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Anime enthusiasts were found saying that other than being a superhuman fighter, Goku doesn’t have any other qualities to feel for him. However, much more comes out if his journey is examined closely, his character is far from impervious to defeat and tragedy. The misconception surrounding his alleged plot armor highlights multiple instances where the Saiyan warrior faced setbacks and losses.
Son Goku | Credit: Toei AnimationThe concept of Goku being protected with plot armor has been a topic of heated discussion within the community. Well, he often comes out victorious in crucial battles, but that doesn’t mean his path to such victories was not smooth or guaranteed.
Even thinking about the situations and circumstances he had to face gives one goosebumps. Akira Toriyama actually has repeatedly placed Goku in risky situations that challenge the very idea of him being an invincible hero.
The GOAT of Dragon Ball is Considered a Flawed Champion
Goku‘s image poses a provocative question – Why do people think Goku has the most plot armor? it strikes at the very core of a common misconception about his journey throughout the Dragon Ball series. While he is often referred to as the “GOAT of Dragon Ball,” his story is prepared with failures, defeats, and even death experiences that contradict the concept of infallibility.
Goku’s sacrifice while defeating Raditz | Credit: Toei AnimationFrom the earliest days of his martial arts career with Master Roshi, he faced significant setbacks. Opposite to the thought that he always emerges victorious, he actually lost the first two tournaments he participated in. These early defeats not only humanized the young Saiyan but also set the stage for his continuous development.
Perhaps the evidence against his supposed plot armor is the fact that he has died multiple times throughout the series. He was even seen sacrificing his life to save the Earth on two separate occasions. First sacrificing himself to defeat the evil Saiyan Raditz and the second time when he stopped the Cell‘s self-destruction. These deaths were not just for immediate consequences but for lasting impact on both Goku and the world around him.
Furthermore, challenging the concept of his invincibility is the incident where he was felled by a simple laser shot through his chest. This moment resulted in the destruction of Earth. Such events show he is susceptible to unexpected threats and his own moments of carelessness.
Goku’s Multiverse of Misfortune Leads to Alternate Fates
Dragon Ball‘s alternate timelines provide even more proof that Goku is far from invincible. In one alternate future, he submits to a heart virus, a decidedly shabby end to a warrior of his caliber, portraying that even the mightiest of Saiyans are not immune to illness.
Heart virus affects Kakarot | Credit: Toei AnimationAnother timeline presents an even more tragic fate for Goku, where he falls victim to a body-snatching villain, Captain Ginyu. The stolen body causes some serious misunderstanding between the allies and foes. This dark tragic event might have stripped him of his life and at the same time sullied his own legacy.
Akira Toriyama has created a hero who is powerful yet vulnerable, determined yet fallible. Goku’s journey towards good and bad lies not in invincibility but in the courage he shows in the face of overwhelming odds. He also showed his resilience to rise up again and again after falling so many times.
Dragon Ball is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll and read the manga on Viz.
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