The cast of Dragon Ball has tirelessly worked to keep its audience entertained for nearly four decades. Dragon Ball continues to chronicle the ongoing adventures of Goku and the rest of Earth's strongest as they fearlessly take on apocalyptic evils. It's exciting to see the characters in Dragon Ball reach new milestones and redefine what was previously possible.

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Characters like Goku have literally achieved the power of Gods, but what's crucial here is that they continue to maintain their humanity. Goku is Dragon Ball's unflappable protagonist, but it takes far more than exceptional strength and smart battle strategies to be a hero. Goku is responsible for some selfless, inspirational actions that are definitive proof that he's a hero, through and through.

10 He Wins The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament And Ends Piccolo's Reign Of Terror

Goku beats Piccolo at 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament in Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is an anime that’s rife with competition, and the original series begins the tradition of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku performs progressively well in these tournaments, but he doesn’t come out the victor until the 23rd installment.

This is an especially momentous occasion because the fate of the world seems to hang in the balance, thanks to Goku’s final competitor, Piccolo, who’s gone on to carry his father’s malevolent agenda. By coming out on top, Goku presents himself to the world as not only a winner but someone that they can depend upon to keep them safe.

9 He's Responsible For The Collapse Of The Red Ribbon Army

Goku kicks Red Ribbon Army soldier in Dragon Ball

Goku’s adventures in the original Dragon Ball occur when the budding hero is still just a child, but that doesn’t hold him back from accomplishing incredible things. A significant milestone in Goku’s life as he begins to mature involves his invasion and takedown of the Red Ribbon Army.

This militaristic organization is a threat to the free world, and their agents take plenty of innocent lives until Goku intervenes. Admittedly, splinters of Red Ribbon have found ways to survive and strike back over the years, but it’s Goku’s actions that force them into hiding and remove them from the public consciousness.

8 He Stays Behind On Namek To Finish Off His Fight With Frieza

Goku stays behind on an exploding Planet Namek in Dragon Ball Z

One of Goku’s biggest battles is his fight to the death with Frieza on Planet Namek. Frieza makes a bold gambit to win by setting the planet’s destruction in motion, a disaster that only he’ll be able to survive.

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Goku has the opportunity to leave Planet Namek in its final minutes, courtesy of a wish on the Dragon Balls, but he refuses so that he can finish Frieza off and prevent him from taking more lives. It’s a decision in which Goku doesn’t necessarily expect to survive, but his commitment to the greater good is why he’s such a hero.

7 The Population Donates Him Their Energy To Take Out Kid Buu

Goku's Spirit Bomb takes out Kid Buu in Dragon Ball Z

Goku has an impressive arsenal of techniques that he’s learned over the years. However, the Spirit Bomb proves to be a popular way for him to eradicate the competition. A crucial detail about the Spirit Bomb is that its strength is dependent upon how many people donate their energy to the user.

The final battle in Dragon Ball Z, Goku against Kid Buu, reaches its climax when Goku executes a massive Spirit Bomb where characters from across the entire franchise give him their strength to defeat the villain. It’s a beautiful moment and the ultimate display of their trust in Goku as the planet’s hero.

6 He Contributes To Universe 7's Victory In The Tournament Of Power

Universe 7's Tournament of Power lineup prepares in Dragon Ball Super.

Satisfying competition in Dragon Ball frequently just amounts to fun and games, but the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super threatens the participants with the foreboding consequence of universe erasure. Victory has never been more important, and the role that Goku plays for Universe 7 isn't inconsequential and is something that the entire multiverse gets to witness.

Admittedly, Goku isn’t the last one standing, but he’s responsible for picking his team’s ten members as well as a healthy number of eliminations that might not have otherwise been possible.

5 He Sacrifices Himself To Save The Earth From Cell’s Self-Destruction

Goku uses Instant Transmission to teleport Cell to King Kai's Planet in Dragon Ball Z

Goku isn’t invincible, but he’s usually able to find a way to avoid death, even when it might seem impossible. The conclusion of the Cell Saga is such a powerful and refreshing change of pace because Gohan gets to be the one who finally defeats Cell, but it also marks Goku’s death. Cell catches everyone off-guard with a self-destruct sequence that’s poised to destroy the planet.

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Goku exhibits some quick thinking, and he doesn’t hesitate to use his Instant Transmission to teleport the danger over to King Kai’s planet. The decision keeps the Earth safe, but it costs Goku his life.

4 He Chooses To Stay In The Afterlife For Earth's Greater Good

Goku is in his angel form and waving goodbye in Dragon Ball Z

Some of the most powerful moments in Dragon Ball are the rare occasions where a character refuses a wish that Shenron attempts to grant them. The heroes tend to have an abundance of Dragon Ball wishes at their disposal, and are ready to revive Goku following his death in the Cell Saga.

However, Goku turns down this privilege over the fear that his presence on Earth is just a beacon for stronger villains and more trouble. As much as he’d like to live in peace with his family, he decides that everyone will be safer if he stays away and watches from the afterlife.

3 He's Worthy To Train Under Prestigious Martial Arts Masters Like King Kai And Beerus

Anime Goku and King Kai Train To Use The Spirit Bomb

Goku benefits from his Saiyan lineage, which gives him a natural boost in battle, but the strongest characters in Dragon Ball have only gotten this way through dedicated training and studying under others.

Goku is extremely fortunate in terms of how many revered martial arts prodigies he’s been able to learn from, most of whom aren’t particularly generous when it comes to taking on students. King Kai, Beerus, Whis, and Merus are just a fraction of the talent that has taken Goku under their wings.

2 Leaving Behind His Family And Friends To Protect The Planet

Goku and Uub laugh as they get ready for training in Dragon Ball Z end

Endings are never easy, and a truly inferior finish can taint the entire series. Dragon Ball Z and GT don’t necessarily have bad endings, but they feel somewhat abrupt or even callous on Goku’s part. Both of the series conclude with Goku deciding to leave his family and friends behind for the greater good.

In Dragon Ball Z, Goku invests his time in Uub’s hidden potential, and the events of Dragon Ball GT involve Goku leaving alongside the Dragon Balls themselves. These endings are a little frustrating when they’re first experienced, but they’re fitting of a selfless hero.

1 He's The Only One Who Can Get In Omni-King Zeno's Good Graces

Goku curries favor with Zeno duo at Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super.

There’s a gigantic universe to explore in Dragon Ball, and each series introduces higher tiers of celestial deities who watch over different corners of existence. Dragon Ball Super reveals that the Omni-King, Zeno, is the ultimate figure who rules all twelve universes.

Zeno can erase an entire universe without breaking a sweat, which leaves most individuals terrified to approach him over the fear that they might set off his unpredictable demeanor. Goku’s child-like innocence wins over Zeno and he’s able to broker important deals with him. Goku’s friendly relationship with Zeno has resulted in the universe’s survival on multiple occasions.

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