10 Actors Who Are Perfect Casting To Play Goku

1 week ago 6

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is one of the most recognizable anime, having a worldwide reach and mass appeal. Its popularity has branched into many different aspects, including merchandise, video games, and an infamous live-action adaptation. Dragonball Evolution is one of the most catastrophic adaptations ever, completely butchering the source material and standing as a disgrace to the series' legacy.

However, there is a high chance that another live-action Dragon Ball movie or TV show will happen eventually, and if that is ever the case, a proper actor will be needed to helm the project as the beloved protagonist, Goku. This list will break down the ten best candidates for this position, including their martial arts talent, acting ability and range, and physique. If a live-action adaptation does happen, they can't go wrong with any of these actors.

10 Ryan Potter

Best Known for 'Titans' (2018-2023)

Gar/Beast Boy, played by Ryan Potter, in The Red in Titans Season 4

Ryan Potter started his martial arts journey at 8 years old when he began studying White Tiger Kung fu. His acting career originated with the Nickelodeon TV show Supah Ninjas, becoming a prominent star on the network. However, he rose to international prominence as the voice of Hiro Hamada, the protagonist in Big Hero 6. Since then, Potter has landed himself the role of Beast Boy in the surprisingly solid CW show Titans.

Potter is right around the age to play Goku, but he can pass as younger, as is evident in his role as Beast Boy in Titans. He may not have the perfect bulky build, but Potter is one of the most talented actors on this list and has an impressive combat background that is sure to improve. He may not be a conventional casting, but Potter can give Goku some depth and growth fans haven't seen in the anime.

Titans

Release Date October 12, 2018

Cast Brenton Thwaites , Chelsea Zhang , Curran Walters , Alan Ritchson , anna diop , Lindsey Gort , Minka Kelly , Esai Morales , Ryan Potter , Teagan Croft , Joshua Orpin , Seamus Dever

Rating

Seasons 4

9 Charles Melton

Best Known for 'Riverdale' (2017)

Reggie and Julien playing basketball in Riverdale Season 7

Charles Melton is a talented actor who spent most of his life traveling because of his father's military occupation. After dropping out of college to pursue acting in Los Angeles, Melton would get his first role as a background character in Glee and a small role in American Horror Story: Hotel. However, fans know the actor best from his breakout role as the second Reggie Mantle in Riverdale.

While Melton excels at delivering dramatic performances, earning acclaim and multiple nominations for his tragic turn in 2023's May December, he has shown a charismatic acting style that could easily translate to Goku in a live-action adaptation. With a massive frame, Melton is one of the closest actors to Goku in terms of looks, making him a near-perfect anime cast. While fans are unsure of his fighting abilities, he can quickly improve those skills since he already has the acting chops to take on any role.

Release Date January 26, 2017

Seasons 7

8 Ki Hong Lee

Best Known for 'The Maze Runner' (2014)

Ki Hong Lee looking eskeptical in The Maze Runner

While he was uncredited, Ki Hong Lee's first role was as a background character in The Social Network. After that, he would be a minor character in some TV shows. His big break was in The Maze Runner as Minho; this beloved 2014 saga would open the door to many future projects for the actor and potentially the protagonist of the most iconic shōnen anime.

The last time Lee acted was in 2020, and while he may have some upcoming projects, the role of Goku would be the perfect reintroduction, especially for a man of his talents. His biggest strength is his versatility, starring in movies and shows that can either make the audience laugh or be captivated by his performance. A relative unknown might also be the perfect way to go for such a popular character as Goku.

Release Date September 19, 2014

Runtime 113 Minutes

Writers T.S. Nowlin , Noah Oppenheim , Grant Pierce Myers

7 Ludi Lin

Best Known for 'Mortal Kombat' (2021)

Ludi Lin as Liu Kang in a fight in 2021's Mortal Kombat

Ludi Lin was born in Fuzhou, China, before moving to Hong Kong and, eventually, Vancouver, where he earned a double major in dietetics and theater performance. Cast in more minor roles in short films, Lin would get his first significant role as Zack Taylor in the 2017 Power Rangers movie. Lin also has an extensive martial arts background, which he expertly applies to his film career, and is an avid anime fan.

At 37 years old, Lin might be a bit too mature to play Goku, considering the character is around 23 in Dragon Ball Z. While Goku is in his mid-30s in Dragon Ball Super, any potential live-action adaptation would likely be set earlier. However, Lin can pull off 23 despite his age and has enough acting chops to deliver a convincing portrayal. His best quality is his martial arts ability and his physique, which, while not bulky, is as chiseled as possible.

Mortal Kombat 2021

Release Date April 7, 2021

Runtime 98 minutes

Writers Greg Russo , Dave Callaham , Oren Uziel , Ed Boon , John Tobias

WATCH ON NETFLIX

6 Andrew Koji

Best Known 'Warrior' (2019)

Despite being in the film industry since 2006, Andrew Koji only recently got his big break, now starring in many popular movies and TV shows. Koji moved to Thailand at 18, where he would continue his martial arts and acting training. Despite a lack of TV roles, he would break out as the protagonist in Warrior and eventually land roles in Snake Eyes, Bullet Train, and Boy Kills World.

Koji is around the perfect age for Goku, but unfortunately, he'll need to shave his beard for the role. Most of his best performances are in serious roles, but he should have the range to pull off the enthusiastic and friendly Goku. However, Koji's best qualities for this role are his frame and martial arts ability. He previously competed in taekwondo and trained in Shaolin Kung fu, boasting an impressive range.

