The Coolest Battles With Goku In Dragon Ball History

If there’s one anime character fans universally adore, it’s Goku. From his humble beginnings, living alone and guarding the four-star Dragon Ball as a keepsake from his grandpa to battling the god of destruction, Goku’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Throughout the Dragon Ball series, both the fighting style and the show’s identity have evolved significantly. What began as a lighthearted adventure soon transformed into a more theatrical and intense spectacle with Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. Yet, not all fights are created equal, and some have become iconic staples of the best anime battles.

8

Goku vs. King Piccolo

Dragon Ball (Original Series)

In the original Dragon Ball series, Goku faces King Piccolo, a formidable force terrorizing Earth, stronger than any opponent Goku has encountered before. By this point, King Piccolo has already killed Krillin and Master Roshi, marking a dark and gruesome shift in the show’s tone. With Tien already out, King Piccolo seems like an insurmountable challenge.

The battle begins with Goku confronting Piccolo head-on. Goku pushes him to his limit, dodging attacks and delivering a fierce fight. The fight reaches its climax when Piccolo attempts to strike from midair, only for Goku to use his head… literally. Goku propels himself into a clean punch through Piccolo’s chest, though Piccolo narrowly manages to transfer his life energy into an egg before dying.

7

Goku vs. Tien

Dragon Ball (22nd World Tournament)

In the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku faces Tien Shinhan, a proud and skilled fighter trained by the Crane School, whose philosophies sharply contrast with those of the Turtle Hermit. Their rivalry is intense, and the battle proves exceptional as Tien showcases his mastery of energy control, using techniques like Solar Flare and Multi Form. The fight is almost evenly matched, pushing young Goku to his limits.

The battle ends dramatically as both Goku and Tien are sent outside the tournament arena, with Goku crashing into a car and Tien following just moments later, earning him the victory. Although Goku technically loses, Tien offers to split the prize, showing newfound respect for the Turtle Hermit School. Dragon Ball in its early days arguably showcased the best martial arts, a level of intensity only seen again during Goku vs. Cell and Goku vs. Vegeta in the Buu Saga.

6

Goku vs. Cell

Dragon Ball Z (Cell Games)

We’ve always said it, and we’ll say it again: Dragon Ball peaked during the Cell Saga. This was made abundantly clear when Goku stepped into the ring after Mr. Satan to face Cell. Both Goku and Cell displayed a level of technique and strategic brilliance reminiscent of the old Dragon Ball days.

Their battle is long and grueling, with Goku pushing everyone to the edge of concern when he prepares to launch a Kamehameha wave at Cell from midair, targeting Earth as well. Though he pairs it with Instant Transmission, this moment highlights just how meticulously Toriyama crafted the fight. In the end, Goku forfeits and passes the torch to Gohan, setting the stage for another legendary battle that would go down in Dragon Ball history.

5

Goku vs. Frieza

Dragon Ball Z (Namek Saga)

Goku vs. Frieza is not just the best fight in Dragon Ball but arguably one of the greatest in all of anime. It’s a masterclass in combat, driven more by the lore of the Super Saiyan legend than pure technique, a concept previously only hyped up by Vegeta.

However, after Frieza proves to be unlike any foe Goku has faced, he realizes that words alone won’t be enough and that some enemies don’t deserve mercy. In a moment of rage, after Krillin’s death, Goku finally transforms into the long-awaited Super Saiyan, bringing the legend to life. With newfound strength, the fight’s pace shifts dramatically as Namek’s imminent explosion looms, lava flowing everywhere, and the infamous five-minute countdown for Frieza ticking away.

4

Goku vs. Baby

Dragon Ball GT

Goku’s fight against Baby occurred after the parasitic Tuffle took control of Vegeta, boosting his speed and strength to levels Goku couldn’t rival, even in Super Saiyan 3. In response, Elder Kai stepped in, helping Goku tap into his ancestral heritage, unlocking Super Saiyan 4 and evening the odds.

What followed was a brutal exchange of power blasts as Goku fought the Golden Parasitic Ape with nearly equal strength. With help from Gohan, Trunks, and Goten, who combined their strength, Goku was finally able to defeat Baby. In terms of tension and dark, high-stakes energy, Goku vs. Baby stands as a true masterstroke.

3

Goku vs. Majin Vegeta

Dragon Ball Z (Buu Saga)

Few second-round battles are as beloved as Goku vs. Majin Vegeta. In his relentless drive to finally defeat Goku, Vegeta succumbs to Babidi’s influence, unlocking power through the evil within him. However, to Babidi and Supreme Kai’s surprise, Vegeta is not interested in serving him; his sole focus is on beating his long-time rival way back from Saiyan Saga.

Beyond the poetic lines and intense dialogue from Vegeta, the fight itself was a perfect display of combat. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a “dance of fists,” as Goku and Vegeta pushed each other to their absolute limits, excluding the power of Super Saiyan 3.

2

Goku vs. Jiren

Dragon Ball Super (Tournament of Power)

In the multiverse-spanning Tournament of Power, Goku faces Jiren, the strongest warrior from Universe 11. The battle begins with Jiren largely unaffected by whatever Goku throws at him. In a final effort, Goku attempts the Spirit Bomb, but it backfires, doing the opposite of what he intended. Jiren successfully defends against the Spirit Bomb, and Goku is absorbed in the blast, disappearing from the battlefield. With everyone on edge, Beerus asks, “Is this the end for you, Goku?” But as it turns out, it’s not.

Goku resurfaces, completely transformed, with white, glimmering eyes, and begins holding his own against Jiren. As the Gods of Destruction rise in respect, it’s revealed that Goku has ascended to a level beyond—beyond even Beerus—and unlocked Ultra Instinct, a technique that even Beerus struggles with. The battle shifts dramatically, representing that despite its flaws, Dragon Ball Super still had much to offer.

1

Goku vs. Kid Buu

Dragon Ball Z (Buu Saga)

After freeing Fat Buu from inside Majin Buu, Goku and Vegeta finally face Kid Buu. At first glance, he seems smaller and less powerful than Buuhan, but that’s where the real threat lies. Unlike Buuhan or Majin Buu, Kid Buu is a mindless killing machine with only one goal: destruction. Many had threatened to destroy Earth, but Buu actually did it—without a second thought. Moments later, Goku and Vegeta raise their power levels to transport the battle to the Sacred World of the Kais, ensuring the safety of the living.

Goku fights Kid Buu, pushing his Super Saiyan 3 form to the limit, with moments of chaos and even hilarity. Even Vegeta admits that Kakarot has finally surpassed him. The battle culminates in a Spirit Bomb, with Goku hopeful to meet Kid Buu again, under better circumstances. As far as battles go, it was probably the best way to end DBZ since the Cell Saga never truly did.