Summary
- Unique transformations in the Dragon Ball series showcase the power scaling, influencing iconic battles and character growth.
- Super Saiyan transformation legacy is unparalleled, with subsequent forms surpassing original levels of power.
- A variety of powerful and intriguing transformations in the Dragon Ball series redefine the characters' strengths and abilities.
The Dragon Ball series is easily one of the most high-octane and epic shonen series around, featuring a wealth of incredible battles and awe-inspiring power-ups that have become legendary in their own right, with the Super Saiyan transformation being one of the most notable mentions in this regard.
All Of The Dragon Ball Movies, Ranked
Toei has recently plenty of Dragon Ball anime movies over the decades, and some films are better than others.
It's a testament to the immense power scaling present in the Dragon Ball series — especially Dragon Ball Super — that the original Super Saiyan form has now been completely dwarfed by a wealth of incredible transformations, which are widely considered to be some of the strongest transformations in the history of Dragon Ball.
Updated on December 23, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Dragon Ball is a series that continues to occupy a major spot in mainstream pop culture to this day. Goku and Vegeta's exploits as they attain greater heights of power and defeat imposing threats never cease to be amazing. What makes this series stand out in the eyes of many are the strongest transformations in Dragon Ball that unlock new levels of power and turn the tide of battle in a flash. Both the Saiyans and their enemies are capable of these feats, showing off powerful forms that can end battles in a flash unless a miracle occurs.
30 Great Ape
A Transformation Triggered When A Saiyan With A Tail Gazes Upon The Full Moon
- First Appearance: A Wish to the Eternal Dragon (Episode 12, Dragon Ball)
The revelation of Goku being an alien was something that rattled fans of the original series, who were surprised to see Toriyama take such a bold route. All of a sudden, Goku's quirks made sense — he is a member of the Saiyan race, with his tail letting him bolster his powers by transforming on the night of a full moon.
This transformation is used by Vegeta to overpower Goku during their battle. It takes the combined efforts of every warrior in existence to take down this powerful Saiyan before he gets the Dragon Balls and wishes for immortality.
29 Pseudo Super Saiyan
A Precursor To The Main Thing
- First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
The Dragon Ball Z movies may technically be filler, but the amazing rock-driven soundtracks and great animation help these side stories stand out as some worthy additions to the legacy of this series. These movies aren't too long and can be viewed as elaborate OVAs, and fans are glad to see that these films try and add original spins to established concepts, with the Pseudo Super Saiyan form being a great example of the same.
After being beaten to a pulp by a youthful Lord Slug, Goku finally loses his temper and achieves a false Super Saiyan form, which gives him a golden aura without the iconic blonde hair. This form makes a minor appearance and doesn't play a role in deciding how Lord Slug is finally incapacitated, but fans still love the sheer power exhibited by Goku in this form. It's a taste of things to come that fans loved to witness for themselves.
28 Super Saiyan
The Transformation That Started It All
- First Appearance: Transformed at Last (Episode 95, Dragon Ball Z)
The first appearance of the Super Saiyan transformation makes for one of the most memorable moments in anime history, with Goku and his pals struggling against Frieza even after hitting him with a powerful Spirit Bomb. Enraged at being damaged by this move, Frieza pierces Piccolo with a finger beam before taking Krillin and exploding him, sending Goku into a frenzy that ends with him achieving this legendary transformation.
Dragon Ball: 5 Super Saiyan Transformations Gohan Never Achieved
Despite being the king of unearned power-ups, there are some Super Saiyan transformations that Gohan never achieves in canon Dragon Ball media.
Frieza was no match for this transformed Saiyan, who straight-up humiliated him with one of the strongest Dragon Ball transformations at the time before leaving him behind in the dust after deeming him unworthy of battle. The emperor didn't take this insult lying down and unleashed a final attack that was quickly punished by Goku, ending this fight once and for all.
27 Super Saiyan Third Grade
The User Bulks Up So Much That They Lose A Ton Of Speed
- First Appearance: Trunks Ascends (Episode 162, Dragon Ball Z)
Before the characters eventually reached the Ascended Super Saiyan form, the bulk of their training focused on making the first Super Saiyan form as optimized as possible. This led to the rise of the Second and Third Grade forms, which do a great job of enhancing a user's strength.
However, while the Second Grade has some applications in combat, there's a major detriment that prevents the Third Grade from being useful.
Sure, the rise in strength may be substantial, but the tradeoff is that users are so bulky that their speed is significantly hampered. They can't land a blow against their opponent, and the energy required to maintain this muscle mass is so intense that users will tire themselves out before they can substantially damage their opponent.
26 Super Android 13
A Powerful Android Who Absorbs The Parts Of His Brethren To Become Stronger
- First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!
