Although becoming a Super Saiyan is a crucial event, some characters find it more difficult than others to get this power-up.
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Although there are numerous reasons why Dragon Ball is a cherished shonen anime, the Super Saiyans are still one of its most well-known concepts. Totemic transformations that elevate characters to new heights mark some of Dragon Ball’s most significant moments. The status of Super Saiyan transformations in Dragon Ball has changed throughout time, going from an uncommon privilege to an inevitable outcome.
Super Saiyans aren’t going anywhere, and characters keep learning about new phases in their transformation. Although the majority of Dragon Ball’s primary Saiyans have accomplished this feat, certain Saiyans have found the procedure to be more difficult than others.
10. Goku Black
One of Dragon Ball Super’s most ferocious antagonists, Goku Black is the outcome of Zamasu and Future Zamasu’s intensely committed goal to eradicate all mortals from existence. Zamasu takes Goku’s body using the Super Dragon Balls, then calls his new evil form Goku Black. All of Goku’s basic moves and transformations, including his Super Saiyan abilities, are already possessed by Goku Black.
During an early encounter with Vegeta, Goku, and Future Trunks, Goku Black debuts his Super Saiyan Rosé form for the first time. After Vegeta boasts about his own Super Saiyan Blue prowess, Goku Black effortlessly transforms into Super Saiyan Rosé. He then reveals this transformation.
9. Caulifla, Kale & Cabba
In the multiverse shown by Dragon Ball Super, Saiyans still have a thriving homeworld in Universe 6. The three Saiyans from Universe 6 that the heroes of Universe 7 get to know the best are Caulifla, Kale, and Cabba. Before Vegeta and Goku explain how Super Saiyans work, these three are totally unaware of them.
Each of these Saiyans demonstrates that they are experts in the subject and transforms easily. Caulifla masters it the quickest and turns into a Super Saiyan just by hearing the procedure. While Cabba’s initial Super Saiyan transformation comes in resistance to Vegeta’s threats regarding his friends and family, Kale’s metamorphosis is brought on by her anguish over constantly getting in Caulifla’s way.
8. Goten & Trunks
When it comes to Super Saiyan milestones, Dragon Ball Z becomes progressively lax. Instead of some fabled birthright, Goten and Trunks’ transformations are more like them learning how to ride a bike. Trunks and Goten initially turn into Super Saiyans at the ages of seven and eight, respectively. Goten, who is working out with Gohan, nonchalantly transforms into a Super Saiyan while making allusions to how he had previously been holding it back for Chi-Chi.
In contrast, Trunks’ transformation happens abruptly while working out with Vegeta in 150x gravity. Trunks is not outmatched by the strain of gravity. It seems like Trunks only changes because he has seen Goten do it. Vegeta’s view of Super Saiyans and the austerity of the metamorphosis are both challenged by this spectacle.
7. Bardock
The film Bardock – The Father of Goku, which details his final days on Planet Vegeta before Frieza decimates the Saiyan homeworld and him along with it, is Bardock’s best work. The canonical legitimacy of 2011’s Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock is debatable, but it’s an entertaining dream fulfilment. In a Bardock episode about time travel, Bardock encounters Chilled, Frieza’s ancestor, and is sent back several generations.
Bardock summons the requisite killer instinct to survive against Chilled and develop into a Super Saiyan by recalling Frieza’s Saiyan slaughter. Although Bardock’s metamorphosis is the result of suffering and sadness, neither the Saiyan nor himself seem to be much affected by it.
6. Gohan
Gohan, a character from Dragon Ball Z, grows from a baby to a heroic fighter. Gohan has endured trials, and several of his transformations, like as his ascent to Super Saiyan 2 and the new Gohan Beast form in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, had a negative impact on him. However, Gohan’s debut Super Saiyan transformation is handled fairly nonchalantly and, along with this upgrade, signifies the series’ shifting of the guard.
The circumstances behind Gohan’s Super Saiyan status are not very noteworthy. He is engaged in extensive training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with his father as they both get ready for Cell. Both Goku and Gohan are shocked as Gohan turns into a Super Saiyan, which perfectly captures how powerful Gohan has grown to be.
5. Broly
A popular character among fans, Broly is a big brawler who appeared in three Dragon Ball Z films before being fully incorporated into the series canon in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Although the basic strokes of the Legendary Super Saiyan’s origins stay the same, Broly introduces some significant changes. Paragus, Broly’s manipulative father, has been in charge of him for his entire life and has tortured him to make him do what he wants and be the greatest.
When Frieza murders Broly’s father in front of him to incite his fury and release the Super Saiyan within, he resorts to even more painful manipulation. Although Broly’s change is painful and horrifying, he doesn’t seem to have any special difficulty with it.
4. Future Gohan
Before Future Trunks goes back in time to alter history, The History of Trunks takes a thorough look at the sad events that killed out the majority of Earth’s heroes in this era. Future Trunks’ tutor and the strongest hero in that time period is a 23-year-old Future Gohan. Even though the audience doesn’t see Future Gohan’s initial Super Saiyan transformation, there is fairly compelling evidence that the circumstances exist when Android 17 finally defeats Super Saiyan Future Gohan.
Future Gohan is forced to see both the passing of his father and all of his closest friends. It’s probable that Future Gohan’s first Super Saiyan transformation was brought on by seeing these atrocities or by thinking back on his helplessness during these assaults.
3. Future Trunks
Although Future Trunks is a key figure in Dragon Ball Z, the story’s shattered future timeline is just as captivating. Future Trunks has one of the best character debuts ever, which is capped off by his unexpected Super Saiyan power. The difficult circumstances that drive Future Trunks to this level are described in the History of Trunks special. The majority of this special centres on Future Gohan and Future Trunks’ relationship as mentor and student. When Future Gohan is unable to match Android 17’s strength, he tragically meets his end.
When these strong feelings lead to his Super Saiyan transformation, Future Trunks regrets the loss of his teacher and worries about what will happen to his world. Beautifully illustrated, The History of Trunks vividly conveys Future Trunks’ suffering throughout this process.
2. Vegeta
Throughout his tenure on Planet Namek, Vegeta’s fixation with becoming the first Super Saiyan has been one of his main sources of motivation. Vegeta is devastated to discover that Goku actually has this title, not him, despite his claims to be this great character. The Saiyan embarks on a solo soul-searching expedition after seeing Vegeta’s execution by Frieza on Namek, which is a humiliating event.
Vegeta laments the unfairness of the world and explains why, despite a lifetime of hard work, he would never be able to match Goku’s strength. Vegeta’s raw emotions and deep humility are what propel him towards Super Saiyan strength. Even if it’s not as upsetting as watching a loved one die, Vegeta still experiences a lot of emotional turmoil.
1. Goku
One of the most iconic scenes in Dragon Ball is when Goku first becomes a Super Saiyan. The idea of a Super Saiyan is still merely a rumour at the time of Goku’s pivotal confrontation with Frieza on a collapsing Planet Namek. Goku makes an effort to match Frieza’s incredible strength, but as the latter brutally torments his friends and family, he starts to worry.
When Goku sees Frieza brutally destroying Krillin with his hands and then threatening Gohan’s life, he crosses a line. Due to the loss of his best friend and his inability to defeat Frieza, Goku is consumed with rage and hatred. Goku goes through the epic transformation at this point.