Goku’s gains in Part 1

[SSJ2]

How often did Goku gain strength without training or via Zenkai? He’s said to be stronger in the RRA after the 21st and it’s debatable whether or not he got a Zenkai. Does he get stronger after fighting tough opponents like Super would suggest?

 

[GSM123]

Yeah, I thought we all knew this. Not because of Super, but because fighting is a form of training. That was the original intent even, Toriyama hadn’t thought of zenkais yet. I have:

Budokai: 150
Post Budokai: 160
Post Muscle Tower: 180

I like to have the muscle tower bigger since that’s closer to zenkai conditions, but the boosts are small nonetheless.

 

[SSJ2]

Yes but which exact fights did this apply to is what I'm interested in.

 

[GSM123]

~ Jackie Chun and Muscle Tower are a given.
~ First fight with Tao, he almost died.
~ Tenshinhan + Tambourine
~ All three fights with Piccolo.

 

[SSJ2]

First fight with Tao, he almost died.

Zenkai

~ Tenshinhan + Tambourine

Tambourine could be a zenkai

~ All three fights with Piccolo.

Zenkais

 

[Papasmurf]

Goku probably got stronger from the consecutive battles he had with Nam and Roshi, and then received a zenkai from the super gun attack he took to the back of the head in the Muscle Tower. I don't think Blue posed enough of a challenge to Goku outside of telekinesis to cause much of a gain. I agree with the instances SSJ2 named in the above post.