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Son Goku is not only the most beloved anime protagonist but also one of the strongest ones ever. For almost four decades, the late Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball franchise has kept the anime world captivated with its martial arts, fights, and comic reliefs, and it started with a kid who came to Earth on a space shuttle from a far-off planet.
That kid grew up to be Son Goku, the savior of the universe, and later partnered up with Prince Vegeta to become one of the most iconic duos ever. Even after having so many achievements, Son Goku has died a number of times. It might seem crazy, but death in the Dragon Ball franchise is comparatively less relevant than real life since characters can respawn due to the presence of Dragon Balls. So, here is a list mentioning every time Son Goku died.
Dragon Ball Main Timeline
1. Died While Fighting Raditz
- Anime: Dragon Ball Z
- Episode: 5
The Raditz Saga is the first arc of Dragon Ball Z, which is the sequel to Dragon Ball. While everyone is living peacefully, they are soon interrupted by the arrival of Raditz, who is the elder brother of Son Goku. It was revealed that Goku is a Saiyan, a species that conquers and destroys other planets. However, Goku is not willing to become a part of Raditz’s plan, and the latter begins attacking him. Even Piccolo and Goku together cannot keep up with him. To save his family, Goku holds Raditz and asks Piccolo to use his “Special Beam Cannon,” knowing that he, too, would die. Piccolo hits it after much reluctance, killing Raditz and Goku.
2. Sacrificed Himself During The Cell Games
- Anime: Dragon Ball Z
- Episode: 188
During the Cell Games, Goku challenged Perfect Cell, and their battle was legendary. Even though Perfect Cell had the upper hand initially, as the match progressed, Goku started to dominate him. The latter control over Super Saiyan 2 helped him defeat Perfect Cell with Kamehameha. But in a moment of desperation, the antagonist tried to self-destruct. With no way out, Goku takes Perfect Cell and teleports to King Kai’s planet. Even though King Kai became a victim, Earth was saved. It marked the second time Son Goku died in the anime.
3. Killed By Hit
- Anime: Dragon Ball Super
- Episode: 71
Son Goku has always been the one to try and surpass his limits, and his Saiyan genes have always helped him achieve it. Likewise, during training with Hit from Universe 6, he asked the assassin to kill him. It would push Goku to his limits and help him surpass them. Hit used his “Phoenix Eye Fist” and killed him. However, Goku was successful in reviving himself through a new technique, negating Hit’s attack, and returning from death once again.
Dragon Ball Alternate Timeline (Future Trunks)
1. Died Due To Heart Virus
- Anime: Dragon Ball Z
- Episode: 175
During the Android Saga, Future Trunks traveled back in time to the main timeline. While he kept his identity hidden for a long time, later it was revealed that the future he witnessed was gruesome, as Son Goku died from a heart virus, and all the Z Warriors fell before Android 17 and Android 18. Unfortunately, it was never revealed how Goku got the heart virus. Thankfully, Future Trunks experiencing the death of the alternate timeline’s Son Goku helped the present timeline’s Goku survive since he brought the antidote with him from the future.
2. Killed By Zamasu
- Anime: Dragon Ball Super
- Episode: 61
Future Trunks returned to the present timeline again in Dragon Ball Super when his world was almost destroyed by Black Goku. Black Goku was Zamasu, who stole Goku’s body to gain the powerful body of the Saiyan. Initially, Zamasu was serving Gowasu, the Supreme Kai of Universe 10, but after meeting Goku and losing against him, he desired to become stronger. He killed his master, took the time ring, and used the Super Dragon Balls to switch bodies with Goku. After doing so, he killed Goku, Chi-Chi, and Goten, wreaking havoc everywhere.
There is another incident surrounding Son Goku’s death, but there is no confirmation about it. At the end of Dragon Ball GT, the protagonist defeats Omega Shenron with a Spirit Bomb, which leaves him weakened. Unfortunately, after the battle, Shenron appears, stating that the Dragon Balls have been overused and he needs to take Goku with them. The latter merges with Dragon Ball and likely becomes its guardian. While it cannot be confirmed as a death, many speculate it to be so. However, the creator has kept an open ending and let the fans decide Goku’s fate.
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Priyanko is currently pursuing his Master’s in Economics. He loves to read manga or watch anime in his spare time. He is a massive fan of One Piece, Naruto, and Haikyu. Amidst the Great Pirating Era, he wishes to become the greatest Hokage, even though he is short.
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