Dragon Ball introduced dozens of unforgettable characters over the years, but few compare to Goku. As Dragon Ball‘s main character and a prototypical shonen protagonist, audiences have watched him mature from an excitable boy into a proud grandfather. Goku has been leading Dragon Ball‘s charge from the very start, and it’s incredibly rare for him to not be front and center when danger strikes.
He isn’t just a selfless hero but also frequently Dragon Ball‘s most powerful player. Most of the franchise’s biggest fights culminate in an epic showdown between Goku and the latest villain. That being said, there are still circumstances in which he’s occupied or out of commission, resulting in a small selection of the franchise’s characters Goku has never faced in battle.
Dodoria & Zarbon Are Frieza’s Top Soldiers Who Get Taken Out Too Early
Part of what makes Dragon Ball Z‘s Namek Saga such an entertaining change of pace is that it sidelines Goku during his lengthy trek to Namek. Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma are left to do the heavy lifting on Namek when it comes to the Dragon Ball collection, but they’re overwhelmed when it comes to Frieza’s top brass.
Dodoria and Zarbon handle a lot of Frieza’s grunt work when he doesn’t want to get his hands dirty. Fortunately, they become opportunities for Vegeta to hone his growing power and prepare himself for what’s to come when he finally faces Frieza.
Vegeta takes out Dodoria and initially struggles against Zarbon after the latter transforms into his stronger and scarier state. The zenkai boost that Vegeta receives from his defeat against Zarbon ultimately gives him the necessary strength to defeat him during their rematch. By the time that Goku finally reaches Namek, Zarbon and Dodoria are long gone, and the Z-Fighters are locked in combat against the Ginyu Force.
King Cold’s Reign Of Terror Is Cut Short By Future Trunks
Goku’s fate is left up in the air following Planet Namek’s destruction, but the Earth is at least able to rest easy knowing that Frieza has been defeated. A terrifying twist takes place shortly after when it’s revealed that Frieza actually survived Namek’s destruction and his damaged body was repaired by his father, King Cold.
King Cold, along with his rebuilt son, Mecha-Frieza, surprise the Z-Fighters on Earth with an impromptu strike. There’s serious cause for concern considering that Goku is still missing in action. However, this threat prompts Future Trunks to jump into action, showcase his own Super Saiyan power, and eliminate both of these targets with ease.
Future Trunks’ Super Saiyan spectacle sets a new status quo for Dragon Ball Z‘s power. Goku is relieved to learn that another Saiyan was able to step in during his absence. Goku has encountered King Cold in the afterlife in several filler sequences, but they’ve never properly fought. Frieza would likely resent Goku even more if his rival was also responsible for his father’s death.
Android 18’s Infinite Energy & Commendable Training Ethic Have Evaded Goku
Future Trunks’ time travel escapade is centered around the Androids that devastated his timeline. Goku’s ailing heart condition leaves him in no shape to fight during the bulk of Dragon Ball Z‘s Android invasion. Goku briefly takes on Android 19, but he’s otherwise benched until he recovers from his condition and immerses himself in Hyperbolic Time Chamber training for Cell.
Two major threats, Androids 17 and 18, are dealt with during Goku’s downtime. Piccolo takes on Android 17, while Vegeta is greatly humbled by Android 18. Cell properly steps into the spotlight by the time that Goku is back in action. The Cell Saga concludes with Android 18 redeeming herself as a hero, albeit one Goku has never actually faced in combat.
The same is true for Android 17, but Goku eventually meets and fights him during his recruiting for the Tournament of Power. Goku has endless respect for Android 18 and the life that she’s built with Krillin. It’d still be interesting to see how the two fare against one another in combat.
Android 16’s Extreme Assassin Skills Are Extinguished Before He Faces Goku
Future Trunks travels back in time to warn the Z-Fighters about the dangers posed by Androids 17 and 18, but the circumstances of his time travel create an anomaly that leads to even more Androids. Android 16 is an intimidating outlier who describes himself as Goku’s assassin. He’s focused on the Saiyan’s extermination and is uniquely suited to take him out because he’s purely a machine, rather than the cyborg nature of Androids 17 and 18.
