Goku post Tambourine

[SSJ2]

So it seems well accepted that Goku received a Zenkai after his first fight with Tambourine, but I've come across something interesting.

Spoiler

This is the original cover art for the chapter, which again stresses that Goku was "full" now, instead being healed from damage. The manga also directly stresses that Goku would be different because he was full.

Chapter: 141, P2.2
Context: said before his rematch with Tambourine
Goku: “I’ve eaten and have a full stomach. I’m a lii—iitle different than I was yesterday!”


So combining the two, is it possible that he didn't receive a Zenkai? After eating Yajirobe's fish, Goku determined that he was at "full power" again.

Spoiler

Obviously there's nothing impressive about breaking a rock, but Goku was merely testing his body out and was able to tell that he was fully recovered. So is there really a Zenkai here?

 

[GSM123]

There never was a Zenkai here on in any relevant situation (He may have gotten after the first fights with Tao and Piccolo, but meh). Zenkais are the power ups from near death injuries, and Goku ever rarely got near death in the series.

I’d still say Piccolo got more powerful, because that’s the natural thing to happen after a tough fight, specially if you’re a Saiyan. It just kind of counts like training.

 

[SSJ2]

Chapter: 268 (DBZ 74), P8.1-5
Context: Vegeta thinks Zarbon’s strength has fallen from the pre-emptive attack and brags about his own increase in power.
Vegeta: “Looks like my preemptive attack had an effect…Your stamina’s fallen quite a bit, hasn’t it? Zarbon, your death is close.”
Zarbon: “My d-death is close…!? Don’t make me laugh! My battle power is higher than yours!”
Vegeta: “Zarbon…Weren’t you supposed to know a lot about Saiyans? It wasn’t a good idea for you to carelessly treat me after I almost died…Don’t you think so? Saiyans can steadily increase their battle power each time they recover from near death…”
Kuririn: “So…so that’s it…! Now that he mentions it, Goku also got stronger every time he had a fierce fight…Dam-dammit! So that’s why Vegeta’s ki has risen so darn much…!”


What is Krillin referring to then?

 

[Hector]

When Goku was put in the healing tank (Namek), it was also stated that he would be healed to full power.

 

[GSM123]

Chapter: 268 (DBZ 74), P8.1-5
Context: Vegeta thinks Zarbon’s strength has fallen from the pre-emptive attack and brags about his own increase in power.
Vegeta: “Looks like my preemptive attack had an effect…Your stamina’s fallen quite a bit, hasn’t it? Zarbon, your death is close.”
Zarbon: “My d-death is close…!? Don’t make me laugh! My battle power is higher than yours!”
Vegeta: “Zarbon…Weren’t you supposed to know a lot about Saiyans? It wasn’t a good idea for you to carelessly treat me after I almost died…Don’t you think so? Saiyans can steadily increase their battle power each time they recover from near death…”
Kuririn: “So…so that’s it…! Now that he mentions it, Goku also got stronger every time he had a fierce fight…Dam-dammit! So that’s why Vegeta’s ki has risen so darn much…!”


What is Krillin referring to then?

Definitely not to power ups that happened while Kuririn was dead.

But I guess it all comes down to semantics. Vegeta is talking about near death power ups (Which Goku only had a handful in Part I) but then Kuririn just comes up with "fierce fights" (Which is the case with Goku vs Tenshinhan and confirmed to be the case with Goku vs Jackie Chun). I guess both things are classified as Zenkais then?

 

[sei'taer]

Who says he got a zenkai? Nothing in the text implies that everything implies that he lost the first fight because he was exhausted, and after eating easily wins the second fight even after a brief fight with Yajirobe.

He even talks about being back to full strength after the meal.

 

[Warmmedown]

Related question, did Goku get a zenkai from his fights with Roshi? He was totally spent and KOed, but was that enough to get a zenkai or does he need to be actually at risk of dying?

Are there any mini-zenkais?

I can't see Goku getting a full zenkai from Tambourine, seeing as he was able to fight Yajirobe right afterwards.

 

[SSJ2]

Related question, did Goku get a zenkai from his fights with Roshi? He was totally spent and KOed, but was that enough to get a zenkai or does he need to be actually at risk of dying?

Are there any mini-zenkais?

I can't see Goku getting a full zenkai from Tambourine, seeing as he was able to fight Yajirobe right afterwards.

I think this quote from Vegeta leaves your question open to interpretation:

Chapter: 257 (DBZ 63), P10.1-2
Context: Vegeta bragging to Dodoria about how he became stronger.
Vegeta: “Fuhahaha…! We Saiyans grow stronger each time we fight…! The stronger the opponent, the stronger we become…So I’m becoming stronger too…! I almost died on Earth, and have now vastly powered up…!”


Though when part 1 is considered, it's hard to assume that Goku got stronger after tough fights when it was never implied. Vegeta also makes it clear that you don't become vastly stronger unless you reach the point of near-death, so I suppose it's possible Goku became marginally stronger after those battles.

 

[ahill1]

Yeah I think Goku merely got back to the power he had vs Tenshinhan.