Goku's best arc?

[DBZAOTA482]

Since we already have a thread to discuss what users here think portrayed Vegeta at his best, I want to know what Saga portrayed Goku the best?

For me, it would be the Saiyan/Namek Saga. After recent re-watching almost the entire Saiyan Saga I was surprised by how interesting and likable he was compared to later on (where he became pretty much static).

On the flip-side, I think the Majin Boo Saga had him at his worst. I'm most likely not the only one who thought he was a bit of dick throughout the entire Saga. Returns to Earth after 7 years in the Afterlife only for the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai (despite the reason he stayed dead was to prevent any future threats), goes along with Kaioshin's bogus plan despite it threatening his son's well-being, generally treating the situation like a game, constantly lying out of his ass about his powers, attempts to whore out his son's girlfriend later his 2nd closest friend (whilst insulting his wife's figure) behind their backs, and don't get me started on the ending for the series.

[MysticVegeta]

Tough, tough question.

Dragon Ball: Red Ribbon Arc.
Dragon Ball Z: Saiyan Arc.
GT: I honestly have no idea. I was real tired of GT Goku.

[TheAldella]

Frieza. I only thought of the Kaioken x20 speech when I read this topic title. Every other arc, I shall keep my mouth shut.

[Wibbs]

I really liked the way Goku was in the Android saga, he seemed more wise(for Goku anyway) and I liked how the other characters admired him. My favorite part was the 10 days of rest part, I like when the Z-fighters act all casual, especially the stuff with Goku and Krillin.

[baneofdemon22]

Goku is my favorite fiction character and the Boo Saga is my favorite saga. However, I agree about Goku being a jerk in the Boo Saga. I don't agree wit all your points. I thought he was great until he returned to earth the second time. I loved how he played with Goten in his first encounter with him (The airplane scene is beautiful), telling Goten and Trunks was a coward (even though he wasn't), and putting his faith in them to be heroes, sacrificing his remaining time on earth to use the SSJ3 form to by time for Trunks to get the Dragon Radar, etc. I really loved him spending time with Pan in the end and actually liked him going off to train Oob. I hated him for his comment of saying he was more handsome than his sons and suggesting to use Bulma and Videl, so the Grand Elder to sexually harass them, and insulting his wife's beauty.

It's a lot tougher choosing the best arc for Goku.

The King Piccolo arc is the best for me. You saw for the first time a dark side to Goku, wanting revenge for Krillin's death. His training was incredible and the way he overcame the temptations of the fake visions of his friends trying to corrupt him. I loved how he told them to be ashamed of themselves. You learned more about his view on Death, like when he encountered the scenario where Tien's head was about to be crushed by King Piccolo. He learned to look past his emotions and put the world first.

[90sDBZ]

From best to worst:

1. Frieza arc: His character design was at its best and he had all those heroic speeches and had 2 epic moments of arriving late on the battlefield. He also fulfilled the legend of Super Saiyan and avenged all those killed by Frieza. And he only relied on himself in this arc like a true hero rather than sending some kid in to do a mans job.

2. Saiyan arc: He made a heroic sacrifice early on and made a very memorable entrance on the battlefield. The way he improvised with the Spirit Bomb by giving it to Krillin saved everyone's hides. And he initially told the others to leave so he could handle things himself. And his character design looked really good and youthful.

3. Buu arc: Okay he screwed up by not killing Fat Buu when he had the chance and declining the chance to have Goten and Trunks train in the Time Chamber sooner. He got most of the human race killed and relied on kids instead of doing things himself. And it was partially his fault that Buu got revived to start with. Things improved though when he came back to life and returned as the main hero instead of trying to push the whole "pass the torch" thing, which was ridiculous anyway given the fact that his body was only in its early 30s at the time. I liked when he decided to battle Kid Buu alone. Finally Goku being Goku again and playing the hero. And I actually didn't mind his leaving with Uub at the end. Although I don't like his design quite as much in this arc. This is the time of the story when everyone seems to be drawn with really big chins. Although that aside SS3 still looks incredible as was its introduction.

4. Android/Cell arc. Well what can I say. He has only 3 battles in this arc (19, Cell, Cell Jr) and manages to lose them all. He doesn't even meet 17 and 18(apart from when 18 is thrown up). And when he stands by and smiles while his son is tortured is the one time I can truly say the claims of him being a bad father are justified. And his design isn't as good as previous arcs.

