Many anime have been able to turn into timeless cultural touchstones that never leave the public consciousness, but there’s been an extra level of celebration around Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super. The latest chapter in the ongoing Dragon Ball saga continues to chronicle the incredible growth of Goku and friends as they protect the planet from threats that have unprecedented power.
Dragon Ball Super’s anime culminates with the multiversal battle royale competition, the Tournament of Power, which pushes Goku’s strength to new heights and introduces him to new adversaries that make worthy competition. However, Goku’s progress following the Tournament of Power has been just as staggering.
10 He’s Stronger Than Jiren
Universe 7’s team in the Tournament of Power faces plenty of formidable opponents in the other universes’ fighters. However, early on, Universe 11’s Jiren is positioned as Goku’s major competition for this battle royale tournament. When Goku and Jiren finally do come to blows, Goku’s pushed to tap into Ultra Instinct for the first time, albeit in an imperfect form. The two are evenly matched, but Goku certainly isn’t stronger. The two don’t get the opportunity for a rematch following the Tournament of Power, but, considering the colossal growth that Goku experiences, it stands to reason he’s now surpassed Jiren.
9 He Becomes A Member Of The Galactic Patrol
Goku and company do quite the impressive job of keeping the Earth safe from extraterrestrial threats, but it makes sense that there’s actually an established police force that patrols the universe. The Galactic Patrol typically gets represented by Jaco, one of the more bumbling and cowardly members of the force, but the organization becomes crucial after there’s a jailbreak at the Galactic Patrol’s prison. The team reaches out to Goku and Vegeta as reinforcements, and they’re officially indoctrinated as members of the Galactic Patrol while they work to resolve the Moro matter.
8 He’s Canonically Fused Into Gogeta
Gogeta is a character who’s become so popular thanks to the Dragon Ball video games and supplemental materials that it can sometimes be easy to forget that he used to technically be non-canon. Gogeta’s presence was restricted to the Dragon Ball Z movie, Fusion Reborn, as well as Dragon Ball GT.
Vegito is the dominant form that’s used in the anime and manga, but Dragon Ball Super: Broly finally brings Gogeta into the series for real. It remains to be seen if Gogeta will be a frequent tactic that Goku turns to, but it’s now an option for him.
7 He Perfects Ultra Instinct
Goku’s clash with Jiren during the Tournament of Power marks the first time Goku achieves Ultra Instinct, albeit briefly. Afterward, Goku’s relationship with this mysterious transformation becomes a big part of his journey. There are several different imperfect stages of Ultra Instinct, all of which Goku progressively achieves. It takes him some time, but he finally reaches the plateau of Perfected Ultra Instinct, but he still has further to go in the area and more to learn.
6 He Takes Out The Prestigious Planet-Eater Moro
Dragon Ball Super has introduced some dangerous new enemies following the Tournament of Power, and Planet-Eater Moro is certainly one of the more malicious individuals. Moro has a notorious reputation where he’s plagued galaxies and Gods on his quest for power. He’s had millions of years to grow resentful and formulate a master plan to regain his strength, and his break from prison pushes all of the heroes to their limits. In the end, it’s ultimately Goku and his new level of Ultra Instinct that’s able to destroy Moro, who, at this point, has literally merged together with the planet.
5 He Gains New Mentors In Whis And Merus
One of the characteristics that makes Goku such an admirable shonen protagonist is that he’s as humble as he is strong. He’s someone who always wants to grow stronger and is ready to acknowledge his shortcomings.
It’s this attitude that’s allowed Goku to train under many different prestigious martial arts masters, who in turn have been able to teach him fundamental techniques and principles. Following the Tournament of Power, Goku really leans into his training with Whis, and later Merus, as a way to master the secrets of Ultra Instinct. It pushes him down a very divine path.
4 He Learns About His Father, Bardock
The Dragon Ball series has been able to shade in the details surrounding Goku’s origins and how he ended up on Earth, but also some of the adventures that his father, Bardock, faced. Dragon Ball has provided answers here, but it’s been through the context of flashbacks that Goku himself is not privy to, and he’s left oblivious to the details of his real father. One of the more recent developments to take place in Dragon Ball Super’s manga is that the battle against Granolah contains a bombshell revelation that connects Goku’s father to the Cerelian.
3 He Learns New Techniques
Goku has the tendency to grow dramatically stronger over the course of each of the series’ major arcs, and he’s proof of how someone can always make improvements to themselves, no matter how strong they are. Goku’s continual mastery over Ultra Instinct has also triggered some new techniques that he’s been able to incorporate into his arsenal of attacks. Each of Goku’s standard energy attacks typically gains an upgraded version that accompanies any new transformation. Goku also becomes more in tune with his body and can shift his vitals or the point of impact of blows.
2 He’s Grown Friendlier With Frieza
There are many villains who have come after Frieza in Dragon Ball, but this one antagonist continues to find ways to work himself back into the narrative. Frieza should be one of the individuals that Goku hates more than anyone else considering what he’s done to him both personally and to the Saiyans as a whole. However, Goku strangely turns to Frieza for help during the Tournament of Power, which leads to him regaining his mortality. Goku is oddly at peace with Frieza existing in the universe and rebuilding his army. He’s grown too comfortable with him.
1 He’s Visited Planet Cereal And Met A Cerelian
Goku begins his adventure in Dragon Ball on Earth with zero knowledge of the larger nature of the universe, but he progressively becomes quite the worldly individual. The Tournament of Power is a fantastic occasion that exposes Goku to the many differences and tiers of power that exist in the multiverse, but he still has more to learn and see. Goku becomes quite familiar with the Cerelians, Sugarians, and their relationship with the Saiyans, which he was previously oblivious to. Granolah forces Goku to reckon with the resentment that lingers with the remaining Cerealians.
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