Release Date April 5, 2019

Creator

Cast Andrew Koji , Olivia Cheng , Jason Tobin , Dianne Doan , Kieran Bew , Dean Jagger , Tom Weston-Jones , hoon lee

Seasons 3

5 Mackenyu

Best Known for 'One Piece' (2023-Present)

Many fans will be familiar with Mackenyu because of his role as Roronoa Zoro in the One Piece live-action TV show, but he is a prominent actor who starred in many popular films. He has an impressive live-action anime background, gaining popularity in Chihayafuru and continuing in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Fullmetal Alchemist. This popular and talented actor knows anime well and is sure to adapt Goku faithfully.

Mackenyu is already a popular live-action actor for anime adaptations, as shown by his work in One Piece, Rurouni Kenshin, and Knights of the Zodiac. Collecting these roles like infinity stones, the only natural step up would be to play Goku in live-action. Fans know his acting and fighting talent from One Piece live-action, but he also has enough range and depth to tune into his light-hearted side for Goku.

4 Manny Jacinto

Best Known for 'The Acolyte' (2024)

Qimir stands shirtless in front of a body of water on an unknown planet in 'The Acolyte' Episode 6

The Acolyte was a polarizing Star Wars TV series that Disney canceled after backlash. However, the show's best aspect was Manny Jacinto's role as The Stranger, who gave a phenomenal performance as the main Sith villain. While he still mostly features in small roles, his breakout came as Jason Mendoza in The Good Place. At 37, Jacinto may be on the older side to play the 23-year-old Saiyan, but that shouldn't stop him from being the best Goku.

Jacinto may not have a massive frame or bulky build, but viewers know his talents speak for themselves, and he would be a perfect fit for Goku. From his martial arts talent shown in The Acolyte, he can put up believable fight scenes; from his comedic ability shown in The Good Place, Jacinto has the perfect balance to be able to play Goku. He is an unconventional but surprisingly perfect casting, with fans wanting to see him in a leading role.

The Acolyte

Release Date June 4, 2024

Cast Amandla Stenberg , Lee Jung-jae , Joonas Suotamo , Charlie Barnett , Dafne Keen , Leah Brady , Manny Jacinto , Rebecca Henderson , Carrie-Anne Moss , Jodie Turner-Smith , Dean-Charles Chapman , Lauren Brady , Anthony J. Abraham , Thara Shöön , Danielle Xin Yao Waterman , Sienna Khiroya , Jeramiah Evans , Dan Milne , Thomas Coombes , Archie Singh Swali , Nick Court , Ed Kear , Jumayn Hunter , Scroobius Pip , Abigail Thorn , Margarita Levieva , Amy Tsang , Saskia Allen , Deborah Rosan , Tabitha Alege , Paul Bullion , Indra Ové , Derek Arnold , Lewis Young

Seasons 1

Writers Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana

3 Lewis Tan

Best Known for 'Mortal Kombat' (2021)

Cole Young in a fighting pose in Mortal Kombat

Lewis Tan is one of the most famous actors on this list, starring in a multitude of popular movies and TV shows. Hollywood runs in his family, as his father was an actor, martial artist, and fight coordinator. This exposure would lead Tan into the film industry, landing many minor roles, including Shatterstar in Deadpool 2. His most significant roles include Cole Young from the Mortal Kombat movie and Sensei Wolf in Cobra Kai season 6.

Tan has an extensive martial arts background, which he expertly utilizes in his films, blending acting and fighting. This makes him a perfect candidate for Goku, with excellent acting ability and a plethora of combat experience. Tan also performs all of his stunts, using styles like Muay Thai, kung fu, and jiu-jitsu. He has a great build, but fans need to see more of his comedic/goofy range for him to land the role of Goku, something they might see in the upcoming Mortal Kombat sequel.

2 Ross Butler

Best Known for '13 Reasons Why' (2017-2020)

Ross Butler looking intently ahead in 13 Reasons Why

Many fans will know Ross Butler because of his role as the first Reggie Mantle in Riverdale, but he would leave the show because of scheduling conflicts. While his breakthrough start would come through the Disney Channel, his main casting is Zach Dempsey in the hit TV show 13 Reasons Why. With many future projects, fans hope he will make room for a potential shot at Goku.

While there are more than 13 reasons why Butler would be a great casting, it mainly boils down to his wide acting range and physique. He may not have as much martial arts experience as most of the entries on this list, but fans know he has the skills to nail Goku. Butler is a fan favorite for this hypothetical role. With an upcoming romantic comedy, thriller, and fantasy comedy, he has an incredible range that would fit Goku perfectly.

13 Reasons Why

Release Date March 31, 2017

Cast Dylan Minnette , Devin Druid , Amy Hargreaves , Miles Heizer , Justin Prentice , Ross Butler , Brandon Flynn , Alisha Boe , Christian Navarro , Katherine Langford

Rating

Seasons 4

1 Simu Liu

Best Known for 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' (2021)

Sinu Liu in an attack position on a bus in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Ever since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu has become a household name, starring in countless other hits recently. Starting as a background actor and stuntman, he would land his first significant role in Blood and Water, earning multiple award nominations. However, his breakthrough role would be in Kim's Convenience, which is still his largest success in TV.

Liu is undoubtedly the biggest name on this list, and because of his prominence, fans have seen many incredible performances that would translate perfectly to the role of Goku. Now viewers just need to hope Liu isn't too busy for a live-action Dragon Ball movie. Not only does Liu have the appropriate build, but fans know he has combat skills from Shang-Chi and can turn on his comedic/goofy side from Barbie and Kim's Convenience, making him the perfect actor to take on Goku.