Though never shy about risking his life to save either one person or the entire world, he just doesn’t believe that the balance of the world rests in any way on his shoulders, and he has no need to shape any part of it in his image. Goku is simply a martial artist who’s devoted his life toward perfecting his fighting skills and other abilities. The more down-to-earth Goku has no illusions about being responsible for maintaining social order, or for setting some kind of moral example for the entire world. Superman is, and always has been, a symbol for truth, justice, and upstanding moral fortitude–a role model and leader as much as a fighter. But the crucial difference between them lies not only in how they view the world, but in how the world views them. Both are aliens sent to Earth shortly after birth to escape the destruction of their homeworlds both possess super-strength, flight, super-speed, heightened senses and the ability to cast energy blasts. James Teal (Animerica 1996) wrote: When you think about it, there are a number of similarities between the Chinese-inspired Son Goku and that most American of superhero icons, Superman.
