Super Saiyan forms are one of the defining features of Dragon Ball. They reflect the evolution of Saiyan warriors, from primal power and rage to ki mastery and divine energy. Yet golden hair alone does not encompass this progression: Great Ape, Kaioken, Gohan’s forms, Broly’s transformations, and Vegeta’s Ultra Ego also play an essential role in this ever-rising scale of power.
Here are the main transformations and techniques associated with Saiyans, from the Great Ape form to the most recent states. To place these powers within their wider universe, also see Dragon Ball races explained.
The origins: Great Ape, Kaioken, and False Super Saiyan
Great Ape: the power of the Ōzaru
The Ōzaru, or Great Ape, is a transformation unique to beings with Saiyan heritage. It applies to pure-blooded Saiyans, but also to hybrids such as Gohan, Goten, and later Trunks. It is triggered by a full moon or by a Blutz Wave Ball, a technique that produces the waves required for the transformation.
This form multiplies a Saiyan’s power by ten. Their size, physical strength, and defensive capabilities increase considerably, at the expense of speed, agility, and, most often, intelligence. The fighter may then behave like a wild beast. Goku takes this form at the beginning of the original series against Emperor Pilaf. Vegeta and Gohan also use it in Dragon Ball Z.
In Dragon Ball GT, Baby Vegeta transforms into a Golden Great Ape. This version shows that a Saiyan can retain some awareness in this state. The form is inspired by the Monkey King from the Chinese epic Journey to the West.
Kaioken: an amplification technique
Kaioken is not a Super Saiyan form, but a technique developed by King Kai. Used by Goku from the Saiyan Saga onward, it temporarily amplifies his strength, speed, and senses according to a multiplier of his base power. Goku notably uses Kaioken x2, x3, and up to Kaioken x20.
Its use is dangerous: the higher the multiplier, the more extreme the strain on the body becomes. A crimson-red aura surrounds its user. Kaioken becomes especially notable when Goku combines it with Super Saiyan Blue. Find more attacks and powers in our guide to Dragon Ball techniques.
False Super Saiyan
Appearing in the film Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, False Super Saiyan is a precursor state to the true Super Saiyan. Driven by rage and desperation, Goku gains power and speed against Slug. His hair stands up without turning golden, while his eyes take on a blank appearance.
This temporary form possesses neither the power nor the control of an authentic Super Saiyan. It remains exclusive to this film and is rarely acknowledged in the main continuity.
The classic Super Saiyan levels
Super Saiyan: the legendary form
Goku first becomes a Super Saiyan on Namek during his battle against Frieza, following Krillin’s death. His base power is then multiplied by fifty. His hair turns golden, his eyes turquoise-green, and a fiery aura surrounds the Saiyan.
This transformation allows Goku to turn the tide of his fight against Frieza. Vegeta and Gohan later reach this level as well. Initially difficult to sustain because of its energy cost, Super Saiyan gradually becomes a form integrated into training and combat.
Super Saiyan 2: Gohan’s awakening
Super Saiyan 2 is first achieved by Gohan during the Cell Games, following Android 16’s death. This form doubles the power of Super Saiyan, bringing it to one hundred times base power. The hair becomes more spiked, the aura more intense, and electric sparks run through it.
Through this outburst of anger, Gohan surpasses Cell. Goku and Vegeta later master this stage as well. Super Saiyan 2 remains tied to Gohan’s exceptional emotional potential, while also highlighting the danger of excessive confidence in one’s own strength.
Super Saiyan 3: power that is hard to sustain
Goku reveals Super Saiyan 3 against Majin Buu. This form raises base power to a multiplier of four hundred. The hair grows extremely long, the eyebrows disappear, and the aura, crossed by lightning, becomes markedly more aggressive.
Super Saiyan 3 allows Goku to withstand Majin Buu, but it consumes an enormous amount of energy. He therefore cannot maintain it for long. Gotenks, the fusion of Goten and Trunks, also accesses this transformation against Buu.
