10 Times Goku Showed Incredible Strength in Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is one of the most celebrated shonen series of the past 50 years. Dragon Ball is heralded for its exaggerated action sequences, fantastical storytelling, and unforgettable villains, but none of this matters without a strong, heroic protagonist. Goku is Dragon Ball’s guiding light and he effortlessly embodies the perfect anime hero. Goku isn’t presented as a perfect person, but his flawed nature and tendency to learn from his mistakes and strive to be stronger are some of his most endearing qualities.

Goku’s courage and strength are in a league of their own, but there are plenty of Dragon Ball characters who rise to the occasion when the pressure is on. What makes Goku so special is that he’s able to accomplish things that everyone else would consider to be impossible. Goku is in his own class and his ability to overcome impossible odds and surpass his own milestones is why he’s built differently and such a standout character.

10

Goku Becomes A Great Ape To Escape Roshi’s Thunder Shock Surprise

Dragon Ball, Episode 27, “Number One Under The Moon?”

Some of Dragon Ball’s biggest moments take place in the World Martial Arts Tournament, and the anime’s first installment of this long-running tradition culminates in an epic clash between Goku and Master Roshi. Goku is still very new to martial arts at this point, while Roshi has over a century of training under his belt. Roshi, desperate to defeat Goku, turns to his volatile Thunder Shock Surprise technique. This ability transforms the target’s energy into 20,000 volts of electricity. This means that the Thunder Shock Surprise is typically a lethal attack, which is why Roshi rarely uses it.

Goku survives this traumatic experience when he witnesses the full moon and his Great Ape transformation overpowers and neutralizes Roshi’s attack. This may not be an intentional strategy on Goku’s part, but it proves his resilience and his ability to get out of impossible situations. Goku surviving the Thunder Shock Surprise, let alone as a child, is simply remarkable.

9

Goku Survives Drinking The Ultra Divine Water

Dragon Ball, Episode 116, “A Taste Of Destiny”

Goku’s early adventures in the original Dragon Ball still feature plenty of incredible accomplishments. However, Goku is still finding his way as a martial artist during this period and there are several instances where he’s completely overwhelmed. Goku faces unsuccessful results during his first battle against Demon King Piccolo, which leaves him desperate for any sort of advantage. Goku learns from Korin about the Ultra Divine Water, which is a sacred relic that has the ability to unlock an individual’s potential. Goku believes that the Ultra Divine Water is his key to defeating King Piccolo, but he’s presented with dangerous odds.

Only 13 people have made their way to the Ultra Divine Water and none of them survived its toxic properties. Goku knows that the odds are against him here, but he fearlessly forges ahead. Goku manages to survive this risky procedure and, to date, is the only individual to survive the Ultra Divine Water. It’s been speculated that Goku’s Saiyan heritage is in fact responsible for his survival and that a human wouldn’t experience the same results. Regardless, Goku’s ability to overcome this challenge is an early example that reinforces how he shouldn’t be underestimated and can accomplish the impossible.

8

Goku Bursts Through Demon King Piccolo & Finally Kills The Monster

Dragon Ball, Episode 122, “Final Showdown”

Demon King Piccolo is a villain unlike anything else that’s been experienced in Dragon Ball. King Piccolo takes over the Earth, causes widespread chaos, and is even responsible for Krillin, Master Roshi, and Chiaotzu’s deaths. Furthermore, King Piccolo has an infamous reputation and could barely be contained into submission during the past war against him.

Efforts to once again contain King Piccolo with the Evil Containment Wave fall short, but Goku arrives at a more permanent solution when he bursts through King Piccolo’s abdomen and kills him. This is one of Goku’s strongest acts at the time, but it’s an even more impressive accomplishment because King Piccolo has broken nearly all of his limbs. Goku learns to make due with what he has, yet he’s still able to channel this strength into a passionate victory.

7

Goku Experiences 100x Earth’s Gravity Training During His Trip To Namek

Dragon Ball Z, Episode 57, “Gohan, The Hunted”

Training has reached such ridiculous heights in Dragon Ball that characters need to work under altered gravity conditions in order to become stronger. Goku’s trip through space to reach Namek conveniently includes a gravity training chamber on his ship. Goku steadily increases these punishing conditions and reaches 50x Earth’s gravity over time. However, Goku’s ship passes through a magnetic storm, which heightens the gravity to 100x. Goku finds himself immobilized and with very little means of recourse.

He manages to take advantage of his conditions and creatively incorporate the Kaio-Ken Attack into his training strategy so that he overcomes the experience and resets the ship’s gravity settings. Plenty of other Dragon Ball characters would be crushed by this and fail to fix the gravity settings. Goku has what it takes to not only work through this unexpected obstacle, but then continue to train at 100x Earth’s gravity and make it his new normal.

6

Goku Transforms Into A Super Saiyan & Chooses To Fight Frieza To The Death

Dragon Ball Z, Episode 95, “Transformed At Last”

Super Saiyans have become the norm in Dragon Ball, but there was a lengthy period when this totemic transformation was merely a rumor. Goku gives everything he has during his fight against Frieza on Namek and fails to give in, even when the odds are against him. Goku’s determination and fighting spirit contribute to a pivotal metamorphosis into Dragon Ball’s first Super Saiyan.

This remains one of Dragon Ball Z’s most memorable moments and it’s a remarkable feat that beautifully distills why Goku is such a celebrated shonen hero. Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation is a lot, but he continues to prove that he’s built differently when he refuses to be wished off of Namek when it’s on the precipice of destruction. Goku is determined to fight Frieza to the death and make sure that this evil tyrant is finished, even if this means his own doom in the process.

