Goku from Dragon Ball stands as the benchmark for all shōnen heroes, igniting endless debates among fans about his invincibility in one-on-one battles.
With the continuous growth of shōnen heroes and their evolving powers, the introduction of new forms like Perfected Ultra Instinct reshapes these discussions periodically. The question persists: can any contender challenge Goku’s supremacy?
Debuting in the 129th episode of Dragon Ball Super and the 41st chapter of the manga, Perfected Ultra Instinct is hailed as one of Goku’s most formidable forms. In this state, Goku transcends conscious thought, enabling each of his limbs to operate independently.
This instantaneous reaction capability allows Goku to swiftly counter even the swiftest attacks, exploiting the slightest openings in his opponent’s defense. Additionally, Perfected Ultra Instinct grants Goku a significant power surge, amplifying the impact of his strikes to overcome even the toughest adversaries.
However, despite its overwhelming power, Perfected Ultra Instinct has its vulnerabilities. Fighters with superior mastery of Ultra Instinct can still land blows on Goku, as demonstrated in the manga’s 87th chapter.
Moreover, the form exacts a heavy toll on the user’s stamina, posing a risk of premature depletion and loss of power mid-battle. Furthermore, losing control of Perfected Ultra Instinct subjects Goku to excruciating pain, leaving him vulnerable to defeat, as seen in his clash with Jiren.
Goku also harnesses a more nuanced version of Perfected Ultra Instinct, known as True Ultra Instinct. This iteration, introduced in the manga’s 85th chapter, taps into Goku’s emotions, providing an additional power surge. However, True Ultra Instinct retains the stamina drawback, underscoring its imperfections like its predecessors.
Ultra Instinct Goku vs. Baryon Mode
Naruto’s Baryon Mode emerges as one of the most formidable forms within the Naruto universe. Introduced in Boruto’s 51st chapter and the anime’s 216th episode, Baryon Mode represents a fusion of Naruto and Kurama’s chakra, akin to a potent energy akin to nuclear fusion as described in the manga.
This transformation grants Naruto an immense surge in power, enabling him to confront Isshiki Otsutsuki on equal footing, a feat previously unimaginable. Notably, Baryon Mode allows Naruto to deplete an opponent’s lifespan upon physical contact, a tactic he utilizes effectively to shorten Isshiki’s remaining lifespan during their clash.
However, the power of Baryon Mode comes at a grave cost, as it incessantly drains both Naruto and Kurama’s energy and life forces. Prolonged usage poses fatal risks, with the potential loss of Kurama resulting in Naruto’s severe empowerment.
Consequently, opponents facing Naruto in Baryon Mode may opt to outlast the form, knowing Naruto will either exhaust its duration or face dire consequences.
Goku holds a significant advantage in this scenario, boasting superior long-range mobility thanks to his flying and teleportation abilities. Exploiting this advantage, Goku could potentially evade Naruto’s attacks until Baryon Mode’s effects take their toll.
Even in a direct confrontation, the outcome heavily favors Ultra Instinct Goku over Baryon Mode Naruto. A clear demonstration lies in comparing Goku’s clash with Jiren to Naruto’s battle against Isshiki. Goku’s attacks exhibit tremendous force, unleashing shockwaves that devastate the surroundings, far surpassing the impact of Naruto’s techniques.
Moreover, Naruto endures significant damage during his encounter with Isshiki, coming perilously close to defeat at certain junctures.
This disparity underscores the overwhelming superiority of Ultra Instinct over Baryon Mode. Although Goku must remain cautious of Baryon Mode’s life-draining capability, his adeptness in ranged combat poses a formidable challenge for Naruto, exacerbating the one-sided nature of the confrontation.
Ultra Instinct Goku vs. True Bankai Ichigo
After his original Zanpakutō, Zangetsu, shatters in battle, Ichigo goes on a journey of self-discovery to mend it. Along the way, he uncovers pivotal insights into his past, leading to the acquisition of a new Zanpakutō. This new weapon boasts two blades, which, when combined, unlock a formidable transformation known as Tensa Zangetsu.