[Wibbs]

4. Android/Cell arc. Well what can I say. He has only 3 battles in this arc (19, Cell, Cell Jr) and manages to lose them all. He doesn't even meet 17 and 18(apart from when 18 is thrown up). And when he stands by and smiles while his son is tortured is the one time I can truly say the claims of him being a bad father are justified. And his design isn't as good as previous arcs.

I thought the reason Goku watched Cell beat Gohan was because he knew that angering Gohan was the key to unlocking his hidden power. He even mentions seeing Gohan just miss attaining SSJ2 in the hyperbolic time chamber when he gets frustrated at not being able to keep up with Goku(at least I think that was the reason). So it's not like he didn't care or was being an "irresponsible father".

[DonZ]

Dragon Ball: 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. i just like how Goku was innocent but he's grown up at the same time.i loved to see him like that.
Dragon Ball Z: Freeza arc. his battle against Freeza, his epic entrance when Freeza was torturing Vegeta, that moment when he buried Vegeta enough said!

[GsTvo]

It depends on what Goku do you wanna see?, the inocent guy? All Dragon Ball until his wedding; the hero? Saiyajin and Freeza's arcs (its exactly the same), the father? Cell's Arc, I don't understand why people get mad with Goku for his attitude at the beginning of Gohan vs Cell, when they were in the hyperbolic time chamber, Gohan asks his father to be less condescending and attack with all his power, it was the only way for Gohan to become in SSJ, so Goku thinks in the same way when he give up and let Gohan fight, if he have to suffer to be the best and save the planet, well... suffers. The legend? Boo's Arc.

[Mystic Buu]

Freeza saga.Super saiyan transformation is the best .

[B]

I like the idea presented in the JSAT that Goku has gotten so strong he's really bored now, and even reminisces that in retrospect, Freeza wasn't really that strong. It's a pretty funny concept to me that in the end, he just hangs out, trains with his kids, and tortures Vegeta to pass the time away. I know that's not really an "arc," but the thread felt appropriate.

He grows and learns about the world in the Red Ribbon arc. That's the best arc of the series and arguably the only point where he is truly the main character and not sharing the spotlight amongst numerous others. I suppose he is the star of the Pilaf arc, and the 21st and 23rd Budokais.

[DonZ]

Freeza saga.Super saiyan transformation is the best .

How the hell did i forgot to mention that in my post >_> !!!!!!!?

[Mr. Piccolo]

I would say the Piccolo arc. Goku really, really hated Piccolo Daimao for killing Kuririn, Muten Roshi and Chaozu, especially the first two, seeing that they were his best friend and teacher respectively. Piccolo Daimao was also the first major super villain in the series who really seemed unbeatable and I don’t think that feeling was ever totally recaptured in the series again, not even with Freeza. Throw in the 23rd Tenakaichi Budokai against Piccolo, Jr. and you have the best arc in the series in my opinion and the best for Goku also.

[coola]

From beginning to Piccolo Daimao Saga: Before he was corrupted by Kami and Vegeta, he was very likeable character, who would never let villain go away, to let him become stronger.

[Duo]

The Piccolo Daimao arc. He came into his own as a true hero and surpassed his limits in a way that set the trend for the rest of the series. The 23rd Tenka'ichi Budokai was a great follow up to this as well. I don't feel as though he really grows or changes much after that, instead opting to repeat the same basic story over and over until he gets a "next generation" complex and risks the fate of the Earth repeatedly over it.

[RandomGuy96]

King Piccolo arc. He pretty much does everything here, we get to see him well and truly mad, he doesn't look like a huge jerk like he does for a lot of the 'Z' storyline, and he gets possibly the most badass moment in the whole series when he kills King Piccolo by using himself as a bullet after most of his limbs get broken. More so if this and the 23rd are considered to be one big arc.

[ChiChiFan]

That's hard. I would go with Frieza saga but I have to go with King Piccolo/World Tournament. That was Goku at his best.

[TheGmGoken]

King Piccolo. It shows how big the bond Goku has with his friends. Shows you don't fuck with Goku. Shows Goku's growth as a fighter.

[FortuneSSJ]

From the beginning until Freeza saga.
I have to choose one?! Freeza saga.

Reasons:
Goku proves that the super saiyan legend is true (most epic moment ever)
Finally accepts his saiyan origins.
Destroys the villain that erased his home planet and most of his race, both physically and psychologically

[thatdbzguy]

I was going to say the Cell arc, but I know everyone would disagree with me on that, so I guess I'll go with the Saiyan/Freeza arcs.