No one would argue against Dragon Ball's Goku being one of the most iconic and emulated anime characters of all time. Nearly every shonen protagonist to follow in his footsteps has been influenced by him in some way or another, but many of them miss the mark for a clear reason: Goku is, ultimately, a pretty average dude.

Goku's strength and power are far from average, of course. Instead, what's average about Goku is his life beyond fighting. As a low-class Saiyan warrior descended from another low-class Saiyan warrior in Bardock, Goku isn't a particularly notable figure, unlike Vegeta, the Prince of All Saiyans. Even his modern-day life, outside of saving the world, is pretty mundane, as Goku is often shown doing farm work when things are peaceful, if only at Chi Chi's behest. Goku doesn't have a magical destiny, nor was he considered a chosen one, and he hasn't been granted phenomenal power.

Goku's Everyman Life Sets Him Apart from Other Shonen Heroes

Other Shonen Series Often Rely on Other Reasons for Strength Besides Hard Work

Of the many popular shonen series which have come after Dragon Ball, nearly every single one of them has missed this important aspect of Goku's character. As a jinchuriki, Naruto has access to tremendous reserves of chakra that few others can benefit from. Ichigo of Bleach is eventually revealed to be not only part-soul reaper and part-hollow, but eventually part-Quincy as well, making him a unique hybrid that explains his vast levels of power. Luffy of One Piece is the grandson of the great Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp, and is believed to be the reincarnation of the first pirate, Joy Boy.

While these kinds of power sources can make for great reveals, or just offer an explanation for why the protagonist is so much more powerful than others in the series, they also damage the idea that the protagonist's power was obtained through hard work. These characters have certainly worked hard for their strength as well, but they were all given something that few people possess which aided them greatly on their journeys.

Goku, on the other hand, has had to do everything himself. He didn't start with tremendous power reserves, and while his Saiyan biology no doubt helped him to grow stronger, it's not some superpower exclusive to Goku. In fact, even when Goku does obtain some new level of power, it's often a level that, while no one had attained it before, could be attained by any other Saiyan. He isn't gifted power at any point; even having his potential unlocked and things like the Ultra Divine Water came at a cost to Goku, and were only possible due to his hard work.

Goku is Beloved by Athletes for a Reason

Goku Has Become a Symbol of Hard Work Paying Off

One thing that really s this argument is the popularity of Goku among bodybuilders, Olympians, and other athletes. Goku is always training, always working hard to become stronger. Even in death, Goku doesn't rest on his laurels, and manages to train to the level of obtaining Super Saiyan 3. Goku works so hard he's able to emulate the techniques of the Gods, in the form of Ultra Instinct, doing what no mortal has ever done before. In that way, Goku is the ultimate symbol of the power of training and the importance of dedication to one's goals, making him an icon among athletes around the world.

While individuals surely have their own preferences, Goku's general popularity among this group indicates that this hard work is what many fans look up to about him. It's certainly a very respectable quality of Goku, alongside his determination and his willingness to protect others. Goku hasn't had to do this alone, either; he's always had the of friends and family, who aid him in his goals by training with him, or just making sure he stays well-fed. If Goku can be an inspiration to real world athletes, then perhaps it's no wonder that so many shonen heroes attempt to copy his success.

Goku Doesn't Just Lack Special Blessings, He's Sured Them

Many of Goku's Enemies Have Inherited Power That Should Allow Them to Overpower Him

Goku is a master of defying expectations and suring his own limits, or those placed upon him by others. By all rights, Vegeta, as a "high-class" Saiyan, should be able to run laps around Goku, but that has never been the case. Frieza is a mutant with access to fantastical powers, as well as an inherited spot as the Emperor of the Universe, yet Goku was able to overpower him, despite Frieza's dim view of Saiyans. Cell steals the power that others have worked for, while Buu is magically granted power (and can steal powers from others, to boot).

Goku's enemies and their general lack of training in favor of gaining power from other places reinforces this theme of hard work throughout Dragon Ball. In Dragon Ball, with a few exceptions, it's almost inherently villainous to try to obtain power in ways other than hard work. This trend continues into Super, with villains like Goku Black, although it's notably absent for the most respectable opponents Goku faces, like Jiren, who also worked incredibly hard for his power. Goku can understand and respect the hard work that others put in, but he won't respect power that wasn't properly earned.

If shonen series really want to capture what makes Goku so uniquely captivating, they'll have to start embracing this work ethic of Goku's alongside his transformations and abilities. No more chosen ones or special bloodlines, no lost sword techniques like Tanjiro or bestowed superpowers like Deku. Fans love to see a character who has worked hard and struggled to obtain the power that they now wield, and without that hard work built in, potentially epic scenes can sometimes fall flat. An everyman hero who works hard and gives it his all is what brought Dragon Ball to the heights of success, and any series emulating it should do the same.