Son Goku (anime character)

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"I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!"
— Son Goku in "Explosion of Anger"

Son Goku (そん ごくう, Son Gokū; FUNimation "Goku", Viz "Son Goku"; Literally meaning "Grandson Understanding the Sky") is the husband of Son Chichi, the father of two sons, Son Gohan and Son Goten, the grandfather of Son Pan, and the great-great grandfather of Son Goku Junior. He is a defender of Planet Earth and informally leads the Z Warriors. Throughout his life, he trains hard and strives to be the greatest warrior possible, while at the same time uses his amazing strength and skills to uphold peace. These qualities make him the perfect example of a hero, though not necessarily the perfect role model due to his lack of an education.

Concept and creation

Goku in his Kid and Adult forms in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, respectively.

Akira Toriyama's first draft of Goku

Goku means understanding the sky. (The "go" syllable means "understanding" and the "ku" syllable means "sky".) Goku's full name, Son Goku, is the Japanese rendering of "Sun Wukong", the main protagonist in the Chinese novel Journey to the West and of whom Goku is based upon. Goku himself started as more or less a parody of Sun Wukong, and as the manga continued its run he was able to develop differently, eventually turning out to have similar origins.

Goku's design was based off of Tanton from Dragon Boy and Tongpoo from The Adventure of Tongpoo. When Akira Toriyama started his first draft of Dragon Ball, he originally planned on making Goku a 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 who rode a flight mecha instead of the Kinto Un. Toriyama's third and final draft of Goku was to have him Human-looking with a Monkey tail.

Appearance and personality

Goku showing his cheerful, energetic personality and his love of competition.

Goku's various appearances throughout the Dragon Ball series.

Goku is the main character in the entire Dragon Ball series. With spiky black hair and his trademark orange/red/golden and blue clothes, Goku is known for his cheerful, energetic personality and his love of competition (specifically sport fighting and eating). 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. 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, pushing himself beyond his limitations, and never giving up even when the odds are stacked against him.

During his childhood, a recurring gag in the series was that Goku was incapable of telling the difference between a man and a woman without physically touching them, which often got him into trouble. The most notable of these occurrences was when he first met Chi-Chi, where she pushed him off of the Kinto Un after he patted her genitals with his foot and in the scene where he removed Bulma's panties while she slept and was horrified to discover that she had no testicles (which was also adapted in Dragon Ball: The Path to Power). He eventually outgrew this once old enough to understand the difference.

Goku is shown to suffer from severe trypanophobia, or the fear of medical needles, but this only occurs in the anime. 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 the hospital. The second time he showed his fear of needles was after the fight with Ginyu on Planet Namek, while he was on his way to recover in a rejuvenation tank. In Dragon Ball GT, it was shown when Goku, Pan, and Trunks brought an injured boy to the Hospital Planet of the universe. The second time, during his first battle against Vegeta Baby, he was blasted into Sogorugo Space where he witnessed a hologram of Chichi who threw a gigantic needle at him. Lastly, Goku showed his fear after learning from Pan that the Four-Star Ball was coming out of his forehead, worrying that he would need a shot.

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 ridiculous 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 Nuova Shen Long. 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. He never knew of his father's change of heart.

Biography

Early life

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

Goku as a baby being sent to Earth minutes before Freeza arrives to destroy Planet Vegeta.

Gohan finding Goku alone in the forest.

Kakarrot (カカロット, Kakarotto), renamed Goku on Planet Earth, was born sometime in 737 Age on Planet Vegeta during a time of great turmoil. Following a Saiyan custom, Goku was sent as a baby to planet Earth, in order to defeat 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, specially after transforming into a Great Ape by Planet Earth's full moon. Goku's father, a low-class Saiyan warrior named Bardock, perished in his home planet's destruction shortly after Goku's departure, and his older brother Raditz was nowhere to be seen. Goku's mother perished with Planet Vegeta.

After crash-landing on Planet Earth, Goku became the adopted grandson of an old man named Gohan, who found him in the woods and gave him his human name. 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 Sayian 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. 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

Emperor Pilaf Saga

Main article: Emperor Pilaf Saga

"Besides my grandpa you're the only human-being I've ever seen."
— Son Goku in "The Secret of the Dragon Balls"

Goku meeting Bulma for the first time.

Goku meeting Turtle Hermit and receiving the Kinto Un.

Goku fighting against Yamucha in the Diablo Desert.

Goku's first use of the Kamehameha after seeing Turtle Hermit use it.

Great Ape Goku destroying Castle Pilaf.

Goku was introduced in the Dragon Ball manga and anime at approximately 11 or 12 years of age Initially, he claimed to be 14, but it was 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 owned the Power Pole and the Four-Star Ball, inheritances from his grandfather.

One day after doing his daily chores, Goku was hit by a car on his way home after he had caught a Giant Fish. Having never seen a car before, he assumed it was a monster attacking him. When the driver shot Goku with a gun, she became scared after seeing that it hardly did any damage and surrendered. She revealed that she was a Human girl named Bulma Brief. Goku stated that he had never seen a girl before and that the only other Human he had seen in his life was his deceased grandfather. Goku took Bulma to his house where she ended up discovering his Four-Star Ball. Goku did not want Bulma to touch because it was precious to him, therefore Bulma decided to let Goku join her on a quest to collect all seven Dragon Balls and summon the Dragon. She did not tell him, however, that the Dragon Balls would be scattered all across the planet once they succeeded. Later that night, when camping in Bulma's Capsule House, Goku was introduced to various technology such as TV, lights, and even a bath. Early the next morning, Goku was surprised when he learned a bit about the anatomy of women after he took off Bulma's underwear as she slept. Later that morning, Goku met Kame and decided to help him get back to the ocean. Bulma was forced to follow suit. After Goku had defeated Bear Thief, who wanted to eat Kame, they finally made it to the beach where he met his future master, Turtle Hermit. When Turtle Hermit met them, he rewarded Goku with a flying cloud, the Kinto Un, that only allowed people of pure heart to ride it. Goku had no difficulty. Bulma also received the Three-Star Ball after she showed Turtle Hermit her underwear (unbeknownst to her, she was actually nude because Goku had pulled them off in the morning).

Three days later, Goku and Bulma ended up in Aru Village. The village was under the rule of an evil shapeshifter named Oolong, who also had kidnapped many of the villagers' daughters. After Goku failed to impersonate Pochawompa in an attempt to find the location of Oolong's Mansion, he decided to face Oolong head on. After Goku chased Oolong out of the village, Goku managed to capture him and forced him to give the villagers back their daughters. Afterward, they were rewarded with the Six-Star Ball and Oolong was forced to join Goku and Bulma on their quest. While crossing the Diablo Desert on their way to Fire Mountain, Goku fought against a bandit named Yamucha. Yamucha was a friend of a former classmate of Oolong, Puar.Goku and Yamucha had a duel, but Yamucha was surprised when Goku brought out his Power Pole. He learned that Goku was the grandson of the legendary martial artist Gohan. After Goku nearly lost to Yamucha's Wolf Fang Fist due to hunger, Bulma awoke and caused Yamucha to flee due to his shyness of women. Later that night, Goku and the others slept in Oolong's House-Wagon. Goku told Oolong about the Dragon Balls as Yamucha and Puar hid outside and listened to the story of the mythical Dragon Balls The next morning, Goku fought against Yamucha again after he destroys the House-Wagon and attempted to rob them. Goku won the fight and Yamucha, in a false display of apology, gave them a car that secretly had a tracking device.

