10 Best Anime Heroes Who Followed Goku’s Legacy

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Given the huge popularity of the anime Dragon Ball, it’s no surprise that its main character, Son Goku, is also incredibly well-known. Goku is central to the series’ action, humor, and emotional depth, making him a consistently popular and engaging character for over 40 years.

Goku is one of the most iconic anime characters ever created, and his personality – a kind-hearted but somewhat naive fighter – has become a model for many others. Several popular characters clearly take inspiration from Goku, which likely contributes to their own success.

10) Saitama (One-Punch Man)

Saitama is the main character in the anime One-Punch Man. He used to be an ordinary office worker, but he trained for three years to become a hero. This training left him bald, and surprisingly, it also made him so powerful that he can defeat any enemy with a single punch! Unfortunately, being unbeatable has made his life as a hero pretty dull.

Goku is known for constantly being in huge, dramatic fights. Saitama is similar – he accomplishes amazing feats with almost no effort, which really captures the spirit of Goku’s character. Both characters are also surprisingly simple and straightforward, and that’s a big reason why people love Saitama so much.

9) Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Yuji Itadori is the main character in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen. When he encounters dangerous curses, he becomes host to the powerful and evil Ryomen Sukuna. To protect others, Yuji enrolls in a school for sorcerers with the understanding that he’ll be executed once Sukuna is dealt with – but his path quickly becomes much more complex than he expected.

Yuji shares a lot of what made Goku so popular – he’s incredibly strong, skilled in combat, and a surprisingly sweet person despite being a bit naive. While Yuji’s story, particularly in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, gets much more intense and dark than Goku’s ever did, it’s still really compelling to watch him develop.

8) Ash Ketchum (Pokémon)

I first met Ash Ketchum when he was just ten years old, starting his journey in the world of Pokémon. He was determined to become a Pokémon Master, and with his partner Pikachu by his side, he faced all sorts of challenges. Whether it was battling tough rivals or stopping villains with big plans, Ash never lost sight of his dream, not even for a moment.

Goku and Ash are both incredibly kind and somewhat naive heroes who are always striving to become better. This genuine nature is a key reason they’re so powerful, and it explains why these two popular characters from the 90s remain such beloved icons in the anime world.

7) Gon Freecss (Hunter X Hunter)

Gon Freecss is the main character in the anime Hunter x Hunter. When he’s just twelve years old, Gon leaves his home island with two goals: to find his father and experience the excitement of adventure with new friends. However, he quickly discovers that the world isn’t as simple and carefree as he initially believed.

Gon shares similarities with a young Goku – he’s energetic, fights with his strength, and is naturally good-hearted and free-spirited. However, Gon offers a fresh perspective on the typical ‘childhood Goku’ character, exploring the archetype in a new and interesting way. It’s common to see characters inspired by adult Goku, so it’s refreshing to see a unique take on his younger years.

6) Asta (Black Clover)

Asta is the main character in the anime Black Clover. He was born without the ability to use magic, which is unusual in the Clover Kingdom, but he’s determined to become the greatest wizard and the next Wizard King. When he gains the power of anti-magic, he finally gets the chance to prove his worth.

Asta is a fantastic character who brings a fresh, fantasy spin to the classic Goku-style hero from Dragon Ball, while also fitting well with that series’ look and feel. As Black Clover’s second season is released, these similarities will become even clearer, which is exciting for fans.

5) Oguri Cap (Umamusume: Cinderella Gray)

Oguri Cap is a popular character in the game Umamusume: Pretty Derby and the star of the spin-off series Umamusume: Cinderella Gray. The series tells the story of how Oguri went from being a new racer from the countryside to becoming one of the nation’s top competitors, overcoming many obstacles along the way.

I’ve been watching Oguri, and she really embodies what makes Goku such a compelling hero – a huge drive to win and an endless hunger for a challenge. It’s not surprising that most characters similar to Goku have been male, but Oguri proves a woman can absolutely carry that same energy and deliver fantastic action alongside her rivals. She’s a great example of how anyone can follow in Goku’s footsteps.

4) Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

I’ve been watching Fairy Tail, and the main character, Natsu Dragneel, is really the heart of the show. He’s part of the famous Fairy Tail guild, and a lot of the story follows him and his friends on their adventures. He’s actually searching for his adoptive father, a fire dragon named Igneel, while also facing off against the powerful, ancient dark mage, Zeref.

Hiro Mashima, the creator of Fairy Tail, was a big fan of Dragon Ball as a child. This influence is clear in his character Natsu, who shares many traits with Goku – a love of adventure, a passion for fighting, a huge appetite, and a very straightforward, good-hearted personality. Fairy Tail successfully captures the feel of Dragon Ball, and Natsu is a major reason why it’s so effective.

3) Dai (Dragon Quest: The Adventure Of Dai)

Dai is the main character in Toei Animation’s Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. When the hero Avan dies battling the Dark King Vearn, the world is left vulnerable. Now, Dai must train and develop his abilities to become the hero everyone needs.

Dai isn’t a fan of fighting, but he’s always working to improve himself. What really makes him stand out – and reminds many of Goku – is his ability to understand even those he’s battling, as he’s often described as a truly pure character. Dragon Quest was Akira Toriyama’s most significant work after Dragon Ball, and it’s wonderful to see Dai so clearly reflect Toriyama’s unique style.

2) Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is the main character in the anime series Naruto. Because his village feared him – he was the host of a powerful demon fox that once threatened to destroy everything – Naruto is determined to become the Hokage, the village leader, and prove himself worthy of their respect. His journey ends up being much more challenging and significant than he ever anticipated.

Like Goku, Naruto is a determined hero who constantly strives to improve and defend those he cares about, even though he’s often portrayed as a bit of a goofball and loves to eat. In fact, Naruto’s powers even resemble Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation. The creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, has often acknowledged the impact Dragon Ball had on his work, and that influence is especially visible in the main character.

1) Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

I’m a huge fan of One Piece, and honestly, Monkey D. Luffy is just awesome! He’s the main character, and like so many others during this incredible era of pirates, he’s got this huge dream of finding the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and becoming the Pirate King. What’s really cool is watching him and his crew grow from total newbies into a real force to be reckoned with – Luffy quickly shows everyone what he’s made of!

Watching Luffy, I’m struck by how much he reminds me of Goku. He’s that same kind of cheerfully naive, always-hungry hero that Goku really made famous. And with his new Gear 5 transformation, the connection is clearer than ever, even after nearly 30 years! It’s no secret that One Piece owes a huge debt to Dragon Ball, and honestly, I think Luffy is the best hero to carry on Goku’s legacy so far.

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2025-12-10 20:13