, Goku Black represents one of Dragon Ball’s most philosophical villains. His beliefs force viewers to question:
- Are mortals inherently destructive?
- Can divine power corrupt even the purest forms?
- What happens when justice becomes vengeance?
His downfall — caused by arrogance and overconfidence — is a reminder that even those who believe they’re righteous can fall prey to darkness.
Final Thoughts
Goku Black is more than just an evil Goku. He’s a symbol of corrupted idealism, divine wrath, and the dangers of unchecked power. His story arc in Dragon Ball Super remains one of the franchise’s boldest explorations of morality, identity, and power.
Whether you love him for his aesthetic, his twisted mind, or his epic battles, one thing is certain: Goku Black has secured his place as a legendary anime villain.
About the Author: Ana Milojevik
Ana Milojevik is a pop culture journalist and anime content writer with a passion for unraveling the deeper themes behind iconic characters. With years of experience exploring the Dragon Ball universe, she specializes in connecting anime storytelling with real-world mythologies, philosophies, and fan culture. Ana writes regularly about character psychology, anime lore, and multiverse theories—always aiming to bring both longtime fans and curious newcomers deeper into the worlds they love. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her rewatching Dragon Ball Super or analyzing the latest plot twists in shōnen anime.