Two days later, the Dragon Ball Gang ended up at Fire Mountain where Goku fought against Gyumao after he attempted to kill Bulma and Oolong. After Goku summoned the Kinto Un, Gyumao stopped fighting and told Goku that the man who gave Goku that cloud was the same master that had taught him. In an effort to douse the fire that surrounded Gyumao's Castle at the top of the mountain, Goku was asked by him to retrieve the Basho Fan from Turtle Hermit and pick up his daughter, Chichi, who had left earlier to find the Turtle Hermit. When they arrived at Turtle Island, Turtle Hermit could not find the fan and told them that he must have accidentally thrown it out sometime in the past. He decided to go there and put out the fire himself. When they got back to Fire Mountain, Turtle Hermit used a technique called the Kamehameha to put out the flames. Unfortunately, he destroyed the whole mountain. Much to Turtle Hermit's surprise, Goku was immediately able to imitate the technique and made a Kamehameha that was big enough to destroy their car. While Bulma and Oolong looked for the Dragon Ball in the rubble, Turtle Hermit asked Goku to train with him after he had finished his quest for the Dragon Balls.

On their way to the last Dragon Ball, they took a break at a village that was ruled by a gang known as the Rabbit Mob. The Dragon Ball Gang got into trouble with the Rabbit Mob, but Goku defeated their leader, Usagi Ninjinka, with the help of Yamucha. When they get back on the road, they are attacked by a robot piloted by Shuu who steals five of their Dragon Balls. Luckily, though, Goku insisted on keeping his Four-Star Ball with him instead of with the rest of the Dragon Balls. Yamucha gave them a lift to Castle Pilaf to get them back. Once they arrive, however, they were locked in a room filled with sleeping gas, where Goku's Four-Star Ball is stolen. When they wake up, an emperor named 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 ended up looking at the full moon that night causing him to turn into a Great Ape and destroys the cell along with the rest of Castle Pilaf. Seeing Goku out of control in the ape form, Yamucha has Puar turn into a pair of scissors and cut Goku's tail off, causing him to revert back to his normal form. The next morning, Oolong began to speculate that Goku was not a Human, raising the question of whether he was "some kinda space alien."

Tournament Saga

Main article: Tournament Saga

"Amazing... in a day he's learned a move that took me 50 years to master..."
— Turtle Hermit talking about Goku's usage of the Kamehameha Wave (FUNimation dub)

Goku and Kuririn delivering milk as part of their training under Turtle Hermit.

Goku vs. Jackie Chun in the final round

After finishing his quest for the Dragon Balls, Kid Son Goku (孫 悟空 少年期, Son Gokū Shōnen-ki) left Bulma and the others in order to train with Turtle Hermit. Turtle Hermit agreed to train Goku, but only if he first found him a pretty girl. After failing to bring him a decent girl, another potential student named Kuririn arrived at the island and assisted Goku. After fighting off some police officers, they finally returned with a girl who had a split personality named Lunch.

Roshi then brings Goku and Krillin to his special Training Island to train them. They were put through very strange training that seemed like it had nothing to do with martial arts, such as milk delivery and construction work, all while wearing very heavy turtle shells. After the hard work, the two develop into two of the most powerful fighters on Planet Earth. After 8 months of training, Turtle Hermit brought them to Papaya Island to compete at the 21st Tenkaichi Tournament to test their training. Upon their arrival, Goku was reunited with his friends Bulma, Oolong, Puar, and Yamcha. Goku got through the elimination rounds easily without even trying (even he was surprised at his remarkable new power) and made it to the main tournament.

In the tournament, he was put up against Giran in the quarterfinals. Goku struggled with the best when he was trapped in Giran's Merry-Go-Round Gum, but his tail grew 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 was put up against a warrior named Namu. Goku and Namu took the battle into the air and each was almost knocked out of the ring. Just before Goku was knocked out by Namu's attack, however, he dodged and kicked Namu out of the ring. In the final round, Goku battled against defending champion Jackie Chun (really Turtle Hermit in disguise). During the battle, Goku turned back into a Great Ape and started to destroy the arena. Jackie, who could not leave the arena because their match was still in progress, destroyed the Moon to revert Goku back to his base form. The two continued their match, both losing their energy at a rapid rate. Goku ended up losing the match, but learned that he should always continue to train because there were people out there who were 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."
— Son Goku talking to his friends (FUNimation dub)

Goku fighting against Silver.

Goku, No. 8, and the Jingle Village Mayor watching Muscle Tower fall.

Goku stopping Hasky from stealing the Dragon Balls.

Goku fighting against Blue.

Goku in Penguin Village.

Goku fighting against Tao.

Goku fighting off Red Ribbon Army soldiers at their headquarters.

After being runner up in the World Martial Arts Tournament, Master Roshi tells Goku that he should go out and see the world, 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 Chichi quickly go together back to the Ox-King's Village to find that an organization called the Red Ribbon Army attacked. Goku and Chi-Chi fight off the troops until they fled. Goku leaves Chichi 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 destroys his Flying Nimbus.

After seeing that the Dragon Ball he found was not his grandfathers 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 is frozen. He is then taken to Jingle Village by a girl named Suno. After hearing 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 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 was destroyed. General White is defeated and Goku saves the Village Chief while obtaining another Dragon Ball that Android 8 was hiding from the army.

Goku finds out from one of the village elders that his nimbus still works and decides to go to Metro West to have Bulma fix his Dragon Radar that broke. Goku arrives at Bulma's house Capsule Corp. 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 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 bearly 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 ends up chasing 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 defeats 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's next location was the Sacred Land of Karin where he defeats 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 and murders Bora. He then takes on Goku. 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 Karin Tower to get the sacred water of Karin. When he gets to the top it takes Goku three days to snatch it from him. When Tao returns, Goku comes back and defeats Tao in battle when he kicks one of his grenades back at him where he is assumed dead.

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, Black kills 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 see's all of his friends just outside of it ready to help him, but Goku tells them he already defeated them, greatly surprising everyone.

Fortuneteller Baba Saga

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 (FUNimation dub)

Goku fighting against Grandpa Son 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). 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, and easily defeats them. With all the Dragon Balls in his power, Goku is able to call Shenron and revives Bora.

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 saves her village by 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 Phantom-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 if working with two martial artists named Tien 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.

Tien Shinhan Saga

Main article: Tien Shinhan Saga

"You rely too much on tricks."
— Son Goku to Tenshinhan (FUNimation dub)

Goku easily defeating Chapa-o, a former tournament champion.

Goku fighting against Tenshinhan in the final round.

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 Tenshinhan, a warrior trained by Muten Roshi's nemesis, Crane Hermit. Like Yamucha and Puar before them, Tenshinhan, along with his best friend Chaozu, will eventually side with Goku.

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 Panpoot, 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 paralysed and pinned down by Chiaotzu and his Telekinesis technique, at the orders of Master Shen. After Goku is freed from Chaozu'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.

King Piccolo Saga

Main article: King Piccolo Saga

"It's time for your terror to end!!!"
— Son Goku to Piccolo Daimao (FUNimation dub)

Goku finding Kuririn dead early during the King Piccolo Saga.

Goku after drinking the Ultra Divine Water to become stronger.

Goku killing Piccolo Daimao.

Right after the conclusion of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, King Piccolo, the evil half of Kami, appears in scene. Krillin is killed by Tambourine, one of his sons. Goku gets angry and chases after him through the skies, but still being fatigued from the tournament, Goku is defeated by Tambourine. While trying to recover in the wilderness, Goku meets 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. After sensing Cymbal's death, Piccolo orders Tambourine to find his killer. Upon seeing Tambourine again, Goku finally destroys him. Soon after King Piccolo appears and swiftly defeats Goku with his Masenko attack, causing Goku's heart to stop for a short time. Yajirobe takes Goku to Korin Tower to help him recover.

Meanwhile, Master Roshi and Chiaotzu try to stop King Piccolo from gathering the Dragon Balls, but fail and 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.

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 Tenshinhan. Goku steps in and defeats Drum and challenges King Piccolo to a battle. 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 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 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, fully launches himself at King Piccolo, 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 to avenge his death and spread evil across the planet.

Piccolo Jr. Saga

Main article: Piccolo Jr. Saga

Goku challenging Popo at Kami's Lookout.

Goku fighting against Piccolo in the final round.

Goku's wedding at the conclusion of the Dragon Ball anime.

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 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 Tenkaichi Tournament to defeat Piccolo, who wants revenge on Goku for killing his father. 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 returns three years later at the age of 18 to meet up with his friends and join the tournament. In the preliminaries, Goku is put up against King Chappa, who wants to avenge his loss 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 Chichi, whom Goku had unknowingly promised to marry years before. Before leaving the ring, Goku asks for her hand in marriage.

In the semi-finals Goku is put up against Tien Shinhan to settle the score from the last tournament. Goku wins, leaving him against Piccolo Jr. in the final round. The fight goes on for a while, but when the word spreads that he is the son of King Piccolo, the crowd flees. Piccolo Jr. transforms into his giant form and the stage is destroyed as they go into full battle. 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. After Goku is declared victor he gives Piccolo a Senzu to keep Kami alive and give himself a good rival.

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 Basho 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 Chichi get married, concluding the original Dragon Ball series.

Dragon Ball Z

Vegeta Saga

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 and Raditz being killed by Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon.

Goku defeating Nappa.

Goku using the Kaio-ken x3 attack against Vegeta.

Goku punching Vegeta.

At the start of Dragon Ball Z, Goku is approximately 23 years of age and still living at Mount Paozu in a newly built house near his old house with his wife, Chichi, and his four year old son, Son Gohan, named after Goku's adoptive father, Grandpa Son Gohan. A new threat has arrived 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 a head injury as a baby. When Goku refuses to carry out his forgotten mission, Raditz quickly defeats him and kidnaps Gohan, giving Goku an ultimatum: Raditz will kill Gohan unless Goku kills one hundred humans within the next twenty-four hours. To defeat Raditz and save Earth, Goku and Piccolo join forces. Even with their combined strength, Raditz still holds the upper hand, until 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.

After Goku dies, 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, he encounters and escapes Princess Snake and even manages to escape Hell after accidentally falling off Snake Way. When Goku finally makes it to King Kai's Planet he is given ridiculous challenges before he starts his training, including having to tell King Kai a joke, catching Bubbles, his pet monkey , and smashing his pet cricket, Gregory, on the head with a heavy hammer. After the challenges, 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, in order to reach earth to join the battle against the Saiyans, which was already underway and going badly for the defenders of Earth.

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 Tri-beam and Piccolo had sacrificed himself to save Gohan from a powerful attack launched by Nappa, which inadvertently killed Kami as well.

Much to everyone's surprise, Goku had become powerful enough to defeat Nappa without much difficulty, but is pushed to his limits by the strength of Vegeta. 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. After the fight, Krillin attempts to take Vegeta's life, 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 Planet 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 (FUNimation dub)

Goku easily defeating the mighty Recoome.

Goku in Ginyu's body struggling to stay alive.

Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan for the first time after witnessing Freeza cut Piccolo down and Kuririn's murder at the hands of Freeza.

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

After the battle with Vegeta, Goku is severely injured, and Korin is out of Senzu, so Goku has to stay behind in the 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 Saiyan pod, to go to Planet Namek. During his trip to Planet 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.

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 Freeza's elite fighting squad, the Ginyu Force. Goku then takes out Butta 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. 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 Ginyu to swap bodies with Vegeta.

Goku's body, worn out and beaten, uses a Rejuvenation Tank inside Freeza'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. The battle against Freeza is furious, as he seems to be invincible. Even Goku's most powerful attack, the Spirit Bomb, fails to kill Frieza. However, when Freeza kills Krillin and critically injures Piccolo (who had been resurrected and was transported to Namek to help), Goku, in anger, taps into his inner power reserves and transforms into a Super Saiyan. He eventually defeats the merciless Freeza just before Namek explodes. His friends, who were teleported to Earth by a wish made on 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.

The Artificial Humans

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 (FUNimation dub)

Future Trunks testing Goku's abilities in combat.

Super Saiyan Goku fighting against No. 19.

After Goku defeats Frieza, he quickly escapes Namek using one of the Ginyu Force space pods. The pod takes Goku to Yardrat, which was going to be the Ginyu Force's next target. While on Yardrat, Goku learns a new technique called the Instant Transmission.

Two years later, at the age of 26 (physically 25 because he had been dead for a year), 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.

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.

Three years later, two androids, Dr. Gero (as Android 20) and Android 19, appear and attack a city. The Z Fighters confront them. 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 destroys Android 19 with ease. Yamcha takes Goku to Chi-Chi to get the medicine that will save his life from the killer virus. Soon after, Dr. Gero flees from the battlefield and goes to his laboratory to activate Android 17 and Android 18. However, they are revealed to be unruly and kill him, and activate another android, Android 16, as well, in order to help them track down Goku.

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 (FUNimation dub)

Goku and Gohan emerging from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber as Full Power Super Saiyans.

Full Power Super Saiyan Goku waging a titanic battle against Perfect Cell.

Goku saying farewell to his family and friends before going to the Next World.

While the Z Fighters try and fail to stop the androids, Piccolo discovers a new threat named Cell, a large biological lifeform 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 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 Trunks go in first and, while Goku and Gohan enter the Chamber next, go to find and fight Cell. Goku realizes that half Saiyan hybrids like Trunks can turn Super Saiyan, so he trains Gohan intensely and helps him become a Super Saiyan. During this training, Goku notices that the potential Gohan has can easily surpass Goku's own powers and that, if he is unable to kill Cell, Gohan will.

While Goku trains, Vegeta and Trunks fail to defeat Cell, who absorbs Android 18 and reaches his perfect form. 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 the reactivated Dragon Balls on Earth, in order to use them after they defeat Cell to correct everything he put wrong.

After ten days have passed, the Z Fighters head to the Cell Games, and Goku offers to be the first one 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. Goku decides to 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. When Cell destroys Android 16, however, 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.

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 didn't know he had, and uses the recently learned Instant Transmission to go back to Earth. Goku then motivates Gohan from beyond 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 Gero's minions. Goku decides it will be safer for Earth if he doesn't return and Earth has Gohan to protect it if needed.

Great Saiyaman Saga

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 against 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-near-omnipotent Super Saiyan 2, which far surpasses Gohan's power from the Cell Games, but delivers an excrutiating 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 Uranai Baba during the World Martial Arts Tournament Saga.

Goku continuing to power up his energy and causing Yakon to explode from over-consumption.

Seven years later at the age of 36 (physically 28 due to death, both current and during the Saiyan Saga), 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.

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.

Majin Buu Saga

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 clashing in a titanic battle.

Super Saiyan 3 Goku dominating Majin Boo in battle.

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Goku saying farewell to his family and friends before going back to the Next World.

Goku and Majin Vegeta have an earth shattering battle which gives more than enough energy for Majin Buu's awakening, and, although are they perfectly matched, fighting each other at the Super Saiyan 2 level, Goku ends the fight when he knows 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 and flies off to face Majin Buu alone.

Upon awakening, Goku could sense neither Vegeta nor Gohan anywhere and comes to the conclusion that they are dead (when 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, he decides to teach Trunks and Goten the art of Fusion, which he learned while in Other World, so they may form one immensely powerful being that might stand a chance against Majin Buu.

When Majin Buu is about to cause more destruction, Goku decides to interrupt 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. He tells Majin Buu that in two days he will have a strong opponent to fight. Then Goku shows him and everyone (via Babidi's telepathy) the incredible power of the new Super Saiyan 3 form. 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 Other World.

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, Katchin, 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 Elder Kai, who tells them that he will fully unlock Gohan's potential with a ritual.

Fusion Saga

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!"
— Son Goku towards Vegeta

Vegetto, the result of the Potara Fusion between Goku and Vegeta.

Super Vegetto dominating Super Boo.

Super Saiyan Vegeta and Super Saiyan Goku fighting Inside Boo.

Through a crystal globe, Goku watches the fight between Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks and Super Boo 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.

When Gohan fails due to Super Boo's stolen powers, Elder Kai gives his life to Goku so that he may return to Earth to help Gohan. He is also given the Potara Earrings so that he can fuse with Gohan, creating an unmatched warrior that the Kai said would easily murder Buu without even the need to transform. He arrives, much to the surprise of Gohan and Super Buu, and tosses the earring 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, the strongest fighter in the Dragon Ball Z series.

Vegito then easily thrashes Super Buu, even with Gohan absorbed. Super Buu tries every technique and attack he's 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. 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.

Inside Super Buu, Vegito automatically separates into the two Saiyans due to the properties of Super Buu's digestive system. 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 (a fight which Goku and Vegeta can not win, which Goku clearly states even before meeting him. Since it is Super Buu's mind, he can keep regenerating his mental self repeatedly), so Vegeta decides to remove the unconscious Fat Buu, from Super Buu. Despite pleas from Super Buu, Vegeta pulls the Fat 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 transformed back to his original form - Kid Buu.

Kid Buu Saga

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

The final confrontation with the deadly Kid Boo.

Goku charging the Super Spirit Bomb to destroy Kid Buu.

Goku taking Uub in as his student.

Goku and Uub in the final scene of Dragon Ball Z..

Outside, Goku rescues Hercule 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 couldn't deflect in response). Kibito Kai teleports in and saves Vegeta, Goku, Dende, and Hercule by bringing them to the Kai Planet. 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, Goku fights him first. He fights as a Super Saiyan 3 and evenly matches 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 2 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").

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 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.

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. With the blessing of Earth's residents, Goku destroys Kid Buu forever.

With the passing of ten years, at age 46 (physically 38), Goku kept training despite the fact that Earth was at peace, He trains with his youngest son Goten during the ten year time period, between the Kid Buu Saga and the 28th Martial Arts Tournament and Goten seems to enjoy training with his father. When the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament comes around and Goku forces Goten to cancel his date to enter, 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 stage fright.

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 GT

Black Star Dragon Ball Saga

Main article: Black Star Dragon Ball Saga

Goku in child form during Dragon Ball GT.

Goku in his prime during Dragon Ball GT.

Goku, Pan, and Trunks searching for the Dragon Ball around the universe.

In Dragon Ball GT, at the age of 51 (physically 43 before the wish by Shen Long that turned him into a kid), Goku had finished training Oob and they had just finished testing their abilities against one another in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Soon after, an accidental wish by Pilaf transformed him back into a child, or GT Son Goku (孫 悟空 ジーティー, Son Gokū JiiTii). The wish was made on the Black Star Dragon Balls. As a result, Goku had to travel the galaxy and return them to Planet Earth to prevent the planet from exploding from the negative energy created by the wish.

After leaving Planet Earth in the spaceship designed by Bulma, a piece of the ship fell off and Goku, Pan, and Trunks were 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 rule, just then Don Kee's men come and repossess the old couple's house saying they where behind 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 the small robot T-2006 nicknamed Gill who said that he could not give the Dragon Radar back to them because it was already integrated into his system.

Meanwhile, Goku noticed that their spaceship was being dragged away by Don Kee's men. He tried to use Instant Transmission to teleport them back to the spaceship, but after two failed attempts realized that he could not use it in his small body. They were forced to travel to Don Kee's palace on foot to recover their ship. Pan decided that they would use a stealth operation to recover their spaceship and would only result to fighting as a last resort. After briefly sneaking around, a large rock fell on Trunks' head and Gill started making noises that alarmed the guards. The guards opened fire on Goku and the others and Pan said that they had fight now and Goku agreed. Pan jumped in the carrying car while Goku moved the spaceship onto the car. Pan then drove the spaceship out of the palace with Goku and Trunks. While escaping, Don Kee's henchmen, Gale and Sheila, fired a Ki Blast at Goku. He reflected it back with ease towards Ledgic, Don Kee's right hand man, who recognized them as Saiyans. Goku and the others escaped, but Trunks said that they had to go back into town for more parts due to Pan's "reckless driving".

Once they reach the town everyone hides and Trunks finds the three of them on Immecka's most wanted list. While running from Don Kee's men 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 and Trunks and Pan incapacitate Gale, Sheila, 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 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 Immecka. 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 Ball in the hair of the princess of the village, Leing. Trunks asks for the ball but her fiance' Doma said that they were in a large problem already. The amphibian creature Zoonama was threatening the village with earthquakes and volcanoes if they didn't give him Leing. 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 Leing but it doesn't work out and Trunks poses as Leing instead. Zoonama coms and takes Trunks 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't cause earthquakes only predict them but now he is so tipsy that he didn't 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 wave saving the city and winning the Dragon Ball. Just as he goes to get the ball the mysterious Para brothers arrive and take it.

Goku then jumps in the ship with Pan and Trunks and they chase after the Para brothers. 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 brothers until they are saved by the hungry Mouma. Pan goes aboard the Para brother's 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 which transforms into Mutchie and fights Goku. Trunks finishes Mutchie off with Flash Bang 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 Luud's 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 the exact same time. After multiple tries Goku finally succeeds and destroyed 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.

Baby Saga

Main article: Baby Saga

Goku fighting against Vegeta Baby.

Super Saiyan 3 Goku being overtaken by the power of Super Baby.

Super Saiyan 4 Goku dominating Super Baby.

Goku firing a 10x Kamehameha to destroy Baby.

As our heroes arrive on the supposedly deserted planet M2 as 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 Mega Canon 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 the 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. 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.

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.

There, Elder 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 battle with Baby Vegeta, Goku is able to sustain his Super Saiyan 3 form but is still no match for his opponent. 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.

Baby 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. Goku's situation becomes bad, but after a lengthy battle, Goku succeeds in defeating Baby Vegeta and leaving Baby 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 Saga

Main article: Super 17 Saga

Goku facing off against Cell and Freeza in Hell.

Goku destroying Super Android 17 with the Dragon Fist.

Goku and No. 18 talking to each other after the defeat of Super 17.

Goku is still a kid and fights in the world martial arts tournament, having to fight in the junior division with Hercule saying there is a height requirement. His opponent apparently wins by tickling Goku while he is talking to Vegeta, resulting in Goku falling out of the ring. Goku and his friends are at home eating until a badly beaten up Trunks arrives, saying he was beaten up by Android 17, who told him to tell Goku to go to Hell to set things straight.

Goku leaves for Hell, where he meets Dr. Mu, 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 out duel both of them in his normal state. Realizing Goku's power, Cell uses a technique not seen in Dragon Ball Z. He forces out his tail even in his perfect state and absorbs Goku. Once absorbed, Super Perfect Cell powers up with extreme, radical lightning and he states that he has gained all of Goku's power and has become the strongest fighter in the universe which may be true. But 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: creating a tornado type spin throwing 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.

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, transfer their energy to Goku so as to allow him to escape. 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.

Shadow Dragon Saga

Main article: Shadow Dragon Saga

Goku charging up his Universal Genki Dama to destroy Omega.

Goku leaving with Shen Long.

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

A statue of Goku which stands around the Tenkaichi Tournament.

When Shen Long is summoned to revive those killed by Super No. 17, the Dragon Balls crack, and a different, cigar-smoking dragon appears in his place. This Black Smoke Shen Long promptly splits into seven Evil 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, the One-Star Dragon, Syn Shenron, absorbs the other Dragon Balls into himself, forming Omega Shenron. Goku defeats him after the most difficult battle of his life, including a fusion with Vegeta to form the strongest fighter ever, Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta, that does not succeed in putting the One-Star Dragon down permanently. After being presumably killed by Omega's Minus Energy Power Ball, Goku asks the people of the planet Earth and from all over the Universe to send him their energy to create a Universal Genki Dama which is successful in finally destroying the Shadow Dragon.

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 (repairing the damage done during the Super 17 and Shadow Dragon sagas), 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.

A century 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, 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, "Till we meet again guys!"

Films

Dragon Ball films

Goku appears in all of the Dragon Ball films:

• 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

Dragon Ball Z films

Dead Zone

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: 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 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

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

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 the henchmen. Turles is far stronger, but Goku gives a fair fight using the Kaio-ken. However, after Turles eats the fruit from the Tree, 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.

Lord Slug

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug

Goku as a False Super Saiyan ready to attack 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. However, an angry Goku transforms into a False Super Saiyan, allowing him 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.

Cooler's Revenge

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge

Super Saiyan Goku grasping Cooler's wrist.

In this movie, Cooler, Frieza's brother, comes to Earth with his troops in order to avenge Frieza by defeating Goku. Cooler arrives on Earth and attacks Goku, who is camping with his friends. When Goku tries to protect Gohan from one of Cooler's attacks, Goku is seriously injured. Gohan takes his father to hide in a cave, and leaves to retrieve Senzu Beans, which would reenergize Goku. Meanwhile, Cooler's troops hunt for Goku. On his way back, Gohan 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. Goku turns into a Super Saiyan, and is able to destroy Cooler by pushing his own Supernova attack back with a Kamehameha Wave. Cooler is sent flying into the sun.

Return of Cooler

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

Goku battling against a Meta-Cooler.

Sensing that New Planet 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 Cooler but he is no match for Cooler's new powers; the robots 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 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!

Even in his Super Saiyan state, Goku cannot inflict any damage on 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't 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

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 agains 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 onto Piccolo's ship using Instant Transmission, just before the asteroid destroys the planet.

Bojack Unbound

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

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 strangle Gohan, 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.

Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans

Main article: Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate Super Saiyans

Goku being surrounded by monsters.

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 phantom warriors of Cooler, Turles and Lord Slug, and eventually defeat them.

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 revenge 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.

Broly: Second Coming

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Broly: Second Coming

Goku, Gohan, and Goten using the Family Kamehameha against Broly.

In this movie Goku was wished to Earth in visible spirit form by Goten when he and Gohan were firing a Kamehameha at Broly but were losing. When Goku appeared he coached them and helped them with the Kamehameha. When they shot Broly into the sun Goku disappeared.

Bio Broly

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Bio Broly

In this film, Goku made a brief appearance in the last part where he is eating and 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

Super Saiyan 3 Goku taking on Janemba.

Goku using the Fusion Dance with Vegeta.

]In this movie Goku was fighting with Pikkon in the Next 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. At Super Saiyan 3, Goku made quick work of Janemba, only to be sorely 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

Goku defeating Hirudegarn with the Dragon Fist.

Goku failing to open the music box.

In this movie Goku tries to open a magic music box that he had gotten from Hoy but he can't 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.

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 he is to fast. Later Gotenks is formed and he gets Hirudegarn down but it only made him transform and Hirudegarn knocked Gotenks down. 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. 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't 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

Goku appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.

Dragon Ball GT films

A Hero's Legacy

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

Goku meeting his descendant, Goku Jr.

In this special (which occurs before the Tournament shown in the last episode of Dragon Ball GT), Goku Jr. wants to cure his grandmother Pan with a Dragonball, which he eventually finds. But when he tries to call Shenron nothing happens, leaving him angry and upset. The original Goku suddenly appears to explain Goku Jr. that seven Dragon Balls are needed to summon the dragon. Then a helicopter with Pan and Puck appears as Goku disappears. However, the unseen Goku continues talking to Goku Jr., telling him 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, wishing him good luck for his future.

Live action films

Main article: Monkey Boy Main article: Goku (film character)

Goku in the 1990 Korean Dragon Ball film.

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

Goku being portrayed by Justin Chatwin in Dragon Ball: Evolution.

Goku's first appearance in a live action film was in the South Korean Dragon Ball film released in 1990. He appeared as the main protagonist in the Chinese film Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins under the name of Monkey Boy portrayed by Charles Chen.

Goku is the main protagonist in the 2009 American live action film Dragonball Evolution directed by James Wong. The character is portrayed by actor Justin Chatwin.

Chatwin does not wear a wig as it is felt his hair already resembled Goku's hair. In the film, he carried out his grandfathers wishes and sought out Roshi for training and he attempted to collect all of the Dragon Balls before Piccolo. Along the way, he befriended Yamcha and Bulma Briefs.

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

Goku was among a number of Dragon Ball characters to appear in the Dragon Ball Z "Terebikko" game 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 seiyū reprised the role of their characters.

In popular culture

Goku's appearance on Yamada Katsute-nai Wink.

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

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 Dragon Ball: Gokū no Kōtsū Anzen where Goku is taught the importance of obeying traffic safety by others. The second was called Dragon Ball: Gokū no Shōbōtai where he teaches two children the importance of fire safety; this short is notable for featuring Goku as a volunteer firefighter.

Goku has made guest appearances in various Japanese television shows and manga. He is a recurring character in another series by Toriyama, Dr. Slump. In 1990, Goku (in anime form) made a surprise appearance on "Yamada Kasute Nai Wink" (やまだかつてない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 2006, Goku, Vegeta, and Freeza would make a surprise appearance in a special issue of Kochikame. Here Kankichi Ryotsu travels to Namek and issues Freeza a citation for parking his ship illegally. He would also meet Goku and Vegeta along the way. In 2005, Goku appears in the Toriyama parody manga Neko Majin Z where he is the sensei of the main character, Neko Majin Z. He, along 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 a traveling nomad who meets up with Luffy and together fights the Pilaf-Buggy Evil Alliance, a gang featuring Pilaf and Buggy the Clown.

Goku can also be considered a regular commodity for Fuji TV. In 2003, Goku appeared in the interactive feature entitled Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā! (球体パニックアドベンチャー!, Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā!, Orb Panic Adventure!) which was featured exclusively at the Fuji TV headquarters. Here, Freeza 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 team ups of Goku, Luffy, and Astro Boy. This would be followed up with the 2004 Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā Ritānzu! (球体パニックアドベンチャーリターンズ!, Kyūtai Panikku Adobenchā Ritānzu!, Orb Panic Adventure Returns!). Here the evil Enel appears and attacks the headquarter's location in the aqua city of Odaiba. It features team ups of Goku, Luffy, and Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo's Kankichi Ryotsu. The feature is also known for Goku and Luffy's tag-team attack on Enel which fans have dubbed as the Gom Gom Kamehameha.

Goku appeared as a commentator at the 2007 "Nippon Ijin Taishō". On April 7, 2007, Goku along with Fuji TV announcer Masaharu Miyake, would be commentators to the anime segment of Nippon Ijin Taishō (日本偉人大賞, Japan Great Man Awards). The segment featured a special Tenkaichi Tournament that was to decide who was the greatest person in Japanese history. The fighters were Benkei, Himiko, Prince Shotoku, and Amakusa Shiro. During the intermission, Goku managed to plug the then soon-to-be released R2 editions of the Dragon Ball DVDs.

Goku has often been the subject of various parodies over the years. 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, with one being Kid Goku and the other being Doremon. In the MXC dub of that episode, when asked about his Goku costume, the host replied, "Who me, I'm dressed as a crack head". Shonen Jump's "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.

Techniques

Main article: List of techniques used by Goku

Kamehameha

Main article: Kamehameha

Goku firing the Kamehameha.

Goku's signature move throughout the series. Goku first learns the move after witnessing Master Roshi use 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 using 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.

Genki Dama

Main article: Genki Dama

Goku preparing the Genki Dama while battling against Freeza.

Arguably Goku's most powerful technique, taught to him by North Kaio during his training for the upcoming battle against Vegeta and Nappa. Goku uses the Genki Dama numerous times, most notably against Freeza and Kid Boo. It is only against the latter that the technique actually works in the manga storyline.

Instant Transmission

Main article: Instant Transmission

Goku preparing to use the Instant Transmission.

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

Dragon Fist

Goku launching the Dragon Fist.

Goku uses this technique on Hirudegarn to finish him off in the 13th Movie. He also uses this in GT against Super Android 17 as well as Eis Shenron and Omega Shenron.

Forms

Great Ape

Main article: Great Ape

Great Ape Goku

Like all Saiyans, Goku could transform into a Great Ape when he sees the full moon, and possesses his tail, though every time it was not at will. Because his 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.

False Super Saiyan

Main article: False Super Saiyan

False Super Saiyan Goku

In the fourth Dragon Ball Z film, Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, Goku achieved this form in an attempt to defeat 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, and his hair stands up and gains a red tint.

Super Saiyan

Main article: Super Saiyan

Super Saiyan Goku

Super Saiyan Son Goku (スーパー サイヤ人 孫 悟空, Sūpā Saiya-jin Son Gokū) uses his new power to defeat Freeza, the antagonist of the series at the time. Freeza 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 Freeza, Goku avenges the Saiyan race, and the death of his best friend Krillin, but it is Trunks who kills the tyrant for good in the main timeline (Goku did the honors in Trunks' own time, in which the time traveler obviously never appeared to warn the Z Warriors of their impending doom).

Ascended Super Saiyan

Main article: Ascended Super Saiyan

Ascended Super Saiyan Goku

After having witnessed Vegeta and Trunks emerging from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, 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 Ultra 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 Trunks soon follow.

Ultra Super Saiyan

Main article: Ultra Super Saiyan

Ultra Super Saiyan Goku

Like the Ascended Super Saiyan form, Goku achieved 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. This form is never used after its inital unlocking along with Ascended Super Saiyan, as a result.

Full Power Super Saiyan

Main article: Full Power Super Saiyan

Full Power Super Saiyan Goku

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.

Super Saiyan God

Main article: Super Saiyan God

Super Saiyan 2

Main article: Super Saiyan 2

Super Saiyan 2 Goku

Although it is unknown when exactly Goku achieved this state of Super Saiyan 2 Son Goku (スーパー サイヤ人 2 孫 悟空, Sūpā Saiya-jin 2 Son Gokū), it is assumed Goku achieved this transformation in the Other World as he could put unlimited energy into his transformation. It was first seen when fighting Majin Vegeta's own Super Saiyan 2 form in their epic battle during the Buu saga. 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.

In Dragon Ball GT, Goku can be seen briefly transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 while deflecting an attack by General Rilldo, and before he transforms into a Super Saiyan 3 during his second fight with Super Baby Vegeta. He also uses the form during the movies Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn and Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon.

When Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan 2 he has some noticable changes, such as his hair growing a little bit longer and becoming even spiker to the point where his hair splits into individual spikes 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 his son 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

Super Saiyan 3 Goku

Super Saiyan 3 Son Goku (スーパー サイヤ人 3 孫 悟空, Sūpā Saiya-jin 3 Son Gokū) was achieved in the Next World as he could put unlimited energy into his transformation. 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 fight more than evenly with Kid Buu despite a heavy ki drain taking its toll on him. It is said by Vegeta and Goku himself that if Goku had built up enough Ki using Super Saiyan 3, he would have been able to defeat Kid Buu in a flash. 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 ki 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 back to his base state. Altogether, these heavy disadvantages make it impractical to use the transformation out of the afterlife.

Kid

Goku in his childhood body in Dragon Ball GT.

Pilaf wished Goku back into a child at the beginning of Dragon Ball GT. In this form, it was 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 Elder 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 Dragon Ball GT series, Goku was again seen as an adult without a tail, though in one of the endings to the show, he was seen with a tail in adult form facing the rest of the cast.

Super Saiyan (Kid)

Super Saiyan Goku in his childhood body.

After being wished into his childhood form, Goku could still transform into a Super Saiyan. However, he was 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.

Super Saiyan 3 (Kid)

Super Saiyan 3 Goku in his childhood body.

After being wished back into his childhood form, Goku was still able to transform into a Super Saiyan 3. However, he was 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 Elder 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

Golden Great Ape Goku

Goku achieved this form in Dragon Ball GT after Elder Kai helped Goku to grow back his tail which allowed him to once again transform into a Great Ape. When he looked at Earth in the Baby Saga, its sufficient substitute Blutz Waves allowed him to take this form, a combination of the Super Saiyan state and the classic Great Ape transformation. Upon regaining control, he later transformed into Super Saiyan 4, his strongest form yet.

