Times Goku Was Defeated But Should Have Won In Dragon Ball

Key Takeaways

Goku’s defeats are often due to his naive nature and love for battles, leading him to let down his guard at crucial moments.
Fights against Golden Frieza, Tien Shinhan, Frost, and others showcase Goku’s vulnerabilities and flawed character traits.
Goku’s losses to strong opponents like Kale, Frost, and Majin Vegeta highlight his recklessness and desire to test his opponents before going all out.

As a long-time fan of the Dragon Ball series, I must say that watching these epic battles unfold has been quite the rollercoaster ride. From Goku’s humble beginnings as a young boy with a monkey tail to his transformations into Super Saiyan God and beyond, each fight showcases not only his incredible power but also his growth as a character.

The Dragon Ball series is renowned for its numerous anime installments which trace Goku’s life journey from his youth through to his years as a grandparent, featuring thrilling escapades and intense battles. With the latest addition of Dragon Ball Daima, it’s evident that this franchise continues to grow, exploring fresh adventures involving Goku and the Z-fighters as they tackle formidable adversaries to protect the world.

Despite being known for swooping in to save the day, Goku is not without his setbacks, which make him both adored and complex. Facing off against numerous immensely strong opponents, most of his losses were justified somehow. However, there have been instances where victory should have been within his grasp but for certain reasons, he didn’t win. This can be attributed to Goku’s passion for combat, his Saiyan arrogance, or simply his innocence, and these are the moments in the anime series where Goku experiences some unfair defeats.

1 Golden Frieza

Goku Lets Down His Guard In A Moment Of Naivety

Times Goku Was Defeated But Should Have Won In Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 24- 26

In the Dragon Ball series, Frieza has solidified himself as one of the greatest villains, propelling both Goku and the franchise to new heights. Although Goku usually emerges victorious in their battles, his defeat at the hands of Golden Frieza was especially challenging because of the immense power possessed by the antagonist.

In a tough contest, Goku takes control against the adversary, yet his innocent nature interferes as he extends another opportunity to the infamous enemy. Instead of delivering the finishing blow, Goku relaxes his defenses, only to be surprised by a sneak attack from Frieza’s ally during a fight that Goku had already won.

2 Tien Shinhan

Goku Loses On A Technicality

Dragon Ball
Episodes: 97-101

In one of the most highly regarded tournament battles, Goku and Tien’s initial clash represented contrasting combat philosophies, culminating in a thrilling duel. This battle was so evenly matched that it seemed like a tight race throughout, with each character passionately fighting for their respective beliefs in a gripping conflict that felt fresh within the world of Dragon Ball.

Eventually, Goku successfully unleashes several Kamehameha blasts, giving him an advantage over Tien. However, due to a technicality, he loses the fight – landing on a vehicle causes him to hit the ground slightly earlier than Tien.

3 Kale

Carelessness And Curiosity Get The Best Of Goku

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 114-116

Among the most powerful Saiyans, Kale exhibits an extraordinary physical strength, fueled by an intense, uncontrollable fury that poses a threat to anyone nearby. During the Tournament of Power, her rage-induced rampage leads to Goku’s downfall, leaving her virtually untouched.

As a gamer, I can’t say for certain who would have won between Goku and Kale in that instant, but it was clear that Goku was playing loose by not giving it his all at once. He seemed to want to test Kale’s limits before unleashing his full power, which unfortunately played right into the enraged Saiyan’s hands. She seized the moment and managed to land a knockout blow on Goku before the battle reached its peak intensity.

4 Frost

Goku’s Innocence And Good Nature Helps A Treacherous Opponent

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 33-34

Despite spending most of the fight as the underdog against Goku, Frost managed an unexpectedly swift victory, utilizing a hidden attack to subdue the protagonist. In terms of raw power, Goku clearly outclasses Frost; however, Frost’s true might stems not from his physical prowess but his ability to deceive, initially presenting himself as an ally before ultimately betraying everyone involved.

Despite being ahead in the fight, Goku chooses not to harm his kind-hearted adversary by prolonging the battle instead of delivering a swift finish. This delay allows Frost to poison him, ultimately leading to Goku’s loss. However, it should be noted that Frost was later disqualified from the tournament for cheating.

5 Hit

Saiyan Pride And Fairness Collide In A Forfeit

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 38-40

As a gamer, I found myself in a tough spot going up against Hit, with his time-skipping tricks putting me at a significant disadvantage. But as the battle raged on, I began to crack the code on how to counter those abilities. Once I did, it felt like the odds were squarely in my favor, and if things had gone just right, I would’ve taken down Hit with ease.

Despite Goku having more human qualities than many other characters, his Saiyan pride remains deep-rooted within him, leading to his defeat in this particular fight. Eventually, the main character decides to concede the battle by self-destructing, as he feels it’s unfair since Hit is an assassin who must abide by the tournament’s rule that forbids killing.

6 Jiren

Goku’s Love Of Fighting Makes Him Reckless

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 128-130

In an outstanding battle within Dragon Ball Super, the heroic figure, Goku, squares off against the formidable adversary, Jiren. Remarkably, it’s Jiren who pushes Goku to surpass his previous boundaries. Throughout their fierce encounter, Goku unveils new transformations and powers, gradually closing the gap with Jiren in terms of strength, despite initially being significantly weaker.

In a natural and easy-to-read way: Goku’s enthusiasm for combat causes him to linger too long before defeating Jiren, transforming back into his initial form as victory seemed imminent. With the advantage now swinging back to Jiren, Goku is forced into an alliance with Frieza and Android 17 in a grand finale to vanquish their foe in an unforgettable tale.

7 Android 19

The Protagonist Is Stopped By A Heart Disease

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 126 -129

In the world of Dragon Ball Z, Android 19 and 20 debuted as a fresh danger that Trunks had previously warned about. Despite their distinctive skills compared to other androids, they were not the most formidable adversaries in the storyline, given that the Z Fighters were already anticipating this impending threat.

In his peak strength, Goku could effortlessly battle Android 19; however, surprisingly, the main character nearly perished during this fight due to his heart condition. Despite Android 19 possessing the capacity to absorb energy, it was the protagonist’s heart virus that ultimately put Goku’s life at risk.

8 Majin Vegeta

Vegeta Uses Goku’s Naivety To Knock Him Out

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 230-233

In an iconic dynamic that blends rivalry and friendship, Goku and Vegeta consistently challenge each other to grow stronger, despite initially being enemies. Their paths have crossed multiple times on the battlefield, such as when Vegeta was influenced by Babidi’s magic, striving to prove himself and allowing his pride to guide him over rational thought.

In a bid to demonstrate his superiority, Vegeta (who has been transformed into Majin Vegeta with Babidi’s aid) challenges Goku to a fight, fueled by his fury and bitterness. Despite Vegeta’s advantage, Goku eventually outmatches him. However, Vegeta exploits Goku’s trusting nature by luring him into lowering his defenses, landing a single powerful blow that knocks Goku unconscious.

2024-11-12 20:34