Dragon Ball Z is a pillar of the anime community. Nearly everyone has watched it at some time in their life, whether they are a fan or not. But if you were to ask any person about what they know about Dragon Ball, they would tell you one of two things long, drawn-out fights with screaming and Goku.
Goku is the series’ main protagonist and has become an icon who represents anime as a whole. As the star of the first series, Goku is beloved by the fandom and is said to be the strongest character in anime history. This is primarily due to his many transformations, which range from iconic to downright broken. Below are his transformations ranked from weakest to strongest.
12. Super Saiyan
One of the series and anime’s most iconic moments is Goku’s fight with Frieza on the planet of Namek. This is where we see the rivalry between Vegeta and Goku become a friendship of sorts, Gohan moving away from his father’s shadow, the origin of the Dragon Balls, and finally, we witness Goku surpass all his limits by becoming the first Super Saiyan in years. This is the bases of all of Goku’s future transformations, and it may be overshadowed nowadays, but when it was first shown, the power amp it gave Goku was enough to toy with Frieza and rout him. It manifests a Saiyan’s true fighter instincts and emotions brought out by significant loss or unyielding ambition.
11. Super Saiyan 2
Super Saiyan 2 has gained a bit of infamy in the fandom as it is one of the most unused transformations by Goku. It was first shown when Gohan fought the cell, and soon afterward, Goku and Vegeta attained it by training. Goku has only used it a handful of times and hasn’t even fought a named villain in this form. He mainly uses it when he tries to go into Super Saiyan 3. Popularity aside, it is an even bigger amp for a Saiyan, as Gohan could easily beat cell using this form. Vegeta and Future Trunks also gained massive power-ups by using them in the movies.
10. Super Saiyan 3
When you look into the memes of Dragon Ball Z, you will find countless ones that make fun of having longer hair by powering up. This transformation was the root of all those memes. In the series, only Gotenks and Goku can achieve this transformation. It was first shown off against the fights with Majin Buu. For Goku, it is said to be the most potent form in the original series, as all of his stats get a massive power-up. Using it, he nearly beat Majin Buu, but that is where its weakness comes into play. It is tough to achieve, let alone maintain, due to the Saiyan tail being needed to stabilize the transformation.
9. Super Saiyan 4
GT is regarded as one of the weakest shows in the Dragon Balls catalog. Yet there are many fans of it. Primarily due to Super Saiyan 4, which is regarded either as the most potent transformation or non-canon by fans. To achieve this state, a Saiyan must have his tail and transform into the Golden Ape under a full moon; after that, he must battle his primal urges. Only then can he achieve Super Saiyan 4. It is a complete upgrade ass. Goku, in this form, was able to beat a baby with no problem, whereas he didn’t even stand a chance with Super Saiyan 3. It doesn’t share the golden hair of the previous transformations and is regarded by many as the most remarkable transformation yet.
8. Super Saiyan God
In modern times it is the bases of all of Goku’s future transformations. It first appeared in a movie where Goku faced the strongest being in his universe Beerus. To achieve this state, you must perform a ritual where five Saiyans gather and give their strength to a single Saiyan. This results in the Super Saiyan God, which is different from regular Super Saiyan as it utilizes some god ki and has a red aura with matching hair. In this state, Goku could fight Berus for a short time but eventually lost as it had a stringent time limit. Beerus regarded this transformation as being far more potent than Super Saiyan 3.
7. Super Saiyan Blue
This transformation functions as Super Saiyan but utilizes god ki instead of normal ki. This results in a blue aura and hair. Goku and Vegeta achieved this state after their training with Beerus and Whis. It is the strongest variant of the Super Saiyan yet, and Goku, with this, was quickly able to defeat a newer Golden Frieza. It also has a time limit and is very exhaustive.
6. Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken
First appearing in the battle between universes 6 and 7. Goku uses this in his battle with Hit. By using the god ki and boosting with the kaioken technique, Goku can again surpass his limits and be able to stop Hit from using his time-stop ability. It has also shown up in other fights where Goku has needed a boost to win.
5. Perfected Super Saiyan Blue
To address the poor stamina and performance of Super Saiyan Blue, Goku started to train in endurance. This leads him to hone the transformation to perfection and be able to use it indefinitely without a time limit. But it requires a lot of skill and concentration to maintain, as said by Vegeta, that it is a high-risk high reward form.
4. Ultra-Instinct Sign
After Goku witnesses Ultra Instinct from Beerus, he trains and tries his best to unlock it for the tournament of power, where all the best fighters of the universe compete. But he can only use the Sign version of the transformation in his fight against Kefla, the legendary Super Saiyan of her universe. In this form, Goku is untouchable as he gains the perfect defense against anyone. But he cannot attack and is unable to feel his emotions.
3. Perfected Ultra Instinct
In his fight with Jiren, Goku perfected his Ultra Instinct transformation. With this, he can fight Jiren at his full power and even beat back Jiren. Beerus regards it nearly the same as his version. But due to the massive strain and heat it generates, which weakens the user, Goku cannot maintain it. The lack of emotions also hinders Goku as Saiyans fight at their fullest with emotions.
2. Goku Giant Form
In his fight against Earth, Moro Goku can channel his ki in the ultra-instinct form to transform into a giant ki version of himself. This serves the purpose of fighting large enemies such as Moro or Gas. It uses a boost from Grand Kaio Shin’s divine chi and is more substantial than the normal perfected ultra-instinct.
1. True Ultra Instinct
It is the final and most recent transformation Goku has achieved as of the super manga. In this form, Goku is not held back by anything. He has his full emotions intact and can utilize Ultra Instinct’s powers. He used this transformation after witnessing his father and Gases fight. According to Whis, this is wholly unique to Goku alone.
These were all of Goku’s transformations ranked, but it does not end here as with the appearance of Black Frieza in the manga. We may very well see Goku surpass his limits once again.
