Original artwork, not a still
I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!
— Dragon Ball Z · 1989
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is a hero's creed delivered at the moment he stops holding back, and the English dub gave it a superhero-poster ring the Japanese original does not have. That is why Western fans know the speech word for word even though it is, in effect, the dub writers' own addition. Funimation's later Kai dub went back to a more faithful version, and the old one remains the one people quote.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Dragon Ball ZShow the scene
On Namek, Frieza has just destroyed Krillin, and Goku, already battered, turns Super Saiyan for the first time in episode 95, "Transformed at Last". In the next episode, "Explosion of Anger", he sends Gohan away with the injured Piccolo, crushes Frieza's hand, and then, in the Funimation dub, delivers this speech to Frieza. The dub's wording has little to do with the Japanese, where Goku simply names himself as a Super Saiyan. English-speaking fans know it as his "I am" speech.
Sources (2)
- Dragon Ball Wiki: Explosion of AngerSummary and TriviaReference checked
- Dragon Ball Wiki: Transformed at LastSummaryReference checked
Context reviewed
