Broly’s intense animosity towards Goku is one of the most debated aspects of his character in Dragon Ball lore. While it might seem like a straightforward rivalry on the surface, the roots of Broly’s hatred are much deeper and more complex than a typical Saiyan feud. Examining the origins of this animosity reveals a tragic connection to trauma and misinterpretation.
The Root of Broly’s Grudge: Traumatic Association
The common misconception is that Broly hates Goku for directly causing him harm. However, the reality is far more nuanced. Broly’s hatred isn’t a rational response to Goku’s actions, but rather a deeply ingrained, subconscious reaction. It stems from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) triggered by Goku’s Ki. As an infant, Broly endured two horrific events: King Vegeta’s attempted assassination and Frieza’s destruction of Planet Vegeta. Neither of these events were caused by Goku, who was also a baby at the time.
So, why the hatred towards Goku? The answer lies in the timing and sensory details of Broly’s trauma. During these catastrophic events, Broly was in close proximity to Goku in the Saiyan birthing chamber. Goku’s Ki, even as a newborn, became inexplicably linked in Broly’s infant mind with the terror and pain of those moments. Goku’s presence isn’t the cause of the trauma, but his Ki became a potent reminder of it.
PTSD and Ki Association: An Unconscious Trigger
To understand this better, consider the symptoms of PTSD. Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and severe emotional distress triggered by reminders of the traumatic event are hallmarks of this condition. In Broly’s case, Goku’s Ki acts as that trigger. It evokes “recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event,” causing him to “relive the traumatic event as if it were happening again.”
When Broly encounters Goku, his Ki unconsciously transports Broly back to the birthing chamber, back to the fear of assassination, and back to the planet’s destruction. As the original forum post highlights, “Like a soldier who hears gunfire or cries and this very sound of the gunfire or the cries bring back bad memories because the soldier associates it with dead people or suffering, they are reliving the traumatic events. Which works the same way for Broly, he is reacting to Goku’s ki and it brings back bad memories.” This is evident in their first encounter where Broly visibly reacts to Goku’s Ki emanating from him.
In conclusion, Broly’s hatred for Goku is a tragic consequence of PTSD and unconscious association. It’s not a logical or deserved animosity, but a deeply rooted, trauma-induced reaction. Goku, in Broly’s mind, becomes a symbol of the horrific events he endured as a baby, simply by the unfortunate circumstance of their shared presence in the birthing chamber. This explanation provides a more profound understanding of Broly’s character and the complex nature of his rage.
