Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball continues to evolve and expand its scope in exciting ways, whether it's through new villains, transformations, or techniques. The one constant throughout Dragon Ball is that it's Goku's story and that he's frequently the character who experiences the most change and accomplishes the greatest breakthroughs.

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Goku's achievements are inspirational moments for the fans, but the Saiyan's strength has reached such debilitating heights that it's sometimes more of a liability than an asset. There have been several occasions where Goku's power overwhelms the very framework of Dragon Ball.

10 Goku Returns To Earth From The Afterlife

Goku uses Kaio-Ken to defeat Nappa in Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball has crafted multiple scenarios where Earth's strongest heroes must bide their time and do their best against unprecedented power while Goku is out of the picture. Goku rushes back to Earth as fast as he can from his first extended trip to the afterlife.

Vegeta, Nappa, and even their Saibamen decimate Tien, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and even Piccolo. Goku's return impressively showcases just how much his strength has improved. He easily disarms Nappa with a single punch. Admittedly, his fight against Vegeta is much more balanced, but the sight of Goku effortlessly taking out this Saiyan brute is incredibly memorable.

9 Super Saiyan God Goku's Clash With Beerus Almost Destroys Existence

Goku and Beerus' punches cause destructive shockwaves in Dragon Ball

The arrival of Lord Beerus, Universe 7's God of Destruction, opens the heroes' eyes to just how little they know about their expansive universe. Beerus yearns for a satisfying challenge against a Super Saiyan God, which is a milestone that Goku eventually reaches with the help of his Saiyan allies.

Super Saiyan God struggles to defeat Beerus and the collective impact of their clashes threatens to destroy their very universe. Dragon Ball Super doesn’t really return to this concept, but the sheer fact that Goku's punches can trigger planet-ending shockwaves is proof of him getting too strong for his own good.

8 Goku Takes On The Ginyu Force Once He Arrives On Namek

Goku takes on Burter and Jeice at once in Dragon Ball

One of the most useful tools in the Dragon Ball heroes' arsenal early on in the series' run is the advent of gravity training to surpass their usual limits. Goku extensively makes use of gravity training during his voyage to Planet Namek. Initially intending to train at x50 Earth's gravity, he accidentally triggers x100 Earth's gravity and learns to acclimate.

After months of training in this style, Goku arrives on Planet Namek as a new man. Recoome is a Ginyu Force member who seriously humbles Vegeta, Gohan, and Krillin. Goku doesn't just take out Recoome with ease, but he single-handedly spars against both Burter and Jeice as if they're nothing.

7 Goku Perfects Ultra Instinct During His Fight Against Moro

Goku uses Perfected Ultra Instinct Avatar to fight Moro in Dragon Ball Super manga.

Goku has quickly mastered each of the various Super Saiyan transformations, but his perfection of Ultra Instinct becomes a much more tedious experience. Goku first accesses Ultra Instinct strength during the Tournament of Power, completely by accident.

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Goku slowly ascends different levels of Ultra Instinct strength, which becomes one of the key elements in the defeat of Planet-Eater Moro. Moro literally merges with a planet to take on Goku, but Ultra Instinct Goku conjures a massive energy avatar that overwhelms Moro in this destructive state.

6 Goku's Absence During The Events Of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Goku and Vegeta spar in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Goku is typically the main character in any Dragon Ball story and usually receives the privilege of taking out the latest enemy. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the latest film in the franchise, intentionally subverts these expectations with a story that instead showcases Gohan, Piccolo, and even Pan.

Goku and Vegeta aren't absent from the movie, but their appearances feel more like entertaining cameos. The decision to keep these two away from the battle against Gamma 1, 2, and Cell MAX is in part because Goku's strength would immediately solve this problem.

5 Goku Uses Super Saiyan Blue Against Universe 6

Super Saiyan Blue Goku takes on Bergamo in Dragon Ball Super

Super Saiyan Blue becomes the new normal in Dragon Ball Super and Goku and Vegeta's most useful transformation until their upgraded powers in the successive manga chapters. Goku first demonstrates Super Saiyan Blue power during Universe 7's competition against Universe 6.

Super Saiyan Blue Goku completely dwarfs Bergamo and the rest of his challengers. Super quickly powerscales Super Saiyan Blue to a reasonable strength, but it's indomitable during its debut. It also allows Beerus to comfortably gloat to Champa about the strength of his universe's fighters.

4 Goku's Super Saiyan 3 Transformation Limits His Time On Earth

Goku transforms into Super Saiyan 3 for the first time in Dragon Ball Z.

The savage carnage of Buu and his Majin companions interrupts what's supposed to be a peaceful day of a martial arts competition. Goku gets the privilege to return to Earth for a single day so that he can watch these proceedings, but he's suddenly required to defend the planet once Majin Buu gets awakened.

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Goku reveals that he's been hiding a powerful new transformation, Super Saiyan 3, which helps him hold his own against Kid Buu. However, the massive strain of energy from this transformation limits Goku's time on Earth. Many plead for Goku not to use this transformation and shorten his livelihood.

3 Goku Fuses Into Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta In Dragon Ball GT

Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta holds his own against Omega Shenron in Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball GT remains a polarizing chapter in the franchise, but there are some compelling ideas that the anime explores. The Shadow Dragons make for effective, diverse villains and Omega Shenron's full potential pushes Goku to dip into Super Saiyan 4 strength and fuse with Vegeta into Gogeta.

Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta actively mocks Omega Shenron through silly techniques and even taunts the villain to try to destroy the planet with his ultimate finisher. Admittedly, Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta separates after only ten minutes because of its raw power, but it doesn't show any signs of struggle while it's in action.

2 Super Saiyan Blue Vegito Takes On Merged Zamasu

Vegito Blue overpowers Zamasu in Dragon Ball Super

Goku Black and Zamasu are some of the most dedicated and dangerous villains to ever appear in Dragon Ball. The heroes are forced to pull out all the stops for these threats, which includes the series' return of Vegito. Goku's fused form is stronger than ever since he and Vegeta both now possess Super Saiyan Blue strength.

Admittedly, it's ultimately Omni-King Zeno who erases Zamasu, with vital help from Future Trunks and his Sword of Hope. However, Vegito Blue more than holds his own against this fused powerhouse, and it's only the figure's immortal status that saves him from the Saiyan's defeat.

1 Gogeta Blue Nearly Wipes Out Broly

Gogeta Blue fights Broly in Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie

Dragon Ball Super: Broly properly brings fan-favorite movie character, Broly, into the franchise's official canon. Legendary Super Saiyan Broly has unprecedented power that humbles Frieza and forces Goku and Vegeta to fuse into Gogeta.

Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta is the power boost that these heroes' needed, and they completely turn the tables on Broly. Despite Broly's intense rage, Gogeta Blue would have finished him off if not for a well-timed wish on the Dragon Balls that sends him back to safety on Planet Vampa.

NEXT: Dragon Ball: All Of Goku’s Transformations (& How He Got Them)