For decades, fans have followed the incredible journey of Goku through the Dragon Ball universe, from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Super. One question consistently arises among viewers: How Old Is Goku throughout these thrilling sagas? The Dragon Ball franchise stands out for allowing its characters to age and evolve, making Goku’s age a fascinating point of discussion. While not explicitly stated in every saga, we can piece together a comprehensive timeline of Goku’s age based on in-story information and official sources. Let’s dive into a detailed exploration of Goku’s age across each major arc of the Dragon Ball series.
How Old Goku Is In The Emperor Pilaf Saga
Age 12 (Age 749 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
The inaugural saga, the Emperor Pilaf Saga, marks the beginning of Goku’s epic quest for the Dragon Balls. Initially, Goku mistakenly tells Bulma he is 14 years old, a humorous reflection of his isolated upbringing and lack of formal education. However, after training with Master Roshi, Goku gains a better understanding of numbers and realizes his actual age at the start of Dragon Ball is 12 years old. This saga introduces us to a naive but powerful young Saiyan embarking on his first adventures.
How Old Goku Is In The Tournament & Red Ribbon Army Sagas
Age 13 (Age 750 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Goku remains 12 years old during the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament, where he faces off against Jackie Chun (Master Roshi in disguise) in the finals. However, by the time the Red Ribbon Army Saga begins, approximately one year has passed in the Dragon Ball timeline since the Dragon Balls were last used. This time skip makes Goku 13 years old as he confronts the formidable Red Ribbon Army. His heroic actions during this saga, particularly his battles against Commander Red and General Blue, lay the groundwork for future storylines and character developments in the Dragon Ball universe.
How Old Goku Is In The Tien Shinhan & Demon King Piccolo Sagas
Age 16 (Age 753 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
After dismantling the Red Ribbon Army and retrieving the Four-Star Dragon Ball, Goku dedicates himself to training for the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. A significant three-year training period elapses between these sagas. Consequently, Goku enters the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament at the age of 16. It is during this tournament that he engages in a fierce rivalry with Tien Shinhan. Immediately following the tournament, Goku faces his first truly world-threatening enemy: Demon King Piccolo. This saga marks a turning point, showcasing Goku’s transition into a young man and his increasing responsibility to protect the Earth.
How Old Goku Is In The Piccolo Jr. Saga
Age 19 (Age 756 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Following the defeat of Demon King Piccolo, Goku understands that Piccolo’s reincarnation, Piccolo Jr., poses a future threat. To prepare, Goku trains with Kami for another three years. This rigorous training regime culminates in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. By this point, Goku is 19 years old when he confronts and defeats Piccolo Jr. in a decisive battle. This saga concludes the Dragon Ball era, setting the stage for the more action-packed and dramatic Dragon Ball Z. The fight against Piccolo Jr. is the final major event before the time skip to Dragon Ball Z.
How Old Goku Is In The Saiyan & Frieza Sagas
Age 25 (Ages 761-762 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
A five-year time skip bridges the gap between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. At the beginning of the Saiyan Saga, when Raditz arrives on Earth, Goku is 24 years old. However, Goku tragically dies in the battle against Raditz. After his death, a year passes as Goku trains in the Other World and his friends prepare for the arrival of Vegeta and Nappa. Therefore, Goku is resurrected at the age of 25 for the latter part of the Saiyan Saga and continues to be 25 throughout the entirety of the Frieza Saga, as these events occur within the same year in the Dragon Ball timeline.
How Old Goku Is In The Android & Cell Sagas
Age 31 (Ages 764-767 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Two years after the Namek Saga concludes, Future Trunks arrives, warning of the Android threat. At this point, Goku is 27 years old. Another three years pass as the Z Fighters train for the androids’ arrival, making Goku 30 years old when the Android Saga officially begins. During the intense battles against the androids and Cell, Goku and others utilize the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. While time within the chamber progresses differently, Goku spends two entries of roughly a day each in the chamber, effectively aging him physically by two days. However, by the end of the Cell Games, and considering the time spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku is physically around 31 years old.
How Old Goku Is In The Buu Saga
Age 38 (Age 774 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Super Saiyan 3 Goku powering up intensely during his fight against Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z
The largest time jump in Dragon Ball Z occurs between the Cell Saga and the Buu Saga, spanning seven years. Goku remains deceased during this period, choosing to stay in the Other World to continue his training and avoid attracting further danger to Earth. When Goku is temporarily revived for the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament and the subsequent Majin Buu crisis, he is 38 years old. This saga showcases a more mature and strategically experienced Goku, capable of achieving the powerful Super Saiyan 3 form.
How Old Is Goku In Dragon Ball Daima?
Age 39 (Age 775 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Dragon Ball Daima, the newest installment in the franchise, is set shortly after the Buu Saga. The first episode confirms that Daima takes place during Trunks’ ninth birthday celebration, which is one year after Kid Buu’s defeat. Therefore, at the beginning of Dragon Ball Daima, Goku is 39 years old. However, due to a wish made using the Dragon Balls by Gomah, Goku and others are physically reverted to child-like forms. While his chronological age remains 39, Goku’s physical body is temporarily that of a young boy, around 7 years old, mirroring his appearance from the original Dragon Ball.
How Old Goku Is In The Battle Of Gods Saga
Age 42 (Age 778 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Dragon Ball Super begins with the Battle of Gods Saga, which is set four years after the Buu Saga. This time jump places Goku at 42 years old when Beerus, the God of Destruction, arrives on Earth. The Battle of Gods saga marks the introduction of Super Saiyan God and the expansion of the Dragon Ball universe to include gods and multiple universes.
