Goku’s 10 Best Quotes, Ranked

Summary

• Goku’s profound quotes showcase his battle-hungry attitude and dedication to protecting his loved ones throughout the Dragon Ball franchise.
• Toriyama’s adept character development shines through in the compelling arcs of characters like Vegeta and Gohan, enriching the manga’s narrative.
• Goku’s iconic moments, such as his encouragement to Gohan during the Cell fight, exemplify his caring nature and the passing of the torch to the next generation.

Dragon Ball’s hero Goku is one of the most iconic anime and manga protagonists of all time, so it’s only natural that he would provide some incredibly poignant quotes. Though Goku has never been a character known for his silver tongue or eloquence, that hasn’t stopped him from saying more than a few incredibly profound things when inspiration strikes him. Whether that comes in the heat of battle or a quiet moment, these quotes are powerful.

While Dragon Ball is often thought of much more for its action scenes than its dialogue, series creator Akira Toriyama had a fantastic grasp on his characters. Part of what made the original manga so compelling was the character development that characters like Vegeta and Gohan received.

In contrast, though Goku did grow and develop over time, he always maintained a battle-hungry attitude and a good spirit dedicated to protecting his friends and family. The best Goku quotes throughout the Dragon Ball franchise reflect these two sides of the ultimate Saiyan warrior.

15 “Hey, look out behind you. Get down now!”

Dragon Ball Z: Episode 104

Despite Goku hunger for battle and his hatred of Frieza, the Saiyan fighter proves time and time again that he’s nothing if not honorable. The best symbol of this side of Goku comes in his climactic battle against Frieza. Though Frieza is intent on killing Goku and making him suffer, Goku gives the evil warlord several outs that are just never taken. Frieza could have left the fight in a far more complete state, but instead he lets his pride and anger get the better of him.

Though Goku saving Frieza at the end of their fight is an iconic moment, Goku’s warning to Frieza stands out as a great piece of characterization. Despite Frieza boasting that he wouldn’t fall for any tricks that would result in his own attacks harming him, he ends up floating directly in the path of an energy disc. Goku tries to warn him, but Frieza doesn’t listen and pays the price. Whether Goku felt merciful or didn’t want Frieza killed so they could continue their battle isn’t clear, but regardless it’s a great moment and easily one of Goku’s best quotes.

14 “You can’t win. I can tell you that right now.”

Dragon Ball Z: Chapter 85

Though Goku is undeniably a powerful fighter, he is generally a humble one who prefers to let his strength and skills speak for himself. Given this, it’s all the more hype-inducing when Goku makes a particularly bold statement to a powerful opponent, forecasting to fans that they’re about to witness an unrivaled beatdown. Goku doesn’t disappoint in any of these respects when he brags to Recoome that there’s no way the Ginyu Force’s resident bruiser can beat the newly empowered Saiyan.

What makes Goku’s brag to Recoome such a great quote is just how much setup went into that moment. Fans had seen the sheer power of the Ginyu force in their battle against Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta and fans also knew that Goku was training in the hyperbolic time chamber. The culmination of these two plot points delivers Goku at his most cocky, resulting in a moment that proves Akira Toriyama knew how to build up a battle like no other mangaka before or since.

13 “I never thought life could be such a neat adventure.”

Dragon Ball: Episode 13

Young Goku was a character with a lot to learn on his initial travels with Bulma, Yamcha, and Oolong. Still, even at 12, Goku recognized just how lucky he was to live such an exciting life. At the end of Dragon Ball’s very first arc, the Pilaf arc, Goku leaves his friends so that he can go train with Master Roshi to get stronger. Far from a bitter parting though, Goku is struck with an overwhelming sense of wonder at just how much his life had changed after meeting Bulma.

Goku’s quote as he flies away on the nimbus is undeniably simple, but that’s where its power lies. Goku is only 12 and has lived most of his life sheltered with Grandpa Gohan. Though that life certainly taught Goku a lot, it’s clear that the call of adventure and battle is truly what makes him happiest. Though Goku would go on many great adventures after the Pilaf arc, his awe after his first proper quest is a cute moment that easily ranks among Goku’s best quotes.

12 “I know you have the power to beat him, Gohan, I’ve sensed it all along. Now, give him the biggest Kamehameha you’ve got.”

Dragon Ball Z: Episode 190

Goku often (justifiably) catches flack from fans for being an absentee father. Ever since Goku left Gohan to be trained by Piccolo, Goku’s parenting skills have been questioned. Regardless of how good or bad of a parent Goku is though, it’s abundantly clear that he does care for Gohan, and no moment illustrates that better than when Goku gives Gohan encouragement during the latter’s big fight against Cell.

