Dragon Ball Z characters, particularly Goku and other Saiyans, initially have tails as a direct visual homage to the mythological figure of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. This iconic design choice connects the series protagonist to his foundational inspiration.
The Mythological Roots: Journey to the West
The Dragon Ball saga, from its very beginning, draws heavily from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The protagonist, Son Goku, is loosely based on Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King. Sun Wukong is a mythical warrior with superhuman strength, magical abilities, and, notably, a tail.
This direct inspiration manifested in Goku's earliest design:
- Initial Appearance: Goku was introduced with a tail, immediately tying him visually to the Monkey King archetype.
- Signature Weapons & Abilities: Beyond the tail, other elements like Goku's Power Pole (Nyoibo) and his Flying Nimbus cloud are direct parallels to items used by Sun Wukong in the legend.
Tails as a Defining Saiyan Trait
While the tail was originally a specific nod to Goku's inspiration, it quickly became a defining biological characteristic of the Saiyan race in the Dragon Ball universe. This expanded the concept beyond just Goku, making it a key aspect of Saiyan physiology and power.
Purpose of the Tail
For Saiyans, the tail serves a crucial purpose:
- Great Ape Transformation (Oozaru): The tail is the key to transforming into the gigantic, ape-like Oozaru form under the light of a full moon or a Blutz Wave generator. This transformation amplifies a Saiyan's power significantly, albeit at the cost of control for untrained individuals.
The Disappearing Tail
As the Dragon Ball Z series progressed, tails became less common among Saiyan characters, for various reasons:
- Vulnerability: The tail was a critical weak point for many Saiyans, leaving them incapacitated if grabbed firmly.
- Mastery and Evolution: Characters like Goku and Vegeta eventually developed control over their Great Ape form or achieved transformations (like Super Saiyan) that rendered the Oozaru form less necessary or even a hindrance. For some, the tails were either permanently removed, lost in battle, or stopped regrowing as their power levels increased and they mastered new transformations.
Ultimately, the tail in Dragon Ball Z began as a tribute to a rich mythological tradition and evolved into a unique biological trait of the Saiyan race, serving both as a source of immense power and a critical vulnerability before their evolutionary progression.
