Dragon Ball 10 Times Goku Was Too Soft

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. More than once, the world of Dragon Ball had to pay the price for Goku's inaction and mercy.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic anime series of all time and it’s helped establish the template for many popular shonen series that have followed in its wake. There’s a substantial amount of growth throughout Dragon Ball since its inception and the series chronicles young Goku’s growth into an adult who begins a family that also fights to protect their planet.

Dragon Ball hasn’t been afraid to experiment with change and push the series to bold new places, yet Goku is a constant throughout the franchise. Goku continues to grow stronger and accomplish greater feats, but he’s not always the most helpful person. Goku’s emotions and instincts sometimes get the better of him and it’s led to some pacifistic gestures that have spawned major consequences.

10 He Tells Krillin To Let Vegeta Escape

It becomes common practice for Goku to offer his enemies a chance at redemption, but one of the most critical examples of this is during his first grueling battle against Vegeta. This fight is an excellent example of teamwork where Goku, Gohan, Krillin, and even Yajirobe all work together to take down Vegeta. Krillin is about to finish the job before Goku commands him to show mercy and let Vegeta escape. Granted, this is one of the rare occasions where Goku’s empathy does pay off in the long run and Vegeta turns into an ally.

9 He's Not Assertive Enough With Chi-Chi Over Gohan's Upbringing

Goku’s family with Chi-Chi in Dragon Ball Z is one of the most interesting aspects of Goku’s character. He and his wife turn into such different people with contrasting opinions on what to do with their children. Goku wants Gohan to pursue fighting, while Chi-Chi wants him to become a scholar. Gohan does fight, but Chi-Chi also gets her way and Gohan’s training suffers as a result. Chi-Chi’s plan isn’t wrong, but Goku could be more adamant about what he wants for his son. He should be firmer on the issue rather than avoiding it because he’s afraid of conflict with his wife.

8 He Believes Raditz’s Pleas For Mercy

Dragon Ball establishes that Goku looks for the best in his opponents. Often, this kindness feels out of place, but if there ever was a person where mercy is appropriate then it’d be Goku’s evil brother, Raditz. Dragon Ball Z kicks off with Raditz’s arrival and Goku briefly gains the upper hand on his brother when he grabs a hold of his tail.

However, Raditz’s pleas for forgiveness get through to Goku. It’s not only a ruse, and he uses this opportunity to turn the tables and it costs Goku his life in the process.

7 He Allows Dr. Gero The Time To Build His Androids

The Cell Saga features Future Trunks’ arrival in Goku's timeline with the power of hindsight. He tips the heroes off about Dr. Gero’s plans with the Androids and the inevitable invasion of Cell. After the group receives this information, Bulma makes the reasonable suggestion to take care of the problem before it has a chance to blossom and preemptively destroy Gero’s lab. Goku disagrees and says that he’d rather train and get the chance to fight this mysterious threat and experience it. His excitement clouds his judgement and stops him from being proactive and responsible.

6 He Heals Cell With A Senzu Bean

It’s remarkable how much the desire for competition legitimately blinds Goku from sound judgment. One of Goku’s most questionable acts involves the advantage that he offers Cell during the Cell Games. Goku is eager to see Gohan take Cell down at full strength and so he gives him a Senzu Bean to completely heal. It’s not just a reckless and merciful act, but it’s one that costs Goku and other individuals their lives. Gohan grows stronger as a result, but it’s in very poor taste to allow Cell another chance when it’s unclear if he can even honor the gesture in kind.

5 He Decides To Not Be Revived And Stay Away From Earth

It’s not easy to be the planet’s strongest person and Goku begins to understand that this privilege is also a burden that puts a giant target on not just his back, but all of Earth. Goku makes a shocking decision following the events of the Cell Saga when he tells his friends and family to not use a Dragon Ball wish on his revival.

Goku had pure intentions, but it later gets invalidated when he does return to Earth. It’s a weak decision and one that even feels slightly out of character considering how much Goku relishes a challenge.

4 He Hold Back His True Strength To Investigate Buu

Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga initially attempts to do something different and sidelines Goku until he inevitably returns, takes over the show, and saves the day. Goku observes a lot of Buu’s damage and it’s a major surprise when he casually unveils his Super Saiyan 3 transformation as a new and risky strategy to defeat Buu. Goku could have utilized Super Saiyan 3 much earlier, but he bides his time here to watch and learn, which leads to Majin Vegeta’s self-destruction. If Goku were more aggressive during his return then he could have saved lives.

3 He Lets Frieza Have A Chance At Redemption

Goku has faced a lot of determined villains, but few are as stubborn as Frieza. Goku’s initial battle against Frieza triggers his iconic Super Saiyan transformation, but the villain returns to threaten his life. It takes a big man to give his opponent a second chance, especially when the planet that they’re fighting on is minutes from destruction. Goku exhibits a softness for Frieza, even during these dire times, but Frieza uses this second chance to launch a failed attack at Goku. Goku manages to escape, but his empathy here feels like it creates an even greater resentment within Frieza.

2 He Doesn't Try To Get Zeno To Call Off The Tournament Of Power

Granted, opposing Zeno is something that most people wouldn't dream of and individuals have been erased for less. However, Goku finds a strange friendship with Zeno. Goku is arguably the only individual that could safely talk Zeno out of holding the Tournament of Power, but he intentionally holds back and doesn't take a more active attitude towards Zeno because he's excited over the prospects that the tournament provides and the new fighters that he'll get to meet. It's incredibly irresponsible and it even contributes to why Goku and Universe 7 become early targets in the Tournament of Power.

1 He Gives Moro A Senzu Bean And Repeated Chances

One of the most frustrating cases of Goku’s empathy getting the better of him in his final showdown against Dragon Ball Super’s latest enemy, Moro. Moro commits extreme acts of destruction and genocide on the scale of Frieza, yet Goku still offers him several chances at redemption and to promise that he’ll turn over a new leaf. This culminates in Goku also giving Moro a Senzu Bean and actively healing him in addition to the moral support that he gives him. It’s all for naught and Goku should understand that certain individuals are beyond redemption.