With the advent of the Androids, it was only a matter of time before a short movie would reveal the existence of more mechanical foes who could give the Z Warriors a tough time. Such is the case when Android 13 arrives with two of his lackeys to wreak havoc and destruction, forcing the heroes to go all-out in another battle to save the world.
The Super Saiyan transformation is enough to defeat Androids 14 and 15, but this was all taken into account in the antagonist's plan. After absorbing their parts, he transforms into Super Android 13, who is an absolute nightmare to defeat. If Goku hadn't accidentally absorbed the power of the Spirit Bomb in his Super Saiyan form, the Z Warriors would've been crushed by this mighty foe.
25 Super Saiyan Second Grade
A Souped-Up Version Of The First Super Saiyan Form
- First Appearance: Super Vegeta (Episode 155, Dragon Ball Z)
After Vegeta and Trunks put in a ton of effort in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the two Saiyans came out more powerful than ever. Vegeta, being the bloodthirsty Saiyan that he is, wanted to put his power to the test as soon as possible. He encountered Semi-Perfect Cell and showed off the power of the Super Saiyan Second Grade form, which was easily one of the strongest Dragon Ball transformations at the time.
Vegeta made quick work of Semi-Perfect Cell, but the antagonist knew how to manipulate the Saiyan Prince. He convinced Vegeta to help him achieve his Perfect Form, which was a grave mistake. Despite the immense power of the Second Grade form, Vegeta was beaten to a pulp. It took the advent of the Ascended Super Saiyan form to finally make Perfect Cell pay for his transgressions.
24 Super Saiyan 2
Marked The End Of Cell After Gohan Finally Achieved His Latent Potential
- First Appearance: Cell Juniors Attack! (Episode 184, Dragon Ball Z)
Gohan's potential has been shown time and time again in Dragon Ball Z before the advent of the Cell Saga. Despite having untapped latent power that dwarfs most other Z Warriors, Gohan's gentle nature prevented him from really hurting his opponents, which took away from his effectiveness as a fighter. However, after witnessing Cell's brutality and the deaths of his father and Android 16, something snapped in Gohan. He finally gave in to his anger, leading to one of the greatest transformation scenes in Dragon Ball history.
In his Super Saiyan 2 form, Gohan outclassed Perfect Cell in every way and served him an overdue slice of humble pie. He was so powerful that one of his arms needed to be taken out of commission by an ultra-powerful Cell to even the odds. However, despite this injury, Gohan managed to unleash a Kamehameha for the ages that took Cell out once and for all.
23 Super Janemba
The Embodiment Of Evil Becomes More Powerful Than Ever Before
- First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
With the advent of fusions in the Buu Saga, it was only a matter of time before the two heroic Saiyans would join forces (quite literally) to beat down a worthy opponent. The Potara Earrings were used for a Vegito fusion that was canon, but the Fusion Dance was reserved for a movie that featured an embodiment of evil itself as the main villain.
Janemba wasn't all that threatening as a huge baby, but things took a turn for the worse when he controlled his infantile urges and transformed into Super Janemba. His size may have reduced, but his power increased exponentially and forced the Saiyans to fuse and become Gogeta to end this threat once and for all.
22 Potential Unleashed
A Muted Transformation That Propels Gohan's Power To New Heights
- First Appearance: Unlucky Break (Episode 262, Dragon Ball Z)
Gohan is one of the most powerful heroes in Dragon Ball Z, with his latent potential being highlighted time and time again throughout the series. After ignoring his training for a long time, Goku's son got a golden opportunity to have his potential unlocked by the Old Kai. However, sitting around and doing nothing as the divine being was seemingly messing around didn't sit right with Gohan, whose anger took over as he started powering up.
At this moment, Gohan showed everyone the promise of the Potential Unleashed form, giving some credibility to Old Kai's unorthodox method. He decided to let him continue the ritual until Gohan was strong enough to take on Super Buu in a one-sided battle that could've ended poorly had Gohan not let his strength get to his head.
21 Super Saiyan 3
An Ear-Piercing Scream That Showed How Much Of A Strain This Transformation Is
- First Appearance: Super Saiyan 3?! (Episode 245, Dragon Ball Z)
There was a time when the Super Saiyan 3 transformation was considered by many to be the peak of the series. The amazing transformation coupled with an iconic look has helped this form easily establish a legacy that is still quite palpable.
8 Best Anime About The Multiverse
As with other themes, the concept of the multiverse is explored in different ways in these anime.
However, with the advent of Dragon Ball Super, one has to admit that the Super Saiyan 3 transformation has taken somewhat of a backseat. It might be one of the weaker transformations now, but it's still a great treat to witness regardless.