Goku

Goku (Son Gokū), born Kakarot (Kakarotto), is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball metaseries created by Akira Toriyama. He is the adoptive grandson of Grandpa Gohan, the son of Bardock and Gine, the husband of Chi-Chi, the father of Gohan and Goten, the grandfather of Pan, and later the great-great-grandfather of Goku Jr. Cheerful, courageous and also a bit naive, Goku is a Saiyan originally sent to Earth as an infant with the mission to destroy it. However, an accident alters his memory, causing him to grow up pure-hearted and later become Earth's greatest defender, as well as the informal leader of the Z Fighters. Throughout his life, he trains hard and strives to be the greatest warrior possible, while at the same time using his amazing strength and skills to uphold peace.

Concept and creation

Goku in his child and adult forms, as seen in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z

The name "Goku" means "awakened to emptiness"; the Go syllable means Enlightenment, and the Ku syllable means Sky or Emptiness. In the Namek Saga, while training in the Capsule Corporation spaceship, it is seen that his name is written with a "h", Gokuh, when he has to go to repair the ship. Goku's full name, Son Goku, is the Japanese name for Sun Wukong, the main protagonist in the Chinese legend Journey to the West, on whom Goku is loosely based. The Dragon Ball universe began as a loose adaptation of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, with Goku starting off as more or less a parody of Sun Wukong the Monkey King. Similarities between the two include Goku's prone for mischief as a child (due to his innocence), possession of Nyoibo (Sun Wukong's staff that can fill the entire universe), and Flying Nimbus (the magical cloud the Great Sage rode on in Journey to the West). As the Dragon Ball manga continued its run, he was able to develop differently, eventually turning out to have similar origins. Goku's design was based on Tanton, of Toriyama's prototype manga Dragon Boy and Tongpoo, from his other manga The Adventures of Tongpoo. When Akira Toriyama started his first draft of Dragon Ball he originally planned on making Goku full monkey to make it faithful to Journey to the West. During Toriyama's second draft he wanted to make Goku a full human dressed in sailor clothes that rode a flight mecha instead of the Flying Nimbus. Toriyama's 3rd and final draft of Goku was to have him human looking with a monkey tail.

Akira Toriyama's first draft of Goku

Goku's Saiyan birth name, Kakarot, is a pun on "carrot". Likewise, all pure-blood Saiyans that appear in the series are named using vegetable-related puns. Goku's family are all named after root vegetables (burdock, negi, radish, and carrot). Comically, in Dragon Ball, Goku says he hates carrots when fighting against Monster Carrot.

Appearance

Goku has spiky black hair that never changes throughout the franchise. He is most commonly seen wearing his trademark orange/red/golden gi over a dark blue undershirt. The gi has featured Master Roshi's, Kami's, King Kai's, and Goku's Go kanji on its left side (over the heart). It is also featured on the back. After the Frieza Saga and during the Androids Saga and Majin Buu Saga, no symbols appear and Goku's gi turns a darker orange. He wears dark blue wristbands, along with dark blue boots with a red border that are outfitted with yellow/beige laces. He originally wore a blue obi over his waist, although after the Frieza Saga this was changed to a blue sash. During Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Goku wore a new version of his orange gi, featuring a new kanji, lacking the dark blue undershirt and wears blue wristbands longer than previous as well as a blue side tied belt and new boots. At the end of Dragon Ball Z, Goku now wears a turqoise gi with a white sash, orange wristbands, dark green pants, and black kung fu shoes with orange stockings. As a kid, he has a tail due to his Saiyan heritage and also wields the Power Pole. He did not wear the blue undershirt and boots until his teenage and adult years, instead wearing simple shoes.

Goku, born Kakarot, holding a carrot

At times, Goku has been seen wearing different clothing, such as a gray business suit and tie. Most notably, after training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and in the nine days before the Cell Games, he wears casual Earth clothing consisting of an orange-and-black long-sleeved jacket, a white undershirt, lime green pants, and brown boots. Goku's skin tone changes from a pale tone to a darker and almost tan tone at the end of Dragon Ball Z, continuing into Dragon Ball GT. His outfit in the GT series consists of a blue gi with a white sash, pink wristbands, ochre pants, and black kung fu shoes with white stockings. As a Super Saiyan 4, he completely loses his gi and his body is covered with scarlet fur. His tail returns, although it changes from brown to the more reddish color. His trademark hairstyle is gone, making his hair longer and even more wild. His eyes change to golden-yellow and has a red-lining around them. His wristbands and stockings turn blue while his sash changes to a stone blue color. In Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Goku wears a blue and white track suit, while he trains on King Kai's planet.

Name

Son Goku is a Buddhist name that means “The Child Aware of Emptiness” and comes from his character development based on Sun Wukong (Sūn means "grandchild" in both languages and implies his origin as a monkey, and Wùkōng means "Aware of Emptiness") from Journey to the West. The name “Goku” means "awakened to emptiness"; the Go syllable means "Enlightenment", and the Ku syllable means "Sky or Emptiness". Son  is also a common Chinese surname.

Personality

Goku is known for his cheerful, energetic personality and his love of competition; specifically sport fighting and eating. He will eat anything. He has remarkable intuition at seeing the good in others in spite of their actions, though his capacity for forgiving his enemies has occasionally been criticized as excessive; Goku, for the most part, only fights to win, and spares his enemies after defeating them only for them to attack him when his back is turned. His staggering power is simultaneously reined in and enhanced by his fierce loyalty and morality. Goku can also be very blunt, and not afraid to express his opinion in a discussion, such as when he questioned Krillin's marriage to Android 18. Despite his kind-hearted nature, Goku can feel incredible anger in cases of extreme turmoil, such as the death of a close friend/relative, or when someone murders many innocents needlessly. He has a simple, practical view of the world and is somewhat naive to the world around him. Because of this, many characters incorrectly assume him to be somewhat stupid, although once he has a basic understanding of things, he learns very quickly. His most remarkable ability is his will to succeed, his tenacity and persistence. He is always determined to push himself beyond his limitations, and never give up even when the odds are stacked against him.

Goku's appearances throughout the Dragon Ball series

Goku is pure of heart, possessing no negative feelings or thoughts. He is also portrayed to be very innocent as a child, because of growing up in Mount Paozu and not having met anyone other than his grandpa until he meets Bulma. During his childhood, a recurring gag early in the series is that he is incapable of telling the difference between a male and a female without physically touching them, which often gets him into trouble. Notable of these occurrences are in the scene where he removes Bulma's panties while she slept and is horrified to discover that she had no testicles (which was also adapted in the movie Dragon Ball: The Path to Power), and later when he first meets Chi-Chi and she pushes him off of the Flying Nimbus after he patted her genitals with his foot. He eventually outgrew this once old enough to understand the difference. This trait was also referenced in Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, where Android 18 attempted to fight Goku due to paranoia that Goku would touch her there, with Goku explaining that he knows better now. In addition, during his youth, he seemed to not understand the concept of pornography, as when Bulma discovered her father's secret stash of porn magazines with Goku nearby, Goku thought the girls were too poor to afford clothes, causing Bulma to angrily tell him that they were not poor. It is often teased that Goku is scared of his wife's temper (as joked by Master Roshi upon Goku's refusal to come back to Earth after the Frieza Saga: "He's scared of the one thing that's stronger than a Super Saiyan- his wife!") Goku is shown to suffer from severe trypanophobia, or the fear of medical needles, but this only occurs in the anime.^[30] He showed his fear for them twice in Dragon Ball Z, and three times during Dragon Ball GT. The first time was after his battle with Vegeta, and when he was taken to Wukong Hospital. The second time he showed his fear of needles was after the fight with Captain Ginyu on Namek, while he was on his way to recover in a Medical Machine. In Dragon Ball GT, it was shown when Goku, Pan, and Trunks brought an injured boy to planet Pital. The second time, during his first battle against Baby Vegeta, he was blasted into Sugoroku Space, where he witnessed a hologram of Chi-Chi that threw a gigantic needle at him. Lastly, Goku showed his fear after learning from Pan that the Four-Star Dragon Ball was coming out of his forehead, worrying that he would need a shot. During his fight with Oceanus Shenron, Goku states that he does not mind being nude in public. This fact is also supported before going for a swim to find a Dragon Ball on Gelbo, during which he takes off his clothes in front of Doma and his granddaughter Pan without hesitation or embarrassment. He also gets upset when Pan tells him to put his clothes back on, refusing to go swimming clothed.

Goku losing power when his tail is grabbed onto

Goku enjoys finding strong opponents and fighting with them. Even in combat, Goku is shown to not be invincible, as he has two major weaknesses. The first weakness is his tail; before he conditioned himself prior to the Tien Shinhan Saga, Goku lost all his power when someone grabbed his tail (a trait that all Saiyans share at birth). The second is his unfathomable appetite; not only does he eat at a rate that would be nearly impossible for a normal Human, but if he does not get any food, he becomes too weak to do almost anything. This weakness was never overcome, and almost got him killed against several enemies, like Tambourine and Nuova Shenron. On the flipside, however, Goku's love for food has gotten him out of trouble several times; for example, in the Tournament Saga, when put to sleep by Jackie Chun, Bulma was able to save his match by screaming to him that dinner was ready, to which Goku immediately woke up to break the count. Goku seems to think very little of his brother Raditz and late father, Bardock, believing them to be vicious, selfish beings like most other Saiyans; however, he never knew of his father's change of heart. Indeed, when he first learned of his Saiyan heritage, he rejected it out of horror and disgust at being from a race of vicious killers, though he ultimately embraced his heritage after hearing Vegeta's last words during the battle with Frieza on Namek, fighting him to avenge the loss of his race as well as all of the other innocents whom Frieza had killed. While Goku is ultimately kindhearted, forgiving, and unquestionably loyal to the side of good, and did not inherit any of the inherently evil traits of his heritage, his Saiyan bloodline and its traits for combat have played small or moderate role in his judgement. He chose to remain in space after Frieza's first defeat rather than return home soon, and did not come home to his family until two years later, when the restored Frieza was heading to Earth. When he trained Gohan and learned that his son had enough dormant power to destroy Cell, he chose not to train himself and his son for one more year, because rather than becoming strong enough to defeat Cell himself, he planned on sending his own son to fight the monster, gambling that Gohan would awaken his hidden power just in time during his struggling fight against Cell and ultimately win. He even went as far as giving a Senzu Bean to Cell so that Gohan gets a fair match against him, rather than a better chance to win and save the world. Also, after his death during the Cell Games, he chose not to be revived and return to his family to raise his still young son. He reasoned that Earth is repeatedly in danger because of his enemies and may become safer if he did not come back. Despite this, after almost all other fighters had faced their downfall, Goku is eventually revived due to Earth and the whole universe being in danger because of Super Buu. From his mid-teens to early thirties, Goku became a famous celebrity on Earth for his defeat of King Piccolo, with several reporters being amazed that Yajirobe was a friend of his during Vegeta and Nappa's attack on Earth. Proceeding the events of the Androids Saga, Goku appears to have been largely forgotten in favor of the following World Martial Arts champion, Mr. Satan. However some time between the defeat of the Shadow Dragons and one hundred years post-hence, Goku is once again revered as a hero and a giant statue of him is displayed in the World Martial Arts Tournament stadium, as shown near the end of Dragon Ball GT.
Biography
 
Early life Dragon Ball Minus 

Main article: Dragon Ball Minus

Goku in Dragon Ball Minus

Kakarot was born on Planet Vegeta three years before its destruction. Kakarot had been inside his incubation chamber for three years since his birth when his father Bardock and his mother Gine decide to release him. Bardock makes the decision to send Kakarot away to Earth in an Attack Ball since he is worried about Frieza's ambitions. Frieza destroys Planet Vegeta a month after Kakarot has been sent away.

Pre-Dragon Ball

Goku, found alone in the forest

After crash-landing on Earth, the baby was found in the woods by an old man named Gohan and became his adopted grandson. He was then given his Earthling name, Goku. At first, Goku was extremely violent and ill-tempered, not obeying Gohan at all, but one day he fell down a deep ravine and hit his head, suffering severe head trauma that sent him into a coma and very nearly killed him. After he woke up, he had lost all of his Saiyan aggression, becoming a kind and mild-mannered young boy. His Grandpa Gohan taught him martial arts and told him about such things as the city and people, as they lived in a very remote place in Mount Paozu, with no communication with other people. Goku has a brief appearance in Jaco the Galactic Patrolman as a kid at the time he lived with Grandpa Gohan in. He is shown wearing a Battle Armor while having a meal in Grandpa Gohan's house.

Grandpa Gohan helping Goku to recover from his head injury

Gohan one day discovered Goku's full moon transformation, and thus told him to never look at the full moon. However, one night Goku did, and he transformed into a Great Ape, causing him to unknowingly kill Gohan. After his grandpa's death, Goku stayed at his home, carrying out his daily life of survival. From a young age, Goku developed the impression that his birth parents abandoned him in the mountains as a baby, leaving him for Grandpa Gohan to discover.

Dragon Ball

Quest for the Dragon Balls

Main article: Emperor Pilaf Saga

"Besides my grandpa, you're the only human being I've ever seen." — Goku when he first met Bulma in "The Secret of the Dragon Balls"

Goku while first meeting Bulma

Goku is introduced in the Dragon Ball manga and anime at 12 years of age (initially, he claims to be 14, but it is later clarified during the Tournament Saga that this is because Goku had trouble counting), as a young boy living in obscurity on Mount Paozu. Goku owns the Power Pole and the four-star Dragon Ball, inheritances from his grandfather.

Goku meeting Master Roshi receiving the Flying Nimbus

One day, after doing his daily chores, Goku is hit by a car when on his way home after catching a Giant Fish. Having never seen a car before, he assumes it is a monster attacking him. When the driver shoots Goku with a gun, she becomes scared after seeing that it hardly does any damage and surrenders, revealing herself to be a Human girl, named Bulma. Goku states that he has never seen a girl before and that the only human he has seen in his life is his deceased grandfather. Goku takes Bulma to his house, where she ends up discovering his four star Dragon Ball. However, Goku does not want Bulma touching it since it is precious to him, so Bulma decides to let Goku to join her on a quest to collect all seven Dragon Balls to summon the Dragon, not revealing to him that the Dragon Balls would be scattered across the Earth once they succeeded. Later that night, when camping in Bulma's Capsule House, Goku is introduced to various technology such as Television, lights and even a bath. Early the next morning, Goku is surprised when he learns a bit about the anatomy of women after he takes Bulma's underwear off while she is sleeping. Later that morning, Goku meets Turtle, whom he decides to take back to the ocean, forcing Bulma to come along. After defeating a Bear Thief who wants to eat the turtle, they make it to the beach, where he meets his future master, the turtle hermit, Master Roshi. When the turtle hermit meets them, he rewards Goku with a flying cloud called the Flying Nimbus, that only allows people of pure heart to ride it, with which Goku has no difficulty. Bulma also receives the three star Dragon Ball out of this, in exchange for showing the old horn-dog her underwear (however, she is actually nude, because Goku had pulled them off the night before).

Goku fighting Yamcha in the Diablo Desert

Three days later, Goku and Bulma end up in Aru Village, which is under control by an evil shape shifter named Oolong, who kidnaps the villagers' daughters. After Goku fails to impersonate Pochawompa in an attempt to find the location of Oolong's hideout, he decides to face Oolong head on. After chasing him outside the village, Goku manages to capture him, forcing Oolong to give the villagers back their daughters. Afterward, they are rewarded the six star Dragon Ball and Oolong is forced to join Goku and Bulma on their quest. While crossing the Diablo Desert on their way to Fire Mountain, Goku fights a bandit named Yamcha, who is friends with a former classmate of Oolong, named Puar.^[42] Goku and Yamcha have a duel, and Yamcha is surprised when Goku brings out his Power Pole, learning that he is the grandson of the legendary martial artist, Gohan. After nearly losing to Yamcha's Wolf Fang Fist due to hunger, Bulma awakens, causing Yamcha to flee due to of his fear of women. Later that night, Goku and the others stay the night in Oolong's House-Wagon, where Goku tells Oolong about the Dragon Balls while Yamcha and Puar hide outside and listen, also learning of the mystical spheres. The next morning, Goku fights Yamcha again after he destroys the House-Wagon and attempts to rob them. Goku knocks out his opponent's tooth and Yamcha, in a false display of apology, gives them a car that secretly has a tracking device for him to follow them.

Goku's first use of the Kamehameha after seeing Master Roshi use it

Two days later, the gang ends up at Fire Mountain, where Goku ends up fighting the Ox-King after he attempts to kill Bulma and Oolong. After Goku summons the Flying Nimbus, the Ox-King stops fighting and tells Goku that the man who gave Goku that cloud is the same master that taught him. In an effort to douse the fire surrounding the Ox-King's castle at the top of the mountain, Goku is sent to retrieve the Bansho Fan from Master Roshi after picking up the Ox-King's daughter, Chi-Chi. When they arrive at Master Roshi's Island, he tells them that he accidentally threw the fan out and decides to come there himself and put out the flames. When they get back to Fire Mountain, Master Roshi uses a technique called the Kamehameha Wave to put out the flames, unfortunately destroying the mountain as well. Much to Master Roshi's surprise, Goku is immediately able to imitate the wave and makes one big enough to destroy their car. While Bulma and Oolong find the Dragon Ball in the rubble, Master Roshi asks that Goku trains with him after finishing his quest for the Dragon Balls.

Goku in his Great Ape form destroying Pilaf's Castle

On their way to the last Dragon Ball, they take a break at a town which is ruled by a gang known as the Rabbit Mob. While there, Goku and Bulma get into trouble with the Rabbit Mob, but Goku defeats their leader, Monster Carrot with the help of Yamcha. When they get back on the road, they are attacked by a robot piloted by Shu, who steals five of their Dragon Balls. Luckily, though, Goku insists on keeping his four-star ball with him instead of with the rest of the Dragon Balls. Yamcha gives them a lift to Pilaf's Castle to get them back. However, once they arrive, they get locked in a room filled with sleeping gas, where Goku's four-star Dragon Ball is stolen.

Goku leaves his friends to explore the world on his own

When they wake up, Emperor Pilaf summons Shenron and tries to use the wish to rule the world, but his plan is foiled when Oolong interferes and wishes for a pair of panties after getting out from a small hole made by Goku's Kamehameha. After trying to escape, the gang is placed into a special cell that will fry them when the sun comes out. Goku ends up looking at the full moon that night, causing him to turn into a Great Ape and destroy the cell along with the rest of Pilaf's castle. Seeing Goku out of control in the ape form, Yamcha grabs Goku's tail and has Puar turn into a pair of scissors to cut Goku's tail off, causing him to revert to his normal form. The next morning, Oolong begins to speculate that Goku is not a human, raising the question of whether he is "some kinda space alien." Declining the offer of his new friends to come with them to West City, Goku bids them goodbye to train with Roshi. While flying off on the Nimbus, Goku cheerfully says the world is an amazing place.

