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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.