Dragon Ball is such an enjoyable anime because there are dozens of interesting characters to fall in love with and root for in battle. The anime takes advantage of passing time, so characters can grow older, start families, and introduce a new generation of heroes. Gohan, Goku’s first son, has tremendous potential and Dragon Ball Z makes it obvious that Gohan’s destiny is to one day surpass his father’s strength. Goku’s second son, Goten, faces a lot of pressure and there are certain expectations that he’ll at least be as strong as Gohan.
Goten’s story begins on a very promising note, and he’s still the youngest character to ever become a Super Saiyan. Goku even briefly views Goten — and Trunks — as Earth’s greatest hope against Majin Buu. Unfortunately, Goten experiences some stasis in Dragon Ball Super. He cannot build upon his early milestones or even be present in many of the series’ biggest battles. That being said, Goten is still incredibly powerful and more than capable of defeating some of Dragon Ball Super’s strongest fighters.
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10
Yamcha Can’t Compete With Super Saiyan Strength
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 5, “Yamcha The Desert Bandit”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 7, “Yamcha And Pu’ar”
Yamcha is one of Goku’s first opponents in Dragon Ball, and he evolves into one of the anime series’ most competent fighters by the end of the original Dragon Ball. Unfortunately, Yamcha realizes how out of his league he is when Dragon Ball Z introduces more intense antagonists. This trend continues in Dragon Ball Super, which features an incredibly passive Yamcha who isn’t even invited to take part in the Tournament of Power. Yamcha hasn’t been completely erased, but he’s no longer viewed as one of Dragon Ball’s strongest martial artists — although he does temporarily become a Galactic Patrol Member to help the heroes against Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade.
Super Saiyan Goten wouldn’t struggle against Yamcha and there’s even a good chance that Goten could defeat Yamcha in his base form, under the right circumstances. To add insult to injury with all this, Gotenks actually performs Yamcha’s signature Wolf Fang Fist attack in the OVA anniversary special, Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! Clearly, at some point, Goten and Trunks decide to steal Yamcha’s attack and do more with it.
9
Chiaotzu Is A Powerful Psychic Who Lacks Goten’s Experience
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, “The Rampage Of InoShikaCho”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, “Return To The Tournament”
Chiaotzu is one of Dragon Ball’s most fascinating characters when he’s introduced back in the original Dragon Ball. Initially presented as the Crane School of Martial Arts’ dark rival to Krillin, Chiaotzu is a prolific psychic who never seems to properly get his due in the franchise. Chiaotzu is frequently presented as Tien’s trusted confidante and partner, even though they possess very different skills. Chiaotzu is one of several Z-Fighters who struggle to recover from their embarrassing Saiyan Saga massacre against Nappa. Chiaotzu is revived, but he largely stays out of harm’s way afterward.
Chiaotzu doesn’t lend his talents to Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power, which seems to indicate that he’s aware of his limitations. However, he helps defeat some of the Galactic Patrol Prison convicts who escape during Moro’s reign of terror. Chiaotzu’s telepathy and telekinesis could be quite effective against Goten. However, Goten is likely to charge Chiaotzu and bombard him with Super Saiyan strength and energy attacks before he can retaliate.
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8
Tagoma is a Top Fighter During Frieza’s Frightening Resurrection
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 18, “I’m Here, Too! Training Commences On Beerus’ World”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F,’ Chapter 1, “Chapter 1”
Frieza is one of Dragon Ball’s most notorious villains and he’s someone who understands the value in insulating himself with powerful support. Goten would be able to make swift work of Frieza’s Dragon Ball Z henchmen, like Zarbon, Dodoria, and the Ginyu Force. Frieza’s resurrection in Dragon Ball Super introduces other powerful Frieza Force members, such as Sorbet, Tagoma, and Shisami. Goten isn’t allowed to take on Frieza and his forces in Dragon Ball’s cinematic version of these events, despite the fact that Goten’s Super Saiyan strength would likely have been valuable against soldiers like Tagoma. Tagoma is a special individual because Captain Ginyu manages to steal his body and use it for revenge.
