Every Dragon Ball Saiyan's Strongest Transformation

Saiyans are pivotal in Dragon Ball, with transformations key to their popularity and strength.
Characters like Gohan, Cabba, Kale, and Broly also showcase unique and powerful Saiyan abilities.
Goku’s Ultra Instinct and Gohan’s new Beast mode shake up the hierarchy of Saiyan power.

Dragon Ball isn’t lacking in powerful heroes, but the Saiyans have become the franchise’s most popular fighters. There’s often a myopic perspective to the series’ storytelling where it feels as if Saiyans are the only characters strong enough to protect the universe. One of the biggest reasons Saiyans have become such crucial Dragon Ball characters is that they can transcend to new power tiers though their prolific Super Saiyan transformations.

These transformations have become as plentiful as the Saiyans themselves and they continue to get pushed to new heights. The Saiyans’ popularity has resulted in many new and exciting characters – as well as transformations – making appearances in Dragon Ball movies, video games, and supplemental promotional series, like Super Dragon Ball Heroes. That’s why it’s important to ascertain which Saiyans are actually canon and just how strong they can become.

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every dragon ball saiyan's strongest transformation

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Pan Is A Triumphant Three-Year-Old Destined For Greatness

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 289, “Granddaughter Pan”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 324 (Dragon Ball Chapter 518), “10 Years After”

One of Dragon Ball’s most gratifying elements is how it’s not afraid to depict the passage of time and allow its characters to grow older and start families. Pan, Gohan’s daughter and Goku’s granddaughter, hasn’t been given much to do considering she’s only three years old. Even then, it’s very clear that Pan is fated to be one of Earth’s strongest fighters and that heroism runs through her veins. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Pan confidently beats up several Red Ribbon soldiers and masters flight at an earlier age than anyone else in her family.

She’s also deep into training with Piccolo, which is guaranteed to improve her skills and set her up for greatness. Dragon Ball Z’s Peaceful World Saga depicts a slightly older Pan who’s able to hold her own against teenage Goten, which is also no small feat. There’s little doubt that Pan will one day become a Super Saiyan, but such a transformation has yet to occur – even in Dragon Ball GT, where she steadily fights by Goku’s side. She’s only experienced base level Saiyan strength, but with any luck Dragon Ball Super will amend this by the end of the manga’s run.

Bardock Is A Tragic Saiyan Who Meets His End With Planet Vegeta

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 78, “Fighting Power: One Million??”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 113 (Dragon Ball Chapter 307), “The Ultimate Battle Begins!”

Goku’s father, Bardock is a fascinating Dragon Ball figure who’s largely been restricted to flashback appearances due to how he perishes long before Dragon Ball begins. Bardock – The Father of Goku, Dragon Ball Super: Broly’s Planet Vegeta prologue, and the more recent manga flashbacks to his clash with Gas on Planet Cereal all demonstrate that Bardock is a strong and resourceful Saiyan. Many Saiyans thrive on violence, but there’s a softer side to Bardock that gives Goku a great sense of comfort even if he’s unable to meet his warrior dad.

Like Pan, Bardock never canonically becomes Super Saiyan. That said, Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock is a curious adventure in retconning that indicates Bardock didn’t actually die during Planet Vegeta’s destruction, but was instead sent through time to the past. Episode of Bardock rewards Bardock with Super Saiyan as he takes on Chilled, Frieza’s ancestor, but this isn’t canon. Super Dragon Ball Heroes and various Dragon Ball video games go even further and an alternate version of the character, Xeno Bardock, achieves Super Saiyan 3.

A Saiyan transforming, a Great Ape, and Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball.

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Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks Elevates Goten & Trunks To New Heights

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 251, “Gotenks Is Born”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 286 (Dragon Ball Chapter 480), “The Fusion Succeeds…?!”

Fusion is a somewhat polarizing Dragon Ball procedure that allows several individuals to pool together their strength and skills into one superior warrior. Goten and Trunks are both exceptional Saiyan warriors who achieve Super Saiyan status far earlier than anyone else in their families, but their power significantly multiples when they fuse together to become Gotenks. Besides Goku, Gotenks is the only other Saiyan who canonically achieves Super Saiyan 3. This is a huge deal when it’s revealed during Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga.

Unfortunately, Gotenks has experienced diminishing returns and his strength doesn’t seem to have improved at all in Dragon Ball Super, despite how Goten and Trunks are now teenagers. These two are certainly entitled to enjoy their youth and not be purely focused on martial arts. This means that their tremendous potential has become quite generic and they’ve even started to be viewed as gag characters rather than genuine Saiyan soldiers.