5

Goku Pushes His Body To The Limit When He Combines Super Saiyan Blue & Kaio-Ken

Dragon Ball Super, Episode 39, “A Developed ‘Time Skip’ Counterstrike? Here Comes Goku’s New Move!”

Goku is an inspirational fighter, but he’s also someone who struggles to understand his body’s limits. Goku’s Kaio-Ken Attack was a gamechanger in Dragon Ball Z’s earliest story arcs and this power-up would multiply Goku’s strength and speed, while putting an incredible strain on his body. Goku grows increasingly cavalier with the Kaio-Ken Attack and proceeds to push it to untenable heights. He even uses Kaio-Ken x20 during his fight against Frieza. This alone illustrates that Goku is built differently and that he’ll find a way to persevere.

All this gets pushed even further in Dragon Ball Super when Goku brazenly combines his Super Saiyan Blue transformation with the Kaio-Ken. Goku explains that this is extremely risky and that there’s a 90% chance that he’ll die from this. Goku proceeds to use Blue Kaio-Ken x10 against Hit and Fused Zamasu, while he tempts fate even further when he uses Blue Kaio-Ken x20 against Jiren. Goku’s body experiences unimaginable pressure and his first use of this even leaves him impaired with Delayed Onset Ki Disorder. Nevertheless, Goku survives.

4

Goku Absorbs His Friends’ Energy To Kill Broly With His Miracle Blow

Dragon Ball Z, Movie 8, “Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan”

Goku has gone up against his fair share of powerful villains, but his first Dragon Ball Z battle against Broly is truly unlike another clash. Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan, manages to easily overpower the collective efforts of Super Saiyan Goku, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Gohan, with additional support from Piccolo. Broly is a gigantic brawler who brutally beats up Goku and his friends. It genuinely seems like victory will be impossible here until Goku develops a powerful gambit that defeats Broly and sends him flying towards Comet Camori and left in a seven-year coma.

Goku acquires energy from Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, and Vegeta, which he channels into a powerful punch that he calls his Miracle Blow. Goku’s Miracle Blow launches this incredible power into Broly’s abdomen, all with explosive results. It’s a victory that feels like something that only Goku could pull off and it’s remarkable that Broly’s defeat is the result of a powerful punch, rather than some Kamehameha or Spirit Bomb assault. Goku’s Spirit Bomb Super Saiyan spectacle against Super Android 13 is a similarly heightened act of heroism.

3

Goku Causes Ripples Across The Earth During His Super Saiyan 3 Transformation

Dragon Ball Z, Episode 245, “Super Saiyan 3?!”

Every Super Saiyan transformation is an impressive milestone in Dragon Ball and cause for celebration. Goku is frequently a front-runner in this department and the first person to stumble upon new tiers of Saiyan strength. Goku’s ability to master Super Saiyan 2 during his seven years in Other World leaves his friends and family impressed. However, Goku surpasses these expectations and proves that he’s actually gone one step further when he transforms into a Super Saiyan 3 during his fight against Majin Buu.

Dragon Ball has featured some epic transformations throughout its run, but few can compare to Goku’s seismic Super Saiyan 3 metamorphosis. The lengthy sequence repeatedly emphasizes that Goku is in a league of his own and a hero with world-changing abilities. The power that Goku conjures for his Super Saiyan 3 transformation literally alters the world’s weather patterns and causes global ripples and disturbances.

2

Goku Perfects Ultra Instinct & Develops His Own Version

Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 85, “To Each His Own Answer”

Ultra Instinct is first properly introduced during Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power when Goku stumbles upon it completely by accident. Ultra Instinct is a zen-like state that allows the user’s body to move almost independently of their mind in order to anticipate attacks with shocking reflexes. Ultra Instinct is a complicated technique that involves many risks. It’s rare for a mortal to experience it at all, let alone to successfully maintain the transformation. Goku puts in a lot of time on this front and eventually masters Perfected Ultra Instinct after training with a genuine Angel, Merus.

Goku’s first use of Perfected Ultra Instinct at full capacity results in him conjuring a giant energy avatar, which he uses to defeat Planet-Eater Moro. It’s an incredible spectacle that’s one of Goku’s most extreme acts. Goku later develops his own version of Ultra Instinct – True Ultra Instinct – that allows him to maintain his emotions while in this divine state. Only someone like Goku would be able to push Ultra Instinct to new heights and create his own specialized form of the state.

1

The Whole Planet Shares Their Energy With Goku For The Super Spirit Bomb Vs. Kid Buu

Dragon Ball Z, Episode 286, “Spirit Bomb Triumphant”

Goku learns the Spirit Bomb from King Kai all the way back in Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga, yet this powerful technique perfectly represents Goku’s heroic, optimistic nature. The Spirit Bomb is essentially only as strong as the people who support it. Goku can’t deliver a seismic attack if the world doesn’t lend him their strength and donate energy to the attack. Goku has used the Spirit Bomb to various degrees of success, but one of his greatest achievements is when he conjures a humongous Super Spirit Bomb to destroy Kid Buu, once and for all.

This is a victory that beautifully reflects Goku’s one-of-a-kind nature. The entire planet, grateful for Goku’s endless support, donates an overwhelming amount of energy to his attack. Only someone like Goku could pull off such a remarkable gambit. Similar triumphs are achieved with Goku’s Super Ultra Spirit Bomb in Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super’s Universe 7’s Spirit Bomb, but this is the perfect way to take out Buu.