Dragon Ball 10 Times Someone Should Have Saved The Day Instead Of Goku

Goku is undeniably the main character of the show. However, there are many times where he unfairly stole the spotlight from someone else.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has established itself as a foundational anime series, and it’s just as popular now as it was when it first debuted back in the 1980s. Dragon Ball very carefully indulges in certain shonen stereotypes, but still forges its own path. It’s responsible for dozens of beloved anime heroes and villains, but when push comes to shove, it’s typically Goku who saves the day and exterminates the threat.

Goku’s constant victories make sense due to his exceptional power, but they can lead to repetitive storytelling that doesn’t do a long-running series like Dragon Ball any favors. Goku is worthy of success and celebration, but there are several occasions where another hero is more deserving of the win.

10 Vegeta’s Pride Gets In The Way Of His Earned Victory Over Golden Frieza

One of the more frustrating instances where Goku unnecessarily swoops in to steal the glory is during the fight against Golden Frieza in Dragon Ball Super. Goku and Frieza have a fiery history, but Vegeta’s animosity towards the galactic tyrant runs even deeper. This would have been the perfect opportunity for Vegeta to receive some closure in this department, but he’s robbed of this luxury. Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta has Frieza defeated, but during a prolonged taunt session, Frieza activates Earth’s destruction. After Whis rewinds time, it’s Goku who finishes Frieza off, even though it should be Vegeta’s win.

9 Buu’s Defeat At Gohan’s Hand Is A More Moving Finish To The Series

The Dragon Ball saga chronicles Goku’s development from a young child into an adult with his own family. Dragon Ball Z doesn’t neglect Goku, but it also very clearly sets up his son, Gohan, for greatness. The Cell Saga concludes with Gohan officially surpassing Goku in strength, and much of the fight against Buu operates as if it’s supposed to be Gohan’s victory, right down to his rare Ultimate/Mystic upgrade. Goku’s Spirit Bomb success over Kid Buu is fitting, but Dragon Ball Z ending with Gohan’s victory would be a much more symbolic conclusion.

8 Uub Defeating Baby Vegeta Allows Goku To Pass The Torch To His New Pupil

Dragon Ball GT puts an older and stronger Uub onto the battlefield, but most of his contributions turn out to be inconsequential. Dragon Ball GT allows Uub to fuse with Buu to become Majuub and a fitting way to mark his new power would be a victory over Baby Vegeta.

There’s clear appeal in a showdown between Goku and Vegeta, but there’s no reason why Uub couldn’t be the one to ultimately get the victory after Goku falls short. It’d be a satisfying way to prove that Goku’s properly prepared Uub for the future.

7 Future Trunks And His Fractured Timeline Are Worthy Of Fused Zamasu’s Defeat

Dragon Ball Super features some deeply compelling villains, and Zamasu’s meticulous plan to become Goku Black, team up with an alternate version of himself, and nearly wipe out all mortals is absolutely chilling. Goku Black’s appearance brings Future Trunks back into the series, and he plays a vital role against Fused Zamasu. It temporarily looks like Future Trunks and his Sword of Hope will destroy Zamasu, but his half-immortality keeps him alive. The circumstances around Zamasu’s defeat come down to intervention from Omni-King Zeno, courtesy of Goku, but this fight is personal for Future Trunks for so many more reasons.

6 Vegeta Conquering Recoome Makes Goku’s Subsequent Strength Hit Harder

There are numerous occasions in Dragon Ball Z where some of the supporting heroes are left to pick up the slack until Goku arrives. A significant example of this is Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta’s fight against the Ginyu Force. Vegeta takes out Guldo, but he’s quickly humbled by the brute strength of Recoome. Goku’s arrival and his lack of difficulty in the defeat of Burter, Jeice, and Captain Ginyu make for an excellent way to show how much Goku’s strength has improved. However, the same impact would be made if Vegeta were to actually beat Recoome and then falter against Burter and Jeice.

5 Android 18 Deserves The Cathartic Victory Over Super 17

Dragon Ball GT reaches a confident groove by the time that Super 17’s chaos is inflicted upon the world. Super 17 is a satisfying throwback, as is Goku’s use of his practically-forgotten Dragon Fist attack, which takes out the mechanical threat. Goku’s victory here isn’t surprising, but Android 18 has significantly more invested in this battle.

Super 17 isn’t just a corrupt version of Android 18’s brother, but he also kills Krillin. She deserves to win here, and there should also be greater consequences to Goku’s child form, which doesn’t really end up holding him back even though it’s supposed to be a detriment.

4 A Defeat Over Universe 6’s Botamo Means More From Gohan

One of Dragon Ball Super’s most appealing new elements is the existence of a multiverse, which is full of powerful fighters, some of which function as eerie mirror versions of Universe 7’s own threats. Universe 6 receives a lot of attention, and Botamo is a fairly gimmicky fighter, but one who still represents the universe’s strongest. Goku faces off against the malleable Botamo on two separate occasions, and he beats him both times. Some variety would go a long way here, and there’s more utility in Gohan defeating this Universe 6 menace. Gohan has more to prove at this point than Goku.

3 Top Faltering Under Frieza’s Power Proves How Much The Tyrant Has Come

Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power does an excellent job in making each opposing universe feel like serious threats. Universe 11 becomes Goku and company’s biggest competition, largely due to the impressive Pride Troopers that represent a large portion of their team. Top is Universe 11’s second strongest, only behind Jiren, and he can even access God of Destruction strength. Goku’s foray against Top falls short, and it’d be more satisfying to see Vegeta, Gohan, or even Beerus take the God of Destruction on instead. However, this would also be an excellent opportunity for Frieza to show how much he’s grown.

2 Vegeta’s Execution At Krillin’s Hand Would Establish A Dangerous Dynamic

Vegeta’s determined assault on Earth during the initial Saiyan invasion is one of the series’ most unique and unpredictable fights. This showdown is ultimately a battle between Goku and Vegeta, and what ignites their enduring friendly rivalry, but Gohan, Krillin, and even Yajirobe all play major roles in Vegeta’s defeat. Krillin’s work is crucial since he temporarily wields Goku’s Spirit Bomb, and he’s left with the most strength. Goku stops Krillin from executing Vegeta, which turns out to be a smart decision, but it would have been very powerful if Krillin had taken the lead here for what he believes is the greater good.

1 Vegeta Taking Out Universe 6’s Hit Makes For A More Exciting Showdown

Hit is one of Universe 6’s most popular characters to appear in Dragon Ball Super. He’s far from someone who’s been overexposed in the series, but his sleek design, cryptic behavior, and esteemed assassin status all make him easy to love. Universe 7 gets humbled by Hit’s skills and Time-Skip technique on several occasions, and Goku often serves the role of guinea pig. There’s no doubt that Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-Ken assault on Hit is exciting, but in terms of behavior, it’s a lot more entertaining to watch Vegeta overwhelm Universe 6’s assassin.