Goku hasn't been Dragon Balls strongest character in a very long time, but until very recently he was always one of the most powerful main characters in the series. Gohan was the strongest non-composite character at the end of Dragon Ball Zbut Goku was right behind him as the second strongest. The introduction of God Ki, Beerus, Angels, and Gods of Destruction knocked Goku down to the bottom of the franchise's most powerful characters, but unlocking Ultra Instinct helped him close the gap.
Goku is a threat on several levels now that he's mastered Perfected Ultra Instinct, but he's also fallen behind on several Dragon Ball Supers main characters. No amount of flashy transformations or divine training can help Goku catch up now that the series' strongest Z-fighters, gods and villains have officially surpassed him. Knowing Goku, but he wouldn't have it any other way and being outclassed is exactly what motivates him to keep training as hard as he does.
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Vegeta officially defeated Goku at the end of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Repeatedly, Dragon Ball Super has made it very clear that Vegeta is actually naturally more talented than Goku. After Battle of GodsVegeta trains for six months with Whis on Beerus' Planet and manages to unlock God Ki without having to use the God Ritual. When Goku unlocks Ultra Instinct in the Tournament of Power, Vegeta mutates his version of Super Saiyan Blue into Super Saiyan Blue Evolved and catches up.
In the Moro Saga, Vegeta learns how to use Instant Transmission and masters Ki control faster than Goku did. In Granolah the Survivor Saga, Ultra Ego Vegeta competes with Ultra Instinct Goku for power. And at the end of Dragon Ball Super: Super HeroVegeta finally defeats Goku once and for all in a fair, one on one duel. Heading into the Black Frieza Saga, Vegeta is the stronger and more talented Saiyan, and Goku is unlikely to catch up.
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Broly surpassed Goku a long time ago
Even as a baby, Broly was already leagues stronger than Goku. Despite being banished to Vampa, living in harsh conditions with no real food or water to speak of, Broly grew into an adult whose natural power level rivaled a Goku who had trained his entire life and become a God. Without having to turn Super Saiyan, Broly completely handled Super Saiyan God Goku and then adapted when he unleashed Super Saiyan Blue.
From Dragon Ball Super Chapter 103, Broly has unlocked his True Legendary Super Saiyan form: a transformation that has been confirmed to have the potential to even surpass and defeat Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta. Realistically, Goku has no chance of catching up to Broly given the large power gap between them. The main thing Goku has over Broly is the fact that he is a more talented martial artist, but even that wasn't enough to help him in Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
3
Gohan Beast beat the ultra instinct out of Goku
Gohan is not only one of the strongest main characters in Dragon Ball Super right now he is rightfully the main character of the series. Starting with Dragon Ball Super: Super Herothe story moves away from Goku and Vegeta's perspective to instead focus on Gohan and Piccolo. In it Dragon Ball Super manga, the Super Hero Saga continues with a three-chapter epilogue that follows Gohan after his battle with Cell Max.
IN Dragon Ball Super Chapter 102, Gohan begins his battle with Goku. In Chapter 103, Gohan Beast is shown to be so overwhelmingly powerful and fast that he can break through Perfected Ultra Instinct's reaction time and even knock Goku out of the transformation with a well-timed punch. Considering Goku's mastery of PUI is literally perfect at this point in the series, that means Gohan is just that much stronger than Goku.
2
Black Frieza effortlessly beat Goku like he was nothing
Frieza is not always present in the main story, but he is clearly one of them Dragon Ball Supers main characters. Frieza was the main villain in Resurrection Fplayed a major role in the Tournament of Power and Dragon Ball Super: Brolyand ended up being part of the Granolah saga's big twist. When Toyotarou finally returns with Dragon Ball Super manga, the story will focus on the long-awaited Black Frieza Saga.
Unfortunately for Goku, he is unlikely to defeat Frieza by himself. At the end of Granolah the Survivor Saga, Black Frieza instantly defeats both Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta at the exact same time. Considering how much stronger other Z-Fighters are than Goku right now, there's just no way he'll beat Frieza unless he somehow triggers a new form (like Xenoverse 2s Ultra Superhero transformation). Goku should just be lucky that Black Frieza didn't kill himself when he had the chance.
1
Beerus will always be one step ahead of Goku
Although fusions like Vegito and Gogeta are said to rival Beerus enough to fight (and potentially even defeat) him, Goku has never reached his level of power – even after mastering Perfected Ultra Instinct. He is closer than ever to the end of it Dragon Ball Super manga and is destined to have one last rematch with Beerus before the series ends, but Goku simply cannot compete with a god of destruction with equal control over Hakai and Ultra Instinct.
Even when Goku has his final battle with Beerus, one of the Dragon BallThe main themes are the idea that there will always be someone better and stronger than you, a lesson Goku learned when he fought and lost to Jackie Chun in the World Tournament Saga. It would be just as fitting for Goku to lose to Beerus one last time, bring Dragon Balls story full circle.
- TV program
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Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First TV show
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Dragon Ball
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV show
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Air date of first episode
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February 26, 1986
