Master Roshi's first foray as Jackie Chun actually embodies Goku. A closer look at these two reveals that everything that makes Goku so endearing actually comes from the enigmatic Turtle Hermit.
One of the ways Dragon Ball's formula is broken is that the absurd strength of its heroes requires the franchise's villains to become even stronger. Although no action series can naturally continue without opponents who pose a threat, this necessary condition forces Dragon Ball to make some comical stretches to justify the villain power creep. Part of each heroes' dramatic rise in power is related to Goku's drive to get stronger and fight more powerful enemies. It's so encoming that even Vegeta questions his philosophy of power based on Goku's continued success.
Master Roshi Symbolizes Dragon Ball's True Theme
But Dragon Ball chapter 46 by Akira Toriyama puts that all into question. During the Strongest Under The Heavens tournament, Master Roshi reveals to the reader that the reason why he has been masquerading as Jackie Chun has been to ensure Goku and Krillin's defeat so that he can instill in them the belief that there will always be stronger opponents out there. He worried that because they were so strong, they would surely win if he didn't intervene and thus would stop training. When Master Roshi as Jackie Chun wins in Dragon Ball chapter 54, he relates this lesson to his students and then expands by saying that, as warriors, they cannot be satisfied by their performance and that their real training started then.
With what fans now know about the franchise, Master Roshi's lesson is actuality the true embodiment of what Dragon Ball's really about. There have been and will always be stronger enemies so long as the series continues. This essential rule that Master Roshi established so early in the series even continues to this day in Dragon Ball Super. Goku is never satisfied with how strong he is, and he's always looking for someone more powerful to battle. Interestingly, the way in which Dragon Ball was structured until chapter 54 created the possibility that Goku would not have adopted this essential philosophy had Master Roshi not intervened in the tournament.
Everything Goku Believes Comes from Master Roshi
Although some might feel this is a bit of a stretch, an earlier moment during the same tournament suggests that Goku may have naturally been more of a quitter than his reputation suggests. In chapter 50, Master Roshi uses an attack that's so effective against Goku, that all of his friends plead for him to give up, and it actually looked like he would. The only reason why he didn't was that he transformed into his Great Ape form.
Much like how Master Roshi's lesson interfered with Goku learning on his own, Goku's transformation prevents readers from knowing if he would have quit on his own. So, on top of Master Roshi not only serving as the personification of Dragon Ball's theme, Master Roshi could be the one who shaped Goku into everything he is today, making the Turtle Hermit a better symbol of Dragon Ball's themes and message.
