Kaio-Ken is one of the coolest and most unique techniques in the world. Dragon Ball. Introduced during the Saiyan Saga, this move exclusive to Goku allows him to temporarily multiply his strength several to dozens of times, at the expense of his physical health. It may not offer the same level of power as a new Super Saiyan transformation, but the Kaio-Ken more than proved its worth during Goku’s fights with Vegeta and Frieza.
Kaio-Ken was Goku’s most neglected technique before its resurgence in Dragon Ball Super. Despite being so useful and so distinct from all the more traditional transformations that followed, there was a long period of time where it sat completely unused. There were many moments during the Cell and Buu sagas, as well as in Dragon Ball GT and the first parts of Dragon Ball Super where it could have easily turned the tide of a battle, but it wasn’t even attempted.
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1 Goku could have stopped an imperfect cell
Goku lets an imperfect cell absorb Android 17
Cell wasn’t an unstoppable monster when he first appeared. As Cell Imperfect, he needed to absorb a massive number of humans in order to fight the Z-Warriors and, even once he finished doing so, he was still slightly weaker than Android 16. Despite its small advantage, Android 16 fails to stop Cell from absorbing Android 17, but things didn’t need to turn out this way.
Goku absolutely could have killed Imperfect Cell with the Kaio-Ken. It’s hard to say whether this could have closed the gap between him and Cell or not, but even if it hadn’t, it still would have made all the difference. If Goku had been willing to abandon his plan, leave the Lookout, and join Android 16 in his fight, the Kaio-Ken would have helped seal Cell’s fate.
2 Goku didn’t need to forfeit Perfect Cell
Goku never intended to beat Cell himself
Perfect Cell is one of the few opponents Goku has forfeited against. Although their fight at the Cell Games is spectacular, Goku doesn’t give it his all because he wants to show Gohan’s power. His plan may have ultimately worked, but it wasn’t necessary to save the world.
Without even using all of his power, Goku managed to heat up and frustrate Perfect Cell. Using the Kaio-Ken, Goku reportedly gained more than enough power to defeat the ultimate android. By destroying Cell this early, Goku could have avoided having to sacrifice his life against him later.
3 Goku held back in many ways against Majin Vegeta
Goku did not use Kaio-Ken or Super Saiyan 3 in his rematch with Vegeta
Goku showed absolutely no respect to Vegeta during their rematch in the Buu Saga. Unfortunately, Goku hides the Super Saiyan 3 form from his defector rival, despite the power it offers him, eclipsing that of Majin Vegeta. However, even without the higher form, which would quickly drain his remaining time on Earth, Goku could have quickly ended Vegeta’s tantrum with the Kaio-Ken.
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The only reason Goku loses to Majin Vegeta is because he lets his guard down near the end. Before that, even when holding back considerably, Goku was completely equal to Vegeta. Using the Kaio-Ken, Goku could have stopped Vegeta quickly and prevented him from waking up Majin Buu.
4 Goku gave up too quickly against Kid Buu
Goku didn’t pull out all the stops against his latest opponent in Dragon Ball Z
Kid Buu is the latest villain of Dragon Ball Z but, in terms of power, he is much weaker than Super Buu. He’s still too strong for Goku to defeat without resorting to the Spirit Bomb and Vegeta’s help, but that doesn’t mean he had no way of winning. After 7 years in the Other World, it is unknown what type of multiplier Goku could have applied to the Kaio-Ken.
The climax of the Buu Saga is brilliant, with the Spirit Bomb finally managing to defeat a main villain and Mr. Satan completing his character arc by becoming a true hero. However, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have made sense for Goku to attempt the Kaio-Ken. For all the fans out there, a full power Kamehameha with a multiplier could have had a similar effect on Buu as the Spirit Bomb.
5 The Kaio-Ken could have given Goku an advantage against Baby
Super Saiyan 4 Goku and Baby Vegeta were tied
Goku’s battle with Baby saw the start of the iconic Super Saiyan 4 transformation. This form gives Goku enough to match the power Baby achieves from possessing Vegeta. Ultimately, Goku wins this fight, but the Kaio-Ken would have made it a lot less complicated.
Narratively, Goku using the Kaio-Ken could have eclipsed Super Saiyan 4so it makes sense that he doesn’t implement it. From Goku’s perspective, however, this would have given him a clear advantage over Baby. He especially should have used it after Baby became the Great Golden Ape.
6 Dragon Ball GT could have ended differently if Gogeta had used the Kaio-Ken
Super Saiyan 4 Goku couldn’t do anything against Omega Shenron
Even with the power of Super Saiyan 4 on his side, Goku was completely outmatched by Omega Shenron. The strongest character in Dragon Ball GT, the combined might of the three most fearsome shadow dragons is too much for even Goku’s greatest transformation to overcome. Although even the Kaio-Ken wouldn’t have been enough to bridge the gap between the two, Goku didn’t need to be the one to use it.
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Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta is able to put up a much better fight against Omega Shenron than Goku. Had Gogeta used the Kaio-Kenhe might even have been able to win. While not explicitly canon material, Dragon Ball Super Heroes has outright confirmed that Goku’s fused forms can perform the Kaio-Ken, so there’s no reason why this shouldn’t have been attempted.
