There’s no denying Goku’s status as one of the greatest anime characters around, but there’s a little known fact about the Saiyan that makes his status as an all-time great questionable at the very least.
The Dragon Ball star has been the face of anime for longer than anyone can remember, and it’s easy to see why. He’s inspired generations, and Dragon Ball itself has influenced the genre more than any other anime in existence.
Still, there’s one aspect to Goku’s character that both adds to Dragon Ball and makes Goku seem like a bit of a fraud.
Goku Might Be One of the Best, But…
Goku is the face of anime. He’s so famous that even people who have never seen Dragon Ball or don’t watch anime in general know who he is, and it’s for a good reason. He’s an unstoppable force of good, a walking natural disaster to his opponents, and a character who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “quit.”
Dragon Ball has been airing for over 40 years, and Goku has been at the center of the series for nearly all of it. He’s always the first to take on the strongest enemies in Dragon Ball, and he would do anything to protect his friends and his home.
Speaking of fights, Goku has been in nearly every major fight in the series. He’s taken on fellow Saiyans, evil Androids, and even a God of Destruction. Despite his status as one of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball, there’s a surprising reality to Goku’s record in fights that most people don’t realize.
He’s Lost a Considerable Amount of The Series’ Most Important Fights
There’s one major unwritten rule in shōnen anime: protagonists win fights. It’s a ubiquitous notion that every major shōnen franchise follows without fail, except for Dragon Ball. Goku loves fighting, and he’s pretty good at it. Somehow, however, he has lost a significant number of some of the most important fights in the franchise.
From the very beginning, Goku has fought with a losing record. He’s lost so many times that it would be easier to count the amount of fights he’s actually won. When he does win, it’s almost always with the help of his friends.
Every Dragon Ball Villain Goku Never Beat Ranked From Weakest To Strongest
Goku has always been rightfully seen as one of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball, but there are a handful of villains even he could never beat.
Goku lost to the first antagonist in Dragon Ball Z when his brother Raditz came to Earth. He then lost to Vegeta, who was defeated by Yajirobe and Krillin. He’s also lost to Captain Ginyu, Android 19, Cell, Beerus, Broly, Jiren, and now, Black Frieza.
Goku Losing Fights Is Integral to the Series
Goku has a terrible record in important fights, probably the worst of any protagonist in shōnen, but that’s not actually a bad thing. Dragon Ball is built around becoming strong, sure, but true strength isn’t gained alone. Goku’s terrible record and reliance on friends is a key indicator that series creator Akira Toriyama wants to emphasize friendship as a true means of victory.
Relying on his friends doesn’t make Goku weaker: it makes him stronger. The fact that he can rely on Frieza and Android 17 gave Goku and Universe 7 a chance to defeat Jiren and win the Tournament of Power. Relying on Gohan saved the Earth from Cell, and fusing with Vegeta saved the Earth from Broly.
Goku’s inability to finish off most of the strongest villains in Dragon Ball is integral to the story. If he won every fight that he was in, Dragon Ball would be boring. There would be no nuance, no real stakes, and the fights themselves would hardly be worth watching. Watching Goku struggle is one of the best parts of the series, and that will never change.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
