Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball resonated with audiences for many reasons, but it was the show’s complex characters that kept fans coming back for 40 years. Dragon Ball has an extremely diverse cast of characters, some of whom have grown from precocious children to honorable adults throughout Dragon Ballseveral series. Goku has always been Dragon BallThe proud protagonist Goku has accomplished incredible things that have literally put him on the same level as the gods. Goku’s feats are nothing short of incredible, especially when combined with his eternally humble nature and pure, simple love for fighting.
That being said, Goku’s naivety and passion can be a double-edged sword, and they have caused their share of problems, some of which have even put the universe in danger. Goku never turns his back on his friends, family, or his planet, but he sometimes gets carried away by bad emotions and exposes himself to unnecessary and avoidable incidents. Goku remains Dragon BallHe’s the greatest hero of all, but he also tends to be his own worst enemy and the instigating force behind the fires he inevitably puts out.
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10 Goku repeatedly gives Senzu Beans to the enemy
There are many character traits that make up a hero and this role involves much more than brute strength, courage and determination. One of the reasons why Dragon Ball Fans have fallen in love with Goku because of his unwavering moral compass and the fact that he can’t help but see the best in others, even when they don’t. There have been many instances where Goku has the upper hand in battle and tries to side with the side of rehabilitation rather than revenge. After all, some of Goku’s best friends started out as adversaries or villains. This strategy has worked well for Goku, but it’s also important to understand when someone is too far gone to become an ally and any compassion is seen as nothing more than naivety. Some of Goku’s most frustrating moments are when he gives Senzu beans to truly evil villains—like Cell and the Planet Eater Moro—so they can regain their strength and fully heal.
These naive decisions could have doomed the entire universe, and Goku is truly fortunate that there weren’t greater ramifications. Goku also chooses to give Piccolo a Senzu Bean after the villain’s defeat in the 23rd World Tournament, leading him to vow revenge. Goku doesn’t have a Senzu Bean on Namek during his fight with Frieza, but he also shows the galactic tyrant similar compassion by donating some of his energy to him so that he isn’t completely defenseless. It’s admirable that Goku genuinely can’t comprehend that some people are past the point of redemption, even when he’s been warned about such matters, but it’s also a grave responsibility that could cost him his life.
9 Goku’s Great Ape Transformations Almost Killed His Friends
Dragon Ball The Saiyans’ signature tails are being phased out, and it’s been a while since anyone has had to worry about great ape transformations. However, it’s a very real concern in the original Dragon Ball and a metamorphosis that even costs Grandpa Gohan his life. Granted, Goku has no control over this transformation and his Great Ape is a purely ferocious beast that cannot be contained. It’s still a very real problem and a scenario in which Goku literally becomes his own worst enemy.
Goku’s First Transformation into a Great Ape Dragon Ball nearly leads to Bulma’s death, and it’s a transformation that always puts her friends and loved ones in direct danger. Goku’s transformation into a Great Ape during the 21st World Tournament results in no casualties, but it does force Master Roshi to destroy the moon in order to reverse the transformation. The consequences of Earth’s lack of a moon aren’t really explored in Dragon Ballbut it’s a huge danger that is a direct result of Goku’s Great Ape form.
8 Goku’s decision not to be resurrected prevents Goten from knowing his father
Goku’s sacrifice during the battle against Cell is one of his most heroic moments, and the repercussions of this decision really make it seem like he’s willing to step back and become a supporting player while Gohan finds himself in the spotlight. The heroes attempt to bring Goku back to life with the Dragon Balls, but he refuses this request and insists that his presence on Earth will only expose the planet to greater responsibilities. He’s also convinced that Gohan can now defend the planet in his absence. Dragon Ball Z The clock moves forward seven years and it is revealed that Chi-Chi has given birth to a second son, Goten.
Goku’s return to Earth for the 25th World Tournament marks the first time he meets Goten, who has spent his life growing up without a father. The dangers presented in the Buu Saga lead Goku to return to life, for good, and he remains on Earth despite his past beliefs. Goku’s initial decision to remain in the Other World may be honorable, but it proves to be unnecessary. It deprives Goten of knowing his father for the first seven years of his life, which could have been time Goku could have spent training Goten and helping him reach even greater heights.
