Over the years,Dragon Ball Super’s Goku has encountered many powerful foes, and he’s never been hesitant to praise a difficult opponent for the power they’ve accumulated. However, there’s only one villain who had Goku saying he has “never faced anyone this tough,” and it’s not Frieza, Cell, or even Buu.
As someone who has trained hard for most of his life to become so incredibly strong, Goku has an inherent respect for others who approach his level of power, even if they don’t reciprocate.Goku famously praised Buubefore his destruction, saying that he did well for fighting all alone, and made a wish to battle him again some day.
Often, Goku’s opponents who do reciprocate his level of respect go on to become his allies–characters like Piccolo and even Vegeta come to mind. But there are some characters who, despite their power, will never have a chance to be redeemed, and Goku is just as respectful of their strength regardless of their evil intentions.
Goku’s Greatest Foe is An Unexpected Enemy
Goku Has Praised One Opponent Above All Others
InDragon Ball Superchapter 65, in the midst of the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga,Goku has nearly defeated Moro, the evil space wizard who has come to threaten the Earth.Moro is incredibly powerful, but his strength comes entirely from absorbing the power of the planets and races which he has consumed–hence the name “Planet Eater Moro.”
With Moro on the ground, nearly defeated, Goku asks Moro if he’s ever trained. Moro is offended at the suggestion, but Goku says that he could’ve become far more powerful than he is simply by training, rather than roaming the universe devouring planets. Goku then surprises everyone by saying, “That’s a real shame, cuz I never came across anyone as tough as you.”
Moro, of course, is unrepentantly evil, and soon attempts to pull one over on Goku, even after Goku gave him a Senzu Bean, by using the power of Goku’s fallen Angel ally, Merus, and takes on one final, terrifying form that forces Goku to obliterate Moro, lest he destroy the Earth and most of the galaxy.
Goku’s Plea to Moro Shows His Respect for Moro’s Power
Goku Offers Moro Mercy, And a Chance at a Rematch Someday
Even though Moro’s power was ill-gotten, Goku still respected the strength that Moro had on his own. His abilities, such as the magic which he commands, make him a truly powerful figure, even independent of the energy he has stolen. HadMoro merely honed his magic, he may have even emerged stronger than Goku.
In many ways, Moro is similar to Frieza, who also had a disdain for training when Goku first encountered him.However, Frieza saw how effective training was at increasing Goku’s power, and eventually began to train himself, ultimately leading to him unlocking his Golden, and later Black, forms.
Who knows what kind of abilities and powers Moro may have unlocked had he simply trained? He already had the strength to destroy entire planets, much like Frieza, so his baseline power was clearly quite something. Moro destroyed over 300 planets, but it ultimately didn’t bring him as much power as he needed to achieve his goals.
Goku’s Offer to Moro Isn’t the First
Goku Has Offered Many Villains a Chance at Redemption
Of all Goku’s traits, perhaps his greatest is his ability to forgive and forget.He never held a grudge against Vegeta, Piccolo, or the Androids for the destruction they caused. With the Dragon Balls, Goku knows that nothing they’ve done can’t be undone, and with the Super Dragon Balls, even Moro potentially falls into that category.
Goku gave Frieza some of his Kiafter he defeated him, offering him a chance to live and retreat, but Frieza couldn’t tolerate this pity and used it to attack. Similarly, Goku gives Moro a Senzu Bean, allowing him to live and return to the Galactic Prison, but Moro instead seizes the opportunity and becomes a terrifying monster, merged with the planet.
Moro’s strength was definitely on a level that was completely unprecedented; he was even able to use Autonomous Ultra Instinct by copying the ability from the Angel, Merus. It’s no wonder that Goku held such respect for that strength, and though Goku has encountered even more powerful fighters since, Moro still stands out.
Moro was designed to be the kind of villain who fans couldn’t possibly imagine being redeemed, and he certainly is that. But even with a character that was built from the ground up to be pure evil, Goku was able to find something worthy of respect, and that really reflects an important element of Goku’s character.
Moro May Be the Worst of the Worst, But He Still Won Goku’s Respect
Moro’s Presence in the Galaxy Was a Major Threat
Goku’s respect for Moro stands out even among the other villains he’s faced, if only because of the nature of Moro’s power. Goku doesn’t care if one’s ability comes from raw strength, or Saiyan heritage, or from magic; there’s a certain level of discipline required to obtain that power, and that’s what Goku respects.
Goku will only destroy his foes when left with absolutely no choice, and is even willing to suffer major setbacks just to extend them an offer of mercy.
In some ways, it is a shame that Moro couldn’t take Goku up on his offer. Goku will only destroy his foes when left with absolutely no choice, and is even willing to suffer major setbacks just to extend them an offer of mercy.Moro forced Goku’s hand, leaving Goku to lament the loss of a powerful opponent.
That aspect of Goku is one of his most unique qualities, especially among other shonen protagonists. At least Goku’s next opponent, Granolah, was able to see the light before it came down to a fight to the death. Hopefully, wheneverDragon Ball Superreturns, fans will get to see Moro and Granolah’s arcs get animated.