The 21st World Martial Arts Tournament

Main article: Tournament Saga

"Amazing... in a day he's learned a move that took me 50 years to master..." — Master Roshi - talking about Goku's usage of the Kamehameha wave

Goku and Krillin deliver milk as part of their training with Master Roshi

After finishing his quest for the Dragon Balls, Goku leaves Bulma and the others in order to train with Master Roshi. Roshi agrees to train Goku, but only if he finds him a pretty girl. After failing to bring him a decent girl, another wannabe student named Krillin arrives on the island, also wanting to train under Roshi, and assists Goku. After Goku fights off some Police officers, while Krillin cowers behind him, they finally return with a girl with a split personality named Launch. Satisfied with Launch, Roshi then brings Goku and Krillin to his special Training Island to train them. They are put through very strange training that seems like it has nothing to do with martial arts, such as milk delivering to increase stamina, construction work for strength, swimming away from killer sharks, dodging bee stings, all while wearing very heavy Turtle Shells. After the hard work, the two develop into two of the most powerful fighters on Earth. The huge boulder Roshi showed the boys much earlier they could not push, they can now push, much to Roshi's surprise. After eight months of training, Roshi brings them to Papaya Island to compete in the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament to test their training. Upon their arrival, Goku is reunited with his friends Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong and Puar. Goku gets through the elimination rounds easily without even trying (even he is surprised at his remarkable new power) and makes it to the main tournament.

Goku vs. Jackie Chun in the final round

In the tournament he is put up against a Gira named Giran in the quarterfinals. Goku struggles with the beast when he is trapped in Giran's Merry-Go-Round Gum, but his tail grows back causing him to break free and win the match, with Giran forfeiting from being scared of the young boy's power. In the semifinals he is put up against a warrior named Nam. Goku and Nam take the battle into the air, and each is almost knocked of the ring. Just before Goku is knocked out by Nam's Cross Arm Dive, Goku dodges and kicks him out of the ring. In the final round Goku battles with defending Champion Jackie Chun (really Master Roshi in disguise). During the battle, Goku turns back into a Great Ape and starts destroying the stadium. Jackie Chun who cannot leave the arena because they are still fighting destroys the Moon to revert Goku to his normal form. The two continue their match, both losing their energy at a rapid rate. Goku ends up losing the match, and learns that he should always continue to train because there are always people out there who are more powerful.

Battling the Red Ribbon Army

Main articles: Red Ribbon Army Saga, General Blue Saga, and Commander Red Saga

"But I did attack the Red Ribbon Army. I beat the whole bunch and I managed to get six of the Dragon Balls." — Goku talking to his friends

Goku fighting Colonel Silver

After coming runner up in the World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku is told by Master Roshi that he should go out and see the world, and Goku decides that he will use this opportunity to search of his grandfather's Four-Star Dragon Ball. At the beginning of his quest he helps save Nam's Village by accompanying him to Giran's Village in order to get the river flowing again. After completing this task, he decides to go skinny dipping in an oasis where he gets his Dragon Radar stolen by a homeless kid that sells it to an Antique Store in a nearby town. Once Goku gets there and gets his radar back, he confronts Emperor Pilaf, who is holding the four star Dragon Ball. After chasing Pilaf to his flying fortress, Goku receives the ball finding out that it is fake. While following the radar's signal he ends up meeting back up with Chi-Chi who had a wedding prepared for them. Goku and Chi-Chi quickly go together back to the Ox-King's Village to find that an organization called the Red Ribbon Army has attacked. Goku and Chi-Chi fight off the troops until they fled. Goku leaves Chi-Chi and the Ox-King in a hurry to go and chase them. He ends up in the Desert where he gets into Pilaf's flying fortress while the Red Ribbon Army was attacking it. After Pilaf's fortress is destroyed, Goku is caught in the explosion and wakes up in a forest where he meets a family of monkeys. After Goku finds the Dragon Ball, he battles Colonel Silver, who destroyed his Flying Nimbus. Goku easily defeats Silver, and knocks him out with his tail.

Goku attacks the Muscle Tower

After seeing that the Dragon Ball he found was not his grandfather's Four-Star Ball, he has one of the army's auto pilot droids fly him to the next Dragon Ball. The plane crashes when the droid freezes, and Goku freezes, unable to move. He is then taken to Jingle Village by a girl named Suno. When he awakens, he hears that the Red Ribbon Army is there as well. Goku goes to their closest base known as Muscle Tower. Once he gets in he easily takes out three soldiers and then battles an android known as Major Metallitron. Goku wins the battle when Metallitron's batteries die and proceeds to the next floor where he fights the Ninja Murasaki. Goku easily defeats Murasaki and humiliates him, an example when Murasaki lands on Goku's Power Pole. Goku proves to be a difficult match for Murasaki and even his brothers, so he resorts to releasing Android 8. Android 8 ends up befriending Goku instead of fighting him because he dislikes violence, allowing Goku to reach the top of Muscle Tower. General White, the commander of the tower resorts to having his pet monster Buyon eat them, but the creature gets frozen and destroyed. General White is defeated and Goku saves the Jingle Village Chief while obtaining another Dragon Ball that Android 8 was hiding from the army.

Goku stopping Hasky from stealing the Dragon Balls

Goku finds out from one of the village elders that his nimbus still works and decides to go to West City to have Bulma fix his Dragon Radar that broke. Goku arrives at Bulma's house, Capsule Corporation, and has her fix the radar. Bulma then decides to join Goku on his quest for his Dragon Ball using her new invention the Micro Band. While still in the city Goku meets back up with Yamcha, Oolong and Puar. They decide to spend the day in the new theme park Dream Land where they were stalked by a thief hired by the Red Ribbon Army named Hasky. After being tricked by her she tries to get away with Goku's two Dragon Balls but he captures her and gets them back^.

Goku fighting General Blue

Goku and Bulma travel to the site of the next Dragon Ball which was located at the bottom of the sea. Not having a submarine, Goku and Bulma obtain one from Master Roshi who has Krillin join them. Under the ocean, they find a Pirate Cave, where they are chased by the Red Ribbon Army's strongest operative, General Blue. Goku defeated a Pirate Robot and a giant octopus named Octopapa while Krillin and Bulma were being attacked by Blue. Goku arrives to save them, but Goku is stunned by General Blue's telekinesis. Goku was able to break free when a mouse scares Blue. While the cave began to collapse, Goku quickly grabbed the Dragon Ball and saved his mouse friend and barely escaped with Bulma and Krillin in an old submarine they found. When they arrived back at Kame House, General Blue arrives and uses his telekinesis to tie everybody up and steal the Dragon Balls along with putting a bomb on the island to kill them. Luckily, Launch returned and set Goku free to get rid of the bomb and chase Blue.

Goku in Penguin Village

Goku ends up chasing General Blue to Gengoro Island, where he crashes in a strange town named Penguin Village. While there Goku meets Arale Norimaki and the Gatchans who try to help Goku look for General Blue and the Dragon Balls. Arale introduces Goku to Taro and Akane who seemed interested in his flying nimbus. Goku searched through Penguin Village and asked many of the residents if they have seen General Blue. Arale takes Goku to her house to have Senbei fix his radar. While at the Norimaki house General Blue shows up to steal Senbei's plane and fights Goku again. While using his telekinesis again on Goku, Arale surprises Goku by easily defeating him and headbutts General Blue far away. While Goku got his Dragon Balls back he got his Dragon Radar stolen by Blue. Senbei's son, Turbo uses his powers to create him a new one with parts from Senbei's plane so he can continue his quest.

Goku does battle with Mercenary Tao

Goku's next location was the Sacred Land of Korin where he defeats Captain Yellow and finally retrieves his four star Dragon Ball. There, he meets two of the lands natives, a powerful warrior named Bora and his son Upa. Seeing that their best soldiers had failed against Goku, the Red Ribbon Army turned to the world's deadliest assassin, Mercenary Tao, to kill him. Tao arrives to Goku's location and murders Bora with ease. Goku then attacks him. Goku loses against Tao in the battle against his Dodon Ray but survived because the four star ball in his shirt blocked the full force of the blast. While Tao decides to stay in a town for a couple of days, Goku decides to climb Korin Tower to get the Sacred Water of Korin. When he gets to the top, it takes Goku three days to snatch it from him. Goku drinks the water, yet does not feel any different, which Korin explained was not that the water made him stronger, but the training to try and get to it made him stronger. When Tao returns, Goku comes back and defeats him in battle by kicking one of Tao's grenades back at him, thrown after he pretended to give up.

Goku fighting off Red Ribbon Army soldiers at the Headquarters

Feeling sad for Upa who lost his father to Tao, Goku decides that he will defeat the entire Red Ribbon Army and gather the Dragon Balls to bring his father back to life. Goku travels to the main Red Ribbon Army Headquarters to defeat them. While Goku is taking out several of the soldiers, Staff Officer Black kills Commander Red after learning that he just wants to be tall and not achieve world domination. Goku fights Black who uses a battle robot, Goku kills him defeating the entire army and gathering six of the Dragon Balls. When Goku leaves the base he sees all of his friends just outside of it ready to help him, but Goku tells them he already defeated them, greatly surprising everyone.

Battling Fortuneteller Baba's warriors

Main article: Fortuneteller Baba Saga

"I'm so happy to see you grandpa! I've missed you so much!" — Goku when seeing Grandpa Gohan again

Goku in a match against Grandpa Gohan

After Goku's victory against the Red Ribbon Army he is still missing one more Dragon Ball to revive Bora, but for some reason Bulma's Dragon Radar cannot locate it. Roshi tells Goku about his older sister Baba who can find anything. Goku sets out to Fortuneteller Baba's Palace with Yamcha, Krillin, Upa and Puar. Baba turns out to not be so generous, forcing them to fight her five strongest warriors to get their request. The first two warriors are taken care of by Goku's friends, but Yamcha is defeated by the third warrior, Bandages the Mummy. Goku, the team's last fighter, takes him out along with the fourth fighter, Spike the Devil Man in Devil's Toilet. After that, Goku is put up against the fifth fighter, who seems very familiar to Goku and Roshi (who had joined the group as a spectator). The mysterious fighter ruthlessly whips Goku around by his tail until it simply rips off. However, Goku is able to win the fight, and the fifth fighter is revealed to be his Grandpa Gohan, who was brought back from the Other World for a day. Baba reveals the Dragon Ball to be in a case Emperor Pilaf has. Goku confronts Pilaf in his new robot fused with Shu and Mai's robots, and easily defeats them. With all the Dragon Balls in his power, Goku is able to call Shenron and revives Bora. After the wish is granted, Goku grabs the four-star ball before the others scatter. Goku prepares for the next World Martial Arts Tournament by going out into the world and training himself by the request of Master Roshi. Goku ends up meeting a girl named Chao and saves her village from two bandits known as Terror and Plague. He later stumbles into a city where he meets Chin Taiken, the master of the Chin-Star School and defeats Sky Dragon, the master of the Panther-Fang School for the title of Master of Martial Arts. Goku goes to Demon Land and saves Princess Misa from Shula with the help of Gola and Melee. Goku later chases after a monster named InoShikaCho that he later finds out is working with two martial artists named Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu in scamming villages. Goku saves InoShikaCho when Tien and Chiaotzu betray him and with the help of Tanmen, he convinces everyone that he is good. After three years are up, Goku begins his travel to Papaya Island but gets a little delayed when his new friend Konkichi gets into trouble with a gang.

Meeting Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu

Main article: Tien Shinhan Saga

"You rely too much on tricks." — Goku towards Tien Shinhan

Goku easily defeating King Chappa, a former champion

By the time the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament starts, Goku is 15 years old, though he still looks like a preteen boy. Goku's strongest opponent is Tien Shinhan, a warrior trained by Master Roshi's nemesis, Master Shen - the Crane Hermit. Like Yamcha and Puar before them, Tien, along with his best friend Chiaotzu, will eventually side with Goku.

Goku Vs. Tien in the final round

In the preliminaries, Goku is set up against a champion from a previous World Tournament, King Chappa. Goku easily defeats him, and then goes on to defeat Pamput, a famous movie star, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals Goku is set up against his best friend Krillin, and defeats him after a fierce battle. Goku moves on to fight Tien and his Crane School style in the final round. Midway during the match, Goku is repeatedly paralyzed and pinned down by Chiaotzu and his Telekinesis technique, at the orders of Master Shen. After Goku is freed from Chiaotzu's Telekinesis, the match continues as normal until Tien decides to use the Tri-Beam attack to destroy the stage. In mid-air, Goku knocks out Tien by using a Kamehameha to swiftly propel himself into Tien's stomach. Falling at the same rate, Goku hits the ground first after crashing into a van, leaving Tien as the Tournament winner.

The evil King Piccolo

Main article: King Piccolo Saga

"It's time for your terror to end!!!" — Goku towards King Piccolo

Goku finds his best friend Krillin dead early in the King Piccolo Saga

Right after the conclusion of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, King Piccolo appears in scene. Goku accidentally left his belongings behind and when Krillin went to pick them up at the area, he is killed by Tambourine, one of King Piccolo's mutated sons. Goku becomes angry, and chases after him through the skies, but still being fatigued from the tournament, Goku is defeated by Tambourine and his Flying Nimbus is destroyed. While trying to recover in the wilderness, Goku sees a giant fish and eats it, which belonged to a samurai named Yajirobe, who has a Dragon Ball. Cymbal, another one of Piccolo's sons, is sent to get the Dragon Ball, but is killed by Yajirobe with his sword. After sensing Cymbal's death, Piccolo orders Tambourine to find his killer. Upon seeing Tambourine again, Goku finally destroys him^. King Piccolo feels this and arrives at Goku and Yajirobe's location, Yajirobe's Prairie. Soon after King Piccolo appears, he fights Goku. Goku knocks him down a couple of times. It is then revealed that Piccolo was holding back on his power, and then he swiftly defeats Goku with his Masenko attack, causing Goku's heart to stop for a short time. Piccolo then takes the Dragon Ball Yajirobe gave to Goku. Yajirobe takes Goku to Korin Tower to help him recover.

Goku meets Yajirobe

Meanwhile, Tien, Master Roshi and Chiaotzu try to stop King Piccolo from gathering the Dragon Balls, but fail and the latter two die in the attempt. King Piccolo calls Shenron and wishes for his youth to be restored, giving him the power he once had. King Piccolo then destroys Shenron, and goes on to King Furry's palace, in an attempt to rule the world.

Goku after drinking the Ultra Divine Water to become stronger

Once Goku is healed, he heads out on a quest to find the Ultra Divine Water, a sacred liquid that unleashes the drinker's hidden powers if they have any, or kills them. Goku drinks the water and survives, then heads off to King Furry's castle where he finds King Piccolo's newest son, Drum assaulting Tien Shinhan. Goku steps in and defeats Drum, knocking his eyeballs out with one kick, and challenges King Piccolo to a battle. Goku overpowers King Piccolo, even throwing him into the castle. King Piccolo eventually goes to full power, despite it shortening his life span, but still can not defeat Goku. King Piccolo fires his signature attack, the Explosive Demon Wave, at Goku, but Tien saves him by flying into the sky, but Goku's leg is broken. Towards the end of the fight, King Piccolo uses Tien as a hostage, attempting to force Goku to surrender. Goku nearly resumes the fight despite the fact that Tien will die, thinking he could revive Tien with the Dragon Balls, until King Piccolo tells him he had destroyed Shenron. This leaves Goku at King Piccolo's mercy.

Goku kills King Piccolo

Goku ends up with a broken arm and two broken legs as a result of Piccolo's onslaught. As King Piccolo takes to the skies for his final attack, Goku, full of rage over the fact that Krillin and Master Roshi are gone forever, launches himself at King Piccolo with the one arm he had left, punching a hole through his chest and killing him. Moments before King Piccolo's death however, he manages to spit out an egg far off in the distance that contains his final son and reincarnation, Piccolo Jr. to avenge his death and spread evil across the planet.

King Piccolo's reincarnation

Main article: Piccolo Jr. Saga

Goku challenging Mr. Popo at Kami's Lookout

After Goku defeats King Piccolo, he goes to Korin Tower, where Korin tells him about Kami's Lookout, and that Kami, being the one that created the Dragon Balls, may be able to revive Shenron. At Kami's Lookout Goku overcomes Mr. Popo's challenge of speed, and Kami, the Guardian of Earth, brings the Dragon Balls back by giving new life to Shenron. Using the Dragon Balls, Krillin, Chiaotzu and Master Roshi are resurrected. In return, Kami asks Goku to train with him and Mr. Popo for the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament to defeat Piccolo Jr., who wants revenge on Goku for killing his father. Goku's training consists of defeating Mr. Popo, who proves to be stronger than King Piccolo and for Goku to face a doll version of himself as a way of conquering his own self. With deep meditation, being still like a rock, but faster than lightning, Goku endures the toughest training of his life. During or after the training, Goku's tail is permanently taken off for the third and final time by Kami, who then makes a wish to the Eternal Dragon for the return of the moon.

Goku vs. Piccolo Jr. in the final round

Goku returns three years later at the age of 19 (considered himself 18), to meet up with his friends and join the tournament and grown into a young man that no one recognizes. In the preliminaries, Goku is put up against King Chappa, who wants to avenge his loss from three years prior, but fails again. In the quarterfinals Goku is matched up against an unknown female fighter who seems to know who Goku is, and knows the fighting style that Master Roshi teaches. After Goku defeats her, she reveals herself to be Chi-Chi, whom Goku had unknowingly promised to marry years before thinking marriage was a type of food. Before leaving the ring, Goku asks for her hand in marriage.

Goku attacking Piccolo

In the semi-finals, Goku is put up against Tien Shinhan to settle the score from the last tournament. Goku and Tien seem to be even, until Goku removes his weighted clothing and becomes much faster, winning the match and leaving him against Piccolo Jr. in the final round. Before the fight started, Piccolo had trapped Kami inside a bottle with the Evil Containment Wave technique and ate the bottle, putting Goku at a stalemate; if he kills Piccolo, Kami will die too. The fight goes on for a while, but when the word spreads that Piccolo Jr. is the son of King Piccolo, the crowd flees. Goku encourages Piccolo Jr. to transform into his Giant Form, tricking him to fly into his mouth to retrieve the bottle Kami was in. Afterwards, the stage is destroyed as they go into full battle. Goku seems to be doing quite well against Piccolo, using the Meteor Combination rush, seemingly knocking him out, but Piccolo blasts a hole in Goku's shoulder, seriously handicapping him. Piccolo then makes sure Goku has no arms or legs to use, saying he will not make the same mistake his father did, letting Goku have one free arm to kill him with in the end. As Goku is about to die, he discovers how to fly and uses that energy to avoid one of Piccolo's attacks. He then finishes Piccolo off with the last amount of energy he has left with a full force headbutt to the chest. After Goku is declared victor, he gives Piccolo Jr. a Senzu Bean to keep Kami alive and give himself a good rival.

Goku's wedding

After Goku defeats Piccolo Jr., he travels with Chi-Chi to the Ox-King's Village to prepare for their wedding. But fire erupts at the castle, trapping the Ox-King inside the flames. Goku and Chi-Chi travel to find the Bancho Fan that Master Roshi once threw away in order to put out the fire.When they find it, they are forced to fight Annin, a guardian of the border between the living world and the Other World. Goku defeats Annin and returns with the fan, which successfully extinguishes the fire. Goku and Chi-Chi get married, concluding the original Dragon Ball series.

Dragon Ball Z

Saiyan attack

Main article: Vegeta Saga

"That's enough! Even if it is true and I'm some kind of alien from another planet, or even if you really are my older brother, it doesn't matter, anyone who'd do the horrible things you say is no brother of mine! My name is Goku, and this is my home... and you're not welcome here!" — Goku towards Raditz (The Enemy is Goku's Brother?! The Secret of the Mighty Saiyan Warriors!)