7 Goku didn’t use Kaio-Ken against Beerus
Goku’s infamous first fight with Beerus makes the anime hero seem weak
Goku’s first fight with Beerus on King Kai’s planet is primarily known for the eerie art and animation of its depiction in Dragon Ball Super. In terms of fight content, it’s a brief clash that shows how Super Saiyan 3 Goku is completely outclassed by Beerus. There’s no way the Kaio-Ken would have allowed Goku to beat Beerus, as even Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku can’t do that, but it might have made his defeat less humiliating.
Using only Super Saiyan 3, Goku’s performance against Beerus on King Kai’s planet is the same as Yamcha’s would have been in his place. Goku uses the Kaio-Ken against the God of Destruction would have helped him keep his dignity intact and made him look less like he was struggling mindlessly. Goku is one of the most legendary heroes in fiction, and he should never look as lame as he does here.
8 Goku would have eclipsed Golden Frieza with the Kaio-Ken
Golden Frieza only had a small advantage over Super Saiyan Blue Goku
In just four months of training, Frieza was able to go from weaker than Super Saiyan Goku to stronger than Super Saiyan Blue Goku. However, the Golden Frieza form he obtains to achieve this can only be used for a set amount of time. Goku exploits this to win his battle Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’but the Kaio-Ken would have allowed him to avoid a lot of problems along the way.
Even as Golden Frieza, the anime’s most iconic villain is only marginally more powerful than Goku and Vegeta when the transformation begins. Using only the smallest of the Kaio-Ken multipliers, Goku would have completely outclassed Frieza. This would have prevented Frieza from having the opportunity to destroy Earth, and Goku would not have needed to rely on Whis’ time reversal to win.
9 Goku could have wiped out most of Team Universe 6 with the Kaio-Ken
Goku would not have fallen victim to Frost’s poison using the Kaio-Ken
While formidable fighters like Caulifla and Kale would eventually emerge during the Universal Survival Arc, the team of Universe 6 fighters assembled by Champa for the Tournament of Destroyers is pathetic. With the exception of Hit, who at the time of the tournament was stronger than the entirety of Team Universe 7, no member of Team Universe 6 could compete with Piccolo, much less Goku or Vegeta. The only reason Goku doesn’t wipe out four members of their team himself is because Frost tricks and poisons him.
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Frost only has the opportunity to poison Goku because the Saiyan warrior takes the fight easily. Even if Goku didn’t want to turn Super Saiyan Blue against him, Kaio-Ken would have quickly defeated Frost. From there, he wouldn’t even have needed the Kaio-Ken to deal with weaklings like Magetta and Cabba.
10 Goku seemed to think that Kaio-Ken was useless against Broly
The Kaio-Ken could have helped bridge the gap between Goku and Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly features one fight with the eponymous Saiyan after another, with Goku getting involved in several of them. At the end of the film, the only character capable of defeating Broly is Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta. Given Goku’s preference for fighting with his own power, it’s strange that Goku didn’t stack the Kaio-Ken on the Super Saiyan Blueas he has since his first fight against Hit.
Even with the Kaio-Ken, Goku couldn’t have defeated Broly. That’s not to say it wouldn’t have been great to see the Kaio-Ken with modern, cinema-quality animation for the first time. While it would have been absolutely overkill, Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta using the Kaio-Ken would have been an equally incredible sight.
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Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior named Son Goku, a peculiar young boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when once the 7 reunite , grants any wish of choice.
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Dragon Ball Z
An anime that spans generations, it’s the sequel to Dragon Ball from 1986. Dragon Ball Z is an anime that everyone should know, whether it’s the name itself, Goku or the Saiyans – Dragon Ball Z is one of the greatest anime ever produced. Produced by Toei Animation and written by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball Z continues the adventures of Goku, who, along with his companions from the prequel series, defend Earth against villains ranging from aliens like Frieza, androids like Cell, and magical creatures like Majin Buu. While the original anime followed Goku from childhood to early adulthood and had its funny moments, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adult life in this tough action anime, but at the same time parallels the life of his son, Gohan, as well as the development of his rival Vegeta. Although there were sequel series produced subsequently, such as Dragon Ball GT And Dragon Ball Super, Z is the core of the whole Dragon Ball universe that has recognition like no other anime on this list. With over 150 episodes, the series features some of the most unique anime scenes ever, such as Goku’s transformation to become a Super Saiyan and the Cell Games. If you like anime and haven’t watched it Dragon Ball Zwe will not judge. However, if you’re just starting out, this is a must-see anime if you like fast-paced action, although some fight scenes last for around three to four episodes at a time. It’s equal parts captivating, entertaining, and heartbreaking, and makes you wish you could be a Saiyan like Goku and his friends too.
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After Goku is turned back into a child by the Black Star Dragon Balls, he sets out on a journey to regain his former self.
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With Majin Buu’s defeat six months prior, peace returns to Earth, where Son Goku (now a radish farmer) and his friends now lead peaceful lives.
