Goku’s Greatest Character Flaw in Dragon Ball Explained

If there’s one name that defines the Dragon Ball franchise, it’s Goku. From his humble beginnings as an orphaned child in Dragon Ball to his role as a protector of the multiverse, Goku has remained at the heart of the series. While modern Dragon Ball shares its spotlight with characters like Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly, Goku still embodies the spirit of the franchise.

Over decades of storytelling, he has grown into one of the most powerful fighters in anime history. But beneath his incredible strength and heroic nature lies a serious flaw—one that often puts others in jeopardy.

Goku’s Love of Battle: His Biggest Weakness

Strength at the Cost of Others

From the very beginning (Dragon Ball, Episode 1 – The Legends of the Dragon Balls), Goku’s Saiyan instincts made him love fighting. By constantly seeking stronger opponents, he has achieved transformations and power-ups that few could dream of.

But his obsession with strength is also his greatest weakness. Time and again, his desire to fight stronger foes has put innocent lives at risk.

The clearest example is the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super. Goku pushed for the event so he could challenge the strongest fighters in the multiverse. What he didn’t realize was that the losing universes would be completely erased, wiping out trillions of lives. While it wasn’t his intention, the entire multiversal battle royale started because of Goku’s wish.

This moment highlights a recurring issue: Goku’s need to grow stronger often clashes with his duty as a protector.

Dragon Ball Super’s Portrayal of Goku

Earlier in the series, Goku balanced his love of fighting with his role as a hero. He wasn’t book-smart, but he wasn’t portrayed as careless either. However, Dragon Ball Super exaggerated his aloofness, making him seem reckless and overly focused on training.

This has caused debate among fans. Some argue that Super misrepresents Goku, turning him into someone who endangers others just for the thrill of battle.

Still, his heroic side shines through—moments where he sacrifices himself for others remain some of the most powerful scenes in the series.

Why Goku’s Flaw Matters

Even though Goku’s obsession with getting stronger can be dangerous, it has also led to iconic moments in Dragon Ball history.

• Against Frieza, his drive pushed him to transform into a Super Saiyan for the first time—arguably the most legendary scene in anime.
• During the Tournament of Power, despite being blamed for the event, he ultimately mastered Ultra Instinct, a technique of the Angels.

This duality makes Goku’s character compelling. His flaw—his endless pursuit of strength—is both what makes him dangerous and what makes him inspiring.

Goku’s greatest character flaw in Dragon Ball is his relentless love for battle and obsession with becoming stronger. It’s a trait that has created conflict, endangered universes, and even sparked criticism of his character.

Yet, at the same time, this flaw is also what drives the story forward, giving us some of the most unforgettable moments in anime history.

In the end, Goku is a hero not because he’s flawless, but because he always finds a way to rise above his mistakes and protect what matters most.

Dragon Ball is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.