Determining the Age Gap Between Raditz and Goku in Dragon Ball

Introduction

Dragon Ball is a beloved Japanese manga and anime series created by Akira Toriyama, where characters like Goku and Raditz are central figures. The debate over the age gap between these two iconic characters has been a topic of interest among fans and enthusiasts. Let's delve into the details to clarify their age differences and explore the fascinating world of Dragon Ball.

Age of Goku

Goku, the titular character and protagonist of Dragon Ball, is born in the 736th Year of the Dragon. This establishes his birth year and forms the basis for understanding his chronological age throughout the series.

Age of Raditz

Raditz, Goku's older brother and a key character in the early episodes of Dragon Ball, makes his first appearance much later in the series. Initially, he appears alongside Goku in the 743rd Year of the Dragon. According to the manga and anime series, Raditz was born in the 718th Year of the Dragon. This information is crucial in determining the age gap between the two characters.

Calculating the Age Difference

To calculate the age difference, we must subtract Raditz's birth year from Goku's birth year:

Goku's Birth Year:

736

Raditz's Birth Year:

718

Age Difference:

736 - 718 18 years

Therefore, Raditz is 18 years older than Goku. This significant age gap explains why Raditz is introduced much later when Goku is already a matured Saiyan warrior.

Revisiting the Initial Claim

Based on the information from the manga, it is apparent that Goku is indeed older than initially assumed. The claim that Raditz was Goku's senior by 4 years is incorrect. Instead, Goku is well over 18 years younger than Raditz.

Comparative Ages

When we consider the ages given in the initial sources, where Raditz is said to be between 18 to 22 years old, we must place these ages in context with Goku's age. If Raditz is 22, and we assume that Goku is 37, this would still establish that Goku is 15 years younger, not the other way around.

The confusion might arise from the fact that Raditz's age range is broad and can vary depending on the timeline in which he appears. However, the official birth year of 718 for Raditz and 736 for Goku clarifies the age difference.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the age gap between Goku and Raditz is significant, with Raditz being 18 years older than Goku. This age difference impacts the dynamics of their relationship and the story’s progression in the Dragon Ball series. Fans and scholars of Dragon Ball should find this information accurate and helpful in their studies and discussions of the series.

Final Note

This article has provided a detailed analysis of the ages of Raditz and Goku, using official sources from the Dragon Ball series. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask!