Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic anime series ever; it's helped establish the template for many popular shonen series that have followed in its wake. There's a substantial amount of development throughout Dragon Ball since its inception, chronicling young Goku's growth into an adult who begins a family that fights to protect their planet.
Dragon Ball hasn't been afraid to experiment with change and push the series to bold new places, yet Goku is a constant throughout the franchise. Goku continues to grow stronger and accomplish greater feats, but he's not always the most helpful person. Goku's emotions and instincts sometimes get the better of him, leading to some pacifistic gestures that have spawned major consequences.
Updated by Lauren Turner on March 27, 2023: Goku is an iconic shonen hero from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise. He's demonstrated his strength time and time again; however, sometimes, the Saiyan hero was a bit too soft. Fans and characters think Goku could've been sturdier in these occurrences. We've revamped this list with more information.
15 Goku Accepts His Childhood Body
Dragon Ball GT remains a controversial sequel series in the franchise, but it deserves credit for some of the more ambitious risks that it takes. One of the most jarring changes early on in Dragon Ball GT is that Pilaf's misguided wish accidentally transforms Goku back into his childhood body.
Goku's strength is slightly encumbered, but he never seems too frustrated over this development. Most characters would prioritize rectifying this problem or, at the least, properly punishing Pilaf. Goku is rather nonplused over this dramatic turn of events and stays like this for the entirety of Dragon Ball GT.
14 Goku's Willingness To Permanently Fuse
Fusion has become a double-edged sword for Dragon Ball, and the anime occasionally abuses this concept to get out of particularly dangerous scenarios. The Potara Earring fusion is introduced as a permanent process, so it's no light gesture when Goku offers to undergo this process first with Gohan, but ultimately with Vegeta.
Fortunately for the Saiyans, Vegito's fusion does conveniently separate. Goku is too much of a pushover to agree to permanently lose his individuality and risk his family's happiness for a battle advantage.
13 Goku Wishes For Buu To Reincarnate As A Good Person
The battle against Kid Buu is the final challenge for Goku and the rest of Earth to overcome in Dragon Ball Z. Kid Buu is an ancient evil who has taken countless lives. Endless evil surrounds this entity, and yet Goku still passively wishes that he'd return as a good person that he can fight against.
King Yemma hears Goku's selfless request and reincarnates Kid Buu into the pure-hearted Uub. Uub becomes an ally, but it's still quite risky to have someone with this level of strength on the planet.
12 Gohan Takes The Lead During The Tournament Of Power
The Tournament of Power is a multiversal competition where universal erasure is at stake. Goku and the rest of Universe 7 have never been under greater stress to do their best on the battlefield and to assemble the perfect team. Goku recruits Universe 7's teammates, but he appoints his son, Gohan, as team leader.
Gohan's team leader status is meant to be a healthy confidence boost that helps the lapsed martial artist get back in the groove. It's sweet, but now is not the right time for Goku to play favorites or let his emotions get the better of him. There are better leaders in Universe 7.
11 Goku Uses Dragon Ball Wishes On Others
The titular Dragon Balls are supposed to be sacred treasures, and an individual would be extremely lucky to just get one wish from Shenron within their lifetime. Goku understands the scarcity of this privilege, and he still chooses to selflessly give away wishes to others, whether it's for simple needs or the resurrection of loved ones.
Goku could arguably use these wishes to grow stronger or better protect the planet. However, he'd rather give them to others and do good with them while he works toward his own achievements.
10 Krillin Lets Vegeta Escape On Goku's Orders
It becomes common practice for Goku to offer his enemies a chance at redemption, but one of the most critical examples of this is during his first grueling battle against Vegeta. This fight is an excellent example of teamwork where Goku, Gohan, Krillin, and even Yajirobe all work together to take down Vegeta.
Krillin is about to finish the job before Goku commands him to show mercy and let Vegeta escape. Granted, this is one of the rare occasions where Goku's empathy pays off in the long run, and Vegeta becomes an ally.
9 Goku Isn't Assertive Enough With Chi-Chi Over Gohan's Upbringing
Goku's family with Chi-Chi in Dragon Ball Z is one of his most interesting aspects. He and his wife turn into different people with contrasting opinions on what to do with their children. Goku wants Gohan to pursue fighting, while Chi-Chi wants him to become a scholar.
Gohan does fight, but Chi-Chi also gets her way, and Gohan's training suffers as a result. Chi-Chi's instincts aren't wrong, but Goku could be more adamant about what he wants for his son. He should be firmer on the issue rather than avoiding it because he fears conflict with his wife.
8 Raditz's Pleas For Mercy Get The Best Of Goku
Dragon Ball establishes that Goku looks for the best in his opponents. Often, this kindness feels out of place, but if there ever was a person for whom mercy is appropriate, it'd be Goku's evil brother, Raditz. Dragon Ball Z kicks off with Raditz's arrival, and Goku briefly gains the upper hand on his brother when he grabs ahold of his tail.
However, Raditz's pleas for forgiveness get through to Goku. Of course, it's all a ruse, and he uses this opportunity to turn the tables. This mistake costs Goku his life.
7 Dr. Gero Builds His Androids Thanks To Goku's Inaction
The Cell Saga features Future Trunks' arrival in Goku's timeline with the power of hindsight. He warns the heroes about Dr. Gero's plans with the Androids and Cell's inevitable invasion. After the group receives this information, Bulma suggests taking care of the problem before it has a chance to blossom and preemptively destroy Gero's lab.
Goku disagrees and says he'd rather train and get the chance to fight and experience this mysterious threat. His excitement clouds his judgment and stops him from being proactive and responsible.
6 Goku Heals Cell With A Senzu Bean
It's remarkable how much the desire for competition legitimately blinds Goku from sound judgment. One of Goku's most questionable acts involves the advantage he offers Cell during the Cell Games. Goku is eager to see Gohan take Cell down at full strength, so he gives him a Senzu Bean to completely heal.
It's a reckless and merciful act that costs Goku and others their lives. Gohan grows stronger as a result, but it's in very poor taste to allow Cell another chance when it's unclear if he can even honor the gesture in kind.
5 Goku Decides To Not Be Revived & Stays Away From Earth
It's not easy to be the planet's strongest person, and Goku begins to understand that this privilege is also a burden that puts a giant target on his back and all of Earth. Goku makes a shocking decision following the events of the Cell Saga when he tells his friends and family not to use a Dragon Ball wish on his revival.
Goku had pure intentions, but it later gets invalidated when he does return to Earth. It's a weak decision that even feels slightly out of character, considering how much Goku relishes a challenge.
4 Goku Holds Back His True Strength To Investigate Buu
Dragon Ball Z's Buu Saga initially attempts to do something different and sidelines Goku until he inevitably returns, takes over the show, and saves the day. Goku observes a lot of Buu's damage, and it's a major surprise when he casually unveils his Super Saiyan 3 transformation as a new and risky strategy to defeat Buu.
Goku could have utilized Super Saiyan 3 much earlier, but he bides his time here to watch and learn, leading to Majin Vegeta's self-destruction. If Goku had been more aggressive during his return, he could have saved lives.
3 Frieza Takes Advantage Of Goku's Offer For Redemption
Goku has faced a lot of determined villains, but few are as stubborn as Frieza. Goku's initial battle against Frieza triggers his iconic Super Saiyan transformation, but the villain returns to threaten his life. It takes a noble fighter to give his opponent a second chance, especially when the planet that they're fighting on is minutes from destruction.
Goku exhibits a softness for Frieza, even during these dire times, but Frieza uses this second chance to launch a failed attack at Goku. Goku manages to escape, but his empathy here creates an even greater resentment within Frieza.
2 Zeno Faces No Pushback From Goku
Opposing Zeno is something that most people wouldn't dream of, and individuals have been erased for less. However, Goku finds a strange friendship with Zeno.
Goku is arguably the only individual that could safely talk Zeno out of holding the Tournament of Power. Still, he intentionally holds back because he's excited about the prospects the tournament provides and the new fighters he'll meet. It's incredibly irresponsible, and it even contributes to why Goku and Universe 7 become early targets in the Tournament of Power.
1 Goku Gives Moro A Senzu Bean & Repeated Chances At Redemption
One of the most frustrating cases of Goku's empathy getting the better of him in his final showdown against Dragon Ball Super's latest enemy, Moro. Moro commits extreme acts of destruction and genocide on the scale of Frieza, yet Goku still offers him several chances at redemption.
This culminates in Goku also giving Moro a Senzu Bean and actively healing him in addition to the moral support that he gives him. It's all for naught, and Goku should understand that certain individuals are beyond redemption.