Turles, the antagonist of the Dragon Ball Z movie “The Tree of Might,” bears an uncanny resemblance to Goku, the series’ protagonist. For those unfamiliar, “Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might” presents a non-canonical story where Turles and his Crusher Corps attempt to plant the Tree of Might on Earth. This tree absorbs the planet’s life force to produce a fruit that grants immense power to whoever consumes it. As the Z-Fighters fall, Goku is left to confront Turles, who gains a significant power boost from the fruit. Ultimately, Goku triumphs with the Spirit Bomb, saving Earth once again. But the lingering question remains: Why Does Turles Look Like Goku?
Turles is established as a space pirate, formerly associated with Frieza’s Planet Trade Organization before forging his own path of planetary conquest using the Tree of Might. He is depicted with grey and black armor and a darker complexion. However, his most striking feature is his near-identical appearance to Goku.
According to Toei Animation, the creators of the Dragon Ball Z anime, Turles’ design was intentionally made to mirror Goku. This design choice serves a narrative purpose: to visually represent what Goku might have become had he not been sent to Earth and lost his Saiyan aggression, essentially portraying an “evil” Saiyan archetype.
In the Dragon Ball universe, Turles himself explains this similarity by stating that Saiyans of the lower class, such as himself and Goku, naturally share similar physical traits and facial structures. While in reality, individuals would likely exhibit subtle differences, the movie amplifies the resemblance for dramatic effect, creating a visual doppelganger.
Therefore, Turles is not Goku’s twin or a long-lost relative. Their similar appearance is attributed to their shared Saiyan heritage, specifically their classification as low-ranking Saiyan warriors at birth, leading to comparable physical characteristics.
Beyond physical appearance, Turles’ character serves as a dark reflection of Goku’s. He embodies a “What if?” scenario, exploring the potential outcome if Goku had retained his Saiyan Saiyan nature and never developed his kind-hearted Earthling personality. Turles is a stark contrast to Goku’s heroic spirit, highlighting the impact of Goku’s upbringing on Earth.
Thank you for reading and delving into the visual connection between Goku and Turles!
