Few mythological figures have traveled as far and wide across cultures as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Originating from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en, Sun Wukong is more than just a mischievous monkey with supernatural powers—he is a cultural icon, a symbol of rebellion against authority, and a character who embodies the human struggle between discipline and chaos.

Over the centuries, this mythical trickster has been reimagined in countless forms: folk tales, operas, movies, and yes—anime and manga. From Dragon Ball’s Goku to elements in Naruto and the modern reinterpretation in The God of High School, the Monkey King’s legacy has become one of the most influential myth-to-anime journeys ever.

Let’s explore how Sun Wukong evolved from myth into anime legend.

1. The Origins of Sun Wukong in Chinese Mythology

Birth of the Monkey King

Sun Wukong was not born like a normal being. He emerged from a stone egg on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, infused with heavenly energy. Immediately mischievous, he displayed:

Superhuman strength and agility
The ability to transform into 72 different forms
Command over cloud-riding, enabling him to travel thousands of miles in a single leap

Powers and Personality

His iconic weapon is the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff that can shrink to the size of a needle or expand infinitely.
He is rebellious, fearless, cunning, and often defies gods, demons, and even Buddha himself.
At the same time, his arrogance and mischief often land him in trouble, making him both lovable and flawed.

Themes in the Original Myth

Rebellion vs. Order – Wukong defies the heavens, but ultimately seeks discipline through his journey.
Mortality vs. Immortality – He eats peaches of immortality and drinks elixirs, symbolizing the human desire to escape death.
Companionship – As part of Tang Sanzang’s group, he learns loyalty and teamwork.

These themes resonate deeply with shonen anime, which explains why so many creators borrow from him.

2. Sun Wukong’s Influence on Dragon Ball

Goku: The Modern Monkey King

When Akira Toriyama first created Dragon Ball, he openly based Son Goku on Sun Wukong. The evidence is undeniable:

Name – “Son Goku” is literally the Japanese reading of “Sun Wukong.”
Weapon – Goku’s early staff, the Power Pole (Nyoi-bo), mirrors Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Flying Nimbus – Goku’s cloud-riding comes directly from the Monkey King’s somersault cloud.
Tail and Monkey Transformation – Young Goku’s tail and Great Ape form clearly nod to his monkey origins.

The Evolution of Goku

While Wukong was mischievous and rebellious, Toriyama softened Goku into a pure-hearted warrior. Instead of battling gods in arrogance, Goku embodies:

Innocence – Childlike naivety in early arcs.
Strength and Discipline – Constantly training and surpassing limits.
Protector Role – Goku fights to save the Earth rather than defy the heavens.

In essence, Dragon Ball takes the spirit of Sun Wukong but transforms him into a hero of growth, kindness, and strength.

3. The Monkey King’s Shadow in Naruto

At first glance, Naruto doesn’t seem tied to Sun Wukong. But closer inspection reveals multiple influences:

Enma, the Monkey King Summon

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, summons Enma, the Monkey King, during battle.
Enma transforms into a staff called the Diamond Staff, a direct nod to Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Personality-wise, Enma is wise, loyal, and fiercely protective—mirroring Wukong’s later role in Journey to the West.

Naruto Himself

While Naruto isn’t a direct Wukong copy, he shares traits:

Mischievousness and defiance of authority.
Transformation powers (shadow clones instead of 72 transformations).
A journey of discipline, learning loyalty, and protecting comrades.

Naruto, in many ways, is a modern trickster-hero, echoing the Monkey King archetype.

4. Sun Wukong in The God of High School

Perhaps the most explicit modern anime adaptation of Wukong is in The God of High School.

Jin Mori = Sun Wukong

Jin Mori is revealed to be the reincarnation of Sun Wukong.
His weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, returns in full mythic glory, alongside his martial arts mastery.
His mischievous, confident personality directly channels the Monkey King’s arrogance and wit.

Myth Meets Modernity

Unlike Dragon Ball, which softens the myth, The God of High School embraces Wukong’s full power and rebellious energy. Jin Mori’s battles feel like a modern retelling of Wukong fighting gods and celestial beings, emphasizing raw strength and divine defiance.

5. Why Anime Keeps Returning to the Monkey King

So why does Sun Wukong appear in so many anime?

Universal Themes

Rebellion Against Authority – A timeless theme loved by shonen fans.
Journey of Discipline – The balance between chaos and order resonates with youth stories.
Limitless Power – Wukong’s abilities allow endless creativity for battles.
Trickster Energy – Mischief makes him both entertaining and relatable.

Cultural Symbolism

For East Asia, Sun Wukong is not just a myth but a cultural hero, much like Hercules or Odysseus in the West.
Using Wukong connects anime to a broader tradition of myth-making, grounding fantasy in cultural roots.

6. Other Hidden Monkey King References in Anime

Saiyuki – A direct adaptation of Journey to the West with modernized characters.
One Piece – Luffy’s mischievous, stretchy powers and carefree defiance carry shades of Wukong.
Bleach – Characters like Kon (the mischievous stuffed lion) reflect trickster archetypes rooted in Wukong.

Conclusion: The Eternal Trickster Lives On

From his stone birth on a mythical mountain to his staff-wielding, cloud-riding adventures, Sun Wukong has leapt across centuries, cultures, and media. In anime, his legacy continues to evolve:

As Son Goku, he becomes a symbol of growth, purity, and limitless potential.
In Naruto, he lingers in Enma and the mischievous spirit of the hero.
In The God of High School, he fully returns in raw, divine power.

The Monkey King’s journey is far from over. As long as anime seeks heroes who balance rebellion and discipline, Sun Wukong will continue to reappear—sometimes disguised, sometimes explicit, but always unmistakable.

👉 His story reminds us of a truth that transcends myth: the trickster never dies; he just changes form.