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In the waning hours before DB Super Chapter 65 and for absolutely no reason:
Times in DB and DB Super Goku has done something unnecessary that either could have or did endanger the world and/or his loved ones, reviewed!
Times in DB and DB Super Goku has done something unnecessary that either could have or did endanger the world and/or his loved ones, reviewed!
1) Giving Piccolo a free punch
The turning point in one of the series' best climaxes, and a moment that defines Goku's character conflict (? it's part of the series' whimsy that it rewards his drive with both luck and friendship even when it's dangerous) for the rest of the run.
The turning point in one of the series' best climaxes, and a moment that defines Goku's character conflict (? it's part of the series' whimsy that it rewards his drive with both luck and friendship even when it's dangerous) for the rest of the run.
2) Giving Piccolo a Senzu
Over the rightfully horrified protestations of his friends and teachers (previous page): "Go, Piccolo. Get stronger."
Enormous. We stan a lunatic.
Over the rightfully horrified protestations of his friends and teachers (previous page): "Go, Piccolo. Get stronger."
Enormous. We stan a lunatic.
3) Sparing Vegeta
Deservedly iconic. Even admits he knows it's wrong. One of the series' more shocking character moments, and so good in context I don't even mind that it's a retread of the ending of the previous arc. The drama is given some slight tweaks in its favor here.
Deservedly iconic. Even admits he knows it's wrong. One of the series' more shocking character moments, and so good in context I don't even mind that it's a retread of the ending of the previous arc. The drama is given some slight tweaks in its favor here.
4) Letting Freeza power up to 100 percent
A good moment of unreasonable risk, if not my particular favorite. The fact that Freeza also lets on that he wants the same thing is part of a fun dynamic that develops over the course of the fight, riding alongside mutual anger.
A good moment of unreasonable risk, if not my particular favorite. The fact that Freeza also lets on that he wants the same thing is part of a fun dynamic that develops over the course of the fight, riding alongside mutual anger.
5) Demanding Kaiо̄ leave both himself and Freeza on the dying Namek
Telling your master you'll never forgive him if he doesn't let you settle your grudge match, which could easily result in your own death and the villain heading off to exact vengeance on Earth? This one's great.
Telling your master you'll never forgive him if he doesn't let you settle your grudge match, which could easily result in your own death and the villain heading off to exact vengeance on Earth? This one's great.
6) Telling Freeza to go off and get stronger and come back
This one sure looks a lot worse in light of Freeza doing just that in modern DB, so we know how well it would have gone, but the implied risk even contained to the original manga is part of the impact of this climax.
This one sure looks a lot worse in light of Freeza doing just that in modern DB, so we know how well it would have gone, but the implied risk even contained to the original manga is part of the impact of this climax.
7) Giving Freeza his own energy
Fantastic paneling, fantastic twist to the end of the fight, fantastic follow-up; a 10/10 unnecessary risk
Fantastic paneling, fantastic twist to the end of the fight, fantastic follow-up; a 10/10 unnecessary risk
8) Choosing not to pre-empt the androids
10/10 for execution in the moment ("You sound just like a dictator!"), but loses points on the follow-through
10/10 for execution in the moment ("You sound just like a dictator!"), but loses points on the follow-through
9) Giving Cell a Senzu
This is a borderline risk, since it seems to be something he thinks will help motivate Gohan. Whoops! This one leads to some repentance, but it's more about having misunderstood his son than re-evaluating his own kicks. Still, how could it not be up there?
This is a borderline risk, since it seems to be something he thinks will help motivate Gohan. Whoops! This one leads to some repentance, but it's more about having misunderstood his son than re-evaluating his own kicks. Still, how could it not be up there?
10) Fighting Vegeta knowing they'll awaken Boo
This one is so good. Both he and Vegeta noticing from the Kaiо̄shin's reactions that they're likely the strongest in the universe has gone to their heads. Great main conflict set up, and actually does lead to some re-evaluation.
