He sees his son, Goku, growing up on Earth. He sees Goku fighting Frieza. He sees the golden glow. In a moment of stunning clarity, Bardock realizes that his "low-class runt" of a son is the legendary warrior Frieza fears.
The Legacy of Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990) Dragon Ball Z Bardock - The Father of Goku -199...
What makes Bardock such a compelling protagonist is his lack of traditional heroism. He is a cold-blooded conqueror who shows little interest in his newborn son, Kakarot, because of the infant's low power level. However, as his comrades are slaughtered by Frieza's elite soldiers, Bardock undergoes a transformation driven by vengeance and a newfound sense of destiny. His journey from a mindless grunt to a lone rebel standing against an empire adds a layer of depth to the Saiyan lore that was previously missing. He sees his son, Goku, growing up on Earth
Character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru is largely responsible for Bardock's iconic look, featuring the scar and a battle-damaged armor. In a moment of stunning clarity, Bardock realizes
Defying Destiny: Why "Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku" Remains an Anime Masterpiece
Bardock wasn't fighting Frieza to save the universe. He wasn't a hero in the moral sense. He was a soldier trying to save his crew, and a father trying to honor a premonition he knew was inevitable.
Though later retconned in Dragon Ball Minus (and subsequently the Broly movie), the 1990 special remains a fan favorite.