Son Gokû v. Superman: Why and Where.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Special thanks to moderator William C. Maune for giving me the go ahead to create this thread.

The Last Son of Krypton v. The World’s Strongest Man



Preamble:

While normally I shy away from this sort of thing because well, both characters work on two totally different sciences once I saw this thread I thought to myself “Screw it, let’s cause some chaos.” Anyhow, I hadn’t realized it before but there was quite the internet following on the subject of just who would win a battle between Superman and Son Gokû (I even read a simulated fight a classmate had pointed me in the direction of, needless to say, I felt Gokû, and maybe Big Blue himself were a little…poorly utilized). But what I think really needed to be considered is the why and where, of the subject.

Why?

Why would the Man of Steel battle arguably Dragonball’s second most powerful character? As far as I know Superman doesn’t use his powers for personal enjoyment, in fact, where as Son Gokû loves to fight strong people, it’s just apart of his Saiyan nature. The only way I could ever see Superman agreeing to fight Gokû is if there was a misunderstanding and Superman thought Gokû was evil OR if it was for charity (naturally, Son would only care about fighting a strong foe) or something, but the thing is, neither live in the same ‘universe’, so to speak, which leads me into…

Where?

Where would these two colossal titans duke it out? Naturally, a planet with the following:

• A Yellow sun.
• Oxygen they can breath.
• Nothing inhabiting it.

But even if a planet such as this was available would Big Blue still agree to this? He would essentially be, and how do I put this nicely, ‘marketing’ himself out there. Sure, it’s all for charity, depending on which situation you want to go with, but wouldn’t he feel a little awkward, considering who he is? Would Big Blue be intimidated by Gokû’s thirst for a good fight?

The Arsenal

Son Gokû:

For this little trial let us use the Gokû we know best: Buu saga Gokû, not the Gokû going on fifty in the final few chapters, but the Gokû that fought and [eventually] defeated Buu. Consider that by the time that Gokû was restored to life by Rô Kaiôshin he transformed into any of his three Super Saiyan with little to no hardship. All of his techniques should be kept in mind, too, as well as his own Saiyan heritage and the characters personality.


Superman:

This one’s a toughie, considering we’re on the Toonami board, let us use the Superman present in the DCAU, or more specifically, the third season of Justice League.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, have fun with the topic, debate, but be sure to support your reasoning as to who would win.

[William C. Maune]

While I think most folks will say Goku is the clear choice, if anybody, I think Superman could give him a run for his money. When he decides to let loose, Superman can take down the gods of the DC Universe (i.e. Darkseid (sp?)) when he needs to. Plus, based on stories set in the future of the DCU, Superman tends to get stronger over time to where his power is seemingly limitless.

[Gokou Ruri]

DCAU Superman? Goku easily, DCAU Superman is a wimp compared to the comic version (even Post-Crisis) If it was the comic version, then I'd pick Superman.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

DCAU Superman? Goku easily, DCAU Superman is a wimp compared to the comic version (even Post-Crisis) If it was the comic version, then I'd pick Superman.

How so, I’d like to see what you mean.


Personally, my vote goes to Gokû. His speed and strength, while in the long run might not keep up with Clark’s I think his thirty-nine years of experience and martial arts skills would most certainly give him the edge, and without even having to transform past SS2.

[Gokou Ruri]

How so, I’d like to see what you mean.

Well, it may be because we've only seen Goku really fight 3 powerful enemies (Freeza, Cell, Buu) while Superman has fought many, but I've never seen Goku do any of the feats Superman has done. Like when he fought Wonder Woman recently, he actually dragged her all the way to the sun in under a minute, tried to burn her to death in it, and then knocked her all the way back to Earth with a slam when that failed.

I can't really recall Goku doing anything as overdone or powerful as that, just destroying mountains and various landscapes when he fought Cell and Buu. I don't remember if Goku can survive in space or not (I remember people assuming he died when Namek exploded without him being in a spaceship) but Superman can.

[ShadowGUN]

Ah yes. The eternal struggle of the american superman vs the japanese superman.

