Dragon Ball: 13 Characters Goku Has Never Defeated in Battle

Overview

Goku stands as the central figure in the Dragon Ball franchise but has faced opponents he could not overcome solo.
From his encounters with Raditz to Fused Zamasu, several adversaries have proven too formidable for Goku, resulting in either defeats or requiring assistance from allies.
Despite his tremendous growth and numerous transformations, there remain characters like Raditz and Frost who Goku has not defeated.

The iconic character of Goku is irrefutably the driving force behind Dragon Ball. Despite various attempts to highlight other protagonists within the narrative, Goku remains the heartbeat of the series, since the early days of the franchise. Over time, he has unlocked a plethora of transformations and triumphed over powerful foes, creating an impression of near invincibility.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to recognize that Goku is not infallible. Throughout the saga, he has suffered significant defeats at the hands of various formidable villains, whether due to fight circumstances or his power limitations. Although heralded as a hero, Goku often finds himself unable to secure victory independently. In many instances throughout the series, he has engaged in desperate battles, only to require assistance or to retreat instead. As such, there are multiple characters in Dragon Ball that Goku has never managed to defeat on his own, even after facing them in fierce combat.

Updated on February 7, 2025, by Ana Micaela Leite Scheidemantel: As Goku’s saga continues in Dragon Ball Daima, fans can expect an array of remarkable battles, sprinkled with victories and setbacks. Numerous powerful characters exist within the universe that Goku has failed to conquer on his own, despite his participation in breathtaking skirmishes. Some outcomes can be attributed to power imbalances, while others stem from specific circumstances that influenced the battles, causing Goku to fall short even against less powerful foes. Ultimately, Goku has confronted a significant number of adversaries without achieving victory, reflecting the complexity of his character beyond mere triumph.

13 Good Majin-Buu

Goku Passes the Torch to Future Heroes

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

There is considerable debate regarding whether Goku can claim credit for defeating Kid Buu, especially since he never managed to conquer the original version of this villain. Good Buu, despite his bluster, ensues chaos and destruction primarily at the behest of Babidi. While he showcases innocence at times, it does not prevent significant devastation.

Goku portrays unwavering determination, utilizing his Super Saiyan 3 transformation in an effort to subdue Buu. However, it remains unclear if total commitment from Goku would have secured victory, as he opts to place faith in Goten and Trunks, allowing their fusion to tackle the challenge, thereby delegating the responsibility to the next generation.

12 Android 17

A Cautious Encounter with No Clear Winner

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

Interestingly, Goku and Android 17 have their first showdown in Dragon Ball Super rather than the preceding series, Dragon Ball Z. Their contest for power is a friendly one, initiated by Goku, who later requests Android 17’s assistance for the tournament. During this encounter, both fighters avoid fully unleashing their abilities, opting for a more casual approach to gauge one another’s strengths.

While Goku ultimately does not overpower Android 17, he also does not face any decisive defeat; the fight comes to a standstill when their clash threatens to destabilize the island they are on. Their similar power levels are evident, with Android 17 later emerging victorious in the tournament with Goku’s support.

11 Jiren

An Exceptionally Strong Opponent

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

In every battle, Goku consistently grows stronger, unlocking new transformations and combat techniques. His struggle against Jiren exemplifies this, as he faces one of the strongest challenges to date. Initially, he faces an uphill battle, struggling to match Jiren’s might until he achieves mastery over Ultra Instinct, unleashing his most formidable form.

Despite harnessing this powerful transformation, Goku’s inherent tendency to savor the fight leads to his downfall. His eagerness to dominate allows Jiren to regain an advantage, as Goku ultimately reverts to his original form. Although he demonstrates strength almost sufficient to overcome Jiren, he relies on collaborative strategies with Frieza and Android 17 to secure a victory at the cost of his own sacrifice.

10 Raditz

Goku Sacrifices Himself for Piccolo’s Victory

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

During the opening saga of Dragon Ball Z, Goku and Piccolo unite to bring down his brother, Raditz, who poses a significant threat early in the series. However, Goku’s vulnerability is highlighted when he ultimately sacrifices his life to secure Raditz’s defeat. In the final moments, Goku holds Raditz still, allowing Piccolo to deliver a decisive blow.

It’s surprising that Goku never manages to defeat one of the franchise’s lesser Saiyans, yet Raditz’s untimely demise cuts short the opportunity for a potential rematch. Considering Goku’s progression, one could speculate that an encounter now would result in an easy victory for him, but the chance remains purely hypothetical.

9 Mr. Rotten

Goku Never Bests His Mentor

First confrontation: Dragon Ball

Throughout the initial journey in Dragon Ball, Goku showcased his strength against most opponents; however, he encounters a significant challenge when training with Mr. Popo. Despite numerous attempts, Goku is unable to defeat Popo during their sparring sessions, even when employing his signature Kamehameha technique.

