Dragon Ball and Saiyan transformations go hand in hand—like Goku and a bottomless bowl of ramen. They’re iconic, explosive, and always leave fans wanting more. Over the decades, the series has delivered some truly unforgettable power-ups that have defined anime history. But they’ve also stirred up plenty of debate. Whether you’re a fan of those blonde-haired warriors or are pining for the early days of oddball martial arts and magic, there’s no way to deny the impact of these changes. So, let’s level up and examine the 10 greatest Saiyan transformations in Dragon Ball history, with a bit of looking back.
1. Super Saiyan
This is the point at which everything changed. Goku’s initial Super Saiyan transformation in his battle with Frieza isn’t merely the highlight of Dragon Ball Z—it’s one of the most iconic moments in all of anime. Driven by the death of Krillin, Goku’s transformation brought us spiky golden locks, piercing blue-green eyes, and a power increase that seemed like an earthquake to the plot. It created an entirely new standard for what was achievable.
2. Super Saiyan 2
And if Super Saiyan was groundbreaking, Super Saiyan 2 was the surprise follow-up. Gohan’s Cell Games transformation—instigated by heartbreak and anger—provided us with more defined hair, seething energy, and a reminder that Goku wasn’t the only player in town with heavy-hitting abilities. The moment when Gohan finally takes center stage is still one of the strongest moments in the series.
3. Super Saiyan 3
Wild hair, no eyebrows, and more power to shake the planet—Super Saiyan 3 is Dragon Ball spectacle at its best. Goku’s transformation to battle Majin Buu stretched him to the limit, providing a form that was almost too much for him to contain. The drain on his energy was extreme, but the visual was indelible. It’s an example of how far Goku will stretch himself to defend his world, even if it costs him everything.
4. Super Saiyan 4
Whereas Dragon Ball GT might split people, Super Saiyan 4 unites them. It mixes the raw power of the Great Ape with a clean, vicious new appearance. Black hair, red fur, yellow eyes in this form look like a tip of the hat to Saiyan heritage and a bold new direction. It is not part of the canon of the main series, but people adore its brute force and eye-catching appearance.
5. Super Saiyan God
No one saw it coming when Dragon Ball Z concluded. No, not a new form quite like this. Super Saiyan God first appeared in Battle of Gods, bestowing Goku with a lean physique, red glowing locks, and godly power. It was the result of a ceremony involving five innocent Saiyans, introducing mythology into the fold and inaugurating an era of god-level fights.
6. Super Saiyan Blue
What do you get when you mix the Super Saiyan God’s power with that of the traditional Super Saiyan transformation? Super Saiyan Blue. With its serene, shining blue hair and aura, it appeared in Resurrection ‘F’ and immediately became a mainstay of Dragon Ball Super. Both Goku and Vegeta mastered it, employing their mastered power to face rivals like Golden Frieza.
7. Super Saiyan Rosé
Only Dragon Ball could grant us a change like this. Super Saiyan Rosé is Goku Black’s spin on Super Saiyan Blue, adding divine hubris to grace and evil. The pale pink hair and dark aura provide a touch of drama, and it ranks as one of the most visually stunning—and nefarious—forms in the show.
8. Legendary Super Saiyan
Broly’s Legendary Super Saiyan state is unadulterated chaos. Oversized muscles, green glow of hair, and an aura that yells devastation—it’s said to occur only once a millennium. Whether in the original films or the reimagined Dragon Ball Super, Broly’s raw power has left onlookers stunned. It’s crazy, unbridled, and unforgettable.
9. Super Saiyan Rage
Future Trunks is given his moment to shine with this great transformation in Dragon Ball Super. Powered by anger, rage, and determination, Super Saiyan Rage radiates both gold and blue energy. It’s a special form that provided the power needed for Trunks to counter overwhelming odds, and it once again showcases that emotion is what drives Saiyan power.
10. Golden Great Ape
Of course, the seemingly boundless wave of changes hasn’t gone uncriticized. Some think that constant emphasis on higher levels of power has overtaken the original charm of the series, where training, martial arts, and strategy were equal to sheer strength. Now, it feels at times like it is a matter of numbers, with the next huge form coming just over the horizon.
But whether you love them or hate them, Saiyan transformations are the core of Dragon Ball. They provide us with the epic scenes, the action-packed fight sequences, and the thrill we keep returning for. As long as Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Saiyans continue to take their bodies to the extreme, we’ll be right there behind them, waiting for them to transform once more.