Goku after getting a kick to the ribs from Raditz

At the start of the Dragon Ball Z series, Goku is 24 years old and is still living at Mount Paozu in a newly built house near his old house, with his wife Chi-Chi and their four year old son, Gohan, named after Goku's adoptive father, Grandpa Gohan. After saving Gohan from falling down a waterfall, Goku drops by the Kame House with his son, to introduce him to Bulma, Master Roshi and Krillin. All seems to be well, but suddenly, Goku senses a huge power nearby. The new threat arrives from space; Raditz, Goku's older brother. Raditz reveals to Goku his Saiyan heritage, and informs him that he was originally sent to Earth to destroy the planet's inhabitants and prepare it to be sold, but had forgotten about it due to his head injury as a baby. When Goku refuses to carry out his forgotten mission, Raditz delivers a single kick to Goku's ribs, knocking him down, and kidnaps Gohan, giving Goku an ultimatum: Raditz will kill Gohan unless Goku kills one hundred humans within the next twenty-four hours, and leaves them on the beach.

Goku and Raditz are killed by Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon

To defeat Raditz and save the Earth, Krillin and Master Roshi offer to help, but Goku does not accept their request, due to the fact that if they die again, they cannot be brought back, since they have already been killed. Piccolo, who had been listening to Raditz's speech while hiding behind the Kame House, asks Goku to help him fight this new being, so they join forces. When Piccolo and Goku find Raditz with Gohan locked up in his spacepod, Goku gives Raditz one last chance to free his son, but Raditz refuses. Goku and Piccolo both take off their weighted clothing to begin their fight. Even with their combined strength, Raditz still holds the upper hand. With the help of Gohan unleashing his inner powers to attack Raditz and weaken him, Goku and Piccolo are able to come up with a plan to win.

Goku running on the Snake Way

Goku makes the ultimate sacrifice by holding Raditz in place so Piccolo can kill him with the powerful Special Beam Cannon, which manages to kill both Raditz and Goku. Just before he dies, however, Raditz informs Piccolo and Goku that two even more powerful Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa are on their way to Earth, and will arrive in one year. With Krillin by his side, Goku dies, and Kami takes him to Other World where King Yemma tells Goku to take Snake Way to the planet of King Kai for additional training to defeat the Saiyans. During his journey, in filler, he encounters and escapes Princess Snake and even manages to escape Hell after accidentally falling off Snake Way.

Goku defeats Nappa

When Goku finally makes it to King Kai's planet, he mistakes King Kai's monkey, Bubbles, for the King himself, and he follows the monkey's actions until he meets the real King Kai. He is given ridiculous challenges before he starts his training, including having to tell King Kai a joke, catching Bubbles, and smashing his pet cricket, Gregory, on the head with a heavy hammer. Due to the planet's higher gravity, Goku struggles with the challenges, but eventually completes them. After that, Goku masters several new techniques and increases his strength considerably. His friends on Earth manage to wish him back to life using the seven Dragon Balls, but, due to a miscalculation on King Kai's part (he forgot to take into account the time it would take to get back) he still must travel back down Snake Way, which King Kai estimates will take about two days at Goku's current power level in order to reach Earth and join the battle against the Saiyans, which was already underway and going badly for the Z Fighters.

Goku about to fight Vegeta

By the time Goku arrives, Yamcha had been killed by a Saibaman, Chiaotzu had self-destructed in a failed attempt to kill Nappa, Tien Shinhan had killed himself by putting all his strength into a final but futile Spirit Tri-Beam, and Piccolo had sacrificed himself to save Gohan from a powerful attack launched by Nappa, which inadvertently killed Kami as well. Goku arrives on the scene, saving Gohan from Nappa's power, and when he is informed by Krillin that everybody else has died in the battle, Goku goes in a rage, powering up, surprising Vegeta with his new power. Much to everyone's surprise, Goku had become powerful enough to defeat Nappa without much difficulty, avoiding Nappa's attacks, and taking Nappa's ultimate, the Break Cannon, head on without a problem. When Nappa goes to kill Krillin and Gohan, Goku breaks Nappa's back with the Kaio-ken Finish, but Vegeta is the one who kills him at the end. When Goku begins his battle with Vegeta, they seem even. Vegeta gains the upper hand with even the Kaio-ken times two not working. Goku, in a desperate attempt, powers up to Kaio-ken times three, and overpowers Vegeta, causing Vegeta to go in a rage and attempt to destroy the planet with a Galick Gun. Goku's Kaio-ken Kamehameha and Vegeta's Galick Gun blasts collide, and Goku beats Vegeta in the Beam Struggle by going Kaio-ken times four, however, causing his body great pain. When Vegeta returns, he transforms into a Great Ape using a Power Ball, and Goku realizes he is the one who murdered his Grandfather, and apologizes for it, hoping for forgiveness.

Goku uses his Kaio-ken x3 attack against Vegeta

After a long battle, Vegeta is eventually defeated by Goku's Kaio-ken and Spirit Bomb techniques, and the timely intervention of his remaining companions Krillin, Gohan and Yajirobe. However Goku had been brutally beaten to near death, with his legs getting crushed and broken by Vegeta in his Great Ape form. After the fight, Krillin attempts to take Vegeta's life using Yajirobe's katana, but is stopped by Goku, who convinces him to spare his life to give him a second chance at changing his evil ways and hopes to have a rematch one day.

Journey to Namek

Main articles: Namek Saga, Captain Ginyu Saga, and Frieza Saga

"You seem to delight in seeing other people suffer. And you treat life like a disposable commodity! You destroy homes. You take the lives of innocent, peace-loving people. You even take the lives of children. And all of this for your own amusement or personal gain! Well, now, it's your turn!" — Goku towards Frieza

Goku easily defeats the mighty Recoome

After the battle with Vegeta, Goku is severely injured, and Korin is out of Senzu Beans, so Goku has to stay behind in Wukong Hospital with Chi-Chi while Gohan, Krillin and Bulma go to planet Namek to find the Namekian Dragon Balls in order to revive their fallen friends. After a few weeks, Korin grows a new batch of beans and sends Yajirobe to give one to Goku, which heals him completely. Goku then uses Dr. Brief's new spaceship, which he constructed from Goku's original Attack Ball, to go to Namek. During his trip to Namek, the artificial gravity machine in Goku's ship malfunctions, causing it to create 100x earth's gravity, nearly crushing Goku. When he is finally able to gain control of the machine, however, he decides to leave it on this high setting in order to train to fight Frieza. However King Kai advises him to steer clear of Frieza, claiming that he is the strongest being in the universe, and that Goku would stand no chance against his evil might.

Goku in Captain Ginyu's body, struggling to stay alive

Arriving on Namek, once again Goku enters a battle already in progress, this time saving Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta from the assault of Recoome, a member of Frieza's elite fighting squad, the Ginyu Force, who were called to dispose of the three. Goku heals the three of them with Senzu Beans, and shows his new powers by defeating Recoome with one elbow to the stomach, and then takes on Burter and Jeice together. Goku fools them into thinking his power level is only 5,000, because Goku rose his power in only the instant he attacked. After dodging Jeice and Burter's attacks, Goku then takes out Burter, but is taken by surprise by the leader of the Force, Captain Ginyu, who has the ability to switch bodies with anyone he sees fit. After a little sparring, Goku powers up in front of Ginyu, with his power level scaring Ginyu and Jeice, as it was much higher than theirs. Critically injuring himself, Captain Ginyu then swaps bodies with the more powerful Goku but is not able to fully control his new body and power. Vegeta takes this chance to battle him, seriously injuring Goku's body. Goku manages to get his body back after intercepting a beam sent by Captain Ginyu to swap bodies with Vegeta.

Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan for the first time after witnessing Frieza cut Piccolo down and Krillin's murder at the hands of Frieza

Goku's body, worn out and beaten, uses a Medical Machine inside Frieza's spaceship taking several hours to heal. When he emerges, once again it is to join a battle in progress, where Vegeta meets his doom against Frieza. Goku hears Vegeta's tearful departing speech about the torture Frieza inflicted on Vegeta and the Saiyans, and buries Vegeta and gives his respects. In anger, he declares that he will defeat Frieza in the name of the Saiyans and Namekians he killed. Goku and Frieza's battle begins, with Goku still having a decent amount of confidence in his abilities. Goku and Frieza start off evenly matched, but Frieza gains the upper hand and Goku is quickly overcome. Goku's confidence transforms into frustration and fright at Frieza's power. Even with Frieza giving himself handicaps (such as not using his hands), Goku still cannot out-match the tyrant. After Goku combines Kaio-ken x20 and his Kamehameha to no effect, Frieza starts pummeling Goku, but Goku remembers his Spirit Bomb ability, and decides to gather energy, leaving himself open. Piccolo (who had been resurrected and was transported to Namek to help), Gohan and Krillin attempt to distract Frieza from Goku so he can gather the energy. Finally, with all his might, Goku launches the attack, which hits a struggling Frieza, and seemingly destroys him, along with a good portion of Namek in a devastating explosion. Worn out, Goku begins to laugh, along with his friends, who believe Frieza has been defeated. But even Goku's most powerful attack, the Large Spirit Bomb, fails to kill Frieza. Finally, when Frieza kills Krillin and critically injures Piccolo, Goku, in anger, taps into his inner power reserves and transforms into a Super Saiyan. He eventually battles Frieza and dominates him. In desperation, Frieza uses his Death Saucer attack, creating two pink Destructo Discs and throwing them at Goku. Goku moves too quickly for the attack, and maneuvers himself so that Frieza is in between him and the disks. Goku yells a warning to Frieza, but Frieza is too slow and is cut in half, losing an arm in addition to his legs. The weak tyrant begs Goku to help him. Goku, believing that Frieza does not deserve to be forgiven or spared, gives him some of his energy as a show of mercy. Bitter at his defeat, Frieza uses it to launch a powerful energy wave at Goku. Goku notices the blast and fires an Angry Kamehameha at Frieza, defeating him.

The final battle on Planet Namek between Super Saiyan Goku and 100% Power Final Form Frieza

Goku then flies to Frieza's spaceship and presses buttons to try to cause the ship to fly, however it does not work and Frieza's spaceship falls into the lava. He quickly escapes Namek using one of the Ginyu Force space pods. The pod takes Goku to Planet Yardrat, which was going to be the Ginyu Force's next target. His friends, who were teleported to Earth by a wish made with the Namekian Dragon Balls, believe him to be dead. However, months later, when they attempt to revive Goku and Krillin by warping them to the check-in station, they learn that Goku is alive. When they decide to transport him back to Earth, he declines, stating that he'll return later. While on Yardrat, Goku learns a new technique called the Instant Transmission.

The Androids

Main articles: Trunks Saga and Androids Saga

"You might think you know everything there is to know about me... but really, you're not even close." — Goku towards Dr. Gero and Android 19

Future Trunks tests Goku's abilities in combat

Two years later, at the age of 27, Goku returns to Earth where he is confronted by Trunks, the half-Saiyan son of Vegeta and Bulma from the future. The teenage Super Saiyan had just killed both Mecha-Frieza and his father King Cold a few moments before Goku's arrival. Trunks then tests Goku's strength in battle by assaulting him furiously with his sword, which Goku knocks away multiple times with one finger (albeit charged with energy), claiming that he knew Trunks would not use his full power.

Goku returns home

Satisfied, Trunks gives Goku medicine for a heart virus that he will contract in one or two years, telling him to use it when he starts feeling the virus' effects. Future Trunks also warns him about two androids that will threaten the Earth in three years. Goku, Gohan and Piccolo then spend the next three years training for this new threat. However, Future Trunk's visit somehow alters the onset of the virus, so it does not manifest during those three years (six months prior to the Androids arrival), and therefore Goku does not use the medicine seeing no point in taking it when there seems to be nothing wrong with him..

Super Saiyan Goku battles with Android 19

Three years later, two androids, Dr. Gero (as Android 20) and Android 19, appear and attack a city. The Z Fighters confront them, and Yamcha is first to be attacked, having been impaled by Dr. Gero's hand and having his energy stolen. However, he is saved by the use of a Senzu Bean, and the Z Fighters lead the two killing machines out of the city to fight. Despite being a Super Saiyan, Goku is bested by Android 19 when he begins to drastically weaken from the heart disease he was warned of, which starts manifesting itself during the fight. However, Vegeta, who now is a Super Saiyan as well, manages to save Goku before he can be defeated by the androids, and, after toying with it for a bit, destroys Android 19 with ease, enjoying the battle greatly. Yamcha takes Goku to Chi-Chi to get the medicine that will save his life from the killer virus. Meanwhile, the rest of the Z Fighters learn from Trunks, who has returned to help them fight the androids, that history had somehow been altered, and that the androids of his time, Future Android 17 and Future Android 18, had not been the ones they were fighting. Soon after, Dr. Gero states he will unleash No.17 and No.18, and he flees from the battlefield. They try to stop Dr. Gero from activating them but fail. However, once Dr. Gero activates 17 and 18, they are revealed to be unruly and kill him, and activate another android, Android 16, as well, who was solely created to be Goku's assassin.

Combatting Cell

Main articles: Imperfect Cell Saga, Perfect Cell Saga, and Cell Games Saga

"Remember all the pain he's caused, the people he's hurt... NOW MAKE THAT YOUR POWER!!!" — Goku encouraging Gohan to defeat Cell

Goku and Gohan emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber as Full-Power Super Saiyans

While the Z-Fighters try and fail to stop the androids, Piccolo (who had recently fused with Kami) discovers a new threat named Cell, a large biological life form created by Dr. Gero, made with DNA taken from Goku, his allies, and foes they fought in the past. Cell was designed to absorb Androids 17 and 18 in order to achieve a perfect state, kill Goku, and conquer the cosmos. Cell hunts down the androids and absorbs Android 17, transforming into his second stage. Meanwhile, Goku heals from his sickness and takes Gohan, Vegeta, and Future Trunks to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber at Kami's Lookout to obtain a year of training in one day under heavy gravity and incredibly volatile temperatures. Vegeta and Future Trunks go in first and while Goku and Gohan enter the Time Chamber next, go to find and fight Cell. While in the chamber, Goku gets to 3rd Grade Super Saiyan and Gohan believes that Goku can beat Cell with this power, however Goku explains that his speed has decreased in that form and the power to keep the form is too much. Goku realizes that half Saiyan hybrids like Future Trunks can turn Super Saiyan, so he trains Gohan intensely and helps him become a Super Saiyan as well. During this training, Goku notices that the potential Gohan has can easily surpass Goku's own powers, especially after Gohan managed during their training to transform into an unprecedented Super Saiyan level before losing consciousness during a training session, and that, if he is unable to kill Cell, Gohan will.

Goku arrives on King Kai's planet via Instant Transmission

While Goku trains, Cell absorbs Android 18 and reaches his perfect form thanks to Vegeta's interests to fight Cell in his perfect form. Vegeta was easily defeated when he challenged Cell, as did Trunks, who failed because his new 3rd Grade Super Saiyan Form had too much muscle mass to hit Cell quick enough, a flaw Goku noticed in the chamber. After Goku and Gohan finish their training, Cell announces that he will be holding the Cell Games in ten more days, in order to give a chance to anyone who wants to challenge him. For ten days, Goku and Gohan stay on Earth to train and relax while maintaining their Super Saiyan form the entire time. Goku also uses this time to travel to New Namek to ask Dende to be the new guardian of Earth, as Piccolo had fused with Kami in an attempt to stop Cell, and the fusion had made the Dragon Balls useless. After Dende creates new Dragon Balls based on the old ones, Goku searches for those reactivated Dragon Balls in order to use them after they defeat Cell to correct everything Cell had put wrong.

Full-Power Super Saiyan Goku wages a titanic battle against Perfect Cell

After ten days have passed, the Z Fighters head to the Cell Games. After the supposed strongest person on Earth, Mr. Satan, is easily defeated, Goku offers to be the first Z Fighter to fight Cell, believing that he is no match for the villain in order to truly test Cell's abilities. Goku finds himself almost equally matched but still at a disadvantage against a heavily suppressed Perfect Cell in every way, and cannot seem to gain the upper hand after many attempts. Even after trying the Instant Kamehameha (a combination of the Instant Transmission and Kamehameha), which destroys Perfect Cell's upper half, he watches in horror as the android regenerates easily, thanks to Piccolo's cells in his body. After getting tired and worn out, Goku decides to give up and leave the battle to Gohan, whom he is convinced has the hidden power necessary to defeat Cell. Gohan then states that Goku had been holding back, only to learn he had not, leading to the conclusion that Gohan may be stronger than Goku, who was fighting at full power. Gohan then powers up to a point where his energy eclipses even Goku's, and fights with Cell, but halfheartedly. After Gohan tells Cell that when he gets angry he gets much stronger, Cell starts to get curious and tries to force Gohan's inner powers out of him by making his children, the Cell Jrs, attack Gohan's friends and his father. All the Z fighters cannot beat the Cell Jrs, including Goku, who was worn out from his battle with Cell. After Android 16 attempted self destruct on Cell, who blasted him, 16 asks Mr. Satan to bring him (his remaining Android head) to Gohan, and he then tries to convince Gohan that fighting is sometimes needed. When Cell destroys Android 16's head, this triggers a change in Gohan, forcing him to ascend to Super Saiyan 2, a form in which he greatly surpasses Perfect Cell, even after the behemoth decides to unleash his earth-shattering Full Power and a further powered up Power Weighted form, which Gohan easily overcomes to the point of forcing him to regurgitate Android 18 because of the damage he has sustained.

Goku says farewell to his family and friends before going to Other World

When a beaten Cell tries to destroy the Earth as a last resort, Goku is forced to step in with his "Instant Transmission" technique when Cell is about to trigger his self-destruction. He teleports them both to King Kai's Planet, where he is killed by the explosion Cell caused, along with King Kai and his pets Bubbles and Gregory. However, Cell is able to reconstruct himself as Super Perfect Cell, a trick even Cell himself did not know he had, and uses the recently learned Instant Transmission to go back to Earth. Goku then motivates Gohan from the Other World to help fuel Gohan's Kamehameha wave against the reconstructed Super Perfect Cell, which, after a lengthy beam lock, successfully obliterates him. After Cell's defeat, Goku insists that he should stay dead, even though they could resurrect him, because he has attracted too many problems to Earth, like Frieza and the Red Ribbon Androids. Goku decides it will be safer for Earth if he does not return, and Earth has Gohan to protect it if needed.

The Otherworld Tournament

Main article: Great Saiyaman Saga

"I didn't know it was going to be that kind of fight..." — Goku to Pikkon after transforming into a Super Saiyan

Goku fighting Pikkon

During a filler portion only seen within the anime, Goku is shown on Snake Way with King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory after the battle with Cell left the great king without his planet. King Kai insists they head to the Grand Kai's planet to go see the Grand Kai and enter the Other World Tournament. The winner would be trained personally by the mighty Grand Kai himself. When they arrive, they confront King Kai's rival, the West Kai, accompanied by his strongest fighter, Pikkon. Grand Kai instructs Pikkon to travel to Hell and stop Cell, Frieza, King Cold, and the Ginyu Force from causing havoc. Goku accompanies Pikkon to the fight and takes down the Ginyu Force, only to be astonished when Pikkon takes down Cell with ease, and proceeds to fell Frieza and King Cold with one blow. Upon his return to King Kai, Goku is welcomed by many of King Kai's powerful warriors, such as Olibu, who was once the hero of Earth. During the Tournament, Goku easily makes his way through the tournament by defeating Caterpy of the South Kai, Arqua of the East Kai, and Maraikoh of the West Kai. Goku then faces off with Pikkon in the finals. After a long fight, they are both disqualified on a technicality, but the Grand Kai allows them both to train under him. Over the next seven years, while Goku is training in Other World he achieves Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3, the latter of which boosts his power even beyond his already powerful Super Saiyan 2, but delivers an excruciating strain and immeasurable ki consumption.

