Dragon Ball GT Fights Where Goku Should Have Used His Power Pole (2024)

Dragon Ball has experienced a rich evolution since its inception, but Dragon Ball GT remains one of the franchise’s most contentious entries and a polarizing piece of media that’s only recently started to be reappraised. Developed as an anime-only sequel that continues Dragon Ball Z’s adventure, fans were initially put off by Dragon Ball GT’s more playful tone that seemed to skew more towards younger audiences, rather than the seasoned viewers who had been supporting Dragon Ball GT from the start. Dragon Ball GT takes some time to find its footing, but it does eventually achieve a comfortable and confident rhythm that’s a satisfying continuation of the franchise.

Curiously, there have been many comparisons drawn between Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball DAIMA – the franchise’s newest entry – both of which feature a version of Goku who has been magically transformed into a child by the Dragon Balls. Dragon Ball DAIMA seems to be more successful with fans and there’s comforting nostalgia that surrounds the return of classic Dragon Ball iconography, like Goku’s Power Pole. Goku’s Power Pole oddly makes an appearance in one of Dragon Ball GT’s final scenes, but is otherwise absent in the anime. Its popularity in Dragon Ball DAIMA argues whether it would have been a helpful addition in Dragon Ball GT and how it could have aided Goku in some of the anime’s biggest battles.

10 Ledgic Is Proficient With Weapons & A Natural Power Pole Opponent

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 5, "Goku Vs. Ledgic"

Ledgic, Don Kee’s personal bodyguard on Planet Imecka, is one of Dragon Ball GT’s first memorable characters. It’s unfortunate that Ledgic’s potential character arc gets cut short and he’s never seen again following Goku’s trip to Imecka. Nevertheless, Ledgic prompts Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation in Dragon Ball GT and proves to be a worthy adversary during Dragon Ball GT’s introductory Black Star Dragon Ball Saga.

Ledgic is physically intimidating and has impressive ki skills at his disposal. However, he also makes prominent use of a lengthy spear and dual swords during his fight against Goku. Goku adeptly dodges these weapon strikes, but the battle would be even more exciting if he were able to respond in kind with his Power Pole. Dragon Ball GT lacks any memorable weapon-based battles and Goku’s clash against Ledgic is the most logical opportunity to indulge in this area. Ledgic is perpetually fascinated and amazed by Goku and his use of the Power Pole would trigger even greater reverence in him.

9 The Para Para Brothers Toe The Line Between Fierce & Farce

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 10, "Dance And Attack"

Dragon Ball GT is rich in gag comedy silliness during Goku, Pan, and Trunks' Black Star Dragon Ball pursuit. Some of the strangest enemies that they encounter are the Para Para Brothers -- Bon Para, Don Para, and Son Para -- who are devoted disciples of Lord Luud. The Para Para Brothers lack physical strength and dangerous energy attacks, but their Para Para Boogie maneuver is an intense form of hypnosis that forces its targets to mimic the Para Para Brothers' dance movements. Goku, Pan, and Trunks are temporarily immobilized when they fall prey to the Para Para Boogie's powers.

This could have become a worthy opportunity to use the Power Pole to solve this problem, rather than the convenient chaos that prematurely ends their attack. Goku may be subjected to an embarrassing dance routine, yet his Power Pole should still be a functional weapon that could elongate and injure the Para Para Brothers while Goku is still lost in the hypnotic music. The heroes defeat the Para Para Brothers with a single punch, so it's not hard to imagine that one good hit from the Power Pole would also be enough to incapacitate them.

8 Mutchy Is A Monstrous Machine Mutant With Magical Whips At His Disposal

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 12, "The Last Oracle Of Luud"

Dragon Ball GT unleashes plenty of Machine Mutant surprises once the heroes enter the belly of the beast on Planet Luud. Lord Luud is rich in devoted followers, which prompt many brief altercations against unique enemies. Goku squares off with Cardinal Mutchy Mutchy, who attacks with a whip, only for this whip to transform into an even stronger Machine Mutant -- Mutchy. Mutchy is a terrifying opponent who has whips for arms that prove to be incredibly resilient in battle.

