Goku hasn’t been Dragon Ball‘s strongest character in a very long time, but until very recently, he was always one of the most powerful main characters in the series. Gohan was the strongest unfused character at the end of Dragon Ball Z, but Goku was right behind him as the second-strongest. The introduction of God Ki, Beerus, Angels, and Gods of Destruction knocked Goku down to the bottom of the franchise’s most powerful characters, but unlocking Ultra Instinct helped him cut the difference.
Goku’s a multiversal-level threat now that he’s mastered Perfected Ultra Instinct, but he’s also fallen behind several of Dragon Ball Super‘s main characters. No amount of flashy transformations or Godly training can help Goku catch up now that the series’ strongest Z-Fighters, Gods, and villains have officially surpassed him. Knowing Goku, though, he wouldn’t have it any other way and being outclassed is exactly what motivates him to keep training as hard as he does.
5
Vegeta Officially Defeated Goku at the End of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Time and time again, Dragon Ball Super has made it very clear that Vegeta is actually naturally more talented than Goku. After Battle of Gods, Vegeta trains for six months with Whis on Beerus’ Planet and manages to unlock God Ki without needing to use the God Ritual. When Goku unlocks Ultra Instinct in the Tournament of Power, Vegeta mutates his version of Super Saiyan Blue into Super Saiyan Blue Evolved and catches up.
In the Moro Saga, Vegeta learns how to use Instant Transmission, mastering Ki control faster than Goku did. In the Granolah the Survivor Saga, Ultra Ego Vegeta rivals Ultra Instinct Goku in power. And by the end of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Vegeta finally beats Goku once and for all in a fair, one on one duel. Heading into the Black Frieza Saga, Vegeta is the stronger and more talented Saiyan, and Goku’s not likely to catch up.
4
Broly Surpassed Goku A Long Time Ago
Even as a baby, Broly was already leagues stronger than Goku. Despite being exiled to Vampa, living under harsh conditions with no real food or water to speak of, Broly grew into an adult whose natural Power Level rivaled a Goku who had spent his entire life training and become a God. Without needing to turn Super Saiyan, Broly completely manhandled Super Saiyan God Goku, and then adapted once he triggered Super Saiyan Blue.
As of Dragon Ball Super Chapter 103, Broly has unlocked his True Legendary Super Saiyan form: a transformation that’s been confirmed to have the potential to even surpass and defeat Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta. Realistically, Goku has no chance of catching up to Broly considering the sheer gap in power between them. The main thing Goku has over Broly is the fact that he’s a more talented martial artist, but even that wasn’t enough to help him in Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
3
Gohan Beast Beat The Ultra Instinct Out of Goku
Gohan isn’t just one of the strongest main characters in Dragon Ball Super right now, he’s legitimately the series’ protagonist. Beginning with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the story moves away from Goku and Vegeta’s perspective to instead focus on Gohan and Piccolo. In the Dragon Ball Super manga, the Super Hero Saga continues with a three-chapter epilogue that follows Gohan after his battle with Cell Max.
In Dragon Ball Super Chapter 102, Gohan begins his battle with Goku. In Chapter 103, Gohan Beast proves to be so overwhelmingly powerful and fast, he’s able to brute force his way around Perfected Ultra Instinct’s reaction time and even knock Goku out of the transformation with one well-timed blow. Considering Goku’s mastery of PUI is literally perfect at this point in the series, this means Gohan is just that much stronger than Goku.
2
Black Frieza Effortlessly Beat Goku Like He Was Nothing
Frieza isn’t always present in the main story, but he’s clearly one of Dragon Ball Super‘s main characters. Frieza was the main villain of Resurrection F, played a major role in the Tournament of Power and Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and ended up being part of the Granolah Saga’s big twist. Once Toyotarou finally returns with the Dragon Ball Super manga, the story will focus on the long-awaited Black Frieza Saga.
Unfortunately for Goku, he’s unlikely to defeat Frieza himself. At the end of the Granolah the Survivor Saga, Black Frieza immediately defeats both Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta at the exact same time. Considering how much stronger other Z-Fighters are than Goku right now, there’s just no way he’s beating Frieza unless he somehow triggers a new form (like Xenoverse 2‘s Ultra Superhero transformation). Goku should just count himself lucky that Black Frieza didn’t kill himself when he had the chance.
1
Beerus Will Always Be One Step Ahead of Goku
Although fusions like Vegito and Gogeta are said to rival Beerus enough to fight (and potentially even defeat) him, but Goku’s never actually reached his Power Level – even after mastering Perfected Ultra Instinct. He’s closer than ever as of the end of the Dragon Ball Super manga and is destined to have one last rematch with Beerus before the series ends, but Goku just can’t compete with a God of Destruction with equal control of Hakai and Ultra Instinct.
Even when Goku gets his final battle with Beerus, one of Dragon Ball‘s main themes is the idea that there will always be someone better and stronger than you, a lesson Goku learned when he fought and lost to Jackie Chun in the World Tournament Saga. It would be just as fitting for Goku to lose to Beerus one last time, bringing Dragon Ball‘s story full circle.
- TV Show(s)
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Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First TV Show
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Dragon Ball
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First Episode Air Date
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February 26, 1986