The evil wizard Babidi

Main articles: World Tournament Saga and Babidi Saga

"Why'd I have to get this guy? Sure he's big, but he kinda looks dumb to me." — Goku commenting on Yakon's appearance

Goku and Fortuneteller Baba during the World Martial Arts Tournament

Seven years later, at the chronological age of 37 (physically about 30 due to current death, having almost made back the full year of his previous death in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber), Goku is given special permission to return to Earth for one day to participate in the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament, which he knows Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks, and his youngest son Goten, will be attending. Upon his return he meets his second child, Goten, who had been born after his death in the Cell Games, and Videl, Gohan's girlfriend from his high school who is the daughter of Mr. Satan, the fraud who received the credit for saving the world from Cell. Goku was going to be set up against Vegeta in the 6th match, finally being able to settle their rivalry, but had to be postponed because Videl was beaten badly by the supposed weakling Spopovich, who, along with Yamu, is controlled by the evil wizard Babidi. While Gohan is matched up against Kibito (the assistant of the Supreme Kai, who was in the tournament as well), Spopovich and Yamu both steal Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 energy and left the tournament while all the Z Fighters in the tournament ditched the tournament to follow them to Babidi.

Goku continues to power up his energy, causing Yakon to explode from over-consumption

The Supreme Kai and his assistant, Kibito, introduced themselves and informed the Z Fighters about the plans of Babidi who wishes to bring destruction and terror across the whole universe by bringing back his extremely evil monster puppet by the name of Majin Buu. The Z Warriors follow Spopovich to Babidi's ship where they are ambushed by Dabura, the powerful ruler of the Demon Realm, who kills Kibito and turns Krillin and Piccolo to stone. Goku, Gohan, Vegeta and the Supreme Kai enter Babidi's ship and they take turns defeating each of his minions on each room of the ship, their power leaving Supreme Kai in awe. Goku fights Yakon who absorbs his energy, but Goku kills him by overpowering and exploding him. While Gohan is against Dabura, Vegeta complains that he can do better. When Babidi hears that, he possesses Vegeta through the evil in his heart and turns him into Majin Vegeta making him evil once again. Goku and Vegeta are both transported to a deserted landscape for them to settle their battle, while Gohan and the Supreme Kai continue on to stop Babidi.

The ancient monster, Majin Buu

Main article: Majin Buu Saga

"Buu, I'm a man of courtesy, as well as strength, and I have to say, I've battled beings from beyond nameless galaxies and you by far are the best." — Goku toward Majin Buu

Super Saiyan 2 Goku and Majin Vegeta clash in a titanic battle

Goku and Majin Vegeta have an earth-shattering battle which gives more than enough energy for Majin Buu's awakening. Although they are evenly matched at Super Saiyan 2, Goku ends the fight when he senses that Majin Buu has been released and pleads with Vegeta to help him defeat Majin Buu. In a false show of agreement, Vegeta knocks Goku out from behind while he is getting a Senzu Bean out of a bag. Vegeta then eats the only Senzu Bean left and flies off to face Majin Buu alone.

Goku at Kami's Lookout

‎ Upon awakening, Goku could sense neither Vegeta nor Gohan anywhere and comes to the conclusion that they have been killed in the battle (when actually Gohan was narrowly saved by the badly injured Supreme Kai, and only Vegeta died in a vain attempt to try and eradicate Majin Buu). He heads to Kami's Lookout and is healed by Dende, who confirms that Vegeta sacrificed himself in an attempt to destroy Majin Buu. After transporting everyone to the Lookout, he tells the bad news to them. With the little time he has left on Earth, with the help of Piccolo, he decides to teach Trunks and Goten the Fusion Dance, which he learned from Metamorans while in Other World, so they may form one immensely powerful being that might stand a chance against Majin Buu.

Super Saiyan 3 Goku dominates Majin Buu in battle

‎After finding out that the Dragon Radar is still in West City and Majin Buu is about to cause more destruction, Goku decides to distract him while allowing Trunks to head into West City and retrieve the Dragon Radar before it is destroyed along with everything else in West City by Majin Buu, otherwise they will never be able to find the Dragon Balls. Goku teleports to Majin Buu's location, and shows him and everyone (via Babidi's telepathy) the incredible power of the new Super Saiyan 3 form, whose energy could be sensed all the way to Supreme Kai's planet. Goku then engages in a fight with Majin Buu, whom he overpowers blow for blow. Amazingly, Majin Buu is still having a good time and enjoying the fight, even forcing Goku to narrowly deflect an imitated version of his own Kamehameha wave, which chips over a tenth of the Earth. He later states, that he probably could have won, but that he wanted to leave it in the hands of Gohan, Trunks, and Goten because he will not be there forever, and that they need to have a shot at saving the universe instead of a dead fighter. Unfortunately, the action of sustaining Super Saiyan 3 to briefly fight with Buu shortens Goku's time on Earth and he is forced to return to the Other World.

Goku says farewell to his family and friends before going back to the Otherworld

Once Goku has returned to Other World, he learns that his son, Gohan, is not dead, but in fact training with the Supreme Kai on the Kai Planet teleporting there only to just miss having his head removed by Gohan practicing with The Z Sword. Gohan has been training with the legendary Z Sword, and to test its strength, the Supreme Kai summons a block of the densest metal in the universe, Kachin, as testing material. Goku throws the cube at Gohan, expecting the Z Sword to slice the block in half. Instead the sword snaps in half and from it emerges Old Kai, who tells them that he will fully unlock Gohan's potential with a ritual.

Fusion plan

Main article: Fusion Saga

"Wake up! Majin Buu's eaten everyone we care about! Everyone is gone, even Bulma! They've become part of Buu, they can't even die! I just thought the least we could do is put our old differences aside, just this once, and really work together. We owe that to our teammates, our families Vegeta, our friends! Look, you've always talked about our Saiyan race, how we're the last of a mighty people. Well it's time to accept we're starting a new race, one that can be just as strong, just as proud! But not if we're caught up in so much of our old birthrights to see what we have right in front of us! We've lost our old race Vegeta... let's not lose this one, too!" — Goku towards Vegeta

Goku preparing to Fight Super Buu (Gotenks Absorbed)

Through a crystal globe, Goku watches the fight between Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks and Super Buu with much anticipation, amazed that the two boys who, alone, could only access the Super Saiyan state were able to achieve Super Saiyan 3 so quickly when fused. As Gotenks is about to finish Super Buu after a lengthy battle, he reverts to his base form and quickly defuses. Gohan (after having his hidden power released) then arrives, effortlessly thrashing Buu with his newfound powers, but Super Buu escapes by self-destructing until Goten and Trunks can fuse again an hour later, and he then absorbs Gotenks and Piccolo, gaining the upper hand.

Vegito, the result of the Potara Fusion between Goku and Vegeta

When Gohan fails due to Super Buu's stolen powers, Old Kai gives his life to Goku so that he may return to Earth to help Gohan. Goku is also given Potara Earrings so that he can fuse with Gohan in order to create an unmatched warrior that would easily destroy Buu without even the need to transform according to Old Kai. When Goku arrives on the battlefield, much to the surprise of Gohan and Super Buu, he cuts Super Buu in half with a Destructo Disc and tosses one of the earrings to Gohan. Gohan misses for the grab, and Goku tells Gohan to hurry and find the earring. He stalls Super Buu, fighting as a Super Saiyan 3. After the fight, Gotenks defuses inside Super Buu, and his power drops to almost 1/3 of his original power. Goku states that he is not much of a threat anymore, and realizes that they can beat Super Buu easily. However, Gohan is absorbed when Super Buu catches him off-guard. At this moment of despair, the newly resurrected Vegeta appears, and after Goku teleports there and convinces his stubborn rival, two of the most powerful remaining Saiyans fuse to become Vegito.

Super Vegito dominates Super Buu

Vegito then easily thrashes Super Buu, even with Gohan absorbed. Super Buu tries every technique and attack he has got against the fused Saiyans, but Vegito manages to dodge by all of them without much trouble. After a lengthy fight, the mighty Vegito wins easily. However, supposedly due to Vegeta's arrogance in not simply finishing Buu off, Vegito is eventually absorbed by Super Buu, with a Saiyan Shield protecting him. However, it is later revealed that he chose to be absorbed on purpose because he wanted to rescue his friends and family before killing Super Buu.

Super Saiyan Goku and Vegeta fight Super Buu inside his body

Inside Buu, Vegito automatically separates into the two Saiyans due to the properties of Super Buu's digestive system. While in the stomach, Goku is attacked by enzymes that quickly cover his body, making him sticky and burning him in pain. While Goku struggle to get enzymes off, a roundworm shows up. Goku is almost eaten by the roundworm until he finally blasts the enzymes off his body. After traveling through Super Buu's body, Goku and Vegeta reach Super Buu's brain where they find Gohan, Trunks, Goten, and Piccolo, unconscious but still alive. After freeing them and having to fight Super Buu inside his own body, Vegeta decides to remove the unconscious fat Majin Buu from Super Buu. Despite pleas from Super Buu, Vegeta pulls the fat Majin Buu free and Super Buu undergoes another transformation. Goku and Vegeta then escape from Super Buu's body with the newly rescued Z Fighters. Super Buu then transforms back to his original form, Kid Buu.

The final battle

Main article: Kid Buu Saga

"Majin Buu is so much stronger than anyone I've ever faced before... but I know there's still a way to win!" — Goku after saving Vegeta

Super Saiyan 3 Goku beating up Kid Buu

Outside, Goku rescues Mr. Satan, his dog Bee, and Dende, but fails in saving Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo before the newly transformed Kid Buu destroys the Earth in an extreme show of power (Vegeta previously stopped him from doing this with a much smaller blast that could still take out the planet, but he then charged a huge ball they could not deflect in response). Kibito Kai teleports in and saves Vegeta, Goku, Dende, and Mr. Satan by bringing them to the Sacred World of the Kais. After regenerating, Kid Buu sets out to find Goku and Vegeta by copying Kibito Kai's instantaneous movement technique (in the manga original, he teleports to Goku's location instantly). When Kid Buu finds them, Vegeta and Goku have a Rock-Paper-Scissors match to see who fights first. Goku wins and fights Buu. In the Anime, he starts the fight as a Super Saiyan 2, but eventually transforms into Super Saiyan 3. When he is a Super Saiyan 3, he fights evenly with Kid Buu for a short time, taking the advantage often. However, Goku had failed to account for the strain that fighting in a living body would have on him, and soon becomes exhausted. He attempts to gather up his strength while Vegeta distracts Buu in his Super Saiyan 2 form (getting mercilessly beaten in the process), but his Super Saiyan 3 transformation drains him of his energy reserves and he soon loses the ability to maintain the form. At Vegeta's suggestion, Goku begins gathering energy for a Super Spirit Bomb that would employ all the available energies of the Earth and its occupants (he does this to have the Earth "save itself for once").

Goku charges the Super Spirit Bomb to destroy Kid Buu

"Adios. I'll be waiting for you, Majin Buu!" — Goku's lines before throwing the Super Spirit Bomb

Using King Kai's telepathy, Vegeta speaks to the newly revived people of Earth and begs for everyone to donate power to Goku's Spirit Bomb, which they are hesitant to do. Everyone on New Namek and the Other World give energy for the Super Spirit Bomb and possibly many other planets as well, along with Goku's close friends. Meanwhile, Fat Majin Buu, while trying to hold off Kid Buu, falls in battle leaving a battered Vegeta to protect Goku while he forms the Super Spirit Bomb. Eventually, Mr. Satan finally convinces everyone on the newly regenerated Earth to give Goku all the energy he needs to destroy Kid Buu once and for all. With the contribution of power from Earth, Goku launches the Super Spirit Bomb. But as impossible as it seems, Kid Buu actually stops the Spirit Bomb and slowly begins to push it back at Goku. Vegeta realizes Goku used the rest of his power to gather and form the bomb and has nothing left to defeat Buu.

Goku in his prime in the end of Dragon Ball Z

Using the last wish from the Namekian Dragon (the first two were spent restoring Earth to its normal condition and then reviving all those who died since Babidi's arrival except the evil ones), Dende wishes for Goku's full power to be restored. With his power restored, Goku powers up the Super Spirit Bomb even more, transforms into a Super Saiyan, and stops Kid Buu's forward progress and the Super Spirit Bomb comes back to Kid Buu. After several moments reflecting over the events that led to this moment, Goku makes one last wish to himself, that Kid Buu be reborn as a good being so they can fight again one day. With the blessing of Earth's residents, Goku destroys Kid Buu. According to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, at some point after the defeat of Kid Buu, Kibito Kai meets Goku and shows him a few stories never shown before as a thanks for Goku's help in saving the world. These stories include: "Dream Match: Goku vs. Arale", "Affectionate Android", "Galaxy Battle", and "Unexpected Help". After viewing these worlds, Goku wishes to view more, but Kibito Kai reveals that this is as far as he can guide Goku through the different possibilities. Goku is okay with it, and is amazed at how much he did not know about the universe and decides to train even more.

Ten years later

Goku takes Uub in as his student

With the passing of 10 years, at age 47 (physically about 40), Goku kept training despite the fact that Earth was at peace. He is shown training with his youngest son, Goten, after a ten-year time period between the Kid Buu Saga and the 28th Martial Arts Tournament. When the tournament comes around, Goku forces Goten to cancel his date to enter and Goten shows disdain toward Goku's ruling. During the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku battles Majin Buu's reincarnation, Uub, who was born after King Yemma heard his request made 10 years ago. However, Uub was experiencing an extreme bout of Stage Fright, so Goku was forced to make several insults towards his family and obscene gestures to try and get him angry enough to fight and overcome his fear.

Goku and Uub in the final scene of the DBZ series

After a short, yet intense battle, Goku apologizes and explains to Uub that his insults were simply meant to coax him into using his true power. Goku then takes Uub to train him to one day help in being the protector of the planet, although he later tells Uub that after the training, he desires to fight him again not only to discover the strongest out of the two, but the strongest in the entire universe. Then they fly off in the distance, ending the series, and in the Kanzenban manga, giving his new disciple his old Nimbus Cloud.

Dragon Ball Super

Six months after the defeat of Kid Buu, Goku is working as a radish farmer in order to gain money by Chi-Chi's demand. While plowing the field, he encounters a tree stump and says that the stump is "as stubborn as Vegeta". As he was saying this, Goten appears with lunch for Goku and asks Goten why he isn't in school but Goten says it was a Sunday. Goku tells Goten to work the tractor while he eats. After he was finished eating, Goku starts training in Super Saiyan, causing Goten to fall off the mountain side. Goku quickly notices and uses Instant Transmission to save the tractor and Goten. He explains to Goten that he needs watch what he's doing so that he could train in case a stronger foe than Majin Buu appears.
After Goten tells Goku that he and Trunks had gotten Videl a wedding gift, Mr. Satan arrives to offer Goku 100 million Zeni, as a way to say thank you for helping him defeat Buu. Goku initially declines, not understanding how large a sum 100 million actually is, and tells him to give it to Vegeta but Mr. Satan says that the Briefs is richer than he is. Goten reminds Goku that if he gave Chi-Chi all of the money, he could easily quit his job and go train with King Kai. At Mr. Satan and Goten's recommendation, Goku accepts the other, and after talking with Chi-Chi, transports to King Kai's planet to continue his training.

Dragon Ball GT

Search for the Black Star Dragon Balls

Main article: Black Star Dragon Ball Saga

"So, does this mean I have to go back to school now?" — Goku after being turned into a child

In Dragon Ball GT, at the age of 52 (physically 50; before the wish by Shenron turning him to a small child), Goku has finished training Uub, and they have just finished testing their abilities against one another in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Soon after Uub leaves the lookout and Goku finds out what is going on, an accidental wish by Emperor Pilaf transforms Goku back into a child. This wish was made on the Black Star Dragon Balls. As a result, Goku must travel the galaxy and return them to Earth to prevent the planet from exploding from the negative energy created by the wish.

Goku during Dragon Ball GT

After leaving Earth in the spaceship designed by Bulma, a piece of the ship falls off and Goku, Trunks, and Pan are forced to crash land on the planet Imecka to get the parts needed to repair the ship. Groups of merchants swarm Goku and the others and they have to go to the gold star hotel to hide from the swarms of sellers. They then realize they are being charged every second for everything in the hotel including the lights. They escape without paying and stumble upon the house of an old couple and their children. They talk about Don Kee, the ruler of the planet, and how he mistreats his people. Just then, Don Kee's men come and repossess the old couple's house saying they where behind on payment. Goku suggests that they go and fight Don Kee, but the couple says that is impossible because of his grand army. On their way back to the ship Trunks drops the Dragon Radar and it is swallowed by a small robot named T-2006, nicknamed Giru, who says that he can not give the radar back to them because it is already integrated into his system. Meanwhile, Goku notices the ship being dragged away by Don Kee's men. He tries to use Instant Transmission to teleport them to the ship, but after two failed attempts, he realizes that he can not use it with his small body. They are forced to travel to Don Kee's palace on foot to recover their ship. Pan decides that they will use a stealth operation to recover the ship and would only result to fighting as a last resort. After briefly sneaking around a large rock falls on Trunks' head and Giru starts making noises that alarm the guards. The guards open fire on Goku and the others and Pan says that they must fight now, so Goku agrees. Pan jumps in the carrying car while Goku moves the ship onto the car and Pan drives the ship out of the palace with Goku and Trunks. While escaping, Don Kee's henchmen Gale and Sheela fire a combined Energy Wave at Goku, but Goku deflects it back with ease towards Ledgic, Don Kee's right-hand man who recognizes them as Saiyans. Goku and the others escape but Trunks says they have to go back into town for more parts due to Pan's "reckless driving".

Goku in child form during Dragon Ball GT

Once they reach the town, everyone hides and Trunks finds the three of them on Imecka's most wanted list. While running from Don Kee's soldiers, they fall into the house of a nice old couple who offer them food after realizing Goku and company mean no harm. They say that Don Kee made it a law that no one is allowed to own a ship so that no one would escape the planet including the old couple. Pan gets fed up and convinces Goku and Trunks to go face Don Kee head on. They turn themselves in to the police and get brought to the palace. Once there, Goku, Trunks and Pan incapacitate Gale, Sheela, and all of Don Kee's guards. Then Goku blasts his way into Don Kee's throne-room. Don Kee sicks Ledgic on the fighters after capturing Pan in an energy chamber. Ledgic says that he will fight Goku, but for his own satisfaction. After a short fight, Goku defeats Ledgic as a Super Saiyan and they take down Don Kee and make him give everyone free rent and give them back their ships free of charge. Plus Don Kee gives them the parts they need for free and they leave Imecka. They then land on an unnamed planet where everything is larger than life. Goku finds the Four Star Ball in the tooth of a giant and they go to the next planet. On planet Gelbo, they find the Six-Star Dragon Ball in the hair of the princess of the village, Leena. Trunks asks for the ball but her fiancé Doma said that they were in a large problem already. The amphibian creature Zoonama was threatening the village with his power to create earthquakes and volcano eruptions by shaking his whiskers if they did not give him a wife. Goku decides that he would help them out in exchange for the Dragon Ball and they agree. Pan comes up with the idea to disguise Goku as Leena but it does not work out, so Trunks poses as Leena instead. Zoonama comes and starts getting impatient waiting for Leena and threatens to shake his whiskers. Then Trunks arrives dressed as Leena and Zoonama takes him to his layer. Trunks gets Zoonama tipsy and Goku arrives with Pan and Doma. Doma slices off Zoonama's left whisker with a huge pair of scissors and as he cuts off the left one, Zoonama awakens in a drunken rage. He begins to wiggle his whiskers and an earthquake begins to come, but stops soon after while Zoonama continues to wiggle his whisker. Pan realizes that he can not cause earthquakes, he can only predict them. But now he is so tipsy that he did not realize that the quake was over. Suddenly a really big earthquake erupts and Goku and the others leave the cavern with Zoonama. Goku then stops the huge volcano with a Kamehameha, saving the city and winning the Dragon Ball. Just as they are leaving the planet, Bon Para, one of the mysterious Para Brothers, arrives and takes the ball from Pan's hands using his telekinesis. In shock, the three Z Fighters just watch as he leaves.

