From Super Saiyan to Beast, we’re diving into the first appearances of each transformation in the manga and anime!
Are you a fan of the thrilling, action-packed world of Dragon Ball? If so, you’re probably well-versed in the awe-inspiring transformations that have captivated our hearts since the days of Dragon Ball Z. With the franchise’s revival through Dragon Ball Super, we’ve been blessed with even more mind-blowing power-ups. Today, let’s embark on a chronological journey, exploring the first appearances of each transformation in the manga and anime!
Super Saiyan
The first major transformation that left us all speechless back in the Dragon Ball Z era. Goku unveiled the legendary Super Saiyan form, a power level that was previously thought to be mere folklore. This paved the way for other characters like Vegeta and Trunks to tap into this extraordinary power.
- Manga: Chapter 317 of Dragon Ball.
- Anime: Episode 95 of Dragon Ball Z.
Super Saiyan 2
With Goku introducing the original Super Saiyan form, it was time for his son to take things to the next level. The Super Saiyan 2 transformation shattered the limits of Saiyan power, achieving a state that was never even mentioned in legends. Gohan became the strongest warrior on Earth for a time, much to the dismay of the Saiyan Prince.
- Manga: Chapter 408 of Dragon Ball.
- Anime: Episode 184 of Dragon Ball Z.
Super Saiyan 3
In a surprising twist, Dragon Ball Z’s Majin Buu saga shifted the spotlight back to Goku. He had not been idly wasting his time in the afterlife, as he returned to unveil the incredibly epic Super Saiyan 3 form. While the transformation didn’t bring many victories, it’s undeniably a visual spectacle.
- Manga: Chapter 474 of Dragon Ball.
- Anime: Episode 245 of Dragon Ball Z.
Ultimate Gohan
Long believed to be a technique, Ultimate Gohan was recently revealed as a hybrid transformation that surpassed even the Super Saiyan 3 form. With this power-up, Gohan could unleash his full potential, leading to some truly epic moments in the final stretch of Dragon Ball Z.
- Manga Debut: Chapter 496 of Dragon Ball.
- Anime Debut: Episode 268 of Dragon Ball Z.
Super Saiyan God
What happens when a Saiyan transcends their own power and merges with divine energy? The birth of the Super Saiyan God, of course! Goku had reached the Saiyan power ceiling and couldn’t progress further… until Beerus and Whis intervened. Through a special ritual, a pure-hearted Saiyan could ascend to unprecedented power levels.
- Manga: Chapter 4 of Dragon Ball Super.
- Anime: The Battle of Gods movie and Episode 9 of Dragon Ball Super.
Super Saiyan Blue
Super Saiyan Blue was the natural evolution of the Super Saiyan God form. Essentially, Super Saiyan God was a Saiyan’s divine-infused base state, while Super Saiyan Blue was the result of applying the Super Saiyan transformation to that power. Goku Black later introduced the Super Saiyan Rosé variant, and Goku and Vegeta developed their own enhanced versions through Kaioken and the ‘Evolution’ of Super Saiyan Blue.
- Manga: Chapter 5 of Dragon Ball Super.
- Anime: The Resurrection of F movie and Episode 24 of Dragon Ball Super.
Mastered Ultra Instinct
Goku struggled to grasp it, but he eventually unlocked the Mastered Ultra Instinct form. Although Ultra Instinct is primarily a technique, this form adapts it as a transformation to accommodate Goku’s power. After a long stint with Super Saiyan Blue in Dragon Ball Super, Mastered Ultra Instinct once again shook up the power scales, bringing Goku closer to the realm of the Angels.
- Manga: Chapter 41 of Dragon Ball Super.
- Anime: Episode 129 of Dragon Ball Super.
Golden Frieza
Goku and Vegeta weren’t the only ones to develop new power-ups in Dragon Ball Super. Frieza returned with a vengeance, introducing the Golden Frieza form. This was the first transformation he achieved through rigorous training, and it was clear that he had the potential to quickly surpass Goku and Vegeta’s divine forms. A truly epic revelation!
- Manga: Chapter 37 of Dragon Ball Super.
- Anime: The Resurrection of F movie and Episode 25 of Dragon Ball Super.
Ultra Ego
When Goku mastered Ultra Instinct, it seemed logical that Vegeta would either find a way to catch up or be left behind. Fortunately, the Prince of Saiyans rose to the occasion, unveiling the Ultra Ego form in the manga. Fans are eagerly anticipating its anime debut in Dragon Ball Super!
- Manga: Chapter 74.
- Anime: To be determined.
Black Frieza
In an arc where Goku and Vegeta were constantly clashing with Granolah and Gas, two warriors vying for the title of the universe’s strongest, Black Frieza appeared out of nowhere, effortlessly defeating both Goku’s Ultra Instinct and Vegeta’s Ultra Ego forms. This was the only time we’ve seen this form, and anticipation is high for its next appearance!
- Manga: Chapter 87 of Dragon Ball Super.
- Anime: To be determined.
Orange Piccolo
Piccolo was one of the last characters we expected to receive a transformation at this stage. However, a wish granted by Shenron led to the imposing Orange Piccolo form, which significantly boosts the Namekian’s physical strength. This power-up was first showcased in the Super Hero movie and will soon make its way to the episodic anime.
- Manga: Chapter 95.
- Anime: Super Hero movie, to be determined in the episodic anime.
Beast
The most powerful and unexpected transformation for Gohan. In the Super Hero movie, Gohan unleashed the Beast form after a surge of anger, instantly putting him on par with his father, who had been relentlessly training with a God of Destruction and an Angel.
- Manga: Chapter 99.
- Anime: Super Hero movie, to be determined in the episodic anime.
I can’t wait for the Granolah the Survivor arc to be animated, just to witness the epic moments of the Ultra Ego and Black Frieza transformations. I firmly believe that these two arcs are the best of Dragon Ball Super, and I’m confident that the series will once again take the internet by storm, as it did with the introduction of Mastered Ultra Instinct.
