(Image: A striking image of Super Saiyan Bardock, perhaps a composite of different appearances across media.)
What if the fate of the entire Saiyan race rested not on the shoulders of Goku, but on a Super Saiyan warrior from its forgotten past? The world of Dragon Ball is filled with “what if” scenarios, alternate timelines, and characters whose potential stretches beyond the bounds of canon. Among these intriguing possibilities, one figure stands out, bathed in golden light and fueled by a burning desire for vengeance: Super Saiyan Bardock.
Bardock, the father of Goku and a low-class Saiyan warrior, holds a unique place in the Dragon Ball mythos. While his canonical story in Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku paints him as a valiant but ultimately doomed warrior, the possibility of him achieving the legendary Super Saiyan transformation has captivated fans for years. This article delves into the various appearances and depictions of Bardock as a Super Saiyan, differentiating between canon and non-canon interpretations, and exploring the reasons behind his enduring popularity.
Bardock’s Super Saiyan transformation, while primarily a non-canonical concept, has become a popular and intriguing “what if” scenario within the Dragon Ball fandom, raising questions about his potential and the fate of the Saiyan race. Let’s explore the legend of Super Saiyan Bardock.
The Original Saiyan Warrior
Before we explore the golden transformations, it’s essential to understand Bardock’s original portrayal. In Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku, he is depicted as a battle-hardened Saiyan, leading a team of warriors to conquer planets for Frieza’s empire. He’s a pragmatic warrior, hardened by war, but possesses a flicker of Saiyan pride and a deep-seated, if often unspoken, concern for his comrades. He’s characterized by a rebellious streak, questioning Frieza’s motives after receiving visions of the tyrant’s betrayal through a dying alien’s psychic attack. He’s a skilled fighter, adept at using ki blasts and hand-to-hand combat, but ultimately, he’s no match for Frieza’s overwhelming power.
Bardock’s fate is sealed when he attempts to confront Frieza’s advancing Death Ball, aimed at destroying Planet Vegeta. In a heroic, yet futile, last stand, he perishes alongside his planet and race. However, within this original canon, there’s no suggestion of Super Saiyan potential. His power level, while respectable for a Saiyan warrior, is nowhere near the level required to achieve the transformation. The timing of Frieza’s attack also precedes the widespread knowledge of the Super Saiyan legend among the Saiyan race, making it even less likely for Bardock to even consider the possibility of such a transformation.
The Episode of Bardock and a Golden Awakening
The landscape shifted with the release of Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock. This special introduced a new, albeit non-canonical, chapter in Bardock’s story. Surviving Frieza’s attack through a quirk of fate, he’s sent hurtling through time, landing on the ancient Planet Plant, the original homeworld of the Saiyans, now inhabited by a peaceful alien race.
Here, he confronts Chilled, a powerful space pirate and ancestor of Frieza. The animosity between them quickly escalates, and Bardock finds himself defending the inhabitants of Planet Plant from Chilled’s ruthless attacks. As Chilled pushes Bardock to his limits, a potent combination of grief, rage at the tyrant’s lineage, and the Saiyan instinct to protect those he cares for erupts within him. This surge of raw emotion triggers the legendary transformation.
The transformation sequence is classic Dragon Ball: Bardock’s hair stands on end, turning a brilliant golden color. His eyes change to a piercing green, and a powerful golden aura envelops his body. The power increase is immense, allowing him to overwhelm Chilled with relative ease. He delivers a devastating blow, sending Chilled reeling back into space, where the pirate warns his lineage about a golden warrior with immense power.
Episode of Bardock presents a compelling “what if” scenario. It suggests that Bardock could have been the first Super Saiyan, predating even the ancient legend whispered among the Saiyans. It raises the question: what if Bardock had returned to his own time with this newfound power? How would the timeline have shifted? While non-canonical, this episode’s popularity stems from its compelling narrative and the satisfying visual of Bardock finally achieving the legendary form.
Super Saiyan Bardock in Gaming and Beyond
Bardock’s Super Saiyan form truly gained momentum through appearances in various Dragon Ball video games, particularly the Dragon Ball Heroes and Super Dragon Ball Heroes series. These games delve deep into alternate timelines and character power-ups, offering players a dizzying array of transformations and abilities.