Goku, Pan and Trunks arrive on Rudeeze to search for a Dragon Ball

Goku then jumps in the ship with Pan and Trunks and they chase after the Para Brothers' spaceship. The brothers trick them onto the asteroid, Beehay, inhabited by huge bloodthirsty worm-like creatures called Mouma. The Para Brothers escape and fly to the planet Luud. They go to Cardinal Mutchy Mutchy, who tells them that they have failed and that Goku has another Dragon Ball on his ship that they failed to get and they must go retrieve it. They travel back to find Goku and the others and they get hypnotized by the Para Para Boogie until they are saved by the hungry Mouma after they wake up. Pan goes aboard the Para Brothers' ship to find the Dragon Ball that they stole. She accidentally activates the auto-pilot and is brought to Luud. There she is captured and turned into a doll for the evil lord, Dolltaki. Goku shows up with Trunks and kills Cardinal Mutchy Mutchy, who reveals that he is actually two parts the body and the whip transforms into Mutchie and fights Goku. Trunks finishes Mutchie off with the Brave Cannon and saves Goku from his whip arms. Then Dolltaki turns everyone except for Goku, himself, Trunks, and Pan into dolls and feeds them to the machine deity, Luud. Dolltaki then awakens Luud who takes him and Pan inside of his body to gain their energy. While Luud fights Goku and Trunks, Pan forces Dolltaki to tell her the weakness of the seemingly invincible Luud. Dolltaki reveals that Goku must strike the outside of Luud's mechanical heart while Pan strikes the inside at exactly the same time. After multiple tries, Goku finally succeeds and destroys Luud freeing all of the people including Pan who is turned back to normal. Goku then takes back his Dragon Ball and they leave the planet.

Battling Baby, the evil parasite

Main article: Baby Saga

"Then that's what I'll do. I know where Baby's hiding right now, and if everything goes smoothly, Earth and all her people will be back to normal by the end of the day. Mr. Satan, you'll take care of Pan." — Super Saiyan 4 Goku before fighting Baby Vegeta

Goku engages Baby Vegeta

As our heroes arrive on the supposedly deserted planet M-2, they continue on their quest for the Black Star Dragon Balls. They find themselves caught in a trap by the planet's inhabitants, mutant robots, and that Giru was deceiving them all along. Pan manages to escape and later rescues Goku who does battle with the robotic group of commandos known as the Sigma Force and their leader General Rilldo. However, both he and Pan are captured again and taken to Dr. Myuu for studying. Giru has a change of heart though and manages to rescue the trio thanks to a clever plan by Trunks. It is then that we see Myuu's true creation, Baby, who breaks free from his containment after being revived, but stopped by Goku and the others. However, as a defeated and injured Dr. Myuu escapes, a piece of Baby's scattered remains jumps onto his skin, later busting out of Dr. Myuu and reforming into his original state. Baby, is in fact the last surviving Tuffle, the original inhabitants of Planet Vegeta (Planet Plant). Baby is a machine mutant who was created by Dr. Myuu; however, Baby states that he is Dr. Myuu's master, and that Dr. Myuu was designed to revive him.

Super Saiyan 3 Goku is overtaken by the power of Super Baby Vegeta

Goku, Trunks, and Pan arrive on Earth to return the Black Star Dragon Balls, but soon discover that Baby has infected the population with mind-controlling eggs and chosen Vegeta as his new host. After a short fight with Baby, Goku discovers that he can not sustain Super Saiyan 3 while still being a child. After being pummeled by Baby Vegeta, Goku is weak and defenseless. During this fight, however, Goku learns of Baby's one weakness; he is sensitive to taunts, and easily angered. Meanwhile, Baby uses the Revenge Death Ball to finish off Goku, but Kibito Kai arrives just as the bomb strikes to save Goku and bring him to the Sacred World of the Kais.

Super Saiyan 4 Goku dominates Super Baby Vegeta

There, Old Kai hatches a plan to "solve Goku's energy problem" by re-growing Goku's tail. Progress is slow at first, but Goku has an idea about how to accelerate the process. After a very painful procedure where the tail is pulled out by a pair of pliers, Goku returns to the Tuffle planet (where most of Earth's residents had migrated to) to confront Baby. During the long and hard battle with Baby Vegeta, Goku is able to sustain his Super Saiyan 3 form, but is still unable to win. As he lies on the ground, defenseless, he gazes at Earth and realizes he has failed it. But instead of dying, looking at the Earth causes Goku to transform into the form of a Golden Great Ape. With Pan's help, Goku is able to regain control of himself and become a Super Saiyan 4.

Goku fires a 10x Kamehameha to destroy Baby

Baby Vegeta is no match against a Super Saiyan 4. In desperation, Bulma (who's under Baby's control) uses a Blutz Wave Generator that causes Baby Vegeta to transform into a Golden Great Ape. Although Goku outclasses Baby in terms of speed, he is slowly worn down by Baby's power. Just as Old Kai loses all hope of Goku succeeding, Supreme Kai removes Gohan, Goten, and Trunks from Baby's control using the Sacred Water from Kami's Lookout. After realizing that they cannot help by fighting the ape, they channel some of their energy to Goku. Goku eventually succeeds in defeating Baby Vegeta and leaves him defenseless. In desperation, Baby leaves Vegeta's body and tries to escape from Planet Tuffle, but Goku uses his Kamehameha attack to destroy Baby and blast his remains into the sun.

Super 17, the Ultimate Android

Main article: Super 17 Saga Goku is still a kid and fights in the 31st World Martial Arts Tournament, having to fight in the Junior Division with Mr. Satan saying there is a height requirement. In the finals, his opponent wins by tickling Goku while he is talking to Vegeta, resulting in Goku falling out of the ring.

Goku faces off against Cell and Frieza in Hell

Some time afterwards, Goku and his family and friends are at home eating, until a badly beaten up Trunks arrives, saying he encountered Android 17, who told him to tell Goku to go to Hell to set things straight. Goku leaves for Hell, where he meets Dr. Myuu and Dr. Gero, who leave, making Goku very frustrated with no way out, until two of his most fierce enemies of the past drop by, Cell and Frieza. Goku manages to deal with both of them in his normal state. Realizing Goku's power, Cell forces out his tail and absorbs Goku. This only lasts for about ten seconds, since Goku finds his way out of Cell's body. After a fight between Goku, Cell and Frieza, they show Goku a new technique that they learned in Hell, the Hell's Buster: they create a tornado type spin that throws Goku down to the deepest part of Hell. While there, a strange, old lady demonstrates various tortures which evidently ends by freezing Goku in a block of ice. Meanwhile, Cell and Frieza wait to use a finishing move on Goku. Goku's end seems to have arrived until everyone realizes that the finishing move does not work on the living. Despite being frozen, Goku manages to hear their conversation. In his retaliation, he breaks free, attempts the freezing technique on Cell and Frieza, and successfully freezes them, but accidentally shatters them.

"So, you've made quite a mess, 17. What do you say you show your face so I can start cleaning up, now?!" — Super Saiyan Goku before fighting Super 17

Goku destroying Super 17 with a Dragon Fist

Still trapped in Hell, Goku tries to find a way to get out. He asks King Yemma to aid him, with King Yemma responding that he does not know how to get Goku out. Piccolo contacts King Yemma and asks him to transport him to Goku. Believing the plan is ludicrous, King Yemma refuses, leaving Piccolo to destroy significant portions of Heaven as a means to convince him. King Yemma eventually follows through with Piccolo's idea and transports him directly to Goku where he, with Dende's help, open a gate between Hell and Earth to allow Goku to escape Hell. Successfully escaping, Goku immediately leaves for the battlefield. Goku fights the newly fused Super 17 after reaching the battlefield. With the help of Android 18, vengeful towards Android 17 for Krillin's death, Goku is able to defeat Super 17 with the use of the Super Dragon Fist through the android's stomach and chest. This attack presumably destroys Android 17's Energy Absorption devices. Goku then finishes off the android with a Kamehameha through the wounded Super 17's stomach, causing him to explode.

The Shadow Dragons

Main article: Shadow Dragon Saga

"What's ridiculous is the creature that doesn't believe in respect. There are certain things you don't do, certain things that are understood. You don't ever mess with a man's family." — Goku to Eis Shenron

Super Saiyan 4 Goku attacks Syn Shenron

When the dragon, Shenron, is summoned to revive those killed by Super 17, the Dragon Balls crack, and a different, cigar-smoking dragon appears in his place. This Black Smoke Shenron promptly splits into seven Shadow Dragons, each with a cracked Dragon Ball in its body. Goku and his companions fight valiantly to defeat these new dragons. However, after six of the seven are defeated (Naturon, Rage, Haze, Oceanus, Eis, and Nova) in a series of many struggles, the One-Star Dragon, Syn Shenron, absorbs the other Dragon Balls into himself, forming Omega Shenron. After Goku and Vegeta (now a Super Saiyan 4) fail to defeat him, they fuse, creating Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. However, the fused warrior does not finish off the evil Shadow Dragon before the fusion wears off. After being presumably killed by Omega's Negative Karma Ball, Goku asks the people of the planet Earth to send him their energy. The collected energy is not enough to defeat Omega Shenron, so Goku asks King Kai to help him. Energy from all over the universe is collected, creating a Universal Spirit Bomb. The Spirit Bomb is successful in destroying Omega Shenron.

Goku leaves with Shenron

The people of Earth witness this and finally realize Goku is a hero. Afterwards, the real Shenron appears once again, saying that no more wishes will be granted for a long time. After convincing Shenron to grant one last wish and asking that all the people who were killed by Super 17 and the Shadow Dragons be revived, Goku decides to accompany the dragon and train with him. Before leaving, Goku tells Vegeta that the lives of everyone are now in his hands, passing the role of protector of the Earth and anyone in need of help, to Vegeta. Goku also visits Krillin, who has recently been revived by the last wish, and the two of them have one last fight before Goku flies off with Shenron.

Guiding a new generation

Main article: Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy

Goku meets his descendant, Goku Jr.

A century later, Goku's descendant Goku Jr. wants to cure his grandmother Pan with the Four-Star Dragon Ball. When he finds the Dragon Ball, nothing happens and he gets angry and upset. Goku appears and explains how to use the Dragon Balls, that all seven are needed to grant a wish. Then, a helicopter with Pan and Puck appears and Goku disappears. When Goku disappears, he tells Goku Jr. that it was his courage and bravery that caused his grandmother Pan and his friend Puck to be alive and safe. After that, Goku tells Goku Jr. to keep and treasure the Four-Star Dragon Ball as a memory of him, and tells him that he is proud of him and wishes him good luck for his future and a farewell to his great-great-grandson.

Goku, a hundred years later, in the very last scene of Dragon Ball GT

Later, as an aged Pan watches the World Martial Arts Tournament, she catches a glimpse of a familiar face in the stands: her grandfather, Goku (now grown up once again, and without his tail). When she tries to follow him, however, he disappears. Goku is then seen flying into the air, grabbing onto his Power Pole, calling for the Flying Nimbus and finally flies off into the distance while yelling, "Until we meet again you guys!"

Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission

As Beat is training with the other Dragon Ball Heroes at Heroes Laboratory, Tsubasa has Beat go into an extra-hard mission against five different incarnations of Goku. The five versions of Goku are easily defeating Beat until a mysterious voice (that of the real Goku) speaks to him and helps him to regain his ground in the fight, eventually allowing him to win. Afterwards, Beat learns that no one else heard Goku's voice, but Beat thanks Goku for helping him.

Movie appearances

 

Dragon Ball movies

Goku appears in all of the Dragon Ball movies: Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle, Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure, Dragon Ball: The Path to Power.

Curse of the Blood Rubies

Goku in Curse of the Blood Rubies

This movie is a retelling of Goku's first journey, and his battle against King Gurumes. He meets Bulma who tells him of the seven magic Dragon Balls. Soon, he encounter the Gurumes Army after they steal his Four-Star Dragon Ball. During their journey, Goku and Bulma rescue a girl named Penny form Oolong. While pursuing Oolong, Goku is attacked by Yamcha and Puar. After the battle against Yamcha, Penny tells the gang about King Gurumes and the Blood Rubies. They meet Master Roshi and Turtle as Penny thinks the Turtle Hermit can help her village against Gurumes' forces. On Roshi's island, they are attacked by King Gurumes' army and Goku witnesses Master Roshi performing a MAX Power Kamehameha to defeat Gurumes' men. Soon afterwards, Goku and his friends heads to the Land of Gurumes and fight head on against Gurumes' forces. They encounter King Gurumes himself. When he eats the Dragon Balls, Bulma summons Shenron and the wish is used to remove the Blood Rubies from the land. Peace is restored and Goku heads out on the Flying Nimbus, bidding farewell to his friends.

Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle

Goku in Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle

After Goku arrives at Kame House in order to begin training under Master Roshi, he meets Krillin and wishes to undergo his training. In order to do so, he and Krillin must first travel to Devil's Hand in search of the Sleeping Princess. While at Devil's Hand, they fight against Lucifer and his demons. It is revealed that the Sleeping Princess is a large diamond and Lucifer want to use its power to destroy the Sun. After being captured by Lucifer's men and encased in a wall, Goku looks at the full moons and soon undergoes a transformation into a Great Ape. His tail is once again removed, causing him to revert to normal state. Goku and his friends then fight against Lucifer, manage to defeat him, and he is killed by his Devil Castle Cannon in the process. Goku and Krillin then bring Launch to Master Roshi, allowing them to begin their training under the Turtle Hermit.

Mystical Adventure

 

Goku in Mystical Adventure

As they completed their training earlier, Master Roshi takes his students Goku and Krillin to a Martial Arts Tournament held by the Mifan Emperor Chiaotzu. In a bar the night before the tournament, the gang helps Bora against the Mifan Army and Goku has a brief fight against Major Metallitron. The next day, Goku witnesses Yamcha's defeat at the hands of Bora and Bora's death at the hands of General Tao. He then enters the ring and fights against Tao, but is defeated and blasted into the Sacred Land of Korin. Tao's Dodon Ray blasts Goku all the way from Mifan to the top of Korin Tower, where he meets Korin. At the bottom of the tower, Goku meets Arale and the Gatchans. They then take on General Tao and manage to defeat him. Goku returns to Mifan and rescues Upa from Major Metallitron. After the defeat of Master Shen, the gang uses the Dragon Balls to resurrect Upa's father back to life.

The Path to Power

Goku in The Path to Power

This movie is a retelling of Goku's first journey and his battles against the Red Ribbon Army. He meets Bulma for the first time and also meets Oolong, Yamcha, and Puar while they are in the desert. After a battle with Yamcha, Goku and his friends accidentally run into Muscle Tower, but Goku is able to defend them. While inside the tower, he defeats Major Metallitron and meets Eighter. After taking the Dragon Ball from Muscle Tower, they meet Turtle on the road. After returning him to the sea and meeting Master Roshi, they are attacked by General Blue. After seeing Master Roshi perform one, Goku releases a MAX Power Kamehameha that nearly destroys all of the enemy forces. After Goku's friends are kidnapped by the army, he attacks the main headquarters. He attacks Staff Officer Black, who ruthlessly murders Eighter in front of Goku. Goku snaps, and releases a Kamehameha that destroys Black. Goku then uses the Dragon Balls to revive Eighter.

Educational films

Goku appears in the two educational Dragon Ball films, "Goku's Traffic Safety" and "Goku's Fire Brigade", two films about teaching children how to stay safe that only aired in Japan.

Dragon Ball Z movies

Goku appears in all the Dragon Ball Z movies, making only brief cameos in Bojack Unbound, Broly - Second Coming, and Bio-Broly.

Bardock - The Father of Goku

"Just an average power level... and I thought you were special." — Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku - Bardock after reading his son's power level

Goku as a baby being sent to Earth minutes before Frieza came to destroy planet Vegeta

Kakarot was born sometime in Age 737 on Planet Vegeta, during a time of great turmoil. Following a Saiyan custom, Kakarot was sent as a baby to planet Earth, in order to destroy its inhabitants and clear the planet for its future sale. As Earth's inhabitants were thought to be weak, a baby Saiyan was seen as enough for the task, especially after transforming into a Great Ape by Earth's full moon. Kakarot's father, a low-class Saiyan warrior named Bardock, disappeared in his home planet's destruction at the hands of Frieza shortly after Goku's departure to Earth, and his older brother Raditz was on another planet. What happened to Goku's mother Gine is not clearly stated, but it is implied she was killed when Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta.

Dead Zone

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

"Those fancy moves won't work on me!" — Goku while fighting Ginger, Nikki, and Sansho.

Goku with the Power Pole in Dead Zone

Four years after the defeat of Piccolo Jr. in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Garlic Jr. and his henchmen kidnap Gohan in order to get the Four-Star Dragon Ball he wears on his hat. Garlic Jr. uses this and the rest of the Dragon Balls to successfully wish for immortality. Goku, Kami, Piccolo and Krillin go to Garlic Jr.'s fortress in order to stop him. Goku and Piccolo team up for the first time, and are able to stop Garlic Jr. Thinking Garlic defeated, they start to fight with each other, in order to settle their old score. In the middle of their duel, Garlic Jr. comes back and opens a portal to the Dead Zone, trying to suck everybody in. Gohan gets angry at seeing Goku in danger, and, unconsciously taking out his power, he pushes Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone, sealing him inside.

The World's Strongest

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest

"You're going down, no matter how long it takes me!" — Goku toward Dr. Wheelo.

Dr. Wheelo's Bio-Warriors attack Goku

After learning that Dr. Wheelo has captured Bulma and Master Roshi, thinking Roshi is the strongest warrior in the world, Goku goes to Dr. Wheelo's icy fortress to save them. Goku overcomes several of the fortress defenses and Dr. Wheelo's Bio-Warriors, with some help from Gohan and Krillin. After fighting and freeing a brainwashed Piccolo, Goku and his allies fight Dr. Wheelo himself, who has only his brain left, and attacks from a giant robot. After a long fight, Goku is able to destroy Dr. Wheelo using the Spirit Bomb.

The Tree of Might

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might

"Keep on dreaming! Cause that'll never happen with me around!" — Goku toward Turles.