7 Goku’s pride and ignorance for not taking his heart medicine
Dragon Ball ZThe Cell Saga introduces some radical concepts to the series, with time travel being one of the biggest surprises. Future Trunks travels to the past to warn the Z-Fighters of the impending threat of the androids, but more importantly, he delivers Goku a life-saving cure for the heart virus that was unavailable at the time of Future Goku’s death in Future Trunks’ timeline. One of the reasons Future Androids 17 and 18 are able to eliminate the heroes of their timeline so easily is because Goku dies from an unexpected heart virus, meaning he cannot be revived with the Dragon Balls. Future Trunks acquires a cure and travels back in time in order to prevent the past timeline from suffering the same dark fate.
Goku is grateful, but he seems more excited about the prospect of training with a Super Saiyan from the future and training for these evil androids. The logical thing to do would be for Goku to take this heart medicine immediately. However, Goku is cavalier about it and doesn’t take the medicine until he’s already experiencing symptoms and is bedridden. He’s lucky it’s not too late and the medicine is still able to heal him. This also results in Goku’s body failing him during his fight with Android 19, which would have led to his death if Vegeta hadn’t been there to save the day as a Super Saiyan.
6 Goku’s cavalier nature with Omni King Zeno leads to the Tournament of Power
Dragon Ball has regularly introduced godlike deities of increasing importance, but none can compare to Zeno the Omnipotent King, who holds dominion over the entire multiverse. Zeno can erase an entire universe or timeline at any time, forcing everyone to be incredibly cautious around this unpredictable entity. Beerus is even terrified that he might say the wrong thing and cause a surprise erasure. Goku, however, is incredibly laid back with Zeno and treats him like a regular person, rather than walking on eggshells around him. This mortifies everyone in Zeno’s orbit, but Zeno himself actually appreciates Goku’s demeanor, and considers him a friend.
Goku’s cavalier nature towards Zeno inadvertently causes the Tournament of Power. Zeno’s observation of the Tournament of Destroyers between Universes 7 and 6 makes him interested in an even greater competition, which Goku encourages as he welcomes a good challenge. Goku’s friendship with Zeno and the role he plays in executing the Tournament of Power puts a major target on not only his back, but on the entirety of Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power. Everyone in the multiverse resents Goku for the possibility of their universe being erased as a form of entertainment.
5 Goku’s overuse of the Blue Kaio-Ken results in a delayed onset Ki disorder.
Goku has never been one to acknowledge and accept his limitations, and he tends to put his body and life on the line if it means potentially winning a fight. Goku first struggles with his body’s limitations when he learns the Kaio-Ken attack. The Kaio-Ken is a powerful strength and speed enhancer, but it puts a tremendous strain on the user’s body and can even result in their death if pushed too far. Goku listens to King Kaio’s advice with this procedure, but ultimately ignores it when backed into a corner in battle. Goku extends the Kaio-Ken’s limits to the 20x multiplier during his near-fatal fight against Frieza. However, Goku experiences an even more dangerous gamble during his fight against Hit in the Tournament of Destroyers.
Goku combines the Kaio-Ken with his Super Saiyan Blue strength and pushes the procedure to Blue Kaio-Ken x10. Goku barely survives the strain on his body, and is severely weakened and prone to Delayed Onset Ki Disorder. This affects Goku’s use of ki, and basic techniques, such as Instant Transmission, are no longer reliable. This could have become a serious danger to the planet if Earth had been attacked while Goku was suffering from this disorder. Additionally, Goku turns to Blue Kaio-Ken again, albeit with a x20 multiplier, during his Tournament of Power match against Jiren.
4 Goku refuses to be exiled from Namek
Goku’s battle against Frieza on Namek is one of the Dragon BallThe longest and most intense fights in the series. Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan gives him the upper hand against Frieza, but the villain tries to even the odds by triggering the destruction of Namek. Planet Namek will explode in five minutes, putting a very tight schedule on Goku’s fight. A wish from Dragon Ball is used to transport everyone off Namek in order to minimize casualties. Transporting Goku from Namek to Earth would seemingly solve this problem, but Goku chooses to remain on Namek so that he knows that Frieza is defeated, once and for all, and there is no chance he will return to cause more devastation.