In these games, Super Saiyan Bardock isn’t just limited to the initial transformation seen in Episode of Bardock. He accesses various forms, including Super Saiyan Two, Super Saiyan Three, Super Saiyan Four, Super Saiyan God, and even Super Saiyan Blue. Each form boasts unique abilities and characteristics, further fueling the “what if” possibilities surrounding his character. For example, Super Saiyan Three Bardock in Dragon Ball Heroes is portrayed as an extremely powerful and aggressive fighter, wielding devastating ki attacks. Super Saiyan Four Bardock combines the Super Saiyan power with the primal strength of the Great Ape form, resulting in a visually striking and immensely powerful warrior.
A particularly intriguing storyline within Dragon Ball Heroes revolves around the “Masked Saiyan.” This mysterious warrior, shrouded in a mask and controlled by dark magic, is eventually revealed to be Bardock, having been manipulated and brainwashed. This storyline adds another layer to Bardock’s character, exploring the potential for him to be a powerful force for both good and evil.
Beyond video games, Super Saiyan Bardock has become a popular subject for fan art and fan fiction. Artists and writers explore various interpretations of his character, often depicting him as a stoic and powerful warrior, determined to protect his family and the Saiyan race. Common themes in fan works include Bardock training to master his Super Saiyan form, confronting Frieza in a rematch, and even interacting with his sons, Goku and Raditz, in alternate timelines. The sheer volume of fan-created content dedicated to Super Saiyan Bardock is a testament to his enduring appeal.
Power Scaling and the Hypothetical Realm
The question of Super Saiyan Bardock’s power level sparks endless debate among fans. How does he stack up against Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and other powerful characters in the Dragon Ball universe? This is where things become highly subjective, as scaling power levels across different timelines and non-canon scenarios is inherently challenging.
Some argue that, given his original power level and the circumstances of his transformation in Episode of Bardock, Super Saiyan Bardock would be significantly weaker than Goku or Vegeta in their later forms. Others contend that, with dedicated training and access to higher levels of Super Saiyan, Bardock could potentially rival or even surpass them.
The possibilities are endless. What if Bardock had trained rigorously after achieving Super Saiyan in Episode of Bardock? What if he had managed to return to his own time and warn the Saiyans about Frieza’s treachery? How would the entire Dragon Ball timeline have changed if Bardock had survived the destruction of Planet Vegeta? Could he have defeated Frieza in his Super Saiyan form, averting the Saiyan race’s tragic fate?
These hypothetical scenarios are central to Super Saiyan Bardock’s appeal. He represents a second chance for the Saiyan race, a glimmer of hope in a story often defined by loss and destruction.
The Enduring Legacy of a “What If”
Super Saiyan Bardock’s popularity boils down to several factors. He embodies the “cool factor” of a Saiyan ancestor achieving the legendary transformation, offering a glimpse into the race’s potential. His tragic hero backstory resonates with fans, adding depth and complexity to his character. And, perhaps most importantly, he opens the door to countless interesting stories and alternate timelines, allowing fans to explore the Dragon Ball universe in new and exciting ways.
Of course, not everyone is on board with the Super Saiyan Bardock concept. Some criticize his non-canon status, arguing that he deviates too far from the established Dragon Ball lore. Others point to potential power creep and inconsistencies, questioning the logic of his rapid power escalation in video games.
Despite these criticisms, Bardock’s impact on the overall Dragon Ball mythos is undeniable. Even as a non-canon character, he has become a central figure in fan discussions, artwork, and fan fiction. His story serves as a reminder that the Dragon Ball universe is vast and filled with endless possibilities, limited only by the imagination of its creators and fans.
A Legend Forged in Gold
Super Saiyan Bardock, a figure born from a tragic past and fueled by a burning desire for vengeance, represents a powerful “what if” within the Dragon Ball universe. From his initial transformation in Episode of Bardock to his various appearances in video games and fan-created content, he has become a beloved and enduring character.
While Super Saiyan Bardock remains a legend outside the main timeline, his existence serves as a testament to the enduring power of the Dragon Ball “what if” scenario and the boundless imagination of its fans. Will we ever see a canonical version of Super Saiyan Bardock? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, the legend of the golden Saiyan warrior will continue to inspire and captivate Dragon Ball fans around the world.
(Image: A final image showcasing a variety of Super Saiyan Bardock forms from different media.)