Cabba, Caulifla, & Kale Learned Super Saiyan 2 Faster Than Anyone

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 32, “The Matches Begin! We’re All Off To The ‘Planet With No Name!'” (Cabba), Episode 88, “Gohan And Piccolo Master And Pupil Clash In Max Training!” (Caulifla), Episode 89, “A Mysterious Beauty Appears! The Enigma Of The Tien Shin-Style Dojo?” (Kale); Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 7, “Warriors From Universe 6” (Cabba), Chapter 32, “The Super Warriors Gather! Part 2” (Caulifla & Kale)

Dragon Ball Super introduces a whole multiverse of possibilities and one of the more appealing developments to come out of this revelation is that Universe 6 still has a thriving Saiyan homeworld. Cabba, Kale, and Caulifla are Universe 6’s top Saiyans, despite having no Super Saiyan knowledge or experience when they’re first introduced. They only need to be around the Universe 7 crew for a limited time before they easily transform into Super Saiyans and prove to be naturals in the field.

Cabba, Kale, and Caulifla all quickly ascend to Super Saiyan 2 and Caulifla nearly tops this milestone to become a Super Saiyan 3. Kale is also a special individual as she’s Universe 6’s Legendary Super Saiyan, which is an accomplishment in itself. Kale and Caulifla remain at the Super Saiyan 2 milestone in their fused form, Kefla, but they’re still able to take advantage of Kale’s Legendary Super Saiyan power and fight at a higher level that seems to be on par with Super Saiyan Blue skills.

Super Saiyan Rage Future Trunks Becomes His Fractured Timeline’s Savior

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 119, “The Mysterious Youth”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 136 (Dragon Ball Chapter 330), “The Coming Of King Cold”

Future Trunks is one of Dragon Ball’s greatest characters and his Super Saiyan introduction remains an unforgettable moment in the franchise. Future Trunks’ training during the Cell Games elevates his power to the unpopular Super Saiyan Third Grade transformation, which he continues to utilize in Dragon Ball Super, despite its slow and bulky status. Future Trunks becomes the unexpected MVP during the heroes’ battle against Goku Black and Zamasu. Their fused form, Merged Zamasu, is such a powerful threat that not even Vegito Blue can destroy this menace.

Future Trunks proves just what he’s capable of when he experiences a Super Saiyan Rage boost that makes him far more dangerous than his standard Super Saiyan self. Super Saiyan Rage Future Trunks, who is sometimes just referred to as Super Trunks, channels the collective power of a Spirit Bomb into his signature weapon. Super Saiyan Rage Future Trunks’ Sword of Hope slices Merged Zamasu in half and prompts Future Zeno’s intervention once Merged Zamasu festers into Infinite Zamasu.

Goku in his Super Saiyan form, and Goku fighting Frieza.

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Legendary Super Saiyan Broly Is A Jarring Juggernaut Of Pure Power

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super: Broly; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 42, “Battle’s End And Aftermath”

Dragon Ball’s Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly is a special individual who’s only born every 1,000 years. Broly was the focus of three Dragon Ball Z movies, but he didn’t officially enter the franchise’s canon until Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the series’ first feature film. Dragon Ball Super’s version of Broly is superior to his Dragon Ball Z counterpart and he’s so powerful that he pushes Goku and Vegeta to fuse together to fight as Gogeta Blue.

Broly cycles through several transformations that take advantage of his legendary status, such as his Wrathful Form, Super Saiyan state, and his Full Power Legendary Super Saiyan status. Full Powerful Legendary Super Saiyan Broly is unstable and extremely dangerous in this form, but he’s since learned how to control this power after his intense training on Beerus’ Planet alongside Goku and Vegeta. Goku briefly wonders if Gohan’s Beast mode would be a good fit for Broly, and it’s likely that a new transformation awaits the character in the future.

Vegito & Gogeta Both Push The Limits Of Super Saiyan Blue

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 268, “Union Of Rivals” (Vegito); Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Gogeta); Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 309 (Dragon Ball Chapter 503), “The Ultimate Combination!! (Vegito); N/A (Gogeta)

Fusion introduces endless possibilities to Dragon Ball, but few are as exciting as the combination of the series’ strongest Saiyans and greatest rivals, Goku and Vegeta. Goku and Vegeta initially use the Potara Earrings to fuse into Vegito during the battle against Super Buu, only for this fusion to make a surprise return during Dragon Ball Super’s Goku Black Saga. Dragon Ball Super: Broly also canonically brings Goku and Vegeta’s fusion dance union, Gogeta, into the series as the heroes’ only hope of taking down Broly.