Mutchy's whips can electrify targets, steal energy, and even bring inanimate objects to life. This is a particularly creative, albeit short, fight with Goku that the Power Pole could make even more interesting. Mutchy's whips are dangerous hazards that would suddenly be much more manageable if they're attacked by the Power Pole. This fight could also lean into the inanimate object angle even further and have Goku take out hordes of magically animated objects through the Power Pole's versatility and long-range reach.

7 The Sigma Force’s Bizu Exposes Goku & Trunks To Machine Mutant Malevolence

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 16, "Giru's Checkered Past"

Goku and company face an abundance of Machine Mutants during Dragon Ball GT's earliest episodes and Bizu is one of the more forgettable encounters. Bizu, along with Natt, Ribet, and Commander Nezi, make up the Sigma Force, who carry out some of General Rilldo's more strenuous missions. As individuals, these ancillary Machine Mutants aren't particularly impressive, but they're able to combine themselves together and form the superior Super Mega Cannon Sigma.

Goku dismantles most of the Sigma Force members and Bizu provides a few extra frustrations due to his ability to liquefy himself and reconstruct his body around targets in order to restrain them and ensure their capture, which is exactly what happens to Goku and Trunks. It would be interesting to see Goku take on Bizu, while in this incapacitated state, and using his Power Pole to overcome this setback. Goku still has access to his arms after he's been "absorbed" by Bizu, so the Power Pole would still be in play. He could easily extend his weapon so that Bizu slams into a wall and is destroyed. Any extra details like this would improve what's otherwise a fairly lackluster battle.

6 General Rilldo Eventually Weaponizes An Entire Planet Against Goku

Dragon Ball GT, Episodes 19, 20 & 21, "A General Uprising," "The Source Of Rilldo's Power" & “A Secret Revealed”

There is no shortage of Machine Mutants in Dragon Ball GT. However, General Rilldo is one of the anime's most powerful Machine Mutants and the heroes' battle against him eventually culminates in the planet itself fighting against them. General Rilldo is powerful in his base form, but he experiences powerful transformations into Hyper Meta Rilldo and Meta-Rilldo, the latter of which is a Terminator-esque liquid metal warrior who can combine with any surrounding metal and use it to create duplicates of himself. This leads to an army of Rilldo popping up and taking on Goku before Rilldo fuses with Planet M-2 and uses this "Planet of Metal" strategy to take out the heroes.

Additionally, Rilldo's Metal Breath can turn its targets into metal. This all facilitates a style of combat where the smartest strategy is to keep an appropriate distance, which is possible through Goku's Power Pole. General Rilldo's Shooting Knuckle attack would even give Goku and his Power Pole the opportunity to replicate a memorable moment from his battle against Red Ribbon's Major Metallitron where he destroys the robot's projectile fist. There's so much in play during this fight and the use of the Power Pole would just give Goku a better advantage.

5 Haze Shenron Is The Weakest Shadow Dragon With A Fight That's Ripe For Innovation

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 49, "The Two-Star Dragon"

Dragon Ball GT explores the compelling concept of the seven evil Shadow Dragons, which become a perpetual threat through the anime's final story arc. Most Shadow Dragon fights include a Super Saiyan 4-fueled climax, but Haze Shenron is an exception to this formula that instead relies on Giru's unique Machine Mutant biology. Haze Shenron had a poisonmancy skill where he pollutes the air with toxins that make Goku and Pan helpless. Giru isn't affected by this toxic mess, which becomes the key to their success. It's not a bad idea to give Giru more to do and make him an active player in combat.

However, Goku's Power Pole would also be quite useful in this unique situation against the weakest Shadow Dragon. Goku is extra vulnerable when exposed to Haze Shenron's poison, but he would still be able to make use of the Power Pole and connect with his target. Random rubble seems to hurt Haze Shenron, so it stands to reason the Power Pole would trigger even greater results.

