Who can defeat Goku?

Goku from Dragon Ball is one of the most powerful and iconic anime characters, known for his immense strength, advanced combat techniques, and ever-growing abilities. However, despite his near-unlimited potential, there are a few characters across various anime universes who could potentially defeat him, either through sheer power, abilities, or intelligence. Here's a list of some characters who could take down Goku in certain scenarios:

1. Zeno (Dragon Ball Super)

• Why Zeno could defeat Goku:
  Zeno is the Omni-King, the supreme ruler of all universes in Dragon Ball Super. His power is virtually limitless, and he can erase entire universes with a simple gesture. Goku, no matter how strong, could not withstand Zeno’s omnipotent abilities. Even though Goku has incredible power, he lacks the ability to counter Zeno's ability to erase everything.
• Key Points: Zeno doesn't fight directly, but his ability to destroy anything, including beings as powerful as Goku, makes him an overwhelming force.

2. Saitama (One Punch Man)

• Why Saitama could defeat Goku:
  Saitama, also known as One Punch Man, is built as a parody of overpowered heroes. His primary characteristic is that he can defeat anyone with a single punch. No matter how strong Goku gets, Saitama's speed, strength, and invincibility would most likely allow him to end the fight before Goku could even react.
• Key Points: Saitama’s power is a parody of the "strongest hero" trope, and his strength is essentially limitless. Goku, while an incredible fighter, might not be able to handle Saitama's overwhelming simplicity and strength.

3. The Presence (DC Comics)

• Why The Presence could defeat Goku:
  The Presence is the embodiment of God in the DC Universe. He is an omnipotent being, existing beyond space, time, and reality itself. No matter how powerful Goku gets, The Presence’s abilities would far exceed anything Goku can comprehend or resist.
• Key Points: The Presence can control all of existence, manipulate time and space, and has complete omnipotence. Goku's power doesn't compare to such divine forces.

4. Madara Uchiha (Naruto)

• Why Madara could defeat Goku:
  Madara, especially after becoming the Ten Tails Jinchuriki, has powers that rival even the gods of the Naruto universe. He possesses immense regeneration, the ability to control powerful techniques like the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and can alter reality. If Madara were to use his full power, he could trap Goku in a Genjutsu, effectively neutralizing his combat capabilities.
• Key Points: Madara's abilities, such as limbo clones and the Rinnegan, give him a distinct advantage. While Goku’s power is overwhelming, Madara’s versatility and ability to control space-time could prove too much.

5. Thanos (Marvel Universe) [With the Infinity Gauntlet]

• Why Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet could defeat Goku:
  Thanos, when wielding the Infinity Gauntlet with all six Infinity Stones, has control over time, space, reality, power, soul, and mind. This allows him to bend the universe to his will. Goku, while incredibly strong, would have no answer to Thanos' ability to warp reality itself. With a single snap of his fingers, Thanos could potentially erase Goku from existence.
• Key Points: While Goku’s power level can be astronomical, the Infinity Gauntlet gives Thanos the power to manipulate every aspect of existence, making him a serious threat.

6. Yhwach (Bleach)

• Why Yhwach could defeat Goku:
  Yhwach, the leader of the Quincy in Bleach, has the ability to see into the future, steal powers, and alter reality. He can use the The Almighty to foresee Goku's every move and counter it accordingly. He can also absorb and negate Goku’s powers, rendering him ineffective in battle.
• Key Points: Yhwach’s power is extremely overwhelming, allowing him to control the flow of time and even alter events. Goku’s brute strength would likely be useless against such versatile powers.

7. Kirito (Sword Art Online) [In his most overpowered form]

• Why Kirito could defeat Goku:
  In Sword Art Online, Kirito becomes incredibly powerful as he gains access to numerous game-breaking abilities in the virtual world. While Kirito isn’t physically stronger than Goku, his ability to break the system, invincibility in some worlds, and combat awareness might give him an edge if he were to fight Goku in certain circumstances.
• Key Points: Kirito is known for his hacking and system-breaking skills, which could be used strategically to defeat an overpowered opponent like Goku in a virtual or controlled environment.

8. Beerus (Dragon Ball Super)

• Why Beerus could defeat Goku:
  Beerus is the God of Destruction in Dragon Ball Super. While Goku has fought and defeated gods before, Beerus is still far superior to him in raw power and skill. Beerus’s ability to destroy anything with just a thought and his combat prowess make him a threat even to Goku’s highest forms like Ultra Instinct.
• Key Points: Beerus remains the most powerful being in the Dragon Ball Universe in terms of destructive power, and it would take a lot more than Goku’s strength to overcome him in battle.

9. Doctor Manhattan (Watchmen)

• Why Doctor Manhattan could defeat Goku:
  Doctor Manhattan, from the Watchmen universe, has god-like powers over space, time, matter, and energy. He can perceive the entire timeline of the universe simultaneously, alter reality, and regenerate from any injury. Goku may be a powerful fighter, but Doctor Manhattan’s powers extend far beyond physical combat and would make him an unstoppable force.
• Key Points: Doctor Manhattan can manipulate time, space, and even create life, making Goku’s power insignificant in comparison to his nearly omnipotent abilities.

10. Alucard (Hellsing)

• Why Alucard could defeat Goku:
  Alucard, the immortal vampire from Hellsing, has immense regenerative abilities and can revive himself from nearly any wound. His strength is near limitless, and he can control vast amounts of supernatural power. Even if Goku were to land a powerful blow, Alucard’s immortality and his ability to fight with unimaginable power would make him a terrifying opponent.
• Key Points: Alucard’s immortality, transformation into monsters, and ability to absorb souls give him advantages in battle, especially when Goku’s energy-based attacks would not be enough to defeat him permanently.

Conclusion:

While Goku is one of the most powerful characters in the anime world, his immense strength is not absolute. Several characters from different universes, whether through sheer power, intelligence, or reality-bending abilities, can potentially defeat him. However, many of these battles would depend on the context of the fight and the specific abilities of each character. Goku's strength is impressive, but the boundaries of anime and comic book universes allow for some truly overpowered beings who could, in theory, defeat him.

Would you like more details on any of these characters or their powers?