It’s suggested that Goku and the Z-Fighters may eventually surpass Mr. Popo, yet it remains a point of contention among fans that Goku never secures a definitive victory over his enigmatic mentor.

8 Hit

Goku’s Self-Elimination for Fair Competition

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

Hit poses a compelling challenge for Goku, representing the tense rivalry between their respective universes. However, the outcome of their encounter is dictated by Goku’s own values; choosing to eliminate himself from the tournament when he recognizes the unfairness of their duel.

Hit thrives on the ability to eliminate his opponents, yet the rules of the tournament restrict such actions. Thus, Goku’s sense of fairness prevails, leading him to vacate the ring—notably remaining undefeated in the process, despite having the means to conquer Hit.

7 Android 19

Defeated by a Heart Condition in a Simple Encounter

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

Among the androids featured throughout the series, Android 19 is not the most threatening adversary; ironically, Goku’s inability to defeat him highlights an unusual moment. This outcome results from the timing of their confrontation, as Goku suffers from a debilitating heart virus that surfaces mid-battle, severely impairing him despite his superior strength.

Heeding Trunks’ warnings, Goku succumbed to this heart condition right in the midst of the fight, allowing Android 19 to exploit this weakness, thus cementing 19’s position as one of Goku’s rare unaffected opponents.

6 Frost

Underhanded Tactics Result in a Disqualification

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

Initially presented as a heroic figure in the tournament, Frost resorts to deceitful tactics to secure victory over Goku by using a forbidden poison. Despite Goku’s inherent strength, he underestimates Frost’s duplicitous strategy, leading to Goku’s ousting from the competition.

Ultimately, Goku’s elimination leaves him without the chance to face Frost again, meaning he never genuinely defeats him, cementing yet another rare instance in which Goku’s potential remains untapped.

5 Others

Overpowered by Kale in Super Saiyan Blue Form

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

Kale emerges as one of the mightiest Saiyan warriors, even managing to best Goku in his Super Saiyan Blue form. This likeness to Broly’s renowned strength unfolds in a dynamic encounter.

In Dragon Ball Super, Kale interrupts a duel between Goku and Caulifla, overpowering Goku effortlessly, irrespective of his transformations or techniques, leaving him momentarily incapacitated.

4 Beerus and Whis

Unmatched Duo: A Threat to Goku

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Super

The formidable combination of Beerus and Whis represents one of the most staggering threats Goku faces. Beerus acts as a God of Destruction, and while Goku’s opening battle with Beerus serves to satiate Beerus’s love for combat, it concludes before any definitive resolution occurs, with Beerus ultimately napping.

In contrast, Whis, as an angel, showcases tremendous power during their training sessions, rarely facing serious threats, as he evades Goku’s every attack effortlessly—leaving Goku without a solid victory over either formidable entity.

3 Perfect Cell

Goku Surrenders for Gohan’s Triumph

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

Within the Cell Games, Goku thrives on the challenges presented, eagerly facing off against Perfect Cell. Initially appearing at ease, confidence infuses Goku, leading many to believe he possesses the strength needed for a solo win.

However, Goku strategically chooses to forfeit, enabling his son, Gohan, to confront and ultimately defeat Cell. Goku acknowledges Gohan’s potential as the key to victory, stepping aside and sacrificing his own chance to win, ultimately maintaining the path towards their mutual triumph.

2 Fused Strategies

Encountering an Overwhelming Fusion

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

Fused Zamasu stands as a testament to the incredible power combinations within Dragon Ball, merging Zamasu and Goku Black to become a formidable foe. This fusion showcases extraordinary strength, ultimately outpacing Goku at every juncture.

Goku attempts to counter the tremendous threat through fusion with Vegeta, yet even this collaboration fails to yield a victorious outcome, compelling Future Trunks to assume responsibility for the triumph. Ultimately, Goku’s efforts remain commendable; however, he never truly conquers Fused Zamasu on his own.

1 Vegeta

A Rivalry With No Clear Resolution

First confrontation: Dragon Ball Z

The rivalry between Goku and Vegeta represents one of the most celebrated dynamics in anime history, contributing to their growth as warriors and individuals. While Goku often appears to have the advantage, he has never definitively defeated the Saiyan Prince.

From their initial skirmish in Dragon Ball Z, which leads to Vegeta’s retreat from Earth, Goku’s subsequent confrontations reveal a pattern in which he fails to secure a solo victory against his rival. This enduring rivalry fuels their progress, as Goku even loses to Majin Vegeta later in the saga, underscoring the continuous competitive spirit that binds them together.

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