4 Frieza & Cell Form A Terrifying Team Who Take Goku On In Hell

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 43, "The Resurrection Of Cell And Frieza"

Goku has his work cut out for him when Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu open a rift between Hell and Earth that triggers Super 17’s creation. There’s a momentary interlude where Goku heads to Hell, only to be lured and tricked by Cell and Frieza. These two former villains have teamed up and effectively pool together their talents to outsmart Goku and banish him to Hell’s deepest levels with their Hell’s Buster attack. Goku eventually gains the upper hand and thoroughly humbles these villains with the help of Hell Enma’s Terrible Torture Tour.

Goku only struggles against Frieza and Cell because they have the element of surprise. However, it’d still be quite cathartic to witness Goku taking on two of Dragon Ball Z’s greatest villains with his signature weapon from the original Dragon Ball. It’d make for a satisfying juxtaposition of Dragon Ball’s past and present. Frieza would be humiliated to be defeated by a mere weapon and it’d be fun to see what the Power Pole is capable of doing in a limitless destination like Hell.

3 Naturon Shenron Absorbs Pan & Forces Goku To Make A Terrible Decision

Dragon Ball GT, Episode 53, "Saying Goodbye"

Naturon Shenron is another curious Shadow Dragon who frequently comes across as a joke, rather than a cause for calamity. Naturon Shenron's power comes from his absorption ability, which eventually gets the better of Pan. Goku easily overpowers Naturon Shenron, but the real hurdle involves how to defeat this villain without killing Pan in the process. Pan even urges Goku to take her out for the greater good, but he desperately searches for an alternative.

Goku is able to trick Naturon Shenron and pull Pan out of this creature, which all seems a little convenient. A smarter solution would be to slyly involve the Power Pole and use it to rescue Pan. Goku could make Naturon Shenron think that he's using the Power Pole to attack, when it's actually a life preserver for Pan to latch onto and escape this mess.

2 Super 17's Annoying Energy Absorption Powers Make The Power Pole An Asset

Dragon Ball GT, Episodes 46 & 47, "Raising The Stakes" & "The Greatest Surprise"

Android 17 was one of Dragon Ball Z's most popular characters and he recently experienced an exciting glow up in Dragon Ball Super. However, Dragon Ball GT's Super 17 is a polarizing villain who coasts on diminishing returns and empty nostalgia. Super 17 is powerful, but he's able to acquire strength that's on par with Super Saiyan 4 Goku when he gleefully absorbs his energy attacks and channels them into frightening power boosts.

It takes Goku a little too long to clue into this advantage, but it's soon clear to him that any energy attacks just becomes another opportunity for Super 17 to grow stronger. This makes coordinated use of the Power Pole particularly useful against this villain. Goku would excel through the Power Pole's ability to hurt Super 17 from a distance and prevent him from absorbing anything. Goku eventually defeats Super 17 with the help of Android 18. However, he'd potentially be able to overpower Super 17 on his own through the weapon's unique advantages.

1 Nuova Shenron Radiates Heat That's Hotter Than The Sun & Impossible To Touch

Dragon Ball GT, Episodes 54 & 56, "The Four-Star Dragon" & "The Three-Star Dragon"

Nuova Shenron is one of Dragon Ball GT's most engaging villains because he's a Shadow Dragon who actually has a sense of honor. Nuova Shenron is driven by the desire for a fair fight rather than an easy win. Nuova Shenron has prolific fire powers and he's introduced with a high-temperature shell that's hotter than the sun. Goku can't rely on physical attacks while Nuova Shenron is in this state and he thankfully loses the high-temperature advantage when he sheds his outer shell and achieves his stronger form.

Goku would have a few more options when it comes to combat if he had his Power Pole to defend against Nuova Shenron's explosive temperature. It's a viable way to attack without burning himself that might have led to a quicker victory before Nuova Shenron is able to transform. Goku could pin him down with the Power Pole and then destroy the helpless target.

Dragon Ball GT

TV-PG

Adventure

After Goku is made a kid again by the Black Star Dragon Balls, he goes on a journey to get back to his old self.

Release Date

March 26, 1997

Cast

Masako Nozawa , Yûko Minaguchi

Seasons

1

Characters By

Creator

Production Company

Network

Fuji TV

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

Franchise(s)

Dragon Ball

YouTube Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCqurmsWHw