Bardock

Bardock is a mercenary first introduced in the television special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990) as the leader of a platoon of Saiyan warriors. Within the series, the Saiyans are depicted as a warlike species who display a wide array of special abilities, possessing immense natural strength, ki energy manipulation, as well as superhuman agility, reflexes and senses. With the exception of their monkey-like tails, which enables the transformation of an individual in view of a full moon into a Great Ape, Saiyans have the same outward appearance as humans but with larger, more muscular builds. Franchise creator Akira Toriyama explained in an interview published in the March 2014 issue of Saikyō Jump that Bardock and his wife are among the rare Saiyans who are joined by an emotional bond as opposed to a practical reproductive purpose. Gine was at one point a member of a four-person team of Saiyan warriors along with Bardock where they developed feelings for each other, though Gine eventually retired from the team as she is not an effective fighter due to her gentle nature. Toriyama considers Bardock to be one of the strongest low-class warriors, but below a mid-class warrior in power. On the depiction of Bardock's bravery in the film Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), director Tatsuya Nagamine explained in a January 2019 interview with V Jump that he considers the character to be the only Saiyan left who retains his people's pure nature, whereas the rest of the Saiyans have lost their original pride as a warrior race prior to the events of the film. Bardock's facial features are very similar to his son Kakarot, which has led to certain characters, who knew Bardock, recognizing the familial relationship between the two characters when they encounter Goku. Bardock's signature ability is the "Final Spirit Cannon" (ファイナルスピリッツキャノン) or "Riot Javelin", an energy sphere attack. During a routine incursion on the planet Kanassa in Bardock – The Father of Goku, one of its surviving inhabitants strikes Bardock, giving him its native ability to see into the future. ==Conception and creation==

Bardock's basic design was originally conceived for the Bardock – The Father of Goku special by Toei Animation production staff. ==Abilities==

Due to his Saiyan biology, Bardock has enhanced strength, speed, agility, durability, reflexes and the power of flight. He also possessed a degree of clairvoyance and the following abilities: energy generation and manipulation through the utilization of ki, sensing power levels via his scouter and enhancing his physical abilities through sheer force of will. Bardock's Saiyan genetics and possession of a tail allowed him to transform into a Great Ape when exposed to the energy radiating from a full moon. ==Appearances==

Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990) Following the conquest of planet Kanassa led by his team, Bardock began to see visions of Frieza's plan to destroy planet Vegeta, as well as Goku's future on Earth. After his son is set to be transported away from their homeworld to Earth, he attempts to prevent the destruction of his species by challenging Frieza in the orbit of planet Vegeta, but is obliterated by Frieza. Back in the present day, Vegeta knew who Bardock was, and tells Goku that he was the latter's father, much to Granolah, Monaito and Goku's surprise. ==Merchandise==

Shadow Studio released a highly detailed collectible statue depicting Bardock and Gine witnessing Goku's departure in a space pod. ==Reception==

Bardock has received a positive reception. Both Nick Valdez and Evan Valentine from Comicbook.com described him as one of the most influential and popular characters in the Dragon Ball franchise in spite of his limited appearances. Kofi Outlaw, also from Comicbook.com, was of the view that Broly "created a lot of new room for a much more noble and (anti-)heroic version of Bardock to become part of the modern Dragon Ball series", and suggested that the character should be brought back into canon continuity in some form. Strait was of the opinion that Bardock's consistent appearances in the franchise's licensed video games have contributed significantly towards the character's enduring popularity. Jemima Sebastián from the Latin American edition of IGN commented that the destruction of the Saiyan homeworld is one of the most important and emotional moments in Dragon Ball history; she also noted that fan interest in Bardock inspired a story arc in Dragon Ball Multiverse, a Dragon Ball fan fiction webcomic, where Frieza never destroyed planet Vegeta and Bardock is the central character and leader of a popular revolt against Frieza. Bardock is ranked number 11 on ''IGN's'' list of "Top 13 Dragon Ball Z Characters"; Chris Carle said Bardock's impact in the series' overall story is quite large even though his major appearances are confined to the animated films and expanded literature. Carle noted that the character has passed on his virtuous traits to Goku, and hope to see father and son being depicted fighting side by side one day. Bardock came in 28th place on Complex's list "A Ranking of All the Characters on 'Dragon Ball Z"; Sheldon Pearce notes that the character exists as a means to shed more light on Goku's character. Megan Peters, also from Comicbook.com, opined that Goku's final moment with Bardock and Gine as he departs the Saiyan homeworld in a space pod is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series. Critical commentary of Bardock's role in the series, particularly his revised personality observed in Minus and Broly, drew comparisons to the Superman character Jor-El by multiple sources. In an opinion piece published by RPP, Erich García criticized the changes made to Bardock's characterization as well as the effective retcon of events that took place in Bardock – The Father of Goku. Garcia disliked the exclusion of Bardock's teammates who were said to form the emotional core of Bardock – The Father of Goku, and argued that the notion of Bardock being presented as a loving father is less compelling compared to the character's original introduction as a cold and distant parent who only cares about revenge against Frieza. Garcia also claimed that Minus and Broly introduced several inconsistencies between the aforementioned works, such as Goku's age at the time of his departure from the Saiyan homeworld. ==References==