10 Reasons Why Goku Is A Bad Father - FableVerse

Let’s be honest. We all adore Son Goku. He’s the cheerful Saiyan who saved Earth countless times, toppled gods, and even challenged the fabric of the multiverse. But if there’s one battle he’s been consistently losing since Dragon Ball Z began, it’s the battle called fatherhood. While other anime dads bring lunchboxes and life lessons, Goku’s version of parenting is more… “Let’s throw my 12-year-old into a death match to toughen him up.”

Let’s take a look at ten hilarious (and slightly tragic) reasons why Goku might just be anime’s most lovable terrible dad.

1. He Let Gohan Fight Cell… Alone

Remember when Gohan was just a timid kid who liked studying and small animals? Goku decided the perfect way to help him grow was by tossing him into the Cell Games. Against Cell. A literal biological death machine. Goku didn’t just let Gohan fight—he gave up his own chance and said, “Nah, my son’s got this.” Technically, he wasn’t wrong, but come on, Goku. That’s not parenting, that’s gambling with your kid’s trauma.

2. He Was Dead for Most of Gohan’s Childhood

Father of the Year award? Not even close. Goku spent half of Dragon Ball Z either dead, training in the afterlife, or both. Sure, dying to save Earth from Cell is noble. But dying again because you don’t want to be a “bad influence”? That’s next-level absentee parenting. Even King Kai probably saw Gohan growing up through a crystal ball and went, “Man, that kid needs a hug.”

3. He Missed Goten’s Entire Childhood

When Dragon Ball Z time-skipped to the Buu Saga, we met Goten—Goku’s other son. The one he didn’t even know existed. Why? Because he’d been dead again. Imagine coming back to life and finding out you have a kid who can already go Super Saiyan. That’s not fatherhood. That’s a plot twist.

4. He Thought Fighting Was a Love Language

Chi-Chi wanted Gohan to go to school. Goku wanted Gohan to go Super Saiyan. The result? A lifetime of arguments about education versus combat. Goku’s idea of bonding was throwing punches, sparring in the wilderness, or dragging his son into life-or-death training with Piccolo. The man doesn’t understand affection unless it comes with a ki blast.

5. He Encouraged Gohan to Ditch His Studies

Chi-Chi: “Gohan, study hard and get into a good school.”

Goku: “Or you could fight a god instead!”

Every dad dreams of seeing their kid succeed, but Goku’s definition of “success” involves saving universes. He once guilt-tripped Gohan for not training enough after the Cell Saga, conveniently ignoring that Gohan was, you know, trying to live a normal human life.

6. He Constantly Puts His Family in Danger

Goku’s choices always seem to put his family in the crosshairs. From bringing dangerous Saiyans to Earth to challenging Beerus over pudding, the man’s thirst for battle is the reason villains like Frieza and Goku Black even show up. If there were a “Most Likely To Cause Planetary Crisis” award, Goku would have a whole shelf of trophies.

7. He Left Gohan and Chi-Chi for Training… Again

After the Cell Games, Goku decided it’d be better for everyone if he just stayed dead. His reasoning? “Bad guys only show up because of me.” Which sounds noble until you realize he basically told his wife and son, “You’ll be fine without me.” Classic Goku—saving the world while simultaneously breaking his family’s hearts.

8. He Trained Uub Instead of Raising Goten

By the end of Dragon Ball Z, Goku had another shot at fatherhood. But instead of helping Goten through teenage years or, I don’t know, teaching him how to drive, Goku flew off to train Uub. He literally adopted a new trainee instead of parenting his own kid. Goten didn’t even seem that surprised. He probably saw it coming.

9. He Forgot Birthdays… Again and Again

Dragon Ball Super gave us plenty of family moments, but also reminders that Goku barely remembers things like “dates” or “birthdays.” He once showed up to Bulma’s birthday party just to eat. He didn’t even bring a gift. Let’s be real, if Chi-Chi didn’t remind him, Goku would probably forget Goten’s name during a spar.

10. He Thinks Being a Dad Means Sparring

If there’s one thing consistent about Goku, it’s that every heartfelt father-son moment ends with a punch. Whether it’s Gohan, Goten, or even Pan (in Dragon Ball GT), Goku’s love language is combat. He doesn’t say “I’m proud of you,” he says “Hit me with your best shot.” Maybe that’s the Saiyan way—but it’s definitely not in any parenting manual.

So Is Goku a Bad Dad? Yes… But Also No

Goku might be the worst dad in anime history, but he’s also one of the most well-meaning. He’s not cruel—just clueless. His love is genuine, even if his priorities are… unconventional. And let’s be real, if your dad could teleport, destroy planets, and eat enough food for ten men, you’d forgive him too.

Now It’s Your Turn to Talk Some Sense Into Him

If you’ve ever wanted to sit Goku down and tell him what it really means to be a dad, now’s your chance. In FableVerse, you can hang out with the Z Fighters, go on wild adventures, chat, date, or even romance your favorite Dragon Ball characters. Or just sit around a campfire with Goku himself and debate every questionable decision he’s ever made as a father in Campfire of Regrets - Goku's Dillema.

Who knows—maybe you’ll finally teach him how to be a Super Saiyan Dad.