Turles steps on Goku

In this movie, Goku and his comrades confront Turles, a surviving Saiyan who comes to Earth in order to plant the Tree of Might and get its powerful fruit. Goku and the Z Fighters, seeing the destruction that the giant tree was bringing, attack Turles and his men. Though most of the Z Fighters are defeated, Goku is able to best all of Turles' henchmen. Turles is far stronger, but Goku gives a fair fight using the Kaio-ken. However, after Turles eats the fruit from the Tree of Might, Goku starts to lose his ground. Once again using his Spirit Bomb, taking its force from the Tree of Might while the Z Fighters divert Turles, Goku is finally able to destroy both Turles and the Tree of Might.

Lord Slug

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug

"Gosh, what now? None of my techniques are working on this guy. He's two steps ahead of everything I do. He's picking me apart..." — Goku during his battle with Lord Slug.

Goku as a False Super Saiyan ready to attack Lord Slug

Lord Slug, a very old Namekian that travels from planet to planet with his army, arrives to Earth in his asteroid, in order to make Earth his new temporary home. Lord Slug starts terraforming Earth to his liking, and learns and gathers the Dragon Balls in order to recover his youth. Goku, Gohan and Piccolo take on Slug's soldiers and defeat them. The final battle against Slug is left in the hands of Goku, and Slug starts taking the upper hand using the Power of Darkness. However, an angry Goku transforms into a False Super Saiyan, allowing him to thrash Slug around. Slug transforms into a giant version of himself to outclass Goku, but thanks to Piccolo's help, Slug is subdued by his weakness: his extremely sensitive hearing. While Slug is distracted, Piccolo gives what little strength remained in him to Goku. Thanks to Piccolo, Goku is able to use the Kaio-ken, and defeat Slug, finally destroying both Lord Slug and his terraforming generator with a Spirit Bomb hit.

Cooler's Revenge

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge

"You're as twisted inside as your brother! Full of hatred. Well, no more! You've dug your own grave." — Goku toward Cooler after the former was unaffected by a punch from Salza.

Super Saiyan Goku grasping Cooler's wrist

In this movie, Cooler, Frieza's brother, comes to earth with his troops in order to avenge his brother by defeating Goku. They arrive to Earth and attack Goku while he was camping with his friends. When Goku tries to protect Gohan from an attack from Cooler, he is seriously injured. Gohan takes him to hide in a cave, and goes to get Senzu Beans to help him recover, while Cooler's troops try to find Goku. On his way back, he is attacked by Cooler's henchmen, but Piccolo stalls them long enough to let Gohan get a bean to Goku. Goku then fights Cooler, who transforms into his fifth form and gets the upper hand. But Goku turns into a Super Saiyan, and is able to destroy Cooler by pushing his Supernova attack back with a Kamehameha Wave, which sends Cooler to the sun.

The Return of Cooler

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

"You can laugh if you want, but you're not exactly in a position to defend yourself, are you? I don't see any of your Meta-Coolers coming to help you this time." — Goku toward the real Cooler in the Big Gete Star.

Goku attacks Meta-Cooler

Sensing that New Namek is in danger, Goku and his friends travel there in a spaceship in order to help their Namekian friends. After getting there, they discover that Cooler was saved by the Big Gete Star from his destruction, and is now back as a machine, leading an army of robots that have enslaved the Namekians. Goku tries to fight Meta-Cooler but he is no match for Cooler's new powers; the Cyclopian Guards manage to defeat and capture Goku's friends. Not even after turning Super Saiyan, and getting Vegeta's help as a Super Saiyan too, are they able to stop Meta-Cooler; on the contrary, thousands of copies of Cooler appear, knock down and capture the two Saiyans. Cooler then tries to steal the Saiyan's energy to give more power to the Big Gete Star, but Goku and Vegeta are able to overload it by sending all of their energy at once. They thus destroy the Big Gete Star and the robot army, and Goku and Vegeta manage to blast the last remains of Cooler.

Super Android 13!

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!

"I don't care what you're called, taking other people's lives is wrong. And I won't stand for it!" — Goku to Android 13

Even in his Super Saiyan state, Goku cannot inflict any damage to Super Android 13

In this movie, while Goku is in the city shopping with Chi-Chi and Gohan, they are suddenly attacked by two androids, Android 14 and Android 15, whose only goal is to destroy Goku. They move out of the city to fight, and Android 13 joins the battle. Future Trunks and Vegeta come to help Goku, and eventually destroy 14 and 15. Super Saiyan Goku is not able to defeat Android 13, and even as other Z Fighters join the fight, they can not stop 13 from turning into Super Android 13, by absorbing parts from Androids 14 and 15. Super Android 13 beats the Z Fighters, and Goku tries to create a Spirit Bomb to stop him. Wanting to get more energy, he turns Super Saiyan, which makes him accidentally absorb the Spirit Bomb. However, he is able to punch Super Android 13 and channel his energy to the attack, making the android explode.

Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan

"Heh, Broly, you surprise me. So, I'd say you won the first round. But, now it's time for round two." — Goku toward Broly.

Goku after his victory

Goku is in a suit to help Chi-Chi with getting Gohan in a school, when he is warned by King Kai about the appearance of the Legendary Super Saiyan. Goku teleports around the galaxy trying to focus on the Legendary Super Saiyan's ki, eventually arriving to New Planet Vegeta. There Goku met several of his friends, including Vegeta, who had been brought there by a Saiyan called Paragus who wanted Vegeta to be the king of a new Saiyan planet. However, they eventually discover that Paragus' son, Broly, is in fact the Legendary Super Saiyan. Broly breaks free of his father's control and attacks Goku and the Z Fighters, who are no match for him. It is revealed that an asteroid was approaching the planet, and that Paragus had tricked Vegeta to kill him, in order to avenge his grudge against Vegeta's father. All the beaten fighters give their energy to Goku, who is able to punch and defeat Broly. Goku escapes with his friends using Instant Transmission, just before the asteroid destroys the planet.

Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans

Main article: Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans

Goku surrounded by the monsters in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans

In this special, Goku and his friends go to investigate a gas called Destron which has been accumulating on Earth, and is slowly killing living beings. The gas is coming from four different points, but before splitting up to cover them all, Goku and the Z Fighters are attacked by some weird monsters. Goku discovers that the Destron gas is also preventing them from using Energy attacks. Goku goes to the Grand Apron, and destroys the generator there after defeating its guardians, and after rejoining with his friends, they destroy the last remaining generator in the Land of Ice. However, another one appears in the Western Capital, so the Z Fighters travel there to destroy it too. While there, they have to fight Ghost Warriors of Frieza, Cooler, Turles and Lord Slug, and eventually defeat them.

Goku with Vegeta in Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans

However, in order to destroy the generator, they have to travel to the Dark Planet and defeat Dr. Raichi. After several troubles, they are able to reach the Dark Planet, and discover that everything was a ploy from Dr. Raichi to avenge the Tuffles that were destroyed by the Saiyans years ago. Dr. Raichi releases his ultimate creation, Hatchiyack, and after a long fight, Goku and his friends defeat them. This destroys the last remaining generator on Earth.

Bojack Unbound

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

"Gohan, the world is depending on you, Gohan. I believe in you, son. Unleash your true power. It's the only way." — Goku coming to Gohan's aid against Bojack.

Goku coming back to help Gohan

While a dead Goku is hanging around with King Kai in the Other World, the Z Fighters enter a tournament on Earth, which was hijacked by the alien mercenary Bojack. He had been freed from his imprisonment when Cell made King Kai's planet explode, thanks to Goku. The Z Fighters are unable to defeat Bojack and his band, and when Bojack starts to bear-hug Gohan to death, Goku teleports to Earth using Instant Transmission (something somehow against the rules of the dead), which allows him to appear briefly and punch Bojack away. Goku also tells Gohan to protect the Earth and unleash all the anger and power he had in him. Goku then vanishes back to the Other World. Not sure if he really saw his father, Gohan is nevertheless encouraged enough to release his power and defeat Bojack.

Broly - Second Coming

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming

Goku, Gohan, and Goten use the Family Kamehameha against Broly

"Gohan, concentrate! Look past your fear, Goten, you can do it! Are you willing to let Broly destroy the Earth?! We can end this now, but we must work together!" — Goku encouraging Gohan and Goten to defeat Broly.

Due to being long dead, Goku doesn't appear in the movie until he is brought back in spirit form to aid Gohan and Goten with their Kamehameha. After helping his sons defeat Broly, he vanishes and returns to the Other World.

Bio-Broly

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly

"Alright, I'm on my way, Broly. *stomach growls* What, you need more? I guess it wouldn't hurt to have another bite to eat. I can't fight on a half-empty stomach." — Goku in his brief appearance at the end of the movie.

Goku makes a brief appearance in the last part of the movie, shown eating while given a message saying that he and Pikkon have to go to Hell and calm Broly down because he is on a rampage.

Fusion Reborn

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn

"You act innocent, but you're deadly. It's over, Janemba." — Goku after transforming into Super Saiyan 3.

Super Saiyan 3 Goku in Fusion Reborn

In this movie, Goku was fighting with Pikkon in the Other World tournament ring when Janemba appeared and the barriers between dimensions were disrupted. Because Other World was no longer isolated from the physical plane, those who had died were able to walk amongst the living. Goku used Instant Transmission to go to King Yemma's check-in station with Pikkon and saw the first form of Janemba sitting on the station's roof. Eager to engage Janemba in battle, Goku gleefully left Pikkon behind to free Yemma (much to Pikkon's dismay). Goku was soon forced to use his Super Saiyan 3 form to combat Janemba's unique arsenal of techniques.

Goku using the fusion dance with Vegeta

At Super Saiyan 3, Goku made quick work of Janemba, only to be outclassed when Janemba transformed into a smaller, fiercer demon. Vegeta soon arrived on the scene (no longer being confined to Hell due to the disruption in the dimensional barriers) and was persuaded by Goku to attempt the Fusion Dance. Their first attempt failed and produced a fat Veku. Due to sheer luck, they were able to survive against Janemba until the fusion expired. After regrouping, Goku and Vegeta were able to fuse properly while Pikkon distracted Janemba. Gogeta appeared as a Super Saiyan and destroyed Janemba with ease. Later, Goku and Vegeta are seen standing at the Blood Pond where Vegeta vanishes and goes back to Hell. Goku hopes that they can see each other again, but like in the series, Vegeta only tells him "we're never fusing again."

Wrath of the Dragon

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

"Look, I don't care what you are, this ends NOW!" — Goku before engaging Hirudegarn with the Z Fighters

Goku failing to open the music box

In this movie, Goku tries to open a magic music box that Gohan had gotten from Hoi but he can not open it, so they go and find the Dragonballs to summon Shenron. When Shenron opened the box, Tapion came out. Because Tapion was freed, the upper half of Hirudegarn was also freed. The lower half was already attacking the city, but Gohan was working on stopping him.

Goku defeating Hirudegarn with the Dragon Fist

The next day Tapion went to Trunks' home and Bulma made him a house with the same material as the music box, so Tapion could sleep without worrying about Hirudegarn, but when Tapion went to sleep, Hirudegarn escaped and found his lower half, thus making him one monster again. When Goku, Gohan and Goten try to attack him, it does nothing because Hirudegarn is too fast. Later, Gotenks is formed and he gets Hirudegarn down, but it only made him transform and Hirudegarn knocks Gotenks out. When there was almost no hope left, Goku transformed into Super Saiyan 3 and started to fight Hirudegarn. When Trunks wanted to help Goku, he said that he wanted to handle Hirudegarn alone. Then he catches a few punches from Hirudegarn, and when Hirudegarn threw another punch, Goku simply jumped over it and fired the Dragon Fist at Hirudegarn, thus destroying him.

Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

Main article: Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

Goku as a radish farmer

In this special, Goku becomes a radish farmer (the name pun of his brother, Raditz). Goku and his family are invited by Mr. Satan to come to the opening of his hotel. At first, Goku is reluctant to go, but when he hears he may eat as much as he wants, he goes. When he gets to the hotel, he first has a little food competition with Vegeta, later when they are eating they feel the ki of two beings heading for earth, as a result Goku and the others go and check it out. They appear to be Gure and Tarble, the little brother of Vegeta, Tarble tells them two strong enemies and former servant's of Frieza are coming to Earth. Goku wants to fight them, but then the other fighters show that they want to fight too.

Goku in Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

They then begin to argue until they agree to pick radishes; a game that declares the one with the longest radish as the winner, this is Trunks. When they go back to the hotel, Abo and Cado arrive. Goku tells Goten that he may help Trunks with his fight. Goten and Trunks defeat Abo and Cado, so Abo and Cado merge into Aka. Because of this, Goten and Trunks decide to fuse into Gotenks to even the match. After a short fight, Aka starts to overpower Gotenks with strong attacks. When Gotenks can not handle it anymore, Goku and Vegeta intervene after Aka launches a massive energy attack. Goku plays a "dirty trick" on Vegeta, so he can fight alone and then goes Super Saiyan to do a Kamehameha on the energy attack Aka launched. The Kamehameha dissipates Aka's energy blast. After that, Goku punches Aka in the gut, thus making Aka split up. Afterward, they resume the banquet they were having before the arrival of Gure and Tarble. This time with the addition of Abo and Cado eating Goku's radish. As they eat, Goku and Vegeta begin to argue and turn Super Saiyan. It ends with everyone happily watching the argument except for Chi-Chi and Bulma.

Battle of Gods

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

"I WILL NOT LET YOU DESTROY MY WORRRLD!" — Goku to Beerus during their battle

Goku in the teaser trailer for Battle of Gods

Four years after the titanic battle with Majin Buu, Goku has come to King Kai's planet to train and he is running with Bubbles when he notices King Kai is discussing something interesting. He then learns about Beerus, a God of Destruction tasked with maintaining balance in the universe. Goku says that he wants to fight Beerus, and King Kai scolds him. Soon, Beerus arrives on the planet and Goku is questioned about the Super Saiyan God. Goku demonstrates the various Super Saiyan forms he can achieve to Beerus, but he cannot help Beerus about the Super Saiyan God. However, ecstatic over the new challenge, Goku ignores King Kai's advice and battles Beerus, but he is overwhelmed and defeated. Beerus then leaves, but his eerie remark of "Is there nobody on Earth more worthy to destroy…?" lingers on.

Goku serious in Battle of Gods

It is revealed that Goku is on Earth watching when Vegeta battles Beerus, and he does not intervene because he wants to watch Beerus in action in order to form some kind of strategy. Goku decides to use the Dragon Balls and ask Shenron how to reach the Super Saiyan God. He and his friends summon Shenron, and the dragon says that a Super Saiyan God once appeared on Planet Vegeta to stop evil Saiyans, but he failed because of the form's time limit. The dragon also reveals that they need the power of six pure-hearted Saiyans for one of them to reach the Super Saiyan God form. Vegeta's younger brother is mentioned when Goku and his friends realize that they need a sixth Saiyan, but they do not know how to contact him. Goku transforms into a form beyond the Super Saiyan 3, the Super Saiyan God, during the battle thanks to the power of himself, Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, Goten, and Pan (from inside her mother, as she was not born yet). Goku confronts Beerus again and they fight, with the battle first taking them through a city, then in a forest, into a wasteland, an underground cavern, and finally up in space, right above planet Earth.

An angered Super Saiyan Goku

The form gives Goku the power to resist Beerus, but he reverts to his regular Super Saiyan form due to the form's time limit. However, he learns the form's godlike feeling, which allows him to use Super Saiyan God power. Beerus points out to Goku that Super Saiyan God's time limit ran out some time ago and that Goku did not notice because he was able to absorb Super Saiyan God power into his body while he was fighting. Beerus says that because of this, Goku did not greatly power down even after returning to normal. Goku did not quite like Super Saiyan God because he could only reach that level of power with everyone else's help rather than on his own, so Goku feels contented becoming able to fight at a level not too far removed from Super Saiyan God all on his own. The two seem to be equally strong at some point, but Beerus eventually wins when he uses his God of Destruction Super Energy Sphere. Goku stops Beerus' energy sphere, barely holding it back, and the screen suddenly blacks out. Chi-Chi and Goku's friends appear in Goku's mind, then he briefly transforms to Super Saiyan God again and absorbs the energy ball. Goku gets exhausted, and Beerus wants Goku to say "I give up" and he says so. Beerus stops the fight and they talk for a while before going back to the ground.

Super Saiyan Goku flying towards Beerus

Beerus says that the Super Saiyan God was not that strong and the Oracle Fish's prediction was a little exaggerated. Beerus reveals that Whis is his martial arts master and stronger than him. He also says that there are twelve universes, and the one Goku and his friends know is just one of them, the Seventh Universe. Beerus is the God of Destruction of the Seventh Universe, and each universe has its God of Destruction. On the ground, Beerus tries to destroy the planet, but he blasts only a small rock and says he has already run out of power. Before returning home, Whis asks Goku if he would like to be the next God of Destruction after Beerus dies, but Goku turns him down. The Supreme Kais comment on Goku befriending the God of Destruction. When Goku reveals that he was on Earth watching the battles, he says that Vegeta became an incredible Super Saiyan back when Beerus slapped Bulma and even jokes that they should just have their enemy hit Bulma the next time they are up against some nasty opponent. Goku needles Vegeta about shouting "My Bulmaaa!!!" when defending her against Beerus, and Vegeta denies that he said such a thing. Piccolo then says that Goku must have been watching back during that fight, and everyone gets mad at Goku for not helping out then.

Resurrection ‘F’

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’

Goku heavily injured

Goku is a main character in Resurrection ‘F’. At the start of the film, Goku and Vegeta are seen training with Whis on Beerus' planet. Their training is noisy that it wakes Beerus up. When Beerus woke up, he starts to yell at them and then sneezes and he shot a blast towards Goku and Vegeta, but the two moved out the way, close to getting hit. Goku says that the blast had enough power to kill him and Vegeta. After their training, Whis accidentally steps in poop and it reminded him to tell Goku and Vegeta their flaws. He tells Vegeta that he's always frustrated during fights and always wants to be one-step ahead of Goku. He tells Goku that he's always too calm during fights and needs to be more aware. After hearing that Frieza arrived on Earth by Seer, Goku uses Instant Transmission with Vegeta to reach Earth. Goku later fights against Frieza, and at one point holds back Frieza's Golden Death Ball with his Kamehameha. After, he and Frieza transformed: Goku turned Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan and Frieza turned to Golden Frieza. Later he is seen losing his fight against Frieza due to being hit by a beam shot from Sorbet's Bad Ring Laser after seeing Frieza being defeated. Vegeta steps in, he tells Krillin to give Goku a senzu bean. Later he witnesses the death of Vegeta and the destruction of Earth at the hands of Frieza, but is saved thanks to Whis, who then uses his ability to rewind time. This allows Goku to go back in time far enough to stop Frieza before he can destroy Earth. Goku now intervenes in the battle and kills Frieza with a God Kamehameha. At the end, Goku asks Vegeta if they should work together, Vegeta declines, and Goku then agrees.

Video game stories

Dragon Ball: Xenoverse

During the events of Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, Goku is an important character.

Goku is hit by the Special Beam Cannon

During the Saiyan Saga, Goku and Piccolo team up to fight Raditz, as he has kidnapped Gohan. The fight goes the same as before until the Time Breakers power up Raditz, allowing him to dodge Gohan's headbutt. Goku and Piccolo then attempt to defeat Raditz using the Full-Nelson Special Beam Cannon, however due to not being injured, the powered up Raditz easily gets out of Goku's grip just as Piccolo fires the attack, causing only Goku to be hit and letting Raditz kill Piccolo. Future Trunks sends the Future Warrior back to fix things, and the Future Warrior manages to put events back to normal, causing both Raditz and Goku to be hit by the Special Beam Cannon. Later, during the Return of the Saiyans Saga, the Time Breakers alter the timeline again, forcing Goku (using Kaio-ken) to be forced to fight against Great Ape Vegeta and Great Ape Nappa, both in Villainous Mode.