Since Gohan debuted, it’s been clear that he had the potential to match or exceed his father’s power. All of that potential and all that talk of Gohan’s power comes to a head when Gohan goes Super Saiyan 2 against Cell. Goku’s words of encouragement are powerful, and give the young Saiyan the fuel he needs to unleash one of the most devastating kamehamehas in the franchise’s history. Gohan was originally supposed to replace Goku as Dragon Ball’s hero, and no moment illustrates that better than Goku’s passing of the torch.

11 “I will not let you destroy my world!”

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods was a fantastic continuation of Dragon Ball Z, and part of the reason for that is how it evolved the series’ characters while still staying true to their essential core. That’s best symbolized in a quote that comes during Goku’s fight with Beerus. This quote delivered to fans gave many of them chills thanks to Sean Schemmel’s performance as Goku in the English dub of the film, and the rigorous moment gave Goku an iconic scene and quote that fans have never forgotten.

In his fight against Beerus, Goku is near doom as he loses his Super Saiyan God form. However, as his willpower reignites, he bursts upward and continues his epic battle against Beerus with new power. Goku’s sheer declaration of will is powerful, making this one of the Saiyan’s best quotes from Battle of the Gods.

10 “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

Dragon Ball Z: Episode 32

Vegeta’s transformation into the Great Ape was a wake-up call for Goku, making him realize how he had missed so many apparent details of this past. These details are that he was the giant ape his grandfather had warned him about and that he had killed him. There’s a sense of dramatic irony to this dilemma for Goku, as fans had known about this fact for long before Goku came to terms with it.

Goku is not a hero known for showing emotional vulnerability, which is what makes his apology to Grandpa Gohan so impactful. When involving his grandfather, Goku has always been emotional. This quote was heartbreaking as Goku finally realizes what he had done. Something that his friends knew and tried to protect him from. Goku sees little chance of victory against Vegeta, but promises that he will apologize to his grandpa should he die again.

9 “Even the lowest-born can outdo the elite.”

Dragon Ball Z: Chapter 34

When he first appears in Dragon Ball, Vegeta believes in his own superiority and while he’s impressed by how far a low-class Saiyan like Goku has come, he doesn’t believe any amount of effort could reach the level of the Saiyan prince. Goku and Vegeta’s dynamic has long since been well-loved, but it all began in their battle during the Saiyan Saga, featuring the two strongest characters at the time. Goku’s experiences as a Saiyan on Earth helped shape him into the man he is now. Something that not even the nature of a Saiyan could take from him.

Ultimately, though Vegeta would end up winning the larger conflict by transforming into a Great Ape, it’s Goku who is inevitably proven right. Time and time again, Goku outperforms the Prince of Saiyans by unlocking staggering new transformations or abilities. This journey is what makes Goku and Vegeta’s eventual fusion a stroke of genius on Toriyama’s part. Early Vegeta would never consider Goku an equal, but the Buu arc’s Vegeta is willing to set aside his pride for a common good.

8 “The next generation should take charge.”

Dragon Ball Z: Chapter 282

One of the most important themes throughout Dragon Ball is the idea of passing the torch on to a new generation, and though that’s definitely displayed in Goku’s interactions with Gohan, Goku’s best quote about the next generation is meant for Goten. Goku’s fighting in the past could always be connected to selfishness and his own personal desire to further his strength. However, as the series progresses, he begins to put this aside. He further shows this when he tells Piccolo that Goten and Trunks should be the ones to defeat Majin Buu.

Piccolo is obviously aware that Goku had enough power to kill Majin Buu, but that didn’t matter to Goku. He was dead and only a visitor on Earth. It didn’t make sense for him to solve problems that weren’t of his world and would make it difficult for the other characters to grow from this and respond to future threats.

7 “Anyone who tries to hurt my friends is gonna pay!”

Dragon Ball Super: Episode 130

Longtime fans of Dragon Ball know that Goku isn’t quite as heroic as he can come across in the franchise’s English dub. Despite his more battle-hungry tendencies though, Goku has always cared dearly about his friends and family. While Goku has always enjoyed the thrill of the fight, this quote demonstrates perfectly how he will make those who try to bring his friends into harm’s way pay.

Throughout the entirety of the Tournament of Power, one of Dragon Ball‘s best tournaments, Goku isn’t there to fight to save his universe. He doesn’t spare much thought for the idea and doesn’t even consider reviving the other universes as Vegeta had. Instead, he is fighting to test his limits. However, when he sees harm done before his eyes involving his friends he isn’t going to take it lightly.

6 “Don’t interfere or they’re gonna disqualify me!”

Dragon Ball: Chapter 188

Goku’s big battle with Piccolo Jr. at the end of Dragon Ball’s first part is an iconic moment that is meant to show just much he’d grown since the opening chapters of the manga. Despite his physical growth and character development though, Goku still sees battle far more as a test of his own capabilities then he does as a vital matter of life and death.

Goku’s quote to Kami shows just where Goku’s mindset was in his battle against Piccolo. To the others, and even the readers or watchers, it looks like a battle of life and death. Quite literally too, the world is at stake. However, this isn’t the first concern for Goku. He isn’t fighting at this moment to save the world but rather fighting to win the World Martial Arts Tournament, something that had been his goal since the beginning. Goku wanted the match to be fair and to win through official rules only.

5 “I quit.”

Dragon Ball Z: Chapter 131

Goku’s quote helps set an end to one of the best long fights in shonen anime. It also stuns many fans with his sudden declaration as many are used to him defeating his opponents in large flashy ways. His quote continues to tear Frieza apart with his words ending with “and he was only a Saiyan.” Goku had tested his powers to the fullest and didn’t wish to take the life of a man whose pride had been shredded into ruins.

Though Goku is a complex character who has many faults, one of them isn’t wrath. If Goku feels he’s overwhelmingly better or stronger than another character, he won’t fight them unless he absolutely has to. Though it’s probably unintentional on Goku’s part, his telling Frieza that he quits is the ultimate sign of disrespect in a strange way. To Goku, Frieza is so far beneath him at the culmination of their battle, that he doesn’t even feel the need to continue their fight.

4 “What a waste.”

Dragon Ball Z: Chapter 47

Goku demonstrates one of his more selfish moments when he tells Krillin to spare Vegeta’s life. In the original anime’s dub, this scene is more of Goku seeming merciful believing anyone can change. But in the manga, Goku doesn’t want such a powerful foe he couldn’t defeat to die. This recurring theme with Goku makes him giving Cell a senzu bean, later on, seem much more plausible. Though neither situation exactly arises from Goku’s kindness, they do turn out for the best as Vegeta living led to him living a virtuous life and Cell’s defeat was a milestone for Gohan.

Goku’s quote shows his own obsession with fighting and how he needs to overcome obstacles on his own. While Vegeta was a villainous foe whose partner saw to the death of many of his friends, Goku cared more for another battle rather than revenge. He needed to defeat Vegeta with his own hands and through a fair fight.

3 “I am the Super Saiyan…Son Goku!”

Dragon Ball Z Kai: Episode 48

The transformation of the Super Saiyan had been talked about as early as the beginning of the Saiyan Saga and was heavily foreshadowed throughout the entirety of the Frieza Saga. As good as the buildup is though, it absolutely pales in comparison to just how epic the payoff ends up being. Goku’s transformation to Super Saiyan is one of the series’ most iconic moments, and it gives Goku one of his best quotes.

Goku’s declaration of who he is and that he was indeed the Super Saiyan is one of the most beautiful moments in Dragon Ball and helps why he is one of the best characters in Dragon Ball. This scene and quote helped showcase why it was that no other Saiyans before him had achieved this form. It took a pure-hearted Saiyan awakened by rage raised on a planet far different than the one of his birth.

2 “Bye guys.”

Dragon Ball Z Kai: Episode 95

No one likes to see their heroes go, and Son Goku’s second death is one that still hurts many fans. Goku had survived death before, but that death was done with an understanding that it wasn’t the end for Goku and that he would come back. In contrast, there was not the same guarantee with Goku’s sacrifice against Cell. This scene was beautifully captured as he tells his friends goodbye, leaving to go and sacrifice himself to save Earth.

While this wasn’t Goku’s final appearance, it was originally intended to be and would have been a perfect conclusion for his character. In the Cell Games, Goku sacrificed so much to allow Gohan to be the hero and to defeat Cell. This was a huge step away from how Goku typically had been in the series who usually hogged all of the battles for himself.

1 “Till we meet again, guys!”

Dragon Ball GT: Episode 64

Though Goku’s death in Dragon Ball Z was undeniably impactful, it was his final departure in Dragon Ball GT that hit the hardest. Dragon BallGT has its faults but nailed its finale as the series takes one last moment to reflect on everything that happened in the franchise up until that point. Goku’s status at GT’s end is left deliberately unclear, but what is clear is that he’s still around, making sure that Earth is safe. His promise to return comes across as less like something he’s saying in world and more like something he’s saying to fans in the real world.

Goku, of course, would live up to his promise. Though Dragon Ball entered hibernation after GT’s end, fans would indeed see Goku in 2013’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods. That would then give rise to the Super era of Dragon Ball which continues to this day. Despite these continuations though, GT is the oldest version of Goku fans have ever seen. All of these elements combine to make Goku’s final GT line one that has aged incredibly well, easily making it Goku’s best quote in Dragon Ball history.