Son Goku is an iconic character that embodies the essence of the anime universe. His fame has almost become synonymous with the epic battles he engages in, leading to the inevitable question whenever a new powerful character appears: “Can he defeat Goku?”
However, despite Goku’s immense strength, he does have some weaknesses and notable shortcomings.
Goku’s Weakness: His Overconfidence and Love for Fighting Strong Opponents
Goku always yearns for fair fights, which sometimes leads him to create opportunities for his enemies to escape, making battles more challenging than they need to be. For instance, he allowed Vegeta and Frieza to escape during their encounters, believing that it would ultimately benefit the greater good.
Although these decisions are often justified by the outcome, they can also be seen as reckless, especially considering Vegeta’s “turnaround” and Frieza’s assistance in the Tournament of Power. In critical moments, Goku’s choices can seem entirely misplaced.
In another episode, Goku gave Perfect Cell a chance to absorb energy to ensure that Gohan had the strength to fight him. He merely wanted to see Gohan grow strong enough to surpass any danger, even if it meant enhancing a dangerous opponent.
In Dragon Ball Super, Goku even experienced a moment of self-doubt when he allowed Moro to absorb energy from him.
Despite the ultimately positive outcomes, Goku’s actions often left viewers frustrated.
Goku’s Notable Weakness: His Fear of Needles
This may sound absurd, but Goku’s fear of needles has been a running joke in the series. One memorable moment occurs during a battle with Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, where Goku panics upon seeing a needle.
This fear of needles is first introduced during the Namek Saga. In a particular scene after a battle in Dragon Ball Z, when Goku enters and sees the needle, he freaks out. The doctors even have to remind him that he must overcome this fear. Even Master Roshi comments that he needs to train Goku to face his fear of needles.
This fear is brought up again in Dragon Ball GT, where Goku is left in a state of panic at the thought of Chi-Chi handling a needle.
