Every Time Goku Was His Own Worst Enemy

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has resonated with audiences for so many reasons, but it’s the series’ complex characters that have kept fans coming back for 40 years. Dragon Ball has an extremely diverse cast of characters, some of whom have matured from precocious children into honorable adults across Dragon Ball’s several series. Goku has always been Dragon Ball’s proud protagonist, and he’s accomplished incredible things that have literally put him on par with Gods. Goku’s achievements are nothing short of incredible, especially when they’re combined with his eternally humble nature and a sheer love for combat.

That being said, Goku’s naivety and passion can be a double-edged sword, and they’ve caused their share of problems, some of which have even put the universe in jeopardy. Goku never turns his back on his friends, family, or planet, but he does occasionally get driven by the wrong emotions and expose himself to unnecessary and avoidable incidents. Goku remains Dragon Ball’s greatest hero, yet he’s also prone to being his own worst enemy and the inciting force behind the fires that he inevitably extinguishes.

10 Goku Repeatedly Gives Senzu Beans To The Enemy

There are many character traits that make up a hero and this role involves far more than brute strength, courage, and determination. One of the reasons that Dragon Ball fans have fallen in love with Goku is because of his unwavering moral compass and that he can’t help but see the best in others, even when they don’t themselves. There have been numerous situations where Goku has the upper hand in battle and attempts to air on the side of rehabilitation over retribution. 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 just comes across as naivety. Some of Goku’s most frustrating moments are when he gives truly evil villains — such as Cell and Planet-Eater Moro — Senzu Beans so that they can recover their strength and fully heal.

These naive decisions could have doomed the entire universe and Goku is honestly lucky that there weren’t greater ramifications. Goku also chooses to give Piccolo a Senzu Bean following the villain’s defeat in the 23rd World Tournament, which leads to him swearing revenge. Goku doesn’t have any Senzu Beans on Namek during his fight against Frieza, but he also shows the galactic tyrant similar compassion by donating him some of his energy so that he’s not completely defenseless. It’s admirable that Goku truly can’t fathom that some people are past the point of redemption, even when he’s been warned on such matters, but it’s also a serious liability that could cost him his life.

9 Goku’s Great Ape Transformations Nearly Kill His Friends

Dragon Ball gradually phases out Saiyans’ signature tails, and it’s been a while since anyone has had to worry about Great Ape transformations. However, this is a very real concern in the original Dragon Ball and a metamorphosis that even costs Grandpa Gohan his life. Admittedly, Goku has no control over this transformation and his Great Ape self is a purely ferocious beast who can’t be contained. It’s still a very real problem and a scenario in which Goku literally becomes his own worst enemy.

Goku’s first Great Ape transformation in Dragon Ball nearly leads to Bulma’s death, and it’s a transformation that always puts his friends and loved ones in direct danger. Goku’s Great Ape transformation during the 21st World Tournament doesn’t claim any lives, but it does result in Master Roshi having to destroy the moon in order to reverse the transformation. The consequences of Earth’s absent moon aren’t really explored in Dragon Ball, but it’s a huge danger that’s the direct result of Goku’s Great Ape form.

8 Goku’s Decision To Not Be Revived 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 genuinely make it feel like he’s ready to step back and become a supporting player as Gohan steps into the spotlight. The heroes try to wish Goku back to life with the Dragon Balls, but he turns down this request and insists that his presence on Earth will only open the planet up to greater liabilities. He’s also confident that Gohan can now defend the planet in his absence. Dragon Ball Z turns the clock forward seven years, and it’s 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 that he meets Goten, who has spent his life growing up without a father. The dangers that are presented in the Buu Saga leads to Goku coming back to life, for good, and he remains on Earth contrary to his past beliefs. Goku’s initial decision to stay in Other World may be honorable, but it proves to be unnecessary. He robs Goten of knowing his father for the first seven years of his life, which could have been time that Goku spends training Goten and helping him reach even greater heights.

7 Goku’s Hubris & Ignorance To Not Take His Heart Medicine

Dragon Ball Z’s 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 about the looming threat of the Androids, but he more importantly delivers Goku vital heart virus medicine that wasn’t available during the time of Future Goku’s passing in Future Trunks’ timeline. One of the reasons that Future Androids 17 and 18 are able to so easily take out their timeline’s heroes is because Goku passes away from an unexpected heart virus, which means that he can’t 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 from the same dark fate.

Goku is grateful, but he seems more excited to spar with a Super Saiyan from the future and train for these evil Androids. The logical thing to do would be for Goku to immediately take this heart medicine. However, Goku is cavalier about the subject and doesn’t take the medicine until he’s already feeling symptoms and bedridden. He’s lucky that it’s not too late and that the medicine is still able to cure him. This also results in Goku’s body failing him during his fight against Android 19, which would have led to his death is Vegeta weren’t around 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 steadily introduced divine deities of increasing importance, but none can compare to Zeno the Omni-King, who holds dominion over the entire multiverse. Zeno can casually erase an entire universe or timeline at a moment’s notice, which causes everyone to be incredibly careful around this unpredictable entity. Beerus is even terrified that he might say the wrong thing and prompt a surprise erasure. Goku, however, is incredibly casual around 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 he views him as a friend.

Goku’s continued cavalier nature around Zeno inadvertently prompts the Tournament of Power. Zeno’s observance of the Tournament of Destroyers between Universes 7 and 6 leaves him interested in an even larger competition, which Goku encourages because he welcomes a good challenge. Goku’s friendship with Zeno and the role that he plays in the Tournament of Power’s execution puts a major target on not just his back, but the entirety of Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power. Everyone in the multiverse resents Goku for the possibility that their universe may be erased as a form of entertainment.

5 Goku’s Abuse Of Blue Kaio-Ken Results In Delayed Onset Ki Disorder

Goku has never been someone who recognizes and accepts his limits, and he’s prone to putting his body and life on the line if it potentially means that he’s able to win a fight. Goku first wrestles with his body’s limitations when he learns the Kaio-Ken Attack. Kaio-Ken is a powerful strength and speed magnifier, but it puts tremendous strain on the user’s body and can even result in their death if they push it too far. Goku listens to King Kai’s advice with this procedure, but ultimately ignores it when he’s backed into a corner in battle. Goku extends the Kaio-Ken’s limitations to the x20 multiplier during his fight against Frieza, which is nearly fatal. However, Goku experiences an even more dangerous gambit 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 narrowly survives the strain that’s put on his body, and he’s left severely weakened and prone to Delayed Onset Ki Disorder. This affects Goku’s ki use and basic techniques, like Instant Transmission, are no longer reliable. This could have become a serious danger to the planet if Earth happened to be under attack while Goku was suffering from this disorder. Furthermore, Goku once again turns to Blue Kaio-Ken, except with a x20 multiplier, during his Tournament of Power battle against Jiren.

4 Goku Refuses To Be Wished Off Namek

Goku’s battle against Frieza on Namek is one of Dragon Ball’s longest and most intense fights. Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation helps give him the advantage against Frieza, but the villain tries to level the playing field by triggering Namek’s destruction. Planet Namek will explode in five minutes, which puts a very tight timeline on Goku’s battle. A Dragon Ball wish is used to transport everyone off of Namek in order to minimize casualties. Goku’s transportation from Namek to Earth would ostensibly solve this problem, but Goku chooses to stay behind on Namek so that he knows Frieza is defeated, once and for all, and that there’s no chance of him returning to cause more devastation.

This is a deeply heroic move, but one that turns out to ultimately be unnecessary. Goku defeats Frieza on Namek and barely manages to escape the exploding planet in time. However, it’s later revealed that Frieza’s remains are recovered by his father, King Cold, and he’s revived with cybernetic upgrades. This means that Frieza’s survival was inevitable and Goku staying behind to finish the job is unnecessary. Goku could have returned to Earth and been confident that he’d be able to defeat Frieza in the future, if need be, after his Super Saiyan ascension. In fact, his decision to stay behind nearly dooms Earth when Frieza arrives and Goku isn’t there to protect them. Thankfully, Future Trunks is present and able to eliminate these threats.

3 Goku Decides To Give Up Against Cell & Put His Trust In Gohan

Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga, especially its culminating Cell Games, is one of the series’ most enlightening transition periods. Goku intensively trains Gohan and believes, deep down, that he’ll be the one who finally defeats the villain. This belief reaches its apex during Goku’s fight against Perfect Cell during the Cell Games. Goku and Cell are fairly evenly matched and are both seriously growing more exhausted from battle. Goku delivers a devastating Instant Transmission and Kamehameha combo attack that nearly finishes Cell off, only for his powerful regeneration abilities to heal the damage.

Goku acknowledges that he won’t win this fight and casually eliminates himself so that Gohan can take over. He even goes so far as to make this a fair fight by giving Cell a Senzu Bean so that Gohan can face him at full power. Goku’s strategy to bring out the full extent of Gohan’s potential ultimately works and he ascends to Super Saiyan 2 status. However, this is a volatile strategy that costs him his life and nearly ends the planet when Cell triggers his self-destruct technique. Goku could have continued fighting against Cell, despite his exhaustion, or even consumed the Senzu Bean himself so that he’s strong enough to defeat this villain. An emphasis on honor gets the better of him here.

2 Goku’s Incredible Power Makes Him A Target To Zamasu & Incites 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 power. 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 power can occasionally be a liability and open himself – and the universe – to unwanted attention.

For instance, Zamasu recognizes Goku’s intense power, which is why he directly targets him when it comes to his systematic scheme to wipe out all mortals from existence. Zamasu uses the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku’s body because he’s aware of his incredible strength. However, Zamasu also views Goku’s extreme power as a personal affront to the Gods. He’s offended that a mere mortal is able to acquire such power, which plays a major factor in his decision to wipe out all mortals from existence. A more casual attitude from Goku where he keeps a lower 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 higher stakes than the Tournament of Power. It’s absolutely paramount that Universe 7 assembles the ten strongest fighters to represent their realm in multiversal combat. Universe 7 seriously panics when Majin Buu is no longer able to participate in the tournament, which prompts Goku to recruit Frieza for support. Practically everyone on Universe 7 opposes this idea – especially Vegeta – and there’s an atmosphere of unease that hangs over everything that Frieza does.

Frieza turns out to be a valuable ally, but his participation results in his revival by Whis, which has led to much greater devastation. Frieza has recently revealed his Black Frieza form and his plans for multiversal domination, none of which would be possible if Goku never recruited him to fight. It definitely seems as if 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.