Why Does Goku Keep Letting Frieza Live?

Exploring Goku’s complex relationship with his greatest enemy.

Frieza has been a thorn in Goku’s side since the early days of Dragon Ball Z, yet time and time again, Goku has chosen to let him live despite the destruction he has caused. From wiping out Planet Vegeta and countless civilizations to repeatedly coming back stronger, Frieza has proven to be one of the most persistent threats in the Dragon Ball universe. But instead of permanently eliminating him, Goku has allowed Frieza to stick around—even bringing him back for the Tournament of Power. And now, with the introduction of his new Black Frieza form, he has once again surpassed the Z Fighters, making him an even greater danger. So why does Goku keep giving him a pass? Is it because he sees Frieza as an exciting challenge, or is it simply because Frieza is too integral to the story to be permanently removed? Let’s break it down.

Goku’s Nature: The Warrior Who Seeks Strong Opponents

One of the biggest reasons Goku doesn’t eliminate Frieza for good is his own Saiyan nature. Goku thrives on competition and loves testing himself against the strongest warriors. Unlike Vegeta, who has a deeply personal vendetta against Frieza due to their Saiyan history, Goku doesn’t hold grudges in the same way. To him, battle is about pushing his limits, not settling old scores.

This explains why, at the end of the Frieza Saga, Goku spared Frieza’s life even after he had destroyed Namek. Goku wasn’t interested in revenge—he saw Frieza as someone who had been thoroughly defeated and wanted to show him mercy. This same mindset carried over into later encounters, where Goku prioritized fighting Frieza over eliminating him permanently.

Frieza’s Role in the Dragon Ball Universe

Another factor in why Frieza keeps coming back is his importance to the overarching Dragon Ball story. Let’s be real—Frieza is one of the most iconic villains in anime history. He was the first truly world-shattering threat in Dragon Ball Z, and his influence has only grown since then. His connection to the Saiyans, his ruthless ambition, and his knack for survival make him a character that Dragon Ball simply can’t let go of.

Think about it: Frieza was resurrected twice, played a crucial role in the Tournament of Power, and now has his strongest form yet. If Goku had destroyed him for good at any point, we wouldn’t have gotten these major moments. Frieza’s continued presence keeps the story unpredictable and gives Goku a constant rival outside of the gods and multiversal warriors.

Is Frieza Simply Too Strong to Kill?

It’s also worth considering whether Frieza has reached a point where even Goku and Vegeta might not be able to kill him. With his Black Frieza form, he completely outclassed Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta in a single blow. This suggests that even if Goku wanted to eliminate him, it might not be that easy anymore.

Frieza is the kind of character who never stops improving. Unlike Cell or Buu, who were ultimately outmatched and defeated, Frieza continues to evolve. He trained for just four months to reach his Golden form and spent ten years in a Hyperbolic Time Chamber equivalent to achieve Black Frieza. If he’s already this strong, who knows how powerful he could become in the future?

Does Goku See Frieza as a Necessary Rival?

Beyond the power factor, Goku might simply enjoy having Frieza around as a rival. The Tournament of Power showed that, despite everything, Goku recognized Frieza’s potential and even relied on him to secure Universe 7’s victory. There’s a strange dynamic between them—a mix of animosity and mutual respect.

At this point, Frieza is more than just a villain. He’s a recurring force in the Dragon Ball universe, much like how Joker is to Batman. Goku’s decisions to let him live might not just be about strength, but also about keeping that dynamic alive. Even if Frieza remains a constant threat, Goku might see him as a necessary evil to keep things interesting.

Final Thoughts: Will Frieza Ever Be Stopped for Good?

The question of why Goku doesn’t kill Frieza for good comes down to a mix of factors. Goku’s love for battle, Frieza’s significance to the Dragon Ball story, and his ever-growing strength all play a role in why he continues to stick around. At this point, it feels like Frieza has become too integral to Dragon Ball to ever be truly erased from the picture.

But with his newfound Black Frieza form, things could change. If Frieza continues to grow exponentially stronger, there may come a time when even Goku realizes he’s too dangerous to leave alive. Until then, we’ll likely see more clashes, more unexpected alliances, and more instances of Goku giving Frieza another chance. What do you think? Should Goku finally put an end to Frieza, or is the universe better off with him still in the game?

Piccolo: "Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what's best.", Namek Saga.