Super Saiyan 4

Main article: Super Saiyan 4

Super Saiyan 4 Goku

This form was achieved by Goku after achieving the Golden Great Ape state and being calmed by Pan. The overwhelming power of this transformation was apparently great enough to overcome Goku's transformation into a child by Red 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 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. But at the end of the last episode of Dragon Ball GT, his tail disappears again, and it is unknown if he could ever transform to this state from then on. Other than certain forms of fusion with Vegeta (SS4 Gogeta), this is Goku's most powerful transformation.

Fusions

Vegetto

Main article: Vegetto

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 the most powerful being in Dragon Ball Z and is created as a desperate plan by Elder Kai to stop the powerful Super Buu. 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 killing Buu, as his Super Saiyan 1 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 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. Also playable in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2.

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 Hercule and Dende, he imaged 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 Dragonballs 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 of Goku and Dende

Main article: Hypothetical Fusion of Goku and Dende

The hypothetical Fusion of 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 Buu. As the only two beings that were still alive are Hercule and Dende, he imagined what the fusion would look like and which of the two would be better. He chose Hercule, because if he fused with Dende the Dragon Balls would cease to exist. 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, the fusion with Dende was only a hypothetical character in the anime, and is only seen as Goku's mental image of what the fusion would look like.

Reception

Goku's character was well received by publications for manga, anime and other media. 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".

Several pieces of merchandising based on Goku has also been released including action figures, plushes, and keychains. 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 actor of 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".

The 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".

Major battles

• Goku vs. Bear Thief
• Goku vs. Oolong
• Goku vs. Yamucha
• Great Ape Goku vs. Mai, Pilaf, and Shuu
• Goku vs. Giran
• Goku vs. Namu
• Goku vs. Jackie Chun
• Goku vs. Major Metallic
• Goku vs. Murasaki and Murasaki's Brothers
• Goku vs. Buyon
• Goku and Kuririn vs. Pirate Robot
• Goku vs. General Blue
• Goku vs. Tao Pai Pai
• Goku vs. Staff Officer Black
• Goku vs. Mummy
• Goku vs. Devil Man
• Goku vs. Grandpa Son Gohan
• Goku vs. Mai, Pilaf, and Shuu
• Goku vs. Shula
• Goku vs. Tenshinhan
• Goku vs. King Chappa
• Goku vs. Kuririn
• Goku vs. Tenshinhan
• Goku vs. Tambourine
• Goku vs. Piccolo Daimao
• Goku vs. Tambourine
• Goku vs. Yajirobe
• Goku vs. Tambourine
• Goku vs. Piccolo Daimao
• Goku vs. Drum
• Goku vs. Piccolo Daimao
• Goku vs. Tenshinhan
• Goku vs. Piccolo Junior
• Goku and Piccolo Junior vs. Raditz
• Goku vs. Nappa
• Goku vs. Vegeta
• Goku vs. ReaCoom
• Goku vs. Butta and Jheese
• Goku vs. Commander Ginyu
• Goku vs. Freeza (Final Form)
• Goku (SS) vs. Freeza (Final Form)/(100% Full Power)
• Goku (SS) vs. No. 19
• Goku (FPSS) vs. Perfect Cell
• Goku vs. Arqua
• Goku vs. Pikkon
• Goku (SS2) vs. Majin Vegeta
• Goku (SS3) vs. Fat Boo
• Goku and Vegeta vs. Super Boo (Inside Boo)
• Goku (SS3), Hercule, Mister Boo, and Vegeta (SS2) vs. Kid Boo
• Goku vs. Oob (World Tournament)
• Goku (Kid)/(SS) vs. Ledgic
• Goku (Kid) and Trunks Brief vs. Mutchie
• Goku (Kid) and Trunks Brief vs. Lood
• Goku (Kid) vs. General Rild/Metal Rild
• Goku (SS)/(SS3) vs. Vegeta Baby/Super Baby
• Goku (SS3) vs. Super Baby
• Goku (SS4) vs. Super Baby/Great Ape Baby
• Goku (Kid) vs. Cell and Freeza (In Hell)
• Goku (SS)/(SS4) vs. Super No. 17
• Goku (Kid) and No. 18 vs. Super No. 17
• Goku vs. Haze Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) vs. Rage Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) vs. Naturon Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) vs. Nova Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) vs. Eis Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) vs. Syn Shen Long
• Goku (SS4) and Vegeta (SS4) vs. Omega Shen Long
• Goku (Kid) and Vegeta (SS4) vs. Omega Shen Long

Major battles (Films)

• Son Goku (Kid) vs. Bongo
• Son Goku (Kid) vs. King Gurumes
• Son Goku (Kid) and Kuririn vs. Ghastel
• Son Goku (Kid) vs. Lucifer
• Son Goku vs. Ginger, Nikki, and Sansho
• Son Goku vs. Ginger and Nikki
• Son Goku and Piccolo vs. Garlic Junior
• Son Goku vs. Misokatsun
• Son Goku, Kuririn, and Son Gohan vs. Ebifurya and Kishime
• Son Goku vs. Piccolo Junior
• Son Goku, Son Gohan, Kuririn, Piccolo Junior, and Turtle Hermit vs. Doctor Uiro
• Son Goku vs. Great Ape Gohan
• Son Goku vs. Amond, Deiz, Cacao, Lakasei, and Razun
• Son Goku vs. Tullece
• Son Goku vs. Angira and Medamatcha
• Son Goku and Kuririn vs. Slugg
• Son Goku (False Super Saiyan) vs. Slugg (Giant)
• Son Goku and Piccolo Junior vs. Slugg (Giant)
• Son Goku vs. Coola's Armored Squadron
• Son Goku (SS) vs. Coola (Final Form)
• Son Goku (SS) and Vegeta (SS) VS Meta-Cooler
• Son Goku and Future Trunks Brief vs. No. 14 and No. 15
• Son Goku vs. No. 13
• Son Goku (SS), Piccolo Junior, Vegeta (SS), and Future Trunks Brief vs. Super No. 13
• Son Goku vs. Broly (SS)
• Son Goku (SS), Trunks Brief (SS), Piccolo Junior, Son Gohan (SS), and Vegeta (SS) vs. Broly (LSS)
• Son Goku (SS3) vs Janemba
• Son Goku and Vegeta vs Super Janemba
• Son Goku (SS3) vs. Hirudegarn

Kills list

Main article: List of characters killed by Son Goku

Voice actors

• Japanese dub: Masako Nozawa
• Harmony Gold dub: Barbara Goodson (Kid Goku - DB episodes 1-5; DB movies 1&3)
• BLT Productions dub: Saffron Henderson (Kid Goku - DB episodes 1-13; DB movie 1)
• Ocean Group dub: Ian James Corlett (Adult Goku - DBZ episodes 1-49 [1-37 edited]; DBZ movie 3), Peter Kelamis (Adult Goku - DBZ episodes 50-67 [38-53 edited] and 108-158; DBZ movies 1-3), Kirby Morrow (Adult Goku - DBZ episodes 159-291)
• FUNimation dub: Sean Schemmel (Adult Goku), Ceyli Delgadillo (Kid Goku - DB movies 2-3), Stephanie Nadolny (Kid Goku - DB and DBGT; DB movie 4), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Kid Goku - Dragon Ball Z Kai; DB movie 1)
• Blue Water dub: Zoe Slusar (Kid Goku), Jeffrey Watson (Adult Goku - DB), Jeremiah York (Adult Goku - DBGT)
• Bandai Games dub: Steven J. Blum (Adult Goku), Brianne Siddall (Kid Goku)
• AB Group dub: Jon Allen (Adult Goku)
• Latin American dub: Laura Torres (Kid Goku) and Mario Castañeda (Adult Goku)
• German and Austrian dub: Corinna Dorenkamp (Kid Goku - DB), Frank Schaff (Adult Goku - DB), Ann Vielhaben (Kid Goku - DBZ flashbacks), Tommy Morgenstern (Adult Goku - DBZ and DBGT), Amadeus Strobel (Kid Goku - DBGT)
• Brazilian dub: Ursula Bezerra (Kid Goku), Wendell Bezerra (Adult Goku)
• Tagalog, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano dub: Jefferson Utanes (Kid Goku and Adult Goku)
• Portuguese dub: Henrique Feist (Kid Goku and Adult Goku)
• Greek dub: Themis Psihogios (Adult Goku)
• Italian dub: Patrizia Scianca (Kid Goku), Paolo Torrisi (Adult Goku)
• Albanian dub (JessDiscoGraphic): Julian Cenameti (Adult Goku - DBZ)
• Spanish dub: Juana Molina (Kid Goku - DB episodes 1-26); Ana Cremades (Kid Goku - DB episodes 26-153; DBGT); Adolfo Martínez (Adult Goku - DB; DBZ episodes 1-58); José Antonio Gavira (Adult Goku - DBZ episodes 59-167); Miguel Ángel Montero (Adult Goku - DBZ episodes 168-291); Alejandro Albaiceta (Adult Goku - DBGT)

Trivia

• The Dragon Ball universe began as a loose adaptation of the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, with Goku being 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 staff that can fill the entire Universe), and Flying Nimbus (the magical cloud the 'Great Sage' rode on).
• Goku has been the inspiration for many characters, including Monkey D. Luffy from the One Piece series, Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto series and also Zatch Bell from the Zatch Bell series.
• Goku has died twice in the Dragon Ball series, once by Piccolo's Special Beam Canon in their fight with Raditz and a second time by transporting both himself and Cell to King Kai's Planet to save the Earth from exploding.
• In Japan, there is a short movie that feature One Piece and Dragon Ball Z joining forces to take down Eneru who tried to destroy Japan. Both Goku and Luffy team up to put an end to his evil.
• In the anime, 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!").
• In the Portuguese adaptation of the series, Goku is often called Son Goku, since, by itself, the name, "Goku", resembles a censored Portuguese word.
• Although he is the main protagonist, at some points in the series, Goku is surpassed in strength by Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo and several others.
• Goku's original name, Kakarot is a pun on "carrot". Likewise, all pure-blood Saiyans that appear in the series are named using puns on various vegetables, or the word "vegetable" itself. This is ironic, since, in Dragon Ball, when fighting against Monster Carrot, he said he hates carrots.
• Goku is the only Saiyan capable of achieving every canon transformation of Super Saiyan, in addition to the anime-exclusive Super Saiyan 4 and False Super Saiyan transformations, apart from Legendary Super Saiyan, which cannot be "achieved," but rather, is genetically exclusive.
• Goku was never the first to fight any of the 3 main villains in Dragon Ball Z. Nail fought Frieza first, Piccolo fought Cell and Gohan fought Buu.
• In canon, the only technique Goku is seen to have invented was the Kiai, which was not given a name in the English Dub. Goku mentions it's name several times in the manga and the original Japanese audio track of the anime. The Kiai is simply an explosive burst of invisible ki that throws an opponent back, and spreads out from Goku's body in any direction that he focuses it in. Goku is first seen to use this against Burter and Jeice on planet Namek, and only one other time against Frieza.
• Goku's skin tone changes in Dragon Ball GT, from a pale tone to a darker, almost tan tone.
• Goku has shown an act of mercy to every major manga villain he battled from Piccolo onward. He gave Piccolo a Senzu after narrowly defeating him in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, he let Raditz's tail go when holding him for Piccolo's attack (obviously a mistake when Raditz immediately didn't stay good on his word), he gave Nappa a chance to leave Earth after defeating him, he pleaded with Krillin to keep him from killing Vegeta with Yajirobe's samurai sword, he wounded Recoome and Burter, giving them a chance to recover and potentially turn over a new leaf, he gave Frieza some energy so he could flee Namek before it exploded (obviously not taking Goku's good advice), he gave Cell a Senzu before the Cell/Gohan fight to guarantee that Cell would be fighting at his fullest, unfatigued strength, and he used the Dragon Balls to make sure that the majority of Earth's population would forget about the evil things done by Majin Buu so that Buu could live on Earth in peace.
• Although he is the main character, the strongest of all the Z Fighters, and the one the others turn to in order to defeat the villains, in the manga canon, he only singlehandedly killed King Piccolo. Emperor Pilaf and the Red Ribbon Army were never killed (unless you count Kid Buu); Piccolo Jr. and Vegeta switched sides; Nappa and most of the Ginyu Force were killed by Vegeta; Raditz was killed by Piccolo; Frieza was killed by Future Trunks; Cell was defeated by Gohan, and Majin Buu was defeated by the combined power of everyone on Earth. In fact, the first character he killed in Dragon Ball Z was Yakon - very late in the series.
• Goku is the first Saiyan to appear in the Dragon Ball series.
• Despite all the times Goku has been to Hell, he has never seen Heaven.
• Goku is the only character to appear in every series and every movie/TV special/OVA/etc.
• On the Portuguese Dub, Goku's Saiyan birth name was never revealed.
• Despite being the main character, Goku has only officially won one World Martial Arts Tournament, and that was the 23rd against Piccolo. In all others, he lost to Jackie Chun, Tien Shinhan, and did not participate in one again until the 25th, which was interrupted by the presence of Majin Buu. He would later partake in the 28th, but forfeited when he left to train Uub. During Dragon Ball GT, he fought in the Jr. Division due to his child body, and lost when his competitor tickled him, causing him to fall out of the ring. Even in the Other World Tournament, the match ended in a draw because both Goku and Pikkon had touched the ceiling during their fight, which was technically a ring-out. He also lost the Cell games (Which was Cell's way of bringing back the World Martial Arts Tournament) when he forfeited.
• Goku is the only character besides Vegeta and Krillin to fight all the three main villains in their final forms (although Krillin only fought Kid Buu in filler).
• 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. The article fell under heavy criticism, however, by upset 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.
• In the original Japanese anime, Goku is voiced by the same seiyu (Masako Nozawa) throughout the series' run. Additionally, Nozawa voices every biological male relative of Goku, with the exception of Raditz. In the FUNimation dub, he has been played by four actors: three as a child (one for the entire main series, and two others for miscellaneous projects) and only one for adult Goku. In the various Ocean/Blue Water dubs, eight actors have played him: three as a child, and five as an adult at various points of various different projects. In the Filipino dub, he was played by one actor. Goku is voiced by Jefferson Utanes in the Tagalog, Hiligaynon and Cebuano dubs.
• In Dragon Ball: Raging Blast, Goku is the only character to have three ultimate attacks, which can be changed through customization.
• On one occasion, in an interview with Shonen Jump in 1995, Akira Toriyama stated that Goku is his favorite character from the series which contradicts his previous statements claiming that Piccolo has always been his favorite.