Dragon Ball Super has been controversial, in part, because of how the series seemingly reshaped Goku’s character for the worse. While some criticisms have merit, other accusations have been less accurate. An example of the latter is the response to how the anime adaptation had Goku show a desire to undergo Old Kai’s unlocking power because he would supposedly never do such a thing. However, not only does this not contradict Goku’s core principles, but his past actions disprove him as the original. Dragon Ball the manga showed a young Goku involved in a similar ritual.
The controversial Dragon Ball Super The moment in question occurs in episode 91 of the anime, when Old Kai suggests that Goku prepare for the Tournament of Power by having him unlock Goku’s latent and untapped potential. Goku shows enthusiasm for the idea, but the plan fails only because Supreme Kai points out that they don’t have enough time. However, Korin once presented Goku with the same option after the young Saiyan lost to King Piccolo, and Goku accepted the offer.
Goku once drank the water of the gods in the original Dragon Ball series
In chapter #151 of Dragon Ball, Goku drinks the Water of the Gods to unlock his hidden strength. Korin explains to Goku that the elixir wouldn’t work if he had already gained as much strength as he could through training. And yet, even with this knowledge, Goku still goes ahead with the plan. Clearly, Goku is excited at the prospect of having his latent, untapped potential drawn out of him in Super does not tarnish years of his character or history when he has actually participated in such a ritual before.
It is also essential to point out that Goku never expressed disapproval of the technique when Old Kai performed the same ritual with Gohan during the Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z. While it could be argued that Goku never took the opportunity for him to undergo the same treatment after Gohan was finished, the reason he didn’t was because Goku believed he could never be revived again. After Old Kai traded his life for Goku’s, the Saiyan had no time to think about unlocking his latent abilities as he was needed on Earth.
Dragon Ball Super didn’t retcon Goku, but it eliminated any potential growth for the character
With this added context, these moments make Goku seem hypocritical when he later chastises Moro and Gas in the Dragon Ball Super manga to gain strength through something other than training or hard work. For Moro, it was through his copying ability, and in Gas’ case, it was because of his Dragon Ball desires.
Of course, one could argue that there is a difference between receiving latent abilities and those that a person is physically incapable of obtaining naturally, but that is besides the point. In fact, the Dragon Ball Super the anime adaptation ruins any potential growth for Goku because he’s obviously still okay with what he did as a child, and that’s the real tragedy.