Tagoma’s strength combined with Ginyu’s strategic skills is no laughing matter. Tagoma also has powerful energy attacks, like his Tagoma Shot and Bad Lancer, not to mention extreme durability through four months of taking Frieza’s physical abuse during his training. Piccolo and Gohan’s attacks don’t cause any damage to Tagoma, but Gotenks does successfully hurt this threat. Gotenks is significantly stronger than Goten alone, but it’s likely that his Super Saiyan skills would lead him to success here.
7
Master Roshi Has Over A Century Of Martial Arts Practice To His Name
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 3, “The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 3, “Sea Monkeys”
It’s not an exaggeration to say that there would be no Dragon Ball without Master Roshi. Not only does Roshi take Goku under his wing and help him build a powerful martial arts foundation, but he also has history with Grandpa Gohan and helped foster his passion for martial arts, too. Dragon Ball Z pushes Master Roshi into more of a background role, while he’s content to let the next generation of fighters do the heavy lifting against apocalyptic threats. That being said, Master Roshi oddly returns to combat in Dragon Ball Super, whether it’s during casual battles against Frieza’s 1000-man army, Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade, or even the Tournament of Power.
Dragon Ball Super’s manga even confirms that Roshi is one of the few Dragon Ball characters who can achieve the zen-like state of Ultra Instinct. Roshi may be an elderly man, but he shouldn’t be underestimated. He’s still able to trigger his bulky Max Power form, as well as totemic techniques like the Kamehameha, Evil Containment Wave, and Thunder Shock Surprise. Roshi has Goten beat in terms of experience, but Goten’s Saiyan genes and reliable energy techniques would still likely secure him the victory. Goten is also someone who wouldn’t be past stooping to unscrupulous measures to defeat Master Roshi in battle, such as distracting him with an attractive lady.
6
Krillin’s Strength Is A Testament To The Power Of Positivity & Dedication
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 14, “Goku’s Rival”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 25, “A Rival Arrives!!”
Krillin is another important Dragon Ball character who has had the privilege of being in every Dragon Ball series and growing progressively stronger along the way. Krillin doesn’t perish like many of his human peers during Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga, which helps him experience remarkable gains in the Frieza Saga. He starts a family and takes a brief step back from martial arts during the Buu Saga, at which point Goten is definitely stronger than Krillin.
However, Krillin experiences a rewarding glow-up in Dragon Ball Super as he prepares for the Tournament of Power. Krillin has upgraded some of his signature techniques, such as the Destructo Disc and Solar Flare, but he still struggles to keep up with Super Saiyans. The right strategy could give Krillin the advantage against Goten, but it seemed like Goten would gradually gain the upper hand. Goten can accomplish incredible things when he’s put under pressure. Krillin might even be genuinely frightened of Goten if the young Saiyan’s anger got the best of him.
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5
Tien Completely Devotes Himself To Martial Arts Excellence
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, “The Rampage Of InoShikaCho”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, “Return To The Tournament”
Dragon Ball’s scope has significantly expanded since Tien’s introduction in the original Dragon Ball. Tien was once Goku’s greatest rival, and he’s one of the original series’ strongest characters. This makes Tien’s Saiyan Saga defeat all the more frustrating, but Dragon Ball Z at least gives the character a proper showcase during the Cell Saga. Dragon Ball Super doesn’t turn to Tien for many early storylines, but the series clarifies Tien has never turned his back on martial arts and even has his own dojo now. Tien helps Universe 7 defend itself during the Tournament of Power, but his contributions feel a little more ancillary than the rest of his team.
To be clear, Goten would seriously struggle against Tien, but his victory wouldn’t be impossible. Tien would likely find some satisfaction in going all-out against Goku’s youngest son, and it may even trigger memories from their 22nd World Tournament attack. Tien’s Neo Tri-Beam and Multi-Form Technique would properly challenge Goten. Goten’s Super Saiyan strength and improvisational fighting style could surprise and overwhelm Tien if Goten is properly motivated.