This one is so good. Both he and Vegeta noticing from the Kaiо̄shin's reactions that they're likely the strongest in the universe has gone to their heads. Great main conflict set up, and actually does lead to some re-evaluation.
11) Not killing Boo as Vegetto/getting deliberately absorbed
An unnecessary risk is an unnecessary risk, no excuses for noble intentions in saving family members (who can be revived) or only being half of the character! Still though, not a very satisfying one, for those reasons.
An unnecessary risk is an unnecessary risk, no excuses for noble intentions in saving family members (who can be revived) or only being half of the character! Still though, not a very satisfying one, for those reasons.
12) Not killing Boo when he could have
But not too much re-evaluation (see #10), since he decides to bet solving a problem he started on the young'uns so they can impress him a bit! Perfect timing on the revelation of this in the climax to let the series reestablish its ethos.
But not too much re-evaluation (see #10), since he decides to bet solving a problem he started on the young'uns so they can impress him a bit! Perfect timing on the revelation of this in the climax to let the series reestablish its ethos.
(Said ethos hinging on Goku being somewhat morally questionable and dangerous, but being so pure in his drive that he accomplishes accidental good and improves others around him. The story establishes his flaws again before making clear they're the flaws it must rely on.)
13) Letting Freeza go in Resurrection "F," a movie where the moral is ... show no mercy to your enemies?
Or maybe it's just a big goof. Pretty hard to say, unless you think about the tone and purpose of the film. We'll never know.
Or maybe it's just a big goof. Pretty hard to say, unless you think about the tone and purpose of the film. We'll never know.
14) Forfeiting his match against Hit to watch Monaka fight
Doesn't endanger anything, per say, but it does risk his Earth being moved to Universe 6 under Champa without anyone else's say. I really like his cocky backwards walk and the fact that this hinges on a misunderstanding.
Doesn't endanger anything, per say, but it does risk his Earth being moved to Universe 6 under Champa without anyone else's say. I really like his cocky backwards walk and the fact that this hinges on a misunderstanding.
15) Turning down the Potara against Zamasu
There isn't much meat to this one, but the execution is amusing in the moment, and there is meat in Vegeta's re-evaluation that follows. A solid risk, mostly in its follow-up.
There isn't much meat to this one, but the execution is amusing in the moment, and there is meat in Vegeta's re-evaluation that follows. A solid risk, mostly in its follow-up.
Alternate 15) Can replace with Goku holding back against Black in their initial fight in the anime, for that version. That one's just frustrating, since it increases his culpability in the uniquely dire ending the arc in a way that is never addressed nor seems intentional.
16) Asking Zenо̄ to host a multiversal tournament after being warned off of it
How much this is actually responsible for events that follow varies on the version, but at the very least it's clear it puts everyone in a specific kind of bind they wouldn't have been in otherwise.
How much this is actually responsible for events that follow varies on the version, but at the very least it's clear it puts everyone in a specific kind of bind they wouldn't have been in otherwise.
In both cases, a promising setup without a lot of follow-through, but that's fine as an in to the arc (more fine for one version than the other). A memorable lesser risk.
Honorable mention, but NOT an unnecessary risk: Goku backing out of Hit's do-or-die team strategy against Jiren. He does actually sense that it will not work. Still, a good enough moment that I *wish* it were accompanied by an actual unnecessary risk.
17) Letting Freeza go as Gogeta
Once again, I can only give this one half credit, despite Gogeta essentially being Goku. Minus points for being a little old hat, but the frenemy dynamic is new. I do not love the Freeza genocide follow-up.
Once again, I can only give this one half credit, despite Gogeta essentially being Goku. Minus points for being a little old hat, but the frenemy dynamic is new. I do not love the Freeza genocide follow-up.
But anyway, what are your favorite unnecessary Goku risks? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to click that bell icon.
(I left out trying to let Raditz and Tao Pai Pai go because this is the unnecessary risk thread, not the falling for a lie thread.)
