Why Does Masako Nozawa Voice Goku? The Enduring Legacy Of A Legendary Voice

Masako Nozawa was initially disappointed when she couldn’t reprise her role as Kitaro for the 1985 anime adaptation. There was a rule at the time that voice actors couldn’t play more than one main character within the same television station at the same time. But, this rule actually led to her iconic role as Son Goku in Dragon Ball!

Nozawa’s voice acting experience was already extensive, including roles in Kitaro and other popular anime series. This experience was definitely a factor in her casting. She was known for her ability to portray both young and energetic characters, as well as more mature and serious characters. Nozawa was also known for her range, her ability to change her voice to fit different characters, which she would later showcase brilliantly as Goku.

While Nozawa’s disappointment was understandable, the timing of her casting as Goku was perfect. Dragon Ball, which premiered in 1986, was a new and exciting project. The creators were looking for a voice actor who could capture the essence of Goku’s personality, a character who was energetic, optimistic, and always eager to fight. Nozawa’s experience, her energy, and her ability to change her voice made her the perfect choice for the role.