Goku faces off against Villainous Mode Frieza

During the Frieza Saga, Goku faces off against Frieza alongside the other Z Fighters, and is assisted by the Future Warrior once more. The Future Warrior and Piccolo hold off Frieza so that Goku can hit him with the Spirit Bomb.

Super Saiyan Goku uses a Spirit Bomb on Frieza

However, Frieza survives the attack, returning in Villainous Mode, he then grievously injures Piccolo and kills Krillin, causing Goku to become a Super Saiyan. Super Saiyan Goku and the Future Warrior both fight against Villainous Mode Frieza (100% Full Power), however Frieza outmatches them, so Goku creates another Spirit Bomb and attacks Frieza with it. Eventually, Frieza loses the power up, reverting to his normal Full Power state, and is defeated by Goku. During the Cell Saga, Goku is among the fighters defeated by the Villainous Cell Jrs. and is the only one still conscious. He watches as Gohan and Villainous Cell clash Kamehamehas, and is unable to do anything as the Cell Jrs. aid Cell in the attack, overpowering and killing Gohan. During the Majin Buu Saga, Super Saiyan 3 Goku fights against Majin Buu, however after knocking him away and then pursuing him, he finds that Majin Buu has been given Villainnous Mode, and then split into three, Goku defeats Majin Buu with the help of the Future Wwarrior. Later, Goku and Vegeta fight Villainous Kid Buu after he teleports to the Sacred World of the Kais. Goku manages to hit him with a Super Spirit Bomb, but it is not strong enough until the Future Warrior arrives and he and Goku push the attack into Buu together, destroying him. During the God of Destruction Beerus Saga, Goku is present alongside Future Warrior as Beerus is given Villainous Mode and prepares to destroy Earth with his Sphere of Destruction.
After Demigra's escape from the Crack of Time, the Future Warrior is forced to fight the revived Buu, Cell, and Frieza. The Supreme Kai of Time then calls for Goku's help, in which he helps the Future Warrior defeat Buu, Cell, and Frieza, and the brainwashed Gotenks, Gohan, and Vegeta. After the Future Warrior returns to the Time Nest, he finds that Demigra has taken over Tokitoki City, and has brainwashed Trunks into doing his dirty work. Once Trunks was reverted back to normal, Goku finds his way to the Time Nest. Due to his earlier transformation into a Super Saiyan God, he was immune to Demigra's magic. After Demigra's defeat, he escapes to the Time Next, and Goku uses Instant Transmission and brings everyone back to his location, the Time Vault. Demigra is angered and tries to destroy the Time Vault, despite the Supreme Kai of Time's warning. The Future Warrior and Super Saiyan 3 Goku charge at him, but Demigra fires spears at them both. One impales and kills the Future Warrior, while four of them trap Goku in a electrified force field. Then the Future Warrior (apparently from a different timeline) appears and destroys Goku's electrified gate. After the Future Warrior enters the portal that Demigra escaped to, Goku struggles to stop the gigantic energy ball from destroying Tokitoki.
Goku was able to stop the giant ball from destroying Tokitoki, and uses Instant Transmission to catch up to Demigra and the Future Warrior in the Crack of Time. They fight Demigra in his final form, and finish him off with a combined Kamehameha. Once his defeat, Goku and the Future Warrior return to the Time Nest, where Trunks and the Supreme Kai of Time are relieved to see them. Goku then challenges the Future Warrior to a fight, where he/she gladly accepted. The Supreme Kai then stops them and tells them that fighting there would cause a disaster.
In the aftermath, the Supreme Kai of Time thanks Goku for everything. Goku then replies that he should be thanking her instead, for giving him something to be excited for. Goku then leaves, but not before being welcome to return in the future.

Power

Main article: List of Power LevelsGoku is one of the most powerful characters in the series, able to take on many powerful opponents and hold his own.
As a baby, Goku was stated to have a power level of 2, but by the time he had grown into a child his power was 10, going to 100 when he briefly uses the Great Ape form, his Great Ape form at this time was described as having destructive power similar to that of a battleship's main gun. When he competed in the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku's power had increased to 180 thanks to his training. After drinking the Ultra Divine Water to combat King Piccolo, Goku's power level increased to 260. At the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku's power level was 280 when he and Piccolo Junior were fighting seriously in the final match of the Tournament. By the time of his battle with Raditz, his power level had become 416 without his weighted clothing. After training with King Kai in the Other World, Goku's power level had increased to be over 8,000 (or mistakenly over 9,000 in the English dub) and he could use the Kaio-ken technique to further increase his power level. Thanks to training, Goku's power had increased to 90,000 by the time of his battle with the Ginyu Force. It then takes a leap to 3,000,000 thanks to a Zenkai, and it increases to 150,000,000 while utilizing his Super Saiyan form against Frieza. Dragon Ball Z: The Anime Adventure Game states that Goku's base power rose to 8,000,000 by the time of the Trunks Saga.
The movie pamphlet for Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might states that Goku's power level during Dragon Ball Z: World's Strongest is 10,000. In The Tree of Might movie itself, Goku's power is stated to be 30,000 by Turles, and is thus at 300,000 when using Kaio-ken x10 (or 600,000 when using the Kaio-ken x20 in the English dub) against the evil Saiyan. In Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, when Goku becomes a False Super Saiyan, he is able to completely overwhelm and nearly defeat Lord Slug. Before his Zenkai in Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge; Goku was able to fight Salza, Neiz, and Dore all at the same time. Goku also survived a Darkness Eye Beam by Cooler and gained enough power from his latest Zenkai to be able in fighting more than evenly with Cooler.

Goku as a Super Saiyan 3, his most powerful form in the Dragon Ball manga

Goku's power continued to increase throughout the series thanks to numerous training sessions, though it is possible that Goku reached his peak power in Base and Super Saiyan forms after training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, as he tells Vegeta that further training in the chamber would be a waste of his time as he could not get any stronger. Though he later achieves further forms that increase his power (Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3, etc.). It is stated by Beerus in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods that it would be seemingly impossible for Goku in his base form to defeat Frieza, stating that he would need Super Saiyan to be capable of doing so - a statement which King Kai agrees with. When Super Saiyan Goku is given the power of Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Goten in an attempt to turn Super Saiyan God, it is said by Gohan that Super Saiyan Goku has become more powerful than any other fighter. Later in Battle of Gods, Goku absorbs the godly power of Super Saiyan God even after returning to base form, allowing him to keep it and use it in his base and Super Saiyan forms, he also manages to briefly become a Super Saiyan God without the help of six other Saiyans. According to the series' original author Akira Toriyama, in terms of power, Goku as a Super Saiyan God would be a 6, Beerus would be a 10, and Whis would be a 15. Goku and the other Z Fighters were at the peak of their power in Battle of Gods. According to Weekly Shonen Jump #20, Goku as a Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan in Resurrection ‘F’ has an "overwhelming power that the world has never seen before", implying that he is at least stronger than Beerus at 70% power. Whis also mentions in the film that Goku and Vegeta were strong enough that if they were to fight Beerus together, they could potentially defeat him. Despite them both being on a godly tier, Goku is still somewhat stronger than Vegeta, who is trying once again to surpass him via constant training. In Dragon Ball GT, Goku in his Base form is able to match General Rilldo, who is stated to have power even greater than Majin Buu's. It is stated in the Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files that Super Saiyan 4 Goku possess power comparable to that of Super Vegito. In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, it is stated that as a Super Saiyan 4, Goku is at his ultimate potential. In Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, Goku in his Super Saiyan form is able to defeat Legendary Super Saiyan Broly (who had received multiple Zenkais over the course of the game), and Full Power Frieza (whose power is said to have increased to be above Super Buu, even when using his base final form). Using his Kaio-ken, Goku is also able to hold his own against Super Saiyan 2 Teen Gohan long enough to get through to him and stop Janemba's possession over him.
In the opening cinematic for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 form easily defeats Legendary Super Saiyan Broly, Frieza, Cell, and Kid Buu.
In terms of physical strength: as a child he could push extremely large rock formations with ease for Master Roshi's training, easily over 100 tons each. When he was older he could lift and throw a super-sized Piccolo with ease. During the Namek Saga, Goku could kick and punch with enough force to obliterate entire islands during his battle with Frieza. Base Goku is shown to be able to lift two tons on each limb while training on King Kai's planet, though he is unable to move when the weights are changed to 10 tons. When transforming into a Super Saiyan, he can lift 10 tons on each limb easily, and it was also shown that he could push mountains apart with ease or destroy them with a single blow. Finally, during the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, while in Super Saiyan 3 he could punch through King Kai's small planet with a single punch despite its enhanced density for ten times gravity, and during his rematch with Beerus as a Super Saiyan God, they effortlessly destroyed entire mountains, and even fought within the crust of the Earth itself without slowing down from their physical strength. In Dragon Ball GT, Goku is able to lift up and throw the top of a mountain in his Golden Great Ape form (which is similar to what he can do as a regular Great Ape) and lifts half a city while in his Super Saiyan 4 state, though it leaves him panting.
When it comes to speed, Goku has always been very fast. He could effortlessly deflect or dodge bullets as a child (except for comedic moments) and run at high speed. After training with Master Roshi, he is able to use the Zanzoken technique which enables him to move so fast he can leave multiple after images with ease. When training with Mr. Popo, he apparently learns to move faster than lightning when attacking, though this may have been a figure of speech. He could outrun Piccolo's Ki Blasts during their battle in the 23rd Tournament despite their high speed. He could also cross the entirety of Snake Way in less than a year after his first death - which according to the Ogre who brought him too it was apparently 1,000,000 kilometres, and after training with King Kai he crossed it in several hours, showing a high speed increase. In the anime, it was implied that he was able to move faster than light, as King Kai was unable to track him when he fought Frieza, but was previously able to track a ship moving through space at what was apparently light speed.

Techniques

Main article: List of techniques used by Goku

Kamehameha

Main article: Kamehameha

Goku fires a Kamehameha wave

Goku's signature move throughout the series. Goku first learns the move after witnessing Master Roshi using it to save the Ox-King and Chi-Chi's castle from an inferno (but only ends up destroying it, along with a nearby mountain). Throughout the remainder of Dragon Ball, Goku continues to master the Kamehameha and uses it in nearly every battle during Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT.

Kaio-ken

Main article: Kaio-ken

Goku uses the Kaio-ken

Goku learns this technique after his death against Raditz while training under King Kai. He uses this attack numerous times throughout early Dragon Ball Z up until his ascension to a Super Saiyan.

Spirit Bomb

Main article: Spirit Bomb

Goku prepares his Spirit Bomb while battling Frieza

Arguably Goku's most powerful technique, taught to him by King Kai during his training for the upcoming battle against Vegeta and Nappa. Goku uses the Spirit Bomb numerous times, most notably against Frieza and Kid Buu. It is only against the latter that the technique actually works in the manga storyline.

Instant Transmission

Main article: Instant Transmission

Goku prepares to use the Instant Transmission

Goku learns this technique on the Planet Yardrat after his battle with Frieza. This technique allows him to teleport to any location so long as he can find an energy source to home onto. He uses this technique frequently throughout the series, one of his most valuable abilities.

Dragon Fist

Main article: Dragon Fist

Goku launches his Dragon Fist

Goku uses this technique on Hirudegarn to finish him off in the 13th Dragon Ball Z movie. He also uses this in GT: against Super 17, as well as Eis Shenron and Omega Shenron, though the latter regenerates.

Forms

Great Ape

Main article: Great Ape

Goku as a Great Ape in Dragon Ball

Like all Saiyans, Goku can transform into a Great Ape (Oozaru) when he sees the full moon while he possesses his tail, though every time it was not at will. Because this tail was removed permanently in the main series by Kami when restoring the moon, this transformation was never taken by Goku again until Dragon Ball GT (in which it is shown very briefly before the full transition into Golden Great Ape), making it his least used Saiyan transformation.

Kaio-ken

Main articles: Kaio-ken and Super Kaio-ken While usually considered a power boosting technique, several video games, such as the Budokai games, consider this power up as a transformation. An enhanced version named Super Kaio-ken is a combination between Goku's Kaio-ken and Super Saiyan forms.

False Super Saiyan

Main article: False Super Saiyan

Goku in his false Super Saiyan form

During the movie Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, Goku achieved this form in an attempt to defeat Lord Slug. Through rage of being beat down, Goku unleashed a huge amount of aura and became a false-like Super Saiyan, which gave him more speed and strength for a few seconds enough to thrash Lord Slug. In this form, he looks similar to his Kaio-ken form, but he becomes bulkier, except his eyes are whited out like Broly's in his Legendary Super Saiyan form, and his hair stands up and gains a red tint.

Super Saiyan

Main article: Super Saiyan

Goku as a Super Saiyan

Goku achieves this powerful transformation in a rage after Frieza kills Krillin. Frieza had destroyed the Saiyans out of his fear of their growing power and the idea of a possible Super Saiyan. As a result of defeating Frieza, Goku avenges both the Saiyan race and the death of his best friend Krillin. After his fight with the God of Destruction Beerus, Goku realizes that fully mastering his Super Saiyan form would cause it to eventually raise his level more than Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3, and sap less of his strength. The series original author, Akira Toriyama, says he thinks that Goku probably will not use the Super Saiyan 2 or 3 any more because of this.

2nd Grade Super Saiyan

Main article: 2nd Grade Super Saiyan

Goku as a 2nd Grade Super Saiyan

After having witnessed Vegeta and Trunks emerging from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber (Room of Spirit and Time), Goku concludes that surpassing the normal Super Saiyan form may be more possible than initially suspected, and enters the room to train himself and Gohan. After teaching Gohan to become a Super Saiyan, Goku is able to achieve this form alongside the further extreme of the form known as 3rd Grade Super Saiyan. However, although this new power up would not take as much of a heavy hit on his speed as the successor would, he decides that staying transformed like this demands far too much ki to be spent, and so decides that the regular Super Saiyan form is the best suited for combat, and makes a plan for him and Gohan to master it before they leave the chamber. As a result, after under 20 hours spent in the room (Vegeta and Trunks had spent a whole day each, and would spend another prior to the Cell Games), he and Gohan emerge as Full Power Super Saiyans. As a result of this and the new discovery of the most powerful Super Saiyan state at the time, Super Saiyan 2, this form is never used by Goku again, and Vegeta and Future Trunks soon follow.

3rd Grade Super Saiyan

Main article: 3rd Grade Super Saiyan

Goku as a 3rd Grade Super Saiyan

Like the 2nd Grade Super Saiyan form, Goku achieves this form in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber while training with Gohan. Although apparently stronger than Cell in this state, Goku told Gohan he could not defeat him because Cell was much faster, because "all the power in the world would do no good if you can't even hit the guy." Instead of persevering harder to simply increase power output, Goku decides that simply mastering the Super Saiyan form to suppress its downsides and make it a natural state is the best way to fight and gain power. As a result, this form is never used after its initial unlocking, along with 2nd Grade Super Saiyan.

Full-Power Super Saiyan

Main article: Full-Power Super Saiyan

Goku in his Full Power Super Saiyan form

After realizing the weaknesses inherent to the higher grades of Super Saiyan, Goku concluded that mastery over the basic Super Saiyan form would be more advantageous and went on to improve his endurance in that form, thus achieving this state. Goku can use some of his Super Saiyan power in his base form without having to make the full transformation. Used during his battles in Hell, and named in the arcade game Dragon Ball Heroes.

Super Saiyan 2

Main article: Super Saiyan 2

Goku as a Super Saiyan 2

Goku achieved this transformation while training on King Kai's Planet in the Other World where he could put unlimited energy into his transformation. The Budokai Tenkaichi scenario "The True Ultimate Android" has it that Goku achieved the form before the Cell Games. It was first seen when Goku powers up to overflow Yakon with energy, and Vegeta notes that Goku has achieved the same form that Gohan used to defeat Cell. In his fight against Majin Vegeta, both transform into this state before the battle begins. Goku later transforms into this state before showing the Super Saiyan 3 transformation to Majin Buu and Babidi, and again in an anime filler where he begins to fight Kid Buu. Goku uses the form during the movies Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn and Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon. In Dragon Ball GT, he can be seen briefly transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 before he transforms into a Super Saiyan 3 during his second fight with Super Baby Vegeta. When Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan 2 he has some noticeable changes, such as his hair growing longer and becoming even more spiky, making his hair more defined than his other previous Super Saiyan forms, along with disappearing hair strands surrounding the forehead which are exclusive to this form, like Gohan (but in a different way; for reference, see the picture). He also gains electricity in his aura surrounding his body, and his aura grows markedly larger and more vibrant in both the anime and manga.

Super Saiyan 3

Main article: Super Saiyan 3

Goku as a Super Saiyan 3

Goku achieved this level in Other World, where he could put more energy into his transformation, it took him many years to achieve the form. Goku is first seen using this transformation against Majin Buu during the Majin Buu Saga. Once in this form, Goku was able to easily overpower Majin Buu in his first form and stood up to Kid Buu for a fair amount of time. However, the transformation is extremely draining in terms of energy, as it cut Goku's time left on Earth from hours to a stated thirty minutes after performing the transformation for a short time. When attempting to gather enough energy to defeat Kid Buu during their final battle, he was unable to sustain it as he had not taken into account the strain overcoming his living body, and soon reverted to his base state. Altogether, these heavy disadvantages make it impractical to use the transformation out of the afterlife.

Super Saiyan God

Main article: Super Saiyan God

Super Saiyan God Goku

Super Saiyan God is a Super Saiyan form even beyond Super Saiyan 3. Goku achieves this form in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, and uses it against the God of Destruction Beerus. In several media, Goku is called God Goku in this state. When Goku powers up to this form, he has flame-like aura. He then appears with his hair glowing red and with a shape similar to that of his base form, red eyes, slightly thinner, and he has a flame-like aura. The power of this ultimate warrior excites even the God of Destruction Beerus. The form allows Goku to sense godly ki and he can absorb attacks by consuming ki, but he reverts to his regular base form due to the form's time limit.

Saiyan beyond God

Main article: Saiyan beyond God

Goku beyond God in Resurrection ‘F’

This is not actually a transformation but instead a powered-up state that Goku achieved upon mastering the power of Super Saiyan God. Goku perfected this state at some point during his training with Whis sometime before Resurrection ‘F’. In this state, he is able to pressure Whis just enough while sparring to muss the latter's hair and quickly overwhelm Frieza's refined and increased strength, forcing Frieza to use his Ultimate Evolution. In this state he has become a "Saiyan beyond God" (Kami wo koeta Saiyajin). This state appears in Dragon Ball Heroes as a transformation.

Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan

Main article: Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan

Super Saiyan God SS Goku

After training with Whis alongside Vegeta during Resurrection ‘F’, the two gained the ability to use the Super Saiyan form alongside their godly energy, thus entering a Super Saiyan form with blue hair. In this state, Goku is implied to be at least stronger than Beerus (at 70% power). Goku uses this form in order to fight against Golden Frieza. During the battle he notes that Golden Frieza possess superior power, however his stamina drains at a massive rate while in his Ultimate Evolution, due to not having the proper training to maintain the form. Thus, Goku manages to hold his own against Golden Frieza long enough that his power drops to a level below Goku's. Goku previously used an unmastered version of this form during the events of Battle of Gods and the Saga of the Demon God Démigra, in these appearances he would turn Super Saiyan (Super Saiyan 2 in Xenoverse) and Super Saiyan 3 forms respectively when utilizing his full god power.