There’s a lot to unpack with Android 16, whose design was modeled off of Dr. Gero’s son, yet he’s turned into a supporting player once Cell steals the show. Despite Android 16’s programming, he provides essential help against Cell’s imperfect forms. He’s unable to eliminate the artificial threat, but he gives his all and heroically self-destructs to aid the heroes.
Android 16’s mission falls short, but his impact on Gohan is so extreme that he helps trigger the young warrior’s Super Saiyan 2 ascension. Android 16’s brief role in Dragon Ball Z, combined with Goku’s competing priorities at the time, mean that they’ve never faced each other.
Dabura Is A Former Demon King & Babidi’s Top Majin Minion
Dragon Ball Z‘s Buu Saga is a fascinating transition period that brings Goku back to Earth after seven years away in Other World. Goku’s return triggers jealousy in Vegeta, who still considers himself to be inferior to both Goku and his son. There’s a lot to prove among these Saiyans before Majin Buu’s awakening causes unprecedented peril on Earth.
Babidi makes the Saiyans jump through challenging hoops before a confrontation with Buu is a possibility. Vegeta takes on Pui Pui, Goku attacks Yakon, and Gohan goes up against Dabura. Vegeta and Goku are successful in their strikes, but Gohan’s struggles only highlight how much Gohan has regressed in the past seven years. Dabura is Babidi’s strongest soldier.
Former ruler of the Demon Realm, he hasa lot of impressive tricks up his sleeve, such as his Evil Flame, Darkness Sword, or Stone Spit, which petrifies Krillin and Piccolo into stone. Goku’s pressing concerns with Majin Vegeta and later Buu leave him too distracted to take Dabura out of the picture. Ironically, it’s Buu himself who handles the Demon King by turning him into a giant cookie that he proceeds to consume. Dabura’s strength is said to be on par with Perfect Cell, so he’s likely a Demon who Goku would have defeated.
Cabba Is A Spirited Universe 6 Saiyan Who Admires Vegeta’s Passion
New Saiyans are always cause for celebration and Dragon Ball Super makes waves with a decent dose of new Saiyan blood courtesy of its multiverse. Universe 6’s thriving Saiyan population help their realm avoid erasure by competing in the Tournament of Power. Kale and Caulifla, along with their fused form, Kefla, both test their strength against Goku.
However, Cabba is better acquainted with Vegeta and develops a respect for the Saiyan Prince after their Tournament of Destroyers clash. With Vegeta’s help, Cabba slowly masters the first two tiers of Super Saiyan strength. It’s impressive progress that speaks to his natural skills as a Super Saiyan.
He’s still woefully weaker than both Vegeta or Goku. Considering Vegeta’s impact on Cabba, it’s curious to consider what sort of positive influence that Goku might have on the Universe 6 Saiyan. A duel against Goku would be a great way to test both of their skills if Cabba has kept up with his training following the Tournament of Power.
Cell Max Is Red Ribbon’s Ultimate Android
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero intentionally subverts expectations by telling a story that intentionally removes Goku and Vegeta from the equation in order to celebrate Piccolo and Gohan. There’s something to be said about Gohan and Pan taking on Red Ribbon, just like Goku did in the original Dragon Ball.
It’s a touching way for Dragon Ball to pass the torch, but it also means that Goku never fights against Gamma 1, Gamma 2, or Cell Max. Gohan and Piccolo are both out of their depths until they unlock new transformations — Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo — and emerge triumphant. Goku’s presence would have certainly made the heroes’ win easier.
There’s still doubt about whether Goku would have been strong enough to defeat Cell Max. This is reinforced by the fact that Gohan Beast also has the upper hand against Ultra Instinct Goku during their friendly duel. Goku would no doubt struggle against Cell Max, especially if the Gamma duo are also along for support, but it’d be extremely exciting to see Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku’s giant energy avatar wrestling with Cell Max.
- Cast
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Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