4
Botamo’s Body Can Nullify Gotenks’ Strongest Attacks
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 32, “The Matches Begin! We’re All Off To The ‘Planet With No Name!'”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 7, “Warriors From Universe 6”
One of Dragon Ball Super’s most exciting elements is its incorporation of a robust multiverse that’s full of powerful opponents. The multiverse fully blossoms during the Tournament of Power, but there’s a brief tease of what’s coming when Beerus and Champa instigate the Tournament of Destroyers between Universes 7 and 6. Botamo is one of Champa’s top fighters and someone who returns during the Tournament of Power. Botamo’s greatest advantage is that his rotund physique can nullify damage — both physical strikes and energy attacks — which pushes his opponent to think outside the box.
This is exactly the sort of perk that would drive Goten crazy and push him to bombard Botamo with blasts. Goku can eventually defeat Botamo by unceremoniously dragging him to the end of the arena and throwing him out of bounds. It’s not the most dignified battle strategy, but it’s an approach that it’s easy to picture Goten turning to when all else fails. Goten’s combat has a silly and chaotic quality to it, which would be perfect against Botamo.
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 32, “The Matches Begin! We’re All Off To The ‘Planet With No Name!'”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 7, “Warriors From Universe 6”
Dragon Ball Super’s multiverse reveals other realms are made up of extremely diverse species. The Metalmen are a curious race that exist in both Universes 7 and 6. Auta Magetta is one of Universe 6’s strongest fighters and someone who faces Vegeta’s wrath early in the Tournament of Destroyers. Auta Magetta weighs over 1000 tonnes, but he’s also able to spit out lava, obscure an arena in steam, and radically increase an environment’s temperature to punishing heights.
These skills nearly overwhelm Vegeta, but Metalmen have a surprising weakness that makes them extremely vulnerable. Metalmen, despite their literally thick skin, are incredibly susceptible to verbal insults. This becomes the key to their defeat and pushes them to shrink into submission. Verbal insults and playground rudeness would come naturally to Goten. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to exploit Auta Magetta’s weakness and then go in for the kill.
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2
Cabba Is A Universe 6 Saiyan With Lots Of Room To Grow
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 32, “The Matches Begin! We’re All Off To The ‘Planet With No Name!'”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 7, “Warriors From Universe 6”
Dragon Ball Super’s multiverse concept becomes much more interesting once it comes to light that Universe 6 still has a thriving Saiyan population. There are three Universe 6 Saiyans who receive the most attention in Dragon Ball Super — Kale, Caulifla, and Cabba. All three Saiyans begin with minimal battle experience and zero Super Saiyan knowledge, yet each Universe 6 Saiyan proves to be a natural. Cabba is arguably the weakest of these three Saiyans and the one who Goten has the best chance of defeating.
Goten has much more experience as a Super Saiyan, but Cabba ascends to Super Saiyan 2 status during the Tournament of Power. Cabba may outrank Goten, but Goten has gone up against greater threats and has gotten a taste of Super Saiyan 3 strength while in his fused form. Goten and Cabba would be a very close fight, and it’s unfortunate that Goten’s absence during the Tournament of Power prevented such a fair fight. Goten’s courage, determination, and support system would all help him slowly excel over Cabba.
1
Frost Is A Twisted Take On Universe 7’s Frieza
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 32, “The Matches Begin! We’re All Off To The ‘Planet With No Name!'”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 7, “Warriors From Universe 6”
Dragon Ball Super explores an interesting subversion with Frost, Universe 6’s analogue to Universe 7’s Frieza. Dragon Ball Super initially presents Frost as a kinder alternative to Frieza, who is actually a celebrated humanitarian in Universe 6, rather than a galactic tyrant. This is later revealed to all be an elaborate subterfuge so that Frost’s Universe 7 adversaries let their guard down around him. Frost is just as wicked as Frieza and will cheat, betray, and manipulate others to come out on top. Goten doesn’t have much experience against Frieza, but he’s heard countless tales of this villain’s infamy.
Super Saiyan Goten would have been able to conquer Frieza back on Planet Namek circa Dragon Ball Z. Frost is stronger than Z-era Frieza, even if he doesn’t have the luxury of a fancy Golden transformation. Goten’s hardened Saiyan strength should still be enough to defeat Frost, provided he stays alert and doesn’t allow himself to get tricked by this inscrutable figure.