My vote will go to Goku. Seeing as he has 3 Super Saiyan as well as various techniques.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Well, it may be because we've only seen Goku really fight 3 powerful enemies (Freeza, Cell, Buu) while Superman has fought many, but I've never seen Goku do any of the feats Superman has done. Like when he fought Wonder Woman recently, he actually dragged her all the way to the sun in under a minute, tried to burn her to death in it, and then knocked her all the way back to Earth with a slam when that failed.

I can't really recall Goku doing anything as overdone or powerful as that, just destroying mountains and various landscapes when he fought Cell and Buu. I don't remember if Goku can survive in space or not (I remember people assuming he died when Namek exploded without him being in a spaceship) but Superman can.

While he obviously hasn't done something like that I'm sure he could very easily considering he can blow up planets (while he's never done it I do believe it is safe to assume he can very easily, considering Vegeta was going to destroy Earth Gokû had to reflect the blast, and that was about fifteen years ago for the Gokû we're speaking of), not to mention his teleportation technique.

I thought Superman's ability to breath in space was only for Pre-Crisis, though.

[Gokou Ruri]

I thought Superman's ability to breath in space was only for Pre-Crisis, though.

He can't, he can just hold his breath for a long time (a few days IIRC)

[Rud]

goku can probably destroy a planet, super man dont stand a chance.

[Dark Fact]

Oh geez, can't we leave this debate at Gaia Online where it belongs? It's bad enough it got out of hand there.

[veemonjosh]

Oh geez, can't we leave this debate at Gaia Online where it belongs? It's bad enough it got out of hand there.

I thought this debate was born out of GameFAQs.

[Dark Fact]

Really? Well, Gaia Online helped escalate it.

[Master Toon]

My vote is for Superman.

I'll give reasons why, later.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Oh geez, can't we leave this debate at Gaia Online where it belongs? It's bad enough it got out of hand there.

This isn’t Gaia, though. This is TZ where I expect to find mature and rational discussion.

He can't, he can just hold his breath for a long time (a few days IIRC)

Even so, let's assume that this were a charity event of some sort, the more somebody got the **** knocked out of them, the more money way made, or at the very least, we could look at the situation like this, would Gokû even allow Superman the chance to get into space?

[Dark Fact]

This isn’t Gaia, though. This is TZ where I expect to find mature and rational discussion.

It still won't help get the debate anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if this thread turned into a 30 page argue fest where each side rebukes the claim on another only to have someone make the same claim 5 pages later.

[Don_East]

If were talking about DBZ Goku & DCAU Superman, then I pick Superman.

I know, Super Sayian but DCAU Superman never shown his true strength. For all we know, he could match Goku at SS3(the highest form his DBZ version got to).

Hey I have go with the home country hero.

[Master Toon]

would Gokû even allow Superman the chance to get into space?

Superman is just as fast as flash, Goku would have to use Instant Transmission and it's not like Superman hasn't dealt with teleporting enemies before.

[Dark Fact]

Superman fanboys: Superman!
Goku fanboys: Goku!
Superman fanboys: Superman!
Goku fanboys: Goku!
Superman fanboys: SUPERMAN!
Goku fanboys: GOKU!
Superman fanboys: SUPERMAN!
Goku fanboys: GOKU!
Ralph: Blue Beetle!
Goku and Superman fanboys: BLUE BEETLE!!!???

[GWOtaku]

DBZ fans might not like what I'm going to say, but you know what? It takes time for Goku to transform to his strongest level, Super Saiyn 3. It takes time for DBZ fighters to power up in general. Superman wouldn't wait around for this to happen, and he doesn't need time to be at his strongest.

Its true Goku and many powerful Z fighters could destroy a planet with an energy blast. The question is whether Superman would be incapable of stopping such an attack. Also consider that strong energy attacks tend to move slower & Superman could just dodge them.

If you ask me, physical strength is at least a wash. Name me a physical feat Goku's done that Superman couldn't pull off. Goku can smash a mountain, Superman can lift a mountain. To me Goku's only possible advantages are energy attacks and speed because of instant transmission.

Incidentally, I have doubts Goku is capable of knocking out Superman.

[Master Toon]

Thank you GWOtaku, everytime this debate comes up, I say that Goku is powerful when it comes to energy blast but not physical strength. I'm glad someone sees it how I do.