How Old Goku Is In The Golden Frieza, Universe 6, & Future Trunks Sagas
Age 43-46 (Age 779 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Between the Battle of Gods Saga and the Golden Frieza Saga, only one year passes. Thus, Goku is 43 years old when Frieza is resurrected and returns to Earth seeking revenge. Following the Golden Frieza Saga, the Universe 6 Saga and the Future Trunks Saga occur within a relatively short timeframe. During the Universe 6 Saga, Goku and Vegeta train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for three years (in subjective time). While chronologically still 43, Goku’s body experiences three additional years of aging within the chamber. Therefore, for the Future Trunks Saga, which follows shortly after, Goku is approximately 46 years old in terms of physical aging, though still 43 chronologically from the start of Dragon Ball Super.
How Old Goku Is In The Universal Survival Saga & Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Age 47 (Age 780 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
The Universal Survival Saga, also known as the Tournament of Power, takes place shortly after the Future Trunks Saga. Dragon Ball Super: Broly is explicitly set after the Tournament of Power. The use of the Dragon Balls to revive Frieza in Dragon Ball Super: Broly indicates that at least one year has passed since the Golden Frieza Saga. Taking this into account, Goku’s age during the Tournament of Power and Dragon Ball Super: Broly is approximately 47 years old.
How Old Goku Is In The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, Granolah The Survivor Saga, & Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Age 49 (Ages 781-782 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga and the Granolah the Survivor Saga in the manga, along with the movie Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, follow Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero confirms that Pan is three years old, indicating that two years have passed since the events of Broly. Consequently, Goku’s age during these arcs is approximately 49 years old. Despite approaching middle age for a human, Goku remains at the peak of his fighting prowess, a testament to his Saiyan biology.
How Old Goku Is At The Very End Of Dragon Ball Z
Age 51 (Age 784 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
The epilogue of Dragon Ball Z, which features Goku departing with Uub to train him, is set ten years after the Buu Saga. Considering Goku’s age of 38 during the Buu Saga and adding the ten-year time skip, Goku would be 48 years old. However, accounting for the subjective time spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber during Dragon Ball Super (approximately 3 years), Goku’s age at the end of Dragon Ball Z, adjusted for Hyperbolic Time Chamber usage, is closer to 51 years old.
How Old Goku Is In Dragon Ball GT
Age 56-57, and 157 (Ages 789-790, 889 of the Dragon Ball Calendar)
Dragon Ball GT, while non-canonical, provides another perspective on Goku’s age. GT begins five years after the end of Dragon Ball Z. Starting with an age of around 51 at the end of DBZ, Goku would be approximately 56 years old at the beginning of Dragon Ball GT. The first half of GT spans about a year, making Goku 57 years old by the Baby Saga. In the Dragon Ball GT finale and Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy, set 100 years later, if we consider Goku’s presence, he would be an astonishing 157 years old, although his physical appearance remains unchanged due to his Saiyan biology and unique circumstances.
How Old Goku is In Each Dragon Ball Saga
Goku’s Age Timeline Through Dragon Ball
| Arc | Age |
|---|---|
| The Emperor Pilaf Saga | 12 |
| Tournament & Red Ribbon Army Sagas | 13 |
| Tien Shinhan & Demon King Piccolo Saga | 16 |
| Piccolo Jr. Saga | 19 |
| Saiyan & Frieza Saga | 25 |
| Android & Cell Saga | 31 |
| Buu Saga | 38 |
| Dragon Ball Daima | 39 |
| Battle of the Gods Saga | 42 |
| Golden Frieza, Universe 6, & Future Trunks Sagas | 43-46 |
| Universal Survival Saga & Dragon Ball Super: Broly | 47 |
| The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, Granolah The Survivor Saga & Super Hero | 49 |
| End of Dragon Ball Z | 51 |
| Dragon Ball GT | 56-57, 157 |
Why Goku Doesn’t Age
The Saiyan Secret to Goku’s Youthful Appearance
One of the most intriguing aspects of Goku’s age is his seemingly static physical appearance after adulthood. Despite chronologically aging, Goku maintains a remarkably youthful physique and peak fighting abilities. Vegeta explains that pure-blooded Saiyans experience a slowed aging process once they reach their prime, primarily experiencing changes in muscle mass rather than significant physical aging. Dragon Ball Super further reinforces this, establishing that 80 years old is considered young for a Saiyan. This Saiyan physiology is the primary reason behind Goku’s consistent youthful appearance, even as he accumulates years.
Dragon Ball Needs To Age Up Goku
The Narrative Potential of an Older Goku
While the in-universe explanation for Goku’s prolonged youth is well-established, narratively, it presents some interesting challenges. Dragon Ball has consistently introduced younger generations meant to follow in Goku’s footsteps, starting with Gohan’s potential after the Cell Saga. However, Goku’s iconic status has kept him perpetually at the forefront. Stories sometimes need to write Goku out temporarily, like in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, to allow other characters to shine. Furthermore, Goku’s unchanging appearance, while he is chronologically older than his adult son, creates a somewhat static dynamic.
Exploring a visibly older Goku could open new narrative avenues for Dragon Ball. A more aged Goku could naturally transition into a mentor role, similar to Master Roshi’s function in early Dragon Ball. This shift could provide fresh storytelling opportunities and allow for deeper character development for both Goku and the younger generation of Z Fighters as the Dragon Ball franchise moves forward.
