Top 10 Badass Goku Moments
#10: Beats the Ginyu Force
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
As soon as the Namek Saga is finished, Goku faces off against the Ginyu Force, a ruthless, elite group of mercenaries, working for Frieza. Goku’s friends have already been taken down, so once again, it’s up to him to save the day. What makes this moment so badass is the incredible power Goku displays. After rapidly powering up, Goku not only matches their power, but he goes beyond, and utterly tramples them. Each member is taken down with ease, with Recoome only taking one punch to finish. This moment shows how much Goku has grown as a fighter, and cements Goku as the true hero of Namek.
#9: The Final Transmission
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
One of Goku’s most heartfelt moments is when he makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect Earth. During the intense battle with Cell, Goku realizes the Earth is in danger of being exploded by the villain. Realizing there’s no way he can stop it, he uses his final transmission to teleport himself and Cell to King Kai’s home. The explosion decimates the planet, and tears through the cosmos. Goku managed to quickly say goodbye to Gohan and his friends, making it an incredibly powerful moment. This act of selflessness is a testament to Goku’s unwavering desire to protect his loved ones. This is the moment where he’s no longer a simple warrior, he’s Earth’s greatest protector.
#8: Goku’s Speech to Vegeta
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
After an absolutely brutal fight between Goku and Vegeta, Krillin decides to get the final blow in, and finish off the defeated Saiyan prince. At the last moment, Goku steps in, imploring Krillin to spare his life. Goku explains killing him would not bring peace, because he believes the universe is filled with greater threats than either of them can imagine. This speech reflects his deep belief in mercy and forgiveness, and his refusal to give in to anger makes him one to look up to. Rather than seeing him as a villain to be eliminated, he sees him as a potential ally, with an optimistic belief that he could someday change for the better.
#7: Demolishing The Red Ribbon Base
“Dragon Ball” (1986-89)
Some would argue child Goku was more reckless than his older self. One example of this is when 12-year-old Goku takes on the entire Red Ribbon Army. He single-handedly storms their heavily fortified base, causing unfathomable destruction. He tears through them effortlessly. It’s a display of raw might and unyielding spirit, and marks a turning point in Goku’s journey, proving that he’s not going to let anything stand in his way. This moment is a true testament to his unstoppable drive, and shows Goku was a total badass even as a child.
#6: Goku Gets Back in the Fight
“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)
In Super’s epic final battle against Jiren, one of the strongest mortals in the multiverse, who fights exclusively alone. Goku’s on the edge of exhaustion, leaving Frieza and Android 17 to stop Jiren. It’s here that Goku makes a comeback of the ages, and with the help of his allies, he pushes himself beyond his limits. Despite Jiren fighting back with even more power, the trio hold their ground, and their combined efforts decimate his energy wall. This is a perfect example of Goku’s ability to keep fighting, and get back on his feet, even when all hope seems lost.
#5: “I Will Not Let You Destroy My World”
“Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” (2013)
This movie features one of Goku’s most heroic and utterly badass lines of all time. The central antagonist is Beerus, the mighty God of Destruction. He threatens to obliterate the Earth, but thankfully, Goku isn’t having any of it. In one of the most exhilarating displays of animation and voice acting talent, Goku screams “I will not let you destroy my world!” He transforms into a Super Saiyan, and then proceeds to totally wail on Beerus. Despite giving it his all, he’s ultimately unable to beat Beerus, but his tenacity and badass fighting skills convince him to spare Earth.
#4: Ultra Instinct
“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)
Goku’s battle against Jiren in the Tournament of Power causes him to unlock a whole new level of power, with him gaining access to Ultra Instinct. This transformation lets him react on instinct alone, letting him fight quicker than ever before. The moment he enters Ultra Instinct features marvelous animation, and is one of Super’s most iconic moments. The sheer power and beauty of this transformation stun everyone watching. Only a few moments after, he proceeds to satisfyingly beat the crap out of Jiren. It once again showcases Goku’s sky-high potential, and is a testament to his relentless pursuit of being a total badass.
#3: Goku No-Sells Frieza’s Punch
“Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” (2015-18)
This movie features an epic rematch between Goku and Frieza. At its conclusion, Frieza throws a mighty punch straight at Goku’s face. Rather than dodge it, or crumble under its might, Goku simply eats it. Naturally, Frieza is completely freaked out by this. Goku retaliates with an ice-cold expression, accompanied by a one-inch punch. It takes Frieza completely by surprise, and despite seeming small, it’s enough to send him flying. This is a true display of Goku’s power, showing how far Goku has come since their first fight on Namek.
#2: Goku Paralyzes Nappa
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
After intense training and spending some time running along the Snake Way, Goku returns to Earth, just in time to save it from the Saiyans, Vegeta, and Nappa. Nappa is one of the strongest Saiyans of all time, and he’s a mighty match for the other Z Fighters. This all changes when Goku finally makes his way onto the scene, and almost immediately decimates Nappa’s spinal cord. This moment is a pivotal shift in the battle, and reveals how strong Goku has become in the afterlife. It’s one of the most badass moments where Goku single-handedly turns the tide of battle.
#1: “I Am Son Goku”
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
During his original fight with Frieza, Goku transforms into Super Saiyan for the first time. His hair turns gold, his eyes blaze green, and he gains a magnificent, shining aura. After witnessing Krillin’s death, he can’t contain his anger anymore. Before decimating Frieza, he delivers one of the most legendary speeches in anime history. At that moment, he isn’t just threatening to defeat Frieza, he’s promising it, with his outrage dialed up to 11. The combination of his Super Saiyan transformation, and his determination to stand in Frieza’s way, makes this moment the ultimate display of him being anime’s ultimate badass.
What do you think was Goku’s most badass display of power? Leave a comment letting us know!
