His relationship with Goku is fascinatingly detached at first. He dismisses his son for having a low power level (a pathetic 2). It is only through the visions—and the brutal murder of his crew by Dodoria—that Bardock’s motivations shift. He doesn't fight Frieza to save the universe; he fights to avenge his friends and save the legacy of the Saiyan race.
Released in 1990 (sandwiched between the Frieza and Garlic Jr. sagas on broadcast), the special takes place roughly a decade before the start of Dragon Ball Z . It follows Bardock, a low-class Saiyan warrior who makes a living conquering planets for Frieza’s empire. Dragon Ball Z Bardock - The Father of Goku -199...
The film takes place during the Frieza Saga, specifically after Goku's iconic battle with Frieza on Planet Namek. The story revolves around Bardock, a low-class Saiyan warrior who begins to sense a strange, unexplained power within himself. As the film progresses, Bardock's visions of the future reveal the impending doom of the Saiyan race at the hands of Frieza. His relationship with Goku is fascinatingly detached at
"A Lonesome, Final Battle: The Father of the Z Warrior Son Goku, who Challenged Frieza". Running Time: 48 minutes. He doesn't fight Frieza to save the universe;
If the special has a flaw, it is its compressed runtime. The rapid shift from Bardock the brute to Bardock the grieving father can feel abrupt, and the psychic premonition mechanic is an arbitrary plot device. Moreover, later canonical entries (particularly Dragon Ball Minus and Dragon Ball Super: Broly ) would revise Bardock’s character into a more conventionally caring father, undermining the tragic ambiguity of the original. In the 1990 special, Bardock sends Kakarot to Earth as an afterthought—a standard Saiyan low-class infiltration mission. It is only in his final vision that he realizes the profound consequences of that mundane act. That accidental heroism is far more powerful than any deliberate sacrifice.
In slow motion, we watch Bardock charge headfirst into the sun-like attack. He doesn't run. He doesn't beg. He screams Kakarot’s name and punches the energy wave.
The film humanizes Bardock, transforming him from a relatively unknown character into a complex and sympathetic figure. This depth adds richness to the Dragon Ball Z universe, highlighting the sacrifices made by characters in the background.