It is a deeply heroic gesture, but ultimately proves to be futile. Goku defeats Frieza on Namek and barely manages to escape the exploding planet in time. However, it is later revealed that Frieza’s remains are recovered by his father, King Cold, and he is resurrected with cybernetic enhancements. This means that Frieza’s survival was inevitable, and Goku staying behind to finish the job is futile. Goku could have returned to Earth and been confident that he could defeat Frieza in the future, if need be, after he ascends to Super Saiyan. In fact, his decision to stay put nearly dooms Earth when Frieza arrives and Goku is not there to protect them. Fortunately, Future Trunks is present and able to eliminate these threats.
3 Goku decides to give up against Cell and trust Gohan
Dragon Ball ZThe Cell Saga, particularly the culminating Cell Games, is one of the most illuminating transitional periods in the series. Goku trains Gohan intensely and believes, deep down, that he will be the one to finally defeat the villain. This belief reaches its peak during Goku’s fight with Perfect Cell during the Cell Games. Goku and Cell are evenly matched and both are increasingly exhausted from the fight. Goku unleashes a devastating combo attack of Instant Transmission and Kamehameha that nearly finishes Cell off, but his powerful regenerative abilities heal the damage.
Goku recognizes that he won’t win this fight and casually eliminates himself so that Gohan can gain the upper hand. He even goes so far as to make this fight fair by giving Cell a Senzu Bean so that Gohan can take him on at full power. Goku’s strategy to bring out the full extent of Gohan’s potential ultimately works and he achieves Super Saiyan 2 status. However, it is a volatile strategy that costs him his life and nearly ends the planet when Cell unleashes his self-destruct technique. Goku could have continued to fight Cell, despite his exhaustion, or even consumed the Senzu Bean himself to be strong enough to defeat this villain. The emphasis on honor takes over here.
2 Goku’s incredible power makes him a target for Zamasu and fuels his rage against mortals.
Goku is undeniably one of the strongest characters in the universe, and he’s not exactly secretive when it comes to his powers. In fact, Goku welcomes a good challenge and openly encourages the possibility of being challenged by a worthy opponent. Goku’s cavalier approach to his own powers can sometimes be a liability, exposing himself and the universe to unwanted attention.
For example, Zamasu recognizes Goku’s immense power, which is why he directly targets him when it comes to his systematic plan to wipe out all mortals from existence. Zamasu uses the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku’s body because he is aware of his incredible strength. However, Zamasu also views Goku’s extreme power as a personal affront to the Gods. He is offended that a mere mortal would be able to acquire such power, which plays a major role in his decision to wipe out all mortals from existence. A more laid-back attitude from Goku, where he would keep a low profile, could have helped prevent such a debilitating assault.
1 Goku brazenly recruits Frieza for the Tournament of Power
There has never been a scenario with stakes as high as the Tournament of Power. It is absolutely paramount that Universe 7 gather the ten strongest fighters to represent their kingdom in a multiversal fight. Universe 7 seriously panics when Majin Buu is no longer able to participate in the tournament, prompting Goku to recruit Frieza to back him up. Virtually everyone in Universe 7 opposes the idea – especially Vegeta – and an air of unease hangs over everything Frieza does.
Frieza proves to be a valuable ally, but his involvement results in his resurrection by Whis, leading to far greater devastation. Frieza recently revealed his Black Frieza form and his plans for multiversal domination, none of which would be possible if Goku had never recruited him to fight. It certainly seems that Goku could have turned to another deceased fighter instead of Frieza, despite the villain’s strength, and that there were other possibilities, such as Gotenks, Future Trunks, or the canonical introduction of Pikkon.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior named Son Goku, a peculiar young boy with a tail who sets out on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, they grant any wish you want.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First film
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest movie
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes
- First TV show
- Dragon Ball
- Upcoming TV Shows
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First episode air date
- April 26, 1989
- Casting
- Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil