If one thing Dragon Ball enthusiasts live for, it’s a mouth-dropping transformation. Since Goku initially became Super Saiyan, the show has been raising the bar on high-risk power-ups and moments to be remembered. Whether it’s pure emotion, staggering energy, or a total appearance change, every transformation has contributed to the franchise being the worldwide phenomenon that it is now. Here are ten of the most iconic transformations that have made Dragon Ball history.
1. Great Ape (Ōzaru)
This is when the real potential of the Saiyan race was first revealed. By exposure to a full moon, Saiyans who possess tails can transform into great giant apes with an explosive increase in size and strength. Goku’s first transformation startled fans and friends alike, but it was Vegeta’s rampage in this state during the Saiyan Saga that solidified just how deadly this feral power could be.
2. Pseudo Super Saiyan
We were given a tantalizing preview of what was to follow before Super Saiyan made its official debut. In the Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug film, Goku briefly accessed an enigmatic power-up, later referred to as Pseudo-Super Saiyan. With furious aura and high-energy surge (but no golden locks), it teed us up for the mythical transformation still to come. Brief, but undeniably memorable.
3. Super Saiyan
This is the one that revolutionized anime. Goku’s explosive rage upon learning that Krillin was killed by Frieza prompted the very first official Super Saiyan transformation—and history was written. With hair aglow with golden light and an enormous boost in power, the scene became one of the most memorable moments not only in Dragon Ball but in anime history.
4. Super Saiyan Third Grade
Also, Ultra Super Saiyan, this form was all about bulk—literally. Trunks took the Super Saiyan form to its extreme, adding tremendous amounts of muscle mass at the expense of speed. Although it appeared fearsome, its unusability in real combat made it more of a cautionary example than a benefit. Bigger isn’t always better.
5. Super Android 13
In the Super Android 13! Film, the eponymous bad guy gets a surprise makeover after it absorbs parts from Androids 14 and 15. The result: A giant blue monstrosity that Goku and friends had to push their luck to defeat. It took a Spirit Bomb—absorbed and Super Saiyan form to deploy—to defeat this formidable android.
6. Super Saiyan Second Grade
This upgrade saw Vegeta and Trunks break through to the base Super Saiyan level in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Famous for its enhanced strength and velocity, Second Grade enabled Vegeta to overwhelm Semi-Perfect Cell for a while. It was a good boost—but, as ever, Dragon Ball reminded us that there is always something more powerful waiting in the wings.
7. Super Saiyan 2
Few scenes in Dragon Ball Z are more iconic than Gohan’s bursting-out transformation into Super Saiyan 2 at the Cell Games. Prodded by anger and grief, this form released his full potential, which helped him win against Perfect Cell. This was not merely a new appearance, but Gohan’s greatest moment and perhaps one of the emotional highlights of the entire series.
8. Super Janemba
Evil got a reboot in Fusion Reborn when Janemba evolved from a goofy blob to a stylish, reality-warping demon. Super Janemba’s stylish design and uncontrolled battle style made him a quick fan favorite. It took the might of Gogeta—Goku and Vegeta’s fusion—to finally end him. Stylish and frightening, this form left a lasting impact.
9. Potential Unleashed (Ultimate Gohan)
Following training under the Elder Kai, Gohan unlocked his complete latent potential in what is known as the Ultimate or Potential Unleashed state by fans. No flashy hair color change necessary, Gohan defeated Super Buu in a one-on-one battle, demonstrating that brute strength doesn’t necessarily come with a new hairstyle. Powerful yet subtle, this form demonstrated what Gohan was capable of at his best.
10. Super Saiyan 3
If you’re a fan of excessive energy and mile-long hairstyles, Super Saiyan 3 is your time. First introduced by Goku in the Other World, this form brought with it colossal power—and a similarly colossal energy drain. The extended scream, the dramatic unveiling, and the sheer visual spectacle of this form make it one of the franchise’s most iconic appearances, even if it’s not commonly employed in combat because of its limitations.
Dragon Ball has made its reputation on scenes such as these—transformations that raise the stakes, yes, but also demonstrate a character’s emotional and physical growth. Whether it’s an old standby like Super Saiyan or a movie-only behemoth like Super Janemba, these transformations have kept viewers in the loop for more and more, always wondering what the next big power-up will be.