written by me

The father of Kakarott (and the inventor of artificial moonlight according to the Ocean Group original American dub - however this fact is not supported in the manga's), Bardock is an all around amazing Saiyan.  There isn’t a lot of information on his background but we were given a glimpse of the man in the Bardock Special.  It was enough to make me adore him.   

A third class planet purger, Bardock is actually one of the strongest Saiyans on the planet Vegeta.  Some try to debate this due to him being a 3^rd Classer but it is plainly stated in the Bardock Special that he is one of the very Saiyans that scared Freiza enough to make Freiza want to destroy all the Saiyans.  Word of Bardock’s strength reached the bastard lizard and he saw potential for disaster specifically because of this one Saiyan. 

Bardock was given the gift of sight on planet Kanassa. Right before it happened we see the Commander with his crew.  He laughs a little and they all pick fun at each other.  He chews on a piece of hay, his scar shows prominently, he is nothing at all like his son.  One of the Kanassan’s comes after him.  He was struck in the head and it changed him.  He woke up in the rejuvenation tank having visions of things he could not understand.  Screaming Kakarott, himself fighting Freiza (or so he thought, but it was in fact Goku), Vegeta fighting…. on and on. 

Bardock gets out of the tank and gets dressed.  The attendants advise him that he isn't ready to leave yet but he doesn't care - Bardock is a man on a mission.  He gloves up and takes off excited because his crew has been sent to Meat.  He thinks Freiza has finally given them the credit they deserve.   

On his way he finds Kakarott.  He is disappointed in the boy.  He had thought maybe his son was special.  He makes a little speech to him and takes off towards Meat.  Once he arrives there he sees his crew is dead.  All but Toma, his best friend.  Toma tells Bardock how they were ambushed by Freiza’s men all as a set up.  Bardock holds Toma until his friend dies in his arms.  He gathers the others, Seripa, Totteppo, and Panbukin and puts them with Toma.  He promises to avenge them. Tying a rag around his head that is red he seems even more amazing.  The rag, you see, was not originally red in color, but in fact soaked with the blood of Toma.  This was his talisman.    

A fight ensues and he destroys some of Freiza’s elites.  Not too shabby for a 3^rd Classer… who just happens to be stronger than even a lot of Saiyan elites. 

Bardock takes off towards Vegetasei again.  On the way he has more visions.  Visions of Freiza destroying the planet.  Once he gets back to his homeworld he tries to warn the others.  Nobody listens.  They laugh at him, make fun of him.

Bardock will not be stopped.  He goes after Freiza alone.  He is the only Saiyan to go into space to meet the tyrant head on.  He challenges Freiza and does his best to attack him.  In the end Freiza was too strong and with a single deathball he takes out Bardock and the entire planet.   

In his final seconds Bardock had clarity that it wasn’t him fighting Freiza, it was his son.  Knowing that his son will grow up strong and fight the enslaving lizard, Bardock actually leaves this dimension with a smile on his face.  He knows that even though he wont be around for it… his bloodline will carry on.