The Dragon Ball franchise has introduced a large variety of epic transformations that each had their time to shine till the characters found a more powerful upgrade, but there are none as iconic as Super Saiyan. It was once only thought of as a legend because the universe had not seen a Saiyan warrior reach such heights in over a thousand years. That all changed when a galactic tyrant decided to upset the wrong Saiyan on Planet Namek.
If a person has only watched Dragon Ball Super, they would likely have a different impression of the Super Saiyan transformation than if someone first experienced it from the original manga or Dragon Ball Z anime. It originally was a form that was only triggered in the mightiest Saiyan warriors after intense emotional trauma, but as the story of Goku and his friends continued, they found alternative ways to unlock it.
After the Super Saiyan transformation was eventually unlocked with physical training, it felt like it undercut the significance of the struggle and emotional trauma it initially took others to achieve the form. It unfortunately felt even cheaper when Dragon Ball Super introduced a Saiyan from another universe, who unlocked Super Saiyan by concentrating energy in their back to create a “tingly feeling” that led to the transformation. Ranging from epically iconic to narratively convenient, there are eleven Saiyans in Dragon Ball who have achieved the Super Saiyan form.
12
The First Super Saiyan In Over 1000 Years: Goku
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z Manga — Chapter #123, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #95
Few moments in anime history match the impact of Goku’s debut as a Super Saiyan. After decades of myth and foreshadowing, the form was finally unleashed when Goku snapped in the face of his friend’s murder. This transformation not only granted him an unprecedented surge in power, speed, and durability but also reshaped the narrative, proving that a warrior once thought dormant could surpass even the universe’s most brutal tyrants.
When Galactic Emperor Frieza killed Goku’s best friend, Krillin, the outraged Saiyan erupted into the legendary golden Super Saiyan form. Though the early version lacked some of the later intimidation, its raw power was enough to shatter continents, deflect planet‑destroying blasts, and ultimately topple the galaxy’s most ruthless villain.
11
The Hero Who Saved Multiple Timelines: Future Trunks
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z Manga — Chapter #137, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #120
After Goku’s Super Saiyan breakthrough, the Z‑warriors thought they could relax, only to learn that Frieza—still alive—was returning to Earth. In that desperate moment, a mysterious warrior wielding a sword appeared and transformed into a Super Saiyan, turning the tide against the tyrant. This hero was revealed to be Future Trunks, the son of Vegeta and Bulma from a parallel timeline where the world had been devastated by powerful androids.
Trunks’s first Super Saiyan transformation was sparked by the death of his mentor, Gohan, compelling him to break the confines of time and space to aid his past self and prevent a bleak future. His intervention not only saved countless timelines but also underscored the profound emotional depth that the Super Saiyan form could embody.
10
The Prince Of All Saiyans: Vegeta
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z Manga — Chapter #149, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #120
Vegeta’s journey from arrogant prince to a warrior who eventually embraces his Saiyan pride is central to Dragon Ball’s narrative. After Goku first claimed the Super Saiyan title, Vegeta became obsessed with attaining it himself, subjecting his body and mind to grueling training that left him on the brink of collapse. The moment he finally unlocked the form came not from triumph but from desperate injury, when he saved Goku from Android 19 and unleashed a ferocious, golden transformation while letting go of his long‑standing pride and jealousy.
His first Super Saiyan showcase is celebrated for its raw emotion—crying out “I don’t care anymore!”—and its immediate impact on the battle, showcasing a level of power that eclipsed even his already formidable capabilities.
9
Gohan, The Pacifist Who Harbors Ultimate Power
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Manga — Chapter #382, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #120
Introduced as a gentle child lacking his father’s battle zeal, Gohan evolved into a warrior who could unleash terrifying power when provoked. While his first Super Saiyan transformation occurred during intensive training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, it was his later Super Saiyan 2 form against Cell that truly demonstrated the depths of his hidden strength. Even though the initial transformation lacked the drama of later feats, it marked a crucial step toward the protector he would become for his loved ones.
