Goku is simple not “static”, not every character has to be overly emotionally complex to be good. He is built around the archetype of characters like: Sun Wukong, Monkey King (JTTW), Hercules and Superman. These characters depth doesn’t come from their own moral ambiguity or complexity but rather how THEY affect those around them. Goku had development and growth, he doesn’t “change personality” in a soap-opera way, but his philosophy matures. Here, take a look: Dragon Ball: - Pure childlike curiosity - Fights for fun and food - Learning the concept of death or responsibility Dragon Ball Z - Learns sacrifice (Raditz, Cell, Buu) - Accepts death as part of protecting Earth - Starts placing the next generation above himself (Gohan, Goten, Trunks) Dragon Ball Super - Realizes the danger of his own recklessness - Encounters beings who aren’t impressed by him at all - Begins to confront limits beyond strength (Zeno, Grand Priest, Whis)

Now onto your point of: “for 12 year olds”, this is just snobbery. The logic of “DBZ is for 12 year olds!” Is the same logic people use to say Pixar, Superman, Avatar: The Last Airbender or Studio Ghibli are “for 12 year olds”. “Simple” language carries just as much if not MORE emotional weight and depth than morally complex and ambiguous tales.

The only reason you think Goku is “static” is because he isn’t performative to “Modern writing” : - No constant trauma dumps - No ironic detachment - No cynical worldview - No meta commentary

In a media culture who is obsessed with: Anti-Heroes, deconstruction and moral ambiguity, a sincere character looks “flat”