Kid (GT)

Goku in his childhood body in GT

Emperor Pilaf unintentionally wishes Goku back into a child in the beginning of Dragon Ball GT. In this form, it is harder for Goku to maintain more powerful forms, such as Super Saiyan 3. While a child he was able to get his tail back, with the help of Old Kai, which not only allowed for easier access to the third Super Saiyan form, but eventually permitted him to transform into Golden Great Ape and Super Saiyan 4. At the end of the GT series, Goku is again seen as an adult without a tail, though in one of the endings to the show, he is seen with a tail in adult form facing the rest of the cast.

Super Saiyan

Main article: Super Saiyan

Goku as a Super Saiyan in his childhood body

After being wished into his childhood form, Goku can still transform into a Super Saiyan. However, he is unable to maintain the form for as long as he can in his adult body (in much the same way that he lost the ability to perform the Instant Transmission technique when being downsized), though for far longer than his Super Saiyan 3 form. The Dragon Ball Collectible Card Game calls this the GT Super Saiyan form. In Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, Goku is called Super Little Goku while in this form.

Super Saiyan 2

Main article: Super Saiyan 2

Goku as a Super Saiyan 2 in his childhood body

Goku uses this form as a kid only once in the series, to guard against an attack by General Rilldo. Also, he briefly appears in the form while powering up to transform into Super Saiyan 3 twice while fighting Baby Vegeta. GT Goku has this form in the arcade game Dragon Ball Heroes.

Super Saiyan 3

Main article: Super Saiyan 3

Goku as a Super Saiyan 3 in his childhood body

After being wished back into his childhood form, Goku is still able to transform into a Super Saiyan 3. However, he is only able to maintain the form for a few minutes, even with the Saiyan Tail assisting him in conserving his energy reserves. This form is not enough to defeat Baby Vegeta, so Goku is forced to recruit help from Old Kai, which leads to his Golden Great Ape transformation. Because Goku gains the ability to access the Super Saiyan 4 transformation soon afterwards, this transformation is never again used.

Golden Great Ape

Main article: Golden Great Ape

Goku as a Golden Great Ape

Goku achieves this form in Dragon Ball GT, after Old Kai helped Goku to regrow his tail which allowed him to once again transform into a Great Ape. When he looks at the Earth during the Baby Saga, its sufficient substitute Blutz waves allows Goku to take this form, a combination of the Super Saiyan state and the classic Great Ape transformation. Upon regaining control over his Golden Great Ape form, Goku transforms into Super Saiyan 4.

Super Saiyan 4

Main article: Super Saiyan 4

Goku as a Super Saiyan 4

Goku is referred to as Super Goku 4 in this state. This form is achieved by Goku after achieving the Golden Great Ape state and being calmed down by Pan. The overwhelming power of this transformation is apparently great enough to overcome the Black Star Dragon Balls' power making Goku's transformation into a child by Ultimate Shenron. The spell is only dispersed during the transformation, however. In addition to him being turned back into an adult temporarily, Goku's overall appearance changes yet again. His tail is easily visible, the hair is longer than when in his normal state (not nearly as long as a Super Saiyan 3, though), his eyes become lined (much like Vegeta's did when he was a Majin in the Majin Buu Saga), his eye color is now golden yellow, and red fur covers almost all of his body from head to toe. His clothes change from his childhood garb, leaving him only dressed below the waist (excluding his armbands). As a Super Saiyan 4, Goku is able to easily surpass all but the most powerful enemies in the final parts of Dragon Ball GT.

Fusions

Vegito

Main article: Vegito

Vegito, the result of Potara Fusion between Goku and Vegeta

Vegito is the product of a Potara Fusion between Vegeta and Goku. With unrivaled power, Vegito is one of the most powerful beings in Dragon Ball Z and is created as a desperate plan by Old Kai to stop the powerful Super Buu, when he was winning against Ultimate Gohan after absorbing Gotenks and Piccolo. It has been theorized that Vegito could easily attain the form of Super Saiyan 2 as well as Super Saiyan 3. However, neither was necessary to finish his task of defeating Super Buu, as his Super Saiyan state alone berthed enough in battle that he single-handedly pummeled Buu blithely without even needing to use his fists or any effort. It was obvious he had the physical power to maintain such feats, but he only appeared for a short time before his strategy to deliberately be absorbed into Buu's body (whilst keeping a barrier on to avoid being assimilated into his being) resulted in his diffusion, after which Vegeta crushed his earring, vowing to never fuse with Goku again regardless of the circumstances. Goku follows suit reluctantly, and as a result, despite Old Kai's offer for the two to merge into Vegito again and take care of Kid Buu in a flash, the two decide to fight alone, and Vegito is never again seen. Goku's relaxation, and Vegeta's strategic mind enabled Vegito to be quite an intelligent fighter without being overcome by arrogance as Vegeta alone would be but possessing the ruthlessness to kill Super Buu that Goku would lack. In addition, Vegito also possesses the immense power and speed of both Goku and Vegeta amplified to great degrees, as well as the tactics and skill of both. He is very similar to Gogeta, who is another fusion of Goku and Vegeta.

Gogeta

Main article: Gogeta

Gogeta, the Fusion Dance result of Goku and Vegeta

Gogeta is one of the most powerful characters introduced in the series. Like Vegito, Gogeta was an act of desperation, though this one was to stop the powerful demon of the 12th Dragon Ball Z movie, Janemba, rather than Majin Buu. Gogeta annihilated Janemba with hardly any effort, disposing of the demon in seconds. He derives his strategic battle tactics and skill from Vegeta, and his massive power and energy potential from Goku. However, due to his extraordinary power, the fusion will only last for 10 minutes (so far only confirmed for his Super Saiyan 4 form), as opposed to the usual 30 minutes, though this has been proven ample time to defeat almost any foe many times over.

Gokule

Main article: Gokule

The fusion between Goku and Hercule, as imagined by Goku

Gokule is the fusion of Goku and Mr. Satan (Hercule) formed by the Potara earrings. He only appeared in Goku's imagination and as a playable character in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2. After Goku returns to life and Earth, he finds Gohan to be the only remaining strong fighter to fuse with. But when Goku threw the Potara earring to Gohan, Gohan dropped it and when he finally found it he was absorbed by Super Buu. As the only two beings that were still alive are Mr. Satan and Dende, he imagined what the fusion would look like and which of the two would be better. He chose Hercule, because Hercule had more fighting experience and might make Goku a little stronger. In addition, fusing with Dende would make the Dragon Balls of Earth disappear. Just at the moment Goku said that Hercule should catch the earring and put it on his left ear, Vegeta appeared and Goku used Instant Transmission to find Vegeta and fuse, forming Vegito. This being the case, Gokule was only a hypothetical character in the anime, and is only seen as Goku's mental image of what the fusion would look like.

Hypothetical fusion with Dende

Main article: Den-Goku

The hypothetical fusion between Goku and Dende, as imagined by Goku

After Goku returns to life and Earth, he finds Gohan to be the only remaining strong fighter to fuse with. But when Goku threw the Potara earring to Gohan, Gohan dropped it and when he finally found it he was absorbed by Super Buu. As the only two beings that were still alive are Mr. Satan and Dende, he imagined what the fusion would look like and which of the two would be better. He chose Mr. Satan, because if he fused with Dende the Dragon Balls would cease to exist. Just at the moment Goku said that Mr. Satan should catch the earring and put it on his left ear, Vegeta appeared and Goku used Instant Transmission to find Vegeta and fuse, forming Vegito. This being the case, the fusion with Dende was only a hypothetical character in the anime seen as Goku's mental image of what the fusion would look like, and named Den-Goku in the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game.

Broku

Broku is a hypothetical fusion of Goku and Broly. It is a "Fusion Frenzy" card in the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game, however, the card itself does not depict the fused character, instead showing the two fusing characters beside each other.

Appearances in other media

Dr. Slump & Nekomajin

Goku in Nekomajin

Goku appears as a kid in the remake TV series of Dr. Slump. Arale helps him fighting General Blue and Ninja Murasaki. He also transforms into a Great Ape during the series. Kid Goku even appears in the video game Dr. Slump: Arale-Chan. Goku also makes a minor appearance as an adult in the movie Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: N-cha! Love Comes From Penguin Village, where he is seen fighting Bojack in the background.

Goku fighting Bojack in one of the Dr. Slump movies

Goku makes an appearance in the last chapter of Nekomajin, which takes place during the time period between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. He is searching for the Majin cat, Neko Majin Z, to help him fight an enemy that neither him, Ox-King, Chi-Chi, Goten, Pan or Uub can beat: a rodent.

Video games

Against Future Trunks' wishes, Goku interacts with his child self during a trip to the past in Dragon Ball Z: Atsumare! Gokū Wārudo

In video games, Goku appears in virtually every Dragon Ball licensed electronic game to date; see the list of video games where Goku is playable. He is also featured in various crossover games; he appears the Famicom games Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden and Famicom Jump II: Saikyō no Shichinin, the DS games Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars. He is featured in the Dragon Ball Z/One Piece/Naruto 2006 crossover game Battle Stadium D.O.N. In December 2007, Goku, along with Naruto Uzumaki and Luffy, would make guest appearances in avatar form in the MMORPG Second Life to promote "Jump Festa".

Super Saiyan Goku in Shin Budokai

Goku was among a number of Dragon Ball characters to appear in the Terebikko game Dragon Ball Z: Atsumare! Gokū Wārudo. This game was packaged as a VHS tape and a telephone peripheral used to input commands to Goku and friends when requested, telling a feature-length story involving time travel leading up to the Cell Games. Like the anime, Toei Animation was responsible for the footage, and as well each voice actor reprising the role of their characters.

Kid Goku from Dragon Ball Minus

For the first time ever, Kid Goku is playable in his Dragon Ball Minus (Jaco the Galactic Patrolman) outfit in Dragon Ball Heroes as part of the sixth mission of Jaaku Mission (JM6).

Live-action movies

Main articles: Monkey Boy (Charles Chen) and Goku (Justin Chatwin) Goku's first appearance in a live action film was in the Korean Dragon Ball film released in 1990.

Goku in the 1990 Korean Dragon Ball film

He appears as the main protagonist in the Chinese film Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins under the name of Monkey Boy portrayed by Charles Chen.

Charles Chen playing Monkey Boy in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins

Goku is the main protagonist in the 2009 American live-action movie Dragonball Evolution directed by James Wong. The character is portrayed by actor Justin Chatwin. Chatwin did not wear a wig as it is felt his hair already resembled Goku's. In the movie he carries out his grandfathers wishes and seeks out Master Roshi for training and he attempts to collect all the Dragon Balls before Piccolo. Along the way he befriends Yamcha and Bulma. Justin Chatwin quoted "First of all, it's an honor to play Goku, because he is a very important and epic character. He is always seeing the positive side of things, does good things, and always tries to help and take care of the weak, not only pursuing his power. He is a dependable and loving man as well as a boy. So I like Goku. In preparation for the role, of course I read the original manga (all of it), in addition, I read [Journey to the West] a little, because Dragonball is based on [Journey to the West]. And during the break time of shooting, I got into Goku's character, telling jokes with other cast in search of the real communication which can be used in acting. This is the most interesting movie for me. Because I have never fought with anyone though, I trained in martial arts and acrobatics, and then we shot it. That's fun as well as challenging. Fighting with Eriko (Tamura), she punched me in the face, actually she intended to hit lightly, but... it was a clean hit (laugh) She said "I'm sorry!" and apologized to me, but thanks to her, we could shoot very powerful action scene. Through this work, I think I could learn a lot of things."

Goku being portrayed by Justin Chatwin in Dragon Ball Evolution

Goku also appears in the 2010 live action battle show Dragon Ball Kai: Super Battle Stage, which is loosely based on the 1993 movie Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan.

In popular culture

Goku has often been deemed a positive role model for children throughout Japan. In June 1988, Goku and other Dragon Ball characters were featured in two PSA shorts. The first short was entitled "The Goku Traffic Safety" (Gokū no Kōtsū Anzen) where Goku is taught the importance of obeying traffic safety by others. The second was called "Goku's Fire Brigade" (Gokū no Shōbō-tai) where he teaches two children the importance of fire safety; this short is notable for featuring Goku as a volunteer fire-fighter.

Goku's appearance on "Yamada Katsute-nai Wink"

Goku has made guest appearances in various Japanese television shows and manga. He is a recurring character in the anime remake of another series by Toriyama, Dr. Slump. In 1990, Goku (in anime form) made a surprise 2 min.30 appearance on "Yamada Katsute Nai Wink" (Wink, "Yamada Katsute Nai Wink"). Here, he uses the Dragon Balls to help J-Pop star and hostess Kuniko Yamada gain her abilities, including the ability to execute a Kamehameha, which she playfully uses on him. In 1993, Goku (with a halo) appeared accompanied by Maruko-chan (another manga character) in a promotional broadcast for Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! and Chibi Maruko-chan: My Favorite Song, which were released in Japan on July, 11th 1992, and December 19, 1992 respectively.^[187] In 2006, Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza would make a surprise appearance in a special issue of KochiKame. Here, Ryotsu Kankichi travels to Namek and issues Frieza a citation for parking his ship illegally. Ryotsu also meets Vegeta and Goku on the planet. In 2005, Goku appears in the Toriyama parody manga Neko Majin, where he is the sensei of the main character, Neko Majin Z. He, with the other Dragon Ball characters, would team up with the cast of One Piece in a crossover manga titled Cross Epoch. Here, Goku is traveling nomad who meets up with Monkey D. Luffy. Together, they fight the Pilappaggy Villain Union, a gang led by Pilaf and Buggy.

Goku and Maruko-chan in a promotional broadcast for their respective 1992 movies

Goku can also be considered a regular commodity for Fuji TV. In 2003, Goku would appear in the interactive feature entitled Kyutai Panic Adventure! (Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā!?; lit. "Orb Panic Adventure!"), which was featured exclusively at the Fuji TV headquarters. Here, Frieza attacks tourists by blasting the orb section free it from the rest of the Fuji TV building followed by a cannon attack by Arlong and his gang. It features teamups of Goku, Luffy, and Astro Boy. This was followed up with the 2004 Kyūtai Panic Adventure Returns! (Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā Ritānzu!?; lit. "Orb Panic Adventure Returns!"). Here, the evil Eneru appears and attack the headquarter's location in the aqua city of Odaiba. It features team ups with Goku, Luffy, and KochiKame's Ryotsu Kankichi. The feature is also known for Goku and Luffy's tag-team attack on Eneru, which fans have dubbed as the "Gom Gom Kamehameha".

Goku's appearance as a commentator at the 2007 Nippon Ijin Taishō

On April 7, 2007, Goku appeared along with Fuji TV announcer Masaharu Miyake as commentators to an anime segment in Nippon Ijin Taishō · Saikyō no Ijin wa Dare? (lit. "Japan's Great Awards - Who is the Strongest Hero?"). The segment featured a special World Martial Arts Tournament that was to decide who was the greatest person in Japanese history. The fighters were Musashibo Benkei, Himiko, Prince Shotoku, and Amakusa Shiro. During the intermission, Goku managed to plugged the then soon be released copies of R2 releases of the Dragon Ball DVDs. The winner was Prince Shotoku, who defeated Benkei in the final.

Goku in a KFC commercial

Goku has often been the subject of various parodies over the years. On an episode of Operation!, Takeshi Castle, which is currently known as in the US as MXC, had an episode called family day. In that episode, the hosts Beat Takeshi and Sonomanma Higashi were dressed as popular anime characters one was Kid Goku and the other was Doremon. In the MXC dub of that episode, when asked who about his Goku costume, the host replied "Who, me? I'm dressed as a crack head!" The Shonen Jump "Gag Special 2005" issue released on December 1, 2004 featured a Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo one-shot Dragon Ball parody manga. The manga was a humorous retelling of the battle between Goku and Vegeta in the Saiyan Saga. Jelly Jiggler was Goku and Don Patch was Vegeta. In the anime episode "Fire It Up! Abenobashi Hong Kong Combat Shopping Arcade" of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, character Sasshi Imamiya goes Super Saiyan much like Goku and fires a Kamehameha.

Reception

Goku's character was well received by publications for manga, anime and other media. Several pieces of merchandising based on Goku has also been released including action figures, plushes, and keychains. Anime News Network noted Goku to be a good part of the comedy of the series and remarked that after all events that happen to him, he is still the same naive character. THEM Anime Reviews noted him to be Goku is not the omnipowerful one in the first series unlike Dragon Ball Z, nor does he randomly disappear for long stretches of time between sagas. They also liked how the series tell all his adventures making him a good main character. Rationalmagic.com praised Goku's innocence as one of the funniest parts of the series. His journey and ever growing strength resulted in the character winning "the admiration of young boys everywhere".
Goku ranked consistently high in the Anime Grand Prix poll in the category of "best male character" in the late 1980s and early 1990s, appearing fifteenth in the 1988 poll, second in the 1989 poll, fourth in the 1990 poll, third in the 1991 poll, fourth in the 1992 poll, thirteenth in 1993 poll, and twelfth in 1994 poll. In Mania Entertainment's 10 Most Iconic Anime Heroes written by Thomas Zoth who commented that "Goku and Dragon Ball completely revolutionized shōnen manga." In a Newtype magazine poll from March 2010, Goku was voted the fifth most popular male character from the 1980s. In 2005, The Daily Reader printed an article entitled "The Greatest Geek Movie Heroes of All Time". Goku is the only animated character on the list, coming in nine places after the winner. Other manga artists, such as Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto and One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, have stated that Goku inspired their series' main protagonists. In 2000, Goku placed third in an Animax poll of favorite anime characters. In a survey conducted by Oricon in 2007 between 1,000 people, Goku ranked first place as the "Strongest Manga character of all time." In the survey "friendship" developed by rankingjapan.com in which people had to choose what anime character they would like to have as a friend, Goku ranked fifth. Masako Nozawa, the Japanese voice actress for Goku, has commented she liked when he lost his tail because that made him more normal but liked that the character was still the same in the end of the series. Jackie Chan has gone on record stating that Goku is his favorite Dragon Ball character. IGN.com named Goku the number 1 anime character of all time in their list of the "Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time" in 2009 and third on the 2014 list.
Goku's background is something similar to Superman's origin, they both escaped their home planets and adopted by humans, their fathers tried to warn their people. In the 133rd edition (September 2002) of Wizard Magazine, a hypothetical Superman vs. Goku match-up was published. Goku won the fight quite easily, not even needing to use Super Saiyan form. The article fell under heavy criticism by upset Superman fans. Later that year, Wizard did an open poll at the Toronto Fan Expo and New York Comicon asking attendees who would win. Over 80% said Superman would defeat Goku.
Goku has been the inspiration for many characters, including Monkey D. Luffy from the One Piece series, Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto series, Zatch Bell from the Zatch Bell series, and most recently Toriko from the Toriko series. The disbanded German rock band "Son Goku" takes their name from Goku. The band's front man Thomas D specifically chose the name as Goku embodies the band's philosophy. Stating he was "fascinated by Goku's naïveté and cheerfulness, yet, at the same time, a great warrior saving the world".