8
Goten, Genetics Or Genius Unlocked Greatness
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z Manga — Chapter #240, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #206
By the time Goku reconnected with his younger sons during the Buu saga, Goten had already unlocked his own Super Saiyan transformation by the age of seven—a feat made possible by his Saiyan bloodline and innate talent. Although the moment occurred offscreen, it underscored how the legacy of previous Super Saiyans could be inherited, allowing even the youngest warriors to tap into the form’s power.
7
Kid Trunks, High Expectations Pushed Him To Accomplish Wonders
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z Manga — Chapter #241, Dragon Ball Z Anime — Episode #207
As soon as Future Trunks revealed that Vegeta and Bulma would eventually have a son together, expectations for the child were sky‑high. Being the son of Vegeta came with immense pressure, and Trunks lived up to it by mastering the Super Saiyan form far earlier than many would have imagined. While training under extreme gravity, he casually transformed into a Super Saiyan, a moment that earned him the nickname “Super Saiyan bargain sale” from his father. This early attainment highlighted how the genetic legacy of two prior Super Saiyans could drastically lower the barrier for future generations.
Although Trunks never detailed the exact trigger for his transformation, theories suggest that the hereditary predisposition from his parents made the process significantly easier, turning what once required years of trauma and training into a more natural expression of his Saiyan heritage.
6
Cabba, A Nobile Student And Saiyan From Another Universe
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Super Manga — Chapter #12, Dragon Ball Super Anime — Episode #37
When Dragon Ball Super introduced its multiverse, Universe 6’s Saiyans offered a contrasting view of the species—one where they had evolved into peaceful, scholarly warriors rather than battle‑driven conquerors. Cabba, a modest and trainable fighter, was introduced during the Universal Tournament and quickly became a student of Vegeta, eager to learn the secrets of the Super Saiyan transformation.
Vegeta’s initial encounter with Cabba turned into an emotional sparring session that pushed the young Saiyan to unlock his own Super Saiyan form, a moment that not only showcased Cabba’s rapid learning ability but also deepened his respect for the legacy of the Saiyan Prince from Universe 7.
5
Caulifla, A Brilliantly Fast Learner, Naturally Gifted, Or Something Else?
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Super Manga — Chapter #37, Dragon Ball Super Anime — Episode #92
After Cabba introduced the Super Saiyan transformation to his home universe, the brash bandit leader Caulifla eagerly accepted the challenge to master it. Her rapid progression stunned even seasoned fighters, as she unlocked the form with minimal guidance, simply by focusing energy at her spine—a method that echoed the legendary “tingling feeling” described in earlier canon.
Caulifla’s success illustrated how the combination of innate talent and a fierce competitive spirit could accelerate the mastery of a form that once required decades of hardship. Though powerful, she still fell short against the might of Goku’s later iterations.
4
Kale, Pressure And Trauma Changed The Timid Warrior Into A Beast
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Super Manga — Chapter #37, Dragon Ball Super Anime — Episode #93
Universe 6’s Kale started as a shy, low‑key warrior serving as Caulifla’s mentor, but intense emotional triggers can unveil hidden power. When jealousy over Caulifla’s achievements ignited a fierce rivalry, Kale’s suppressed Saiyan potential erupted, leading to a spontaneous Super Saiyan transformation that amplified her physique and aggression.
This metamorphosis turned the timid Saiyan into a ferocious, Broly‑like berserker, highlighting how trauma and pressure can unlock even the most dormant abilities within the Saiyan race.
3
Broly, The Legendary Super Saiyan Berserker
First Appearance: Dragon Ball Super Manga — Chapter #42, Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie
Although many Dragon Ball movies are deemed non‑canonical, Broly’s character was later integrated into the official storyline due to his immense popularity. Originally introduced as a colossal, ruthless brute capable of decimating entire planets, Broly’s origin was later fleshed out with a tragic backstory involving abandonment and persecution. This added depth transformed him from a one‑dimensional villain into a figure whose power is both feared and sympathetically understood.
His first Super Saiyan transformation was sparked by the murder of his father at the hands of Frieza, an event that ignited a rage capable of eclipsing even Goku and Vegeta’s most intense forms. Even at his most uncontrolled, Broly’s might required the combined might of the fused warrior Gogeta—armed with divine god forms—to finally subdue him, cementing his reputation as one of the universe’s greatest threats.