However, Bleach enthusiasts are left yearning for a glimpse of the true potential of Tensa Zangetsu in the manga. Shortly after its debut, a Soul King-enhanced Yhwach employs The Almighty to alter the future, resulting in the weapon’s destruction.
Though the blade is eventually restored, Ichigo only demonstrates one of its abilities—a modified version of Getsuga Tenshō. This empowered attack manages to cleave Yhwach in half, albeit temporarily, as Yhwach nullifies the damage using The Almighty.
The incident hints at the devastating potential of Ichigo’s Bankai, prompting speculation among fans about its untapped capabilities.
Given the limited portrayal of Tensa Zangetsu in Bleach, Goku appears to hold the advantage in a hypothetical battle. While True Bankai Ichigo possesses considerable strength, Goku’s Ultra Instinct grants him unparalleled agility to evade incoming attacks, potentially keeping Ichigo on the defensive.
Although the enhanced Getsuga Tenshō poses a threat to Goku, the outcome hinges on the compatibility between Soul Energy and Ki. Goku has demonstrated the ability to repel energy-based assaults with his Ki, suggesting he could counter the Getsuga Tenshō with his Supreme Kamehameha.
However, until Bleach fans gain further insights into Ichigo’s newfound powers, the possibility of an unexpected victory remains open.
Ultra Instinct Goku vs. Gear 5 Luffy
First introduced in the 1044th chapter and the 1071st episode of One Piece, Gear 5 represents the apex of Luffy’s prowess. In this form, Luffy experiences a substantial surge in strength, speed, and resilience, enabling him to deliver devastating blows and endure formidable assaults.
Gear 5 also enhances Luffy’s body’s flexibility, allowing him to contort and stretch like a classic rubber hose cartoon character.
Moreover, Gear 5 endows Luffy with the ability to imbue his surroundings with cartoon physics. This grants him the power to manipulate the environment, transforming the ground into a trampoline or stretching mountains to deflect or counter incoming attacks.
Notably, during his confrontation with Kaido, Luffy imparted the same rubbery properties to his adversary, enabling him to ensnare and maneuver Kaido with ease. However, the formidable capabilities of Gear 5 come at a significant cost: the substantial energy required to sustain the form.
Exhaustion results in Luffy reverting to his regular state, appearing fatigued and visibly aged. Consequently, Luffy’s usage of Gear 5 is limited by its taxing energy consumption, hampering its effectiveness in protracted battles.
The prospect of a clash between Ultra Instinct Goku and Gear 5 Luffy presents an intriguing scenario, given the similarities and differences between their power sets. Both forms offer a considerable increase in offensive capabilities and introduce new defensive attributes.
While Goku holds the advantage in raw power, evidenced by the devastating impact of his attacks, Luffy displays superior durability and defense, shrugging off assaults with ease and rendering terrain immune to devastating attacks. However, the pivotal question revolves around how Goku will contend with Luffy’s ability to manipulate the environment. If affected, Goku risks being ensnared or restrained, nullifying Ultra Instinct’s evasive maneuvers.
Furthermore, maintaining a calm and focused mindset, crucial for Ultra Instinct, may prove challenging for Goku in the face of Luffy’s unpredictable antics. With both forms possessing similar stamina limitations, a battle between Luffy and Goku could evolve into a test of endurance, with each combatant vying to outlast the other.
While drawing comparisons between heroes from different franchises proves challenging, the evidence suggests that Luffy and possibly Ichigo from Bleach could pose a formidable challenge to Goku.
However, Naruto’s Baryon Mode, despite its potency, may fall short due to the power disparity between the Naruto and Dragon Ball universes. Ultimately, Luffy’s adaptability and unconventional tactics may tip the scales in his favor, allowing him to exploit Goku’s vulnerabilities and emerge victorious in their encounter.
