In Dragon Ball Super’s Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, the universe faces a threat unlike anything from the DBZ era: Moro the Planet-Eater. This ancient sorcerer—older than time itself—once brought galaxies to their knees. Only the Grand Supreme Kai could stop him, sealing away Moro’s dark magic at the cost of his own divine power.
But now, Moro is free—and hungrier than ever.
Consuming the life force of entire planets to restore his strength and youth, Moro doesn’t just fight… he devours. This sparks an epic showdown where brute strength means nothing, and even gods tremble. The stage is set for the most devastating battle yet: Goku vs Moro.
Can Ultra Instinct defeat ancient magic? Or is Moro stronger than Goku?
Who Is Moro? (Background & Powers)
- Ancient Sorcerer: Moro has lived for millions of years, much longer than even the gods. His origin predates all modern fighters, and at the peak of his power he was stronger than the Grand Supreme Kai.
- Life-Force Absorption: Moro’s signature ability is sucking the ki (life energy) from planets and people. He literally “eats” planets, gaining strength and youth by consuming them. He explains that weakening others and gaining power are merely side-effects of his hunger – his true goal is simply to fill his stomach.
- Magic & Copying: Unlike foes who rely on brute ki blasts, Moro uses magic and even steals abilities. He can copy techniques via special crystals on his body. (Later in the saga, Goku and allies find this becomes a deadly game of mirror-image moves.)
Together, these traits make Moro an opponent not easily outclassed by straightforward strength. As one analysis notes, “he’s been even stronger than Goku and the others expected – potentially even stronger than the gods”. The question of “Is Moro stronger than Goku?” hangs over the saga, only to be answered by the final, climactic battle.
The Goku vs Moro Battle
Moro’s return kicks off a planetary conflict. In the first encounter (on New Namek), Goku and Vegeta attack with their usual power but find it backfires: every punch and blast feeds Moro. The more powerful the Saiyans become, the more energy Moro absorbs. Goku resorts to Ultra Instinct (Sign) to dodge Moro’s lava pillars and traps. Even then, Moro taunts that he doesn’t even need Goku’s energy to win, as eating and destruction are his true thrill. In that fight, the Saiyans’ strength was literally consumed away – they lose and are left near defeat.
Defeated but determined, Goku and Vegeta train separately. Goku teams up with the Galactic Patrol agent Merus (an angel in disguise). In a special time-dilated chamber, Merus guides Goku to master Ultra Instinct by calming his emotions. As Merus explains, reaching Ultra Instinct requires controlling the “waves” of anger and fear, not raging at them. After intense training, Goku can use Ultra Instinct Sign at will – a reflexive form that lets him evade Moro’s moves on instinct.
Meanwhile, Vegeta travels to Planet Yardrat, where Goku first learned Instant Transmission. There he studies spirit control techniques. The Yardrat elder explains that techniques like Instant Transmission and size-change all derive from total spirit control – balancing one’s chi through mind-body harmony. Vegeta endures rigorous mental training (meditating atop a spike!) to achieve the calm focus the Saiyan prince isn’t used to. This discipline unlocks a new technique, Forced Spirit Fission, which lets Vegeta physically rip stolen energy back from an enemy.
Armed with new skills, the final showdown on Earth begins. First, Goku vs Moro (UI Sign): Goku’s enhanced reflexes allow him to dodge Moro’s magic effortlessly, making it look like the sorcerer can’t hit him. But UI Sign drains Goku’s stamina quickly. Once Goku tires, Moro regains control with brute force – taunting that Sign was only a temporary bluff. In this stage, Moro’s power surpasses Goku’s; the Planet-Eater easily holds his own against Goku’s unfinished technique.
Next, Vegeta enters with Forced Spirit Fission. Each time Vegeta strikes Moro, he peels away the energy Moro had stolen from planets. Moro’s massive power begins to shrink… but then Moro unleashes his ultimate trick. He reveals he has stolen Merus’s Ultra Instinct ability (via Merus’s severed hand), matching Goku blow-for-blow with divine speed. Now both fighters can move on instinct, and the battle resets.
Sensing disaster, Merus finally intervenes. He uses his full angelic power to seal Moro’s copying and draining abilities – an act that violates Angel law and erases Merus from existence. This heroic sacrifice sparks a final breakthrough for Goku. Motivated by his teacher’s sacrifice, Goku awakens Perfected Ultra Instinct (mastered form). In this state, Goku moves and fights without conscious thought – his body intuitively dodges and strikes with perfect efficiency.
With Perfected Ultra Instinct, Goku overwhelms Moro utterly. Every attack lands with “divine weight,” and Moro finds no opening to fight back. Goku’s answer to “Is Moro stronger than Goku?” is on full display: he is not. Goku has ascended beyond even this cosmic monster, so much so that Moro can only beg for mercy. In fact, he even tears up from shock at Goku’s power. Goku’s mind is calm and intent on justice, echoing the moment he first became a Super Saiyan – but now, as a god-level warrior.
Is Moro Stronger than Goku? (Power Analysis)
This saga is essentially the proof of that question. The answer changes over time:
- Early Saga: Moro’s life-drain gave him the upper hand. Goku’s attacks were siphoned away, so Moro > Goku in power (as seen on Namek and early Earth fight).
- Mid Saga: Goku and Vegeta develop counters (Ultra Instinct Sign and Forced Spirit Fission). Goku’s state of mind became crucial, not raw power.
- Climax: After Merus’s sacrifice, Goku >> Moro. Perfected Ultra Instinct elevates Goku above Moro’s level. At this point, Moro loses decisively.
In short, Moro was temporarily the stronger fighter, but Goku ultimately surpasses him. Goku’s perfected form moves beyond what “any mortal technique” should allow, and Moro, despite his cosmic energy, cannot land a blow. The narrative shows Goku’s growth – he grows not by consuming power, but by mastering peace of mind – and that makes all the difference.
What’s Next? Dragon Ball Super Season 2 and Beyond
After the Moro arc ended in the manga, many fans have been eagerly anticipating the anime’s return. Officially, Dragon Ball Super is still on hiatus, with no new episodes since 2018. However, the franchise’s 40th-anniversary celebrations have set the stage for big announcements. Bandai Namco and Toei Animation have organized a special event called Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri on January 25, 2026. The official site teases that Masako Nozawa (Goku’s voice) and producer Akio Iyoku will reveal “new developments coming to Dragon Ball”.
Fans speculate this could include news on a Dragon Ball Super Season 2 or another adaptation of the Moro (and Granolah) arcs. At minimum, it’s expected we’ll hear something about the future direction of the anime. As one news site notes, the anime’s on hiatus and the fanbase is hungry for updates. Whether Toei will announce a direct continuation, a movie, or even a high-quality remake (as some fans hope) remains to be seen. For now, we’ll have to wait for the January 2026 event. Until then, the manga is the only way to experience Moro’s saga – with Goku firmly established as the victor, and fans buzzing about “what’s next for our heroes.”
Conclusion: Moro Saga’s Legacy
The Moro arc (Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga) is a milestone in modern Dragon Ball. It blends classic DBZ elements (galactic battles, team-up defenses, training arcs) with fresh twists (cosmic magic, divine law, character growth). Moro himself stands out as a villain whose power comes from hunger and magic, a stark contrast to Goku’s disciplined strength. In this story, Goku doesn’t rely on dragon balls or a quick power-up; he grows through calm determination and the support of his friends (and even the next generation, via Uub’s crucial energy at the end).
For fans new and old, the key takeaway is: Moro was tough, but Goku’s perfected skills were tougher. The final fight proves that no matter how ancient or powerful an enemy may be, Goku’s will and the bonds of Dragon Ball’s heroes make all the difference. And as Dragon Ball Super looks toward its future (Season 2 rumors and beyond), the Moro saga will be remembered as the arc where Goku truly transcended the limits of a mere mortal fighter
