Goku Vs Saitama: Which Iconic Anime Superhero Would Win?

Goku vs Saitama - this debate has blown up anime forums, TikTok rants, and late-night Discord calls for ages now. One’s a Saiyan warrior who fights gods and shatters universes. The other’s a bored bald guy who ends battles with a single punch. Fans of Dragon Ball and One Punch Man can’t agree: Can Saitama beat Goku? Or does Goku’s god-like power make him unbeatable?

Let’s cut through the noise. Both characters are legends, but they exist in totally different worlds. Goku’s strength grows through endless training and near-death battles. Saitama’s strength is a joke - literally. His entire character mocks the idea of power scaling. So, Goku vs Saitama: who wins? Let’s break it down.

Check out our YouTube Short to see what the Goku vs Saitama battle would be like.

UPDATE: This article was updated by Daksh Chaudhary on March 30th, 2025. We have added a YouTube Short for the visual representation of the Goku vs Saitama battle.

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Power Scaling: Feats Vs The Joke

Goku’s Resume: Universe-Buster with a Smile

Goku’s feats are wild. He’s punched holes through dimensions, survived attacks that erase entire timelines (Dragon Ball Super), and mastered Ultra Instinct - a state where his body dodges instinctively. He’s fought literal gods (Beerus, Jiren) and won. Even his base form post-Super could sneeze a planet to dust.

But here’s the catch: Goku’s power is measurable. We know his limits because he keeps pushing them. Ultra Instinct drains his stamina, and he needs time to power up. Also, he loves a good fight - sometimes too much. If Saitama lands a serious punch early, Goku might not get the chance to go all out.

Saitama’s Gimmick: The Punchline That Can’t Lose

Saitama’s whole shtick is that he’s too strong. He trained so hard (not as hard as Goku though) that he lost his hair, and gained infinite power. He one-shots planet-level threats like Boros and Garou without breaking a sweat. The show jokes about his boredom, and there’s no peak to his strength because the story says there isn’t.

In a Goku vs Saitama battle, this matters. Saitama’s strength isn’t about feats, it’s about narrative irony. He exists to end fights quickly, even if logic says he shouldn’t. While Goku’s power is tied to training and transformations, Saitama’s is a plot device.

The Fight Everyone Imagines: How It Goes Down

Round 1: Goku’s Curiosity Vs Saitama’s Boredom

Goku loves testing his limits. He’d start in base form, throwing playful punches to gauge Saitama’s strength. Saitama, annoyed by another “weak” opponent, might yawn and throw a casual punch. Goku tanks it, grins, and powers up to Super Saiyan Blue.

But here’s the twist: Saitama’s punches scale with the threat. In One Punch Man, his Serious Punch against Boros split the atmosphere. Against Goku? He’d likely get serious faster. If Goku charges a Kamehameha, Saitama counters with a punch that cancels the blast, and maybe cracks Goku’s armor.

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Round 2: Ultra Instinct Vs Serious Series

If Goku activates Ultra Instinct, the fight gets spicy. He’d dodge Saitama’s punches effortlessly, landing hits that would vaporize planets. But Saitama’s durability is a joke - he’s never been hurt. Not by nukes, aliens, or reality-warping attacks. Even Ultra Instinct’s attacks might just tickle him.

Meanwhile, Saitama’s punches get stronger the longer he’s challenged. In the One Punch Man manga, he copied Garou’s godly techniques mid-fight. Against Goku, he might mimic Ki blasts or even Ultra Instinct’s dodging. The scariest part? Saitama isn’t trying. If he actually got excited? Game over.

The Real Answer: Why Saitama Can’t Lose

One Punch Man isn’t a typical shonen anime. It’s a parody. Saitama’s invincibility is the whole point that makes him so strong. The show mocks heroes who train for years to win, asking: What if someone skipped the grind? Saitama’s strength is a middle finger to power scaling.

So, does Goku beat Saitama? By feats, maybe. But by narrative rules? No. Saitama’s character can’t lose, even if Goku throws a universe at him. It’s like asking if Bugs Bunny can outsmart Superman - the joke always wins.

Goku plays by shonen rules. He wants a fair fight, he holds back to enjoy the battle, and he’s been caught off guard before (see: Laser rings, heart viruses). Saitama has no such code. If he sees Goku as a threat, he ends it. No monologues, no powering up, just one punch.

Final Verdict: Saitama Wins (Because He Has To)

Is One Punch Man stronger than Goku? By feats, Goku’s universe-level power should crush him. But anime battles aren’t just about feats, they’re about what the story allows.

Saitama’s entire purpose is to be unbeatable. His strength isn’t logical, it’s a joke. A Goku vs Saitama fight would be epic, but the punchline is clear: Saitama wins. Not because he’s stronger, but because his character can’t lose.