Goku vs. Raditz Zenkai

[Ichigo Storm]

Well the question came about in a discussion with a friend and like you guys we determined that a possible zenkai wouldn't make a difference at the time but we weren't sure if the conditions were right for one to happen. In hindsight a better question would've been "Do Zenkai's only apply to battle wounds". But still thank you for your responses.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Well the question came about in a discussion with a friend and like you guys we determined that a possible zenkai wouldn't make a difference at the time but we weren't sure if the conditions were right for one to happen. In hindsight a better question would've been "Do Zenkai's only apply to battle wounds". But still thank you for your responses.

In my opinion, no. The near death power ups are basically just a super version of what our body already does, so a boost should be obtained after healing regardless of how the Saiyan was nearly killed.

Also to chime in on the original topic, I don't think Goku would have gotten a boost after being killed by Raditz. There was no healing from near death, he actually died. I imagine Kami giving Goku his body was just a "here is you body from before it was damaged" moment...kind like how Tenshinhan got his arm back and Chaozu wasn't 'esploded.

[Cipher]

I'd like to try bumping this topic before starting one of my own since my question deals with a similar subject.

Did Goku get a Zenkai for recovering from his heart attack?

The in-universe answer is, as others have said, "If he did, it's so negligible (either in actual amount or relative to the leaps in power the characters are making at that point), it doesn't matter."

The actual answer is "Probably not, because Toriyama forgot." I think fans tend to overlook the fact that these near-death power-ups are only ever mentioned in the Namek arc. They're never referenced before (although this is one of the few times where a Dragon Ball retcon actually works with previous events), and they're never referenced after. Only Broly's power increase between Movies 8 and 10 uses the idea again, and even then, it's not very clear about it.

[Kaboom]

Only Broly's power increase between Movies 8 and 10 uses the idea again, and even then, it's not very clear about it.

Don't forget Cell, too. Though both he and Broly are most likely special cases.

[Cipher]

Don't forget Cell, too. Though both he and Broly are most likely special cases.

Oh, that's right. And Cell specifically attributes his power-up to the Saiyan trait as well. I guess it's more a case of "Toriyama's memory is selective" then.

[dbgtFO]

They're never referenced before (although this is one of the few times where a Dragon Ball retcon actually works with previous events), and they're never referenced after.

It doesn't, Krillin was drawing conclusions, because he didn't have the knowledge the audience has(this seems like a case, where Toriyama tried to retroactively make it fit, but it doesn't work all that well).

[Piccolo Daimao]

Don't forget Cell, too. Though both he and Broly are most likely special cases.

Oh, that's right. And Cell specifically attributes his power-up to the Saiyan trait as well. I guess it's more a case of "Toriyama's memory is selective" then.

Furthermore, Cell's Zenkai just seemed to be more of a dramatic plot point so they could have him be strong enough to confidently return and injure Gohan (an instant table-turner), then build up the super-dramatic Kamehameha duel.