Super Saiyan 4: a return to primal roots
Iconic to Dragon Ball GT, Super Saiyan 4 combines the primal energy of the Great Ape with the control of a humanoid form. It is attained by regaining control over a Golden Great Ape. Goku awakens it against Baby, and Vegeta later accesses it thanks to technology developed by Bulma.
The form is recognizable by its red fur, tail, developed musculature, longer black hair, and yellow eyes. Its blazing red aura and design set it far apart from the previous stages. Although Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon, Super Saiyan 4 remains highly popular.
Divine ki: God, Blue, Rosé, and Rage
Super Saiyan God and Saiyan Beyond God
Super Saiyan God appears in Dragon Ball Super when five pure-hearted Saiyans transfer their energy to a sixth. Goku reaches this state against Beerus. His hair and eyes turn red, his red-orange aura appears more ethereal, and his body takes on a leaner appearance.
This form enhances power, speed, and above all ki control. Saiyan Beyond God later refers to a state in which Goku and Vegeta have absorbed the power of Super Saiyan God into their base form, allowing them to use divine ki without major visual changes.
Super Saiyan Blue and Super Saiyan Rosé
Super Saiyan Blue, or Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, combines the divine ki of Super Saiyan God with the stability of Super Saiyan. The hair, eyes, and aura turn blue. This form demands immense concentration and highly precise energy management, as it remains costly to use.
Goku combines Blue with Kaioken, while Vegeta continues to refine this state. Super Saiyan Rosé is Goku Black’s variation: his hair and aura are pink. This difference comes from Zamasu’s divine ki within Goku’s body.
Super Saiyan Rage
Future Trunks reaches Super Saiyan Rage during the Goku Black arc. This form, whose exact nature is not fully explained, combines the general appearance of Super Saiyan 2 with an aura mixing gold and blue, along with lightning. Driven by his anger and his determination to protect his world, Trunks can then rival fighters using Super Saiyan Blue.
Broly, Gohan, and the Saiyans’ individual paths
Broly possesses a Wrathful Form that lets him harness the power of the Great Ape without taking on its appearance. His eyes turn yellow, his musculature grows, and his aura becomes green. His abilities become more instinctive and destructive.
His Legendary Super Saiyan represents an even higher level: massive musculature, green hair and aura, uncontrollable rage, and power that continues to grow as the battle goes on. Broly can then surpass Goku and Vegeta, even in their most powerful forms.
Gohan follows a different path. His Ultimate form, also called Potential Unleashed, is awakened by Old Kai during the Buu Saga. It releases his potential without the usual physical changes of Super Saiyan and without any particular energy consumption. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Gohan later reaches Beast against Cell Max: his hair becomes long and silver, his eyes turn red, and his electric aura conveys the scale of his awakening.
Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego: Goku and Vegeta at their peak
Ultra Instinct is a technique reached by Goku during the Tournament of Power against Jiren, after absorbing the energy of his own Spirit Bomb. This state allows the body to react to attacks without conscious thought. Silver hair, bright eyes, and a radiant aura accompany a dramatic increase in speed, precision, and power.
Extremely difficult to maintain, Ultra Instinct places considerable strain on Goku’s body. It is not simply a boost in strength, but a different way of fighting based on instinct.
Ultra Ego is Vegeta’s answer in the Dragon Ball Super manga. Taught by Beerus, this form draws on the power of destruction and Vegeta’s offensive mindset. His hair turns dark purple, his muscular mass increases, and his aura becomes more ominous. Unlike Ultra Instinct, Ultra Ego favors aggression: Vegeta grows stronger as he takes damage.
FAQ about Super Saiyan forms
What is the first Saiyan transformation in Dragon Ball?
Great Ape is the first transformation shown. Goku takes this form in the original series under the light of a full moon.
Which Super Saiyan form does Gohan achieve against Cell?
Gohan achieves Super Saiyan 2 during the Cell Games, following Android 16’s death.
Is Super Saiyan 4 canon?
Super Saiyan 4 appears in Dragon Ball GT, a work that is not considered canon.
What is the difference between Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego?
Ultra Instinct is based on instinctive reactions, evasion, and precision. Ultra Ego represents Vegeta’s offensive path, built on the power of destruction and strength that rises as he takes damage.
