As far as anime to live-action adaptations are concerned, they have proven difficult, but Dragon Ball 's Goku may be the most challenging character to translate to live-action. Whenever Hollywood has made a stab at taking animated shows, either from Western cartoons or anime, there has been a significant struggle to stay faithful to the source material and deliver a high-quality story. However, while some live-action adaptations from Western entertainment have finally started to see positive reviews, the live-action animes are still lagging behind.

Netflix is making a concentrated effort on adapting anime, and while there have been significant misfires like the Death Note movie, shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender have been received much more positively and have been greenlit for future seasons. But pulling even further ahead, Netflix's recent live-action adaptation of One Piece could be the final piece of the puzzle to adapting a challenging character like Goku in live-action.

As Shōnen Protagonists, Luffy & Goku Are Quite Similar Characters

Energetic, Vibrant Young Heroes

When it comes to characters like Goku, it's vital to the target audience the character was designed for. Dragon Ball exists within the Shōnen category of anime, which is specifically targeted at being entertaining for boys and young men. These shows are energetic, action-packed, and often goofy. They lean heavily into themes that are intended to resonate with this audience, and the result leads to charismatic characters who are larger than life, incredibly athletic, and hyperactive. And like Dragon Ball, One Piece comes from this same category of shows.

While many Shōnen shows share similar themes, however, Luffy and Goku are perhaps two of the most similar characters in this arena. Both are powerful, exuding abilities that far exceed their looks. They are both overly optimistic, facing every challenge with an attitude that everything will work out, even in the face of extreme danger. And they balance their humor and goofy nature with extraordinary power that often gets underestimated until they are forced to fight. But as far as live-action goes, this is not a common combination of attributes for a heroic character.

One Piece's Live-Action Luffy Actor Proves Casting Goku Can Be Done

If Luffy Can Translate To Live-Action, Anyone Can

When One Piece began streaming in 2023, it was difficult to imagine any actor could live up to the role of a character that has been the focus of such an incredible series that has been ongoing continuously since 1999, with now well over 1000 episodes. However, Iñaki Godoy, the actor who was cast to play the hero Luffy, has proven to be a perfect fit. His energy, his exuberance, and his ability to switch his expressions and emotions in an instant make him ideal to play the versatile character.

And thanks to the success of that series, it seems hopeful that an actor can actually be found that emits similar energy and talent to play Goku in a live-action setting. Goku's childlike nature, and his extreme power make him a challenging balancing act as far as characters and personalities go, because he contains multitudes that seem contradictory, but within that character's being, they fit. If an actor is able to deliver in the role, it could well be in part thanks to the exceptional standard and route that Godoy was able to lead the way in playing Luffy.

Who Should Play Goku In A Live-Action Dragon Ball Reboot

There Are Some Talented Actors Ready To Take The Lead In Dragon Ball

In order to really capture the spirit of Goku, an actor who plays the character in live-action will need to be able to play the part as powerful and immature, stubborn and incredibly enthusiastic, competitive and incredibly friendly. For all of these reasons, and many more, someone like Manny Jacinto could be the perfect actor to tackle the role. As seen in A Good Place, Jacinto is able to play the lovable idiot. He is also able to pull of being a solemn and intense action star as seen in The Acolyte. However, the character is also seen at various ages in the numerous shows where he appears, which may mean other actors of differing ages may be a better fit depending on the story.

For a young Goku, it may be vital to find a new actor who is largely unknown. For a slightly older teenage version, someone like Ryan Potter who is accustomed to playing immature heroes like Beast Boy in Titans could be a good fit. If aiming a little older, Simu Liu has experience in comedy roles, and action hero roles that could make him a solid choice. Whatever the case, the decision shouldn't be made lightly, and the actor will have to thoroughly prove themselves before taking on the role of Dragon Ball's iconic Goku.