There’s no doubt thatDragon Ballloves introducing new transformations for its characters. Because of this, Goku as the protagonist has gotten several emblematic forms throughout the series' run. This reflectsDragon Ball’s theme of the Saiyan race’s constant search for strength and their evolving nature as warriors who, upon confronting powerful enemies and facing death situations, are able to stand up and become stronger.
Either achieving them in an emotional moment or thanks to arduous training, each of Goku’s transformations is iconic and has been a milestone in his journey, showing his development in the story. While some have been more in the spotlight, Goku’s constant evolution makes it easy for fans to miss some of the key details like the sheer power, evolution and drawbacks that make some forms stronger than others.
12Great Ape
First Appearance:Dragon BallEpisode 12
Like all Saiyans with tails, Goku was capable of turning into a giant apeif he stared at the full moon, allowing him to unleash the power of his race but at the cost of becoming a beast without reason. However, this mindless destruction was what prompted the Saiyans to use this transformation as a weapon to conquer planets and overpower their enemies thanks to an artificial moon, with some being able to control it.
The great ape is a powerful and frightening transformation but has conditions to use it and can be defeated by cutting his tail, which makes it weaker than other forms.Also, Goku unleashed his full potential after drinking the Ultra Divine Water. Furthermore, Goku later achieved higher powers that left aside the feral form of the Saiyans and that he could use consciously.
11Kaioken
First Appearance:Dragon Ball ZEpisode 29
Although it’s a technique, the Kaioken has been counted by many as a transformation for its distinctive aura and power boost. Goku learned Kaioken from King Kai and increased his power exponentially by multiplying his strength and speed, but only temporarily. However, despite its effects, it’s a double-edged sword since,after using this technique at high levels, the body takes a huge physical toll, leaving it exhausted or even damaged if it’s used beyond its capacity.
Even though it displays Goku’s personality of wanting to push his limits and doesn’t have previous conditions like Ozaru, the fact that it has such a drawback puts it in a low position respecting other transformations that merely drain stamina. However, the Kaioken, in combination with other transformations, is very effective and often gives Goku the upper hand.
10Super Saiyan
First Appearance:Dragon Ball ZEpisode 95
TheSuper Saiyan transformation marked a major turning point for Goku and the seriesas it revealed that he was able to tap into the legendary Saiyan power. This first Saiyan form was triggered by intense emotion, with a golden aura and hair, and a significant power boost.
Goku enters a state of rage that he cannot contain, so when he awakens the form after Frieza killed Krillin, he tells Son Gohan to flee from the planet Namek since he doesn’t know if he will be able to control this new power. This rage clouds his judgment, which explains why Goku cannot use the spirit bomb in this form, but also turned the fight around after being previously in favor of Frieza despite Goku having used Kaioken. Goku later mastered his power to maintain this state at all times, achieving total control over his body, but it was the first of many Saiyan transformations for the hero.
9Super Saiyan 2
First Appearance:Dragon Ball ZEpisode 185
Although Gohan was the first Saiyan to achieve the SSJ2 form when he fought Cell, Goku later revealed in the Majin Buu Saga that he perfected it while training in the afterlife with King Kaio. Upon awakening, this new level gave Goku a notable increase in all combat parameters compared to the standard Super Saiyan transformation, strength and speed, his hair becomes longer, and his aura has intense lightning electrical bursts.
Dragon Ball: All The Super Saiyan Levels Ranked Weakest To Strongest
Twenty years ago, the Super Saiyan form was the cream of the crop. Today, it barely scratches the surface of a Saiyan’s power level.
Goku fights Vegeta using the SSJ2 form after he allows himself to be dominated by Babidi to achieve the transformation. While it was one of the coolest-looking forms and the most used in the Majin Buu Saga, it became less frequently used by the hero later in the series after discovering stronger forms.
8Super Saiyan 3
First Appearance:Dragon Ball ZEpisode 245
Goku started mastering the Saiyan transformations, andSuper Saiyan level 3 is the maximum power he reaches inDragon Ball Z. Super Saiyan 3 gives Goku one of his most impactful transformation sequences and a significant increase in power, but also high energy consumption, lack of eyebrows, and long hair.
Also, despite being the most intimidating-looking and powerful natural Saiyan form, it was used kind of as a last resort because of the high toll such power takes on Goku for his stamina and energy drain, so he can only maintain it for a short time. This disadvantage makes it a transformation that serves as a transition to more polished ones, such as Super Saiyan 4. It was also demonstrated inBattle of Godsthat it’s a power that cannot stand up to gods like Beerus.