Both Vegito and Gogeta reach their limit at Super Saiyan Blue, which is appropriate since it’s the last transformation that Goku and Vegeta share before they head down different paths. Super Dragon Ball Heroes has also explored the impact of Super Saiyan 4 Vegito and Gogeta, the latter of which is also present in Dragon Ball GT. However, Super Saiyan Blue remains their greatest canon form.

True Ultra Instinct Goku Elevates The Saiyan To Godly Heights

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 1, “The Secret Of The Dragon Balls”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 1, “Bloomers And The Monkey King”

Goku is Dragon Ball’s perennial protagonist and the first Saiyan who gets introduced in the franchise, even if his extraterrestrial status doesn’t come to light until Dragon Ball Z. Goku becomes Dragon Ball’s initial Super Saiyan and he’s usually the first one to reach any new transformative milestones. Dragon Ball Super pushes Goku down the Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue path until he stumbles upon Ultra Instinct, which becomes his priority. Ultra Instinct is a zen-like state that’s actually the primary form of Dragon Ball’s Angels.

Goku rises through the ranks of Autonomous Ultra Instinct, Ultra Instinct Sign, and Perfected Ultra Instinct, before he reaches the transformation’s apex, True Ultra Instinct. Additionally, Goku Black is one of Dragon Ball Super’s most vigorous villains. He’s treated like an independent character, but is still actually Goku after his body has been stolen by Zamasu. Goku Black isn’t around for long enough to experiment with Ultra Instinct strength, but he pioneers a unique transformation that he names Super Saiyan Rosé, which is on par with Super Saiyan Blue power. Super Dragon Ball Heroes reveals that there are additional tiers to Super Saiyan Rosé, but only the original is canon.

Vegeta, Goku, and Gogeta Super Saiyan 4

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Ultra Ego Vegeta Is The Perfect Mix Of Raw Saiyan Rage & Pure Aggression

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 5, “Gohan’s Rage”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 10 (Dragon Ball Chapter 204), “The Needs Of The Many”

So much of Vegeta’s role in Dragon Ball has been defined by how he compares to Goku. The friendly rivalry between these two Saiyans as they endlessly match each other’s milestones is entertaining, but it’s a dynamic that’s become progressively stale. Vegeta never achieves Super Saiyan 3, but he still manages to ascend to Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue status, as well as Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball GT. Vegeta does solid work with his Super Saiyan Blue form and even pushes it past its limits with the rare Super Saiyan Blue Evolved transformation.

However, Vegeta is wise to forge his own path when he quickly discovers that Goku’s new Ultra Instinct transformation isn’t meant for his more reactionary and stubborn demeanor. Instead, Vegeta perfects his own godly counterpart to Ultra Instinct, Ultra Ego, which is a transformation that actively feeds on pain and abuse. Ultra Ego Vegeta’s growing power is based upon how much damage he accrues. It’s a dangerous concept, but one that plays to the Saiyan’s strengths.

Gohan Beast Is Dragon Ball Super’s Strongest Saiyan (For Now)

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 1, “The New Threat”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 2, (Dragon Ball Chapter 196), “Kakarrot”

Gohan’s dormant power has been teased right from Dragon Ball Z’s start, but it’s been a rocky road when it comes to him achieving his true potential. Gohan taps into Super Saiyan at a young age and he becomes the series’ first Super Saiyan 2 when he rises to the occasion and defeats Cell. Gohan’s adult years are fraught with ambivalence and the Ultimate upgrade he receives during the Buu Saga doesn’t turn out to be the groundbreaking transformation that it’s set up to be. Gohan spends the majority of Dragon Ball Super in Goku and Vegeta’s shadows, but the series has recently rectified this oversight with its Super Hero Saga.

Gohan’s battle against Cell Max triggers a surprising transformation – Beast mode – that’s seemingly turned him into Dragon Ball’s strongest Saiyan. Gohan Beast is a transformation that’s unique to him, yet it seems to be superior to Goku, Vegeta, and Broly’s current strength. Gohan Beast is such a significant power upgrade that Beerus even considers if the Saiyan would make a good God of Destruction candidate. Dragon Ball Super has only scratched the surface of this new and powerful transformation, but it’s sure to play a significant role in the coming battle against Black Frieza.

Cast of Dragon Ball Z leaping towards the camera in Anime Poster

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.

Created byAkira ToriyamaFirst FilmDragon Ball: Curse of the Blood RubiesLatest FilmDragon Ball Super: Super HeroFirst TV ShowDragon BallLatest TV ShowDragon Ball SuperUpcoming TV ShowsDragon Ball DAIMAFirst Episode Air DateApril 26, 1989CastBrian Drummond, Scott McNeil, Christopher Sabat, Laura Bailey, Sean SchemmelCurrent SeriesDragon Ball Super