It has been a running joke for years about how bad a father Goku has been to his children throughout the Dragon Ball series, and for good reason. From the time he gave Cell a senzu bean, to right afterward as he then watched Cell almost kill him. There is a long list of examples of Goku's less than stellar parenting.
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Let's be careful not to forget about his pal Vegeta, who could give Goku a run for his money as Worst Father ever. Luckily for them, we're not here to talk about their failures, but their triumphs as anime dads. Who takes the crown between the two?
10 Goku's Sacrifice Versus Raditz
Remember that time Goku died fighting Raditz? Goku, with the help of Piccolo, took on the much stronger Raditz to not only save the planet, but to rescue his son Gohan who had been kidnapped by his older brother.
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Being completely outmatched, their only chance of survival was for Goku to sacrifice himself to ensure Raditz's defeat. If that isn't the definition of a good dad, I'm not sure what is.
9 Vegeta Avenges Trunks
After Cell regenerates from his self-destruction and returns to Earth, he fires a lethal ki blast killing Trunks, sending Vegeta into a fury, and the Saiyan begins an assault on the much stronger Cell. Although his efforts, in the end, were futile, Vegeta still went all-out on a foe he had no chance of beating.
8 Training Gohan In Hybperbolic Time Chamber
Goku also got the chance to flex his fatherly muscles in preparation for the Cell Games, this being one of the few times he had ever trained one on one with Gohan. Gohan's training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber was pivotal in his development as a fighter and proved crucial when it was time for him to face off against Cell.
7 Prepares Future Trunks For Batle With Goku Black
During the Future Trunk Saga, Vegeta was willing to put his life on the line for a timeline that wasn't his own, traveling to the older Trunks' future to help defeat Goku Black. Vegeta's training helped teach Trunks what it means to be a proud Saiyan warrior and ensured he's equipped to defend his timeline if ever another threat should appear.
6 Father-Son Kamehameha
Arguably one of the most iconic moments in all of Dragon Ball is the Father-Son Kamehameha.
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As Gohan makes his final stand against Cell, they both unleash their most powerful Kamehameha. Goku, in spirit, is there for his son, coaching and motivating him into finally defeating the mighty Cell.
5 Kept His Word And Took Trunks To The Park
As they train for the World Martial Arts Tournament at Capsule Corporation, Vegeta is astonished to see that Trunks has already achieved Super Saiyan. Vegeta then makes a bet that if trunks can land a blow to his face, he'll then take the young Saiyan to the park afterward. Trunks is not only able to land a hit but surprises his father so much in doing so Vegeta strikes back at Trunks a tad harder than he probably intended, afterward telling his son not to cry and that he was indeed taking him to the park. Promise kept.
4 Saving Gohan From Afterlife
Another memorable moment where Goku has come to Gohans aid is during the 9th Dragon Ball Z movie, Bojack Unbound. Gohan finds himself in dire straits against Bojack, until Goku makes the timely save, and imparts some motivational words to his son before returning to the afterlife.
3 Vegeta's Sacrifice Against Buu
Not to be outdone by the many times Goku has sacrificed himself for the greater good, Vegeta has had these moments as well.
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Showing a softer side to his son Trunks for the first time, Vegeta laments on how he had never held his son before. Before making the ultimate sacrifice in his battle against Majin Buu, he embraces Trunks and tells him how proud he is.
2 Goku Teleports Cell From Earth
Goku once again sacrifices himself not only for the sake of Gohan and the rest of the Z fighters but for the entire planet as well. Before teleporting Cell away, Goku made sure to tell Gohan how proud he was of him and to take care of his mother. Moreso than any other time in Dragon Ball Z the Cell Games were invaluable in regards to Gohan's growth as a warrior.
1 Vegeta Chooses Family Over Training
One of the best examples of either character fulfilling their roles as a father, can be found in Dragon Ball Super. Vegeta was willing to forgo his training to support Bulma during her pregnancy. Vegeta doesn't always make the best decisions. More often than not his way of expressing himself isn't the most effective, but seeing him so worried about Bulma and Bulla's well-being was peaceful. This wasn't about saving the world or any other feat of strength. This was just a man putting his wife and the life of his unborn child ahead of everything else.