7Golden Great Ape
First Appearance:Dragon Ball GTEpisode 33
The Golden Great Ape, also known as Golden Ozaru, is an exclusive transformation ofDragon Ball GTand can only be used by those that have reached the Super Saiyan form and have a tail. Although it has the same characteristics, it’s significantly more powerful than the normal Great Ape, differentiating itself by having golden fur. In this transformation, Goku loses control and becomes a threat, creating a wave of chaos and destruction in his wake.
Just like the Great Ape multiplies the power level of a Saiyan, Goku achieves an even higher level with this form that combines the Super Saiyan and Great Ape. While it’s considered stronger than Super Saiyan 3, after Goku is able to control himself and regain his senses, it becomes the previous step to unlocking the legendary Super Saiyan 4.
6Super Saiyan 4
First Appearance:Dragon Ball GTEpisode 35
Although it’s known as Super Saiyan 4, it has its own distinct form as it doesn’t follow the usual linearity of the previous states nor its physical appearance, since Goku achieves this transformation by managing to control the Golden Oozaru. Despite the continueddebate overDragon Ball GTbeing canon, Super Saiyan 4 is undoubtedly one of the best designs for a Goku form and holds the title of his most powerful state untilDragon Ball Super.
SSJ4 is the physical representation of having become one with the power and inheritance of the Saiyan lineage, which is said to allow you to unleash your full potential battle power to its limits. Additionally, this transformation doesn’t consume a lot of energy like SSJ3, but the change in the essence of ki in the Super Saiyan God form that allows Goku to challenge Beerus makes it much more powerful.
5Super Saiyan God
First Appearance:Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods&Dragon Ball SuperEpisode 9
According to the premonition of Beerus, the God of Destruction, the Super Saiyan God equates to the power of a god. However, to achieve this form, it’s necessary to do a ritual involving five other Saiyans, which grants Goku divine powers and great stamina. Super Saiyan God not only has better ki control, preventing others from feeling the user’s strength, but also improves the energy leakage that represents a problem in Super Saiyan 2 and 3.
Every Gohan Form in Dragon Ball History Ranked From Weakest to Strongest
Gohan is Goku’s beloved son, introduced in Dragon Ball Z, and he’s so strong that even his base forms eclipses the talents of other characters.
This was the first transformation introduced inDragon Ball Super, and although it wasn’t enough to defeat Beerus, it still allowed Goku to compete with god-level threats and was a turning point in the series shifting to universe-level battles. However, SSG uses the godly ki in a base form. This way, SSG loses against Super Saiyan Blue, since this form serves as a bluer, upgraded Super Saiyan version that maximizes its abilities, although more unstable.
4Super Saiyan Blue
First Appearance:Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’&Dragon Ball SuperEpisode 24
Super Saiyan Blue is a refined transformation based on the combination of Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan that Goku achieves after learning to master divine ki to face Golden Frieza. By balancing the attributes of his new godly ki and multiplying its powers with the boost of his Super Saiyan abilities, it is a much more powerful transformation than the previous ones, becoming the most used by Goku duringDragon Ball Super.
Furthermore, it stands out because having better control of ki than the first transformations can be combined with the Kaioken technique, resulting in Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken, which doesn’t suffer from the serious drawbacks caused by the constant power output like in the previous Super Saiyan form that made Goku stop using the technique until his fight with Hit.
3Perfected Super Saiyan Blue
First Appearance:Dragon Ball SuperChapter 24
Perfected Super Saiyan Blue is an exclusive transformation from theDragon Ball Supermanga in which Goku manages to completely dominate and bring his Super Saiyan Blue to its full potential to match the power of Zamas Fusion and learn to use the divine technique of destruction.
Dragon Ball: All 21 Canon Super Saiyan Transformations
Most Dragon Ball fans have heard of the Super Saiyan transformation, but there are most versions of this power-up than it may first appear.
This far exceeds the Super Saiyan Blue-based form, which is only considered a power-up version of Super Saiyan God by Beerus and is differentiated by the complete absence of the aura. However, this transformation requires immense concentration at all times since it presents the risk that the godly ki erupts, damaging the body. The most powerful aspect of this form is that it allows Goku to use Hakai, even though it isn’t at the same level as the God of destruction.
