Dragon Ball: The 10 Best Goku Fights of All Time, Ranked

As a long-time fan, I’ve always thought Dragon Ball had some of the best fights in anime and manga history. Akira Toriyama wasn’t just great at drawing action – his layouts and how he used each panel were incredible. But what really made those fights special was how he built characters and advanced the story through the fighting itself. In Dragon Ball, the battles aren’t just spectacle; they are the story, and you can see that perfectly when you look at Goku’s most memorable fights.

Goku, the central figure in Dragon Ball, is known for having some of the series’ most exciting and well-executed fights. While some fans think Goku doesn’t change much as a character, this isn’t accurate. Every fight contributes to his growth, with Goku consistently learning from—and sometimes teaching—his opponents valuable lessons about fighting. He’s evolved significantly throughout the Dragon Ball series, from the original Dragon Ball to DBZ and Dragon Ball Super, and his most important battles clearly demonstrate this development.

10. Goku Vs. Jackie Chun

Even considering how early it takes place in the overall story of Dragon Ball, the final fight between Goku and Master Roshi (disguised as Jackie Chun) at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament remains remarkably good. Master Roshi enters the tournament as Jackie Chun to teach Goku and Krillin a valuable lesson: there will always be someone stronger, a concept that becomes a central theme throughout the Dragon Ball series.

The fight between Goku and Jackie Chun creates a compelling tension. We naturally root for Goku, but the valuable lesson Roshi is teaching makes us question who should win. The battle is beautifully animated, with both fighters showcasing inventive moves before ultimately descending into a raw display of martial arts skill. The setting sun and Jackie Chun’s victory—achieved through strategy rather than sheer strength—make their confrontation both incredibly atmospheric and truly memorable.

9. Goku Vs. Moro

Fans of Dragon Ball have a lot to look forward to with the upcoming release of Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol. Many consider the Moro Saga to be the best story arc in the Dragon Ball Super manga, filled with incredible battles that haven’t been seen since Dragon Ball Z. The most exciting part is the final fight between Goku and Moro, where both characters have reached their peak power with Ultra Instinct.

This fight truly demonstrates how far Goku has come with Ultra Instinct, and reflects his growth throughout Dragon Ball Super. It’s the most intense battle in the series, full of unexpected moments, and highlights Goku at his best – he repeatedly defeats Moro while still showing him compassion. When this fight is animated, it’s expected to generate even more excitement online than Goku’s first battle with Jiren during the Tournament of Power.

8. Goku Vs. Demon King Piccolo

Goku’s fight against Demon King Piccolo marks the end of an era for the young hero. It showcases everything that makes Goku, Goku – his energy blasts, fighting skills, the Power Pole, and even his flying cloud. It’s a fitting and memorable farewell to this version of Goku, perfectly crafted by Akira Toriyama.

The fight between Goku and King Piccolo is perfectly balanced – both fighters are equally strong and push each other to their absolute limits. This intense, life-or-death battle set the stage for the even more epic and brutal fights seen later in Dragon Ball Z. In fact, the showdown with Frieza wouldn’t have been possible without this earlier clash with King Piccolo.

7. Goku Vs. Beerus

The second fight between Goku and Beerus in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods remains the most exciting battle in all of Dragon Ball Super. Once Goku unlocks Super Saiyan God, he’s finally able to compete with the God of Destruction, and their fight takes them all over the world and even into space. It’s a fast-paced, back-and-forth clash where both fighters trade powerful blows and the upper hand, with Goku pushing himself to his absolute limit, refusing to give up.

What makes the fight between Goku and Beerus so memorable is how it perfectly illustrates the idea that there’s always someone stronger, a lesson previously taught by Jackie Chun. For the first time, Goku faces an opponent he simply can’t overcome, no matter how hard he tries. Instead of getting discouraged, he’s proud of giving his all, which Beerus recognizes and admires. This fight also breaks the typical Dragon Ball movie pattern where Goku always manages to win. It’s a humbling experience for him, happening right as he’s reaching a god-like level, and it reminds him to continually strive to improve.

6. Goku Vs. Tao Pai Pai

Tao Pai Pai is a truly formidable villain in the Dragon Ball series. After easily defeating the Red Ribbon Army’s Colonel Silver, White, and General Blue (with some help from Arale), Goku finally meets an opponent he struggles against: Mercenary Tao. Tao kills Bora and almost kills Goku with a powerful energy blast called the Dodonpa. Luckily, Goku survives because he was carrying his Grandpa Gohan’s 4-Star Dragon Ball, which protected him.

One of the most touching scenes in Dragon Ball happens when Goku, after a long search, realizes he’ll use the Dragon Ball to bring Upa’s father, Bora, back to life. This comes after a fantastic training sequence with Master Korin, leading to a decisive rematch with Tao Pai Pai. Goku completely defeats him in a beautifully animated fight that showcases how far he’s come since the start of the series.

5. Goku Vs. Krillin

The fight between Goku and Krillin at the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament is a standout moment. Despite being weaker than Goku, Krillin fights intelligently, pushing his rival to his limits and truly testing their long-standing competition. The fight’s choreography and animation are incredible, showcasing some of the best hand-to-hand combat in the entire series, particularly in the anime.

Man, I always get so hyped thinking about the fight between Goku and Krillin! It’s crazy to think that if Goku hadn’t secretly trained his tail, Krillin actually could have won – he was totally planning to exploit that weakness! But Goku’s a genius, playing dumb the whole time and hiding his training just to pull a fast one on Krillin at the last second. What really gets me about this fight, though, is how it shows Master Roshi’s philosophy coming true. He knew all along his students would eventually surpass him, and in that moment, they absolutely did! It’s awesome to see the next generation take things to a whole new level.

4. Goku Vs. Tien Shinhan

Goku’s initial battle against Tien in the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai is a surprisingly great fight that doesn’t get enough attention. It’s a clash of philosophies: Tien embodies the ruthless, win-at-all-costs approach of the Crane School, while Goku showcases the Turtle School’s love of martial arts for its own sake. Goku fights for the joy of the competition, respects the challenge, and understands there will always be stronger opponents, using that as motivation to improve.

The fight between Goku and Tien showcases some of Akira Toriyama’s most impressive action sequences, but the truly special part is how Goku helps Tien overcome his negative mindset. Goku inspires Tien to rediscover his passion for martial arts, not just as a means of fighting, but as a genuine pursuit. When Tien realizes his master and Chiaotzu were unfairly helping him, he breaks away from the Crane School. He then chooses to fight Goku not out of spite or a desire for revenge, but as a true martial artist eager to test his limits. It’s no surprise that many longtime Dragon Ball fans consider Tien to have one of the best character developments in the entire series.

3. Goku Vs. Frieza

Goku’s battle with Frieza on Namek represents the peak of his growth throughout Dragon Ball Z. Throughout the Saiyan and Frieza arcs, Goku struggles with his Saiyan ancestry, determined to identify as an Earthling. However, Vegeta challenges him to embrace his Saiyan pride. Goku isn’t just fighting for his own survival; he’s fighting for all those Frieza has harmed, and the conflict becomes deeply personal when Frieza kills his close friend, Krillin, right in front of him.

Most fans recall Goku’s dramatic Super Saiyan transformation, but the most compelling parts of his battle with Frieza actually happen before he achieves that level. This fight showcases Goku’s intelligence and resourcefulness as he tries every tactic he knows, despite being at a huge disadvantage. The feeling of dread when it’s revealed Goku had been pushing himself to the absolute limit with Kaioken x20 while Frieza was barely trying remains one of the most unsettling moments in Dragon Ball Z. It forces Goku to attempt a Spirit Bomb – with Piccolo buying time, mirroring their fight against Raditz – just to have a chance at equal footing.

2. Goku Vs. Piccolo

Watching Goku and Piccolo’s final fight at the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai was incredibly satisfying. It was Goku’s third World Tournament, and he seemed different – training with Kami had clearly made him more confident and thoughtful. He was holding back, saving all his strength for Piccolo. The fight itself went on for quite a while, both in the manga and the anime, and it was amazing to see Goku not just overpower Piccolo, but outsmart him. He used clever new moves and even surprising twists on old ones – I remember being shocked when he did a Kamehameha with his feet! It really felt like a culmination of everything he’d learned.

What makes Goku’s fight with Piccolo so compelling is how it reveals his character and what truly matters to him. He repeatedly avoids killing Piccolo, even when he could, because he wants to win the tournament fairly. He also refuses assistance from allies like Kami and Tien, determined to win on his own merit. Goku ultimately wins by strategically saving his ability to fly as a surprise attack, using it after Piccolo has already severely injured him. Most importantly, Goku chooses to let Piccolo live, understanding that he’s not truly evil and realizing the value of having a strong opponent to challenge him – a lesson he first learned from Jackie Chun during a previous tournament.

1. Goku Vs. Vegeta

The first fight between Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z is often considered the best battle in anime and manga history. Vegeta embodies the natural strength of the Saiyan elite, while Goku proves that even someone from a lower class can achieve greatness and fight through any challenge. Creator Akira Toriyama masterfully builds the tension of their fight with each hit, escalating the conflict into a brutal showdown that leaves Goku severely injured and Vegeta humbled.

The fight between Goku and Vegeta stands out as one of the last in the original Dragon Ball series where endurance truly mattered. Goku had to carefully manage his energy and use techniques like Kaioken, slowly tiring himself out just to stay competitive with Vegeta. The anime adaptation of this fight is particularly well-done, boasting animation and direction quality that Dragon Ball wouldn’t reach again until Dragon Ball Super: Broly.

2026-02-04 15:36