Dragon Ball: Who Was The Best Representation of Each Saiyan Form?

Super Saiyan transformations are central to the entire Dragon Ball franchise. The series has given its heroes more than a dozen of these power-ups, each dramatically increasing their strength and often featuring unique designs and abilities. The act of transforming itself has become almost as famous as the series itself.

Because of this, many characters in Dragon Ball can achieve the Super Saiyan forms, but one character is usually most strongly associated with each one. Essentially, while several characters might use the same transformation, one character becomes its defining example. Let’s look at which character is most known for each Super Saiyan form that multiple people have used.

We’re only focusing on transformations that several different characters have used. Transformations unique to just one person – like Ultimate Gohan, Trunks’ Super Saiyan Rage, and Goku’s Ultra Instinct – won’t be included because the results would be predictable.

The Monstrous Great Ape Form

Best Represented By Goku

The Great Ape transformation is one of the earliest and most powerful forms in Dragon Ball, even if it’s not the first one most fans picture. All Saiyans with tails can turn into massive, destructive apes by looking at a full moon. While they usually stay somewhat sane during this change, it doesn’t happen automatically – as Goku’s first transformation showed, it takes effort to maintain control.

While Vegeta and Gohan have impressive transformations in DBZ, Goku’s Great Ape form remains the most frightening. It must have been truly shocking when it first appeared in the manga and anime. He feels like a classic, unstoppable monster, and this sequence marks one of the first times Dragon Ball shifts from comedy to a more serious atmosphere, even with some lighter moments still present.

The Iconic Super Saiyan Form

Best Represented By Goku

When it comes to the most iconic Super Saiyan 1, Son Goku is the clear choice. While many Saiyans achieve this form, Goku truly embodies it. His transformation revolutionized the anime and manga world, revealing the incredible power hidden beneath his gentle personality when pushed to his limits.

This transformation was a legendary Saiyan ability, a powerful form said to awaken in a warrior with a pure heart and immense rage. Goku was the first Saiyan in hundreds of years to achieve it, unlocking the form during his fight with Frieza after Frieza killed his close friend, Krillin. While stronger forms appeared later in the series, this one remains the most impressive and is widely considered one of the most iconic moments in anime history.

The Powerful Super Saiyan Grade 2 Form

Best Represented By Vegeta

Initially, people believed only Saiyans with pure hearts fighting for good could become Super Saiyans. However, Vegeta proved this wrong by also achieving the transformation. He then went even further, becoming the first to surpass the standard Super Saiyan form and unlock a much more powerful and faster state.

Vegeta, Trunks, and Goku all used this powerful form, but it quickly exhausted their energy—even faster than the standard Super Saiyan transformation. Despite its short duration, Vegeta became incredibly strong in this state, easily defeating Semi-Perfect Cell and mastering the form to perfectly suit his fighting style.

The Revolutionary Super Saiyan 2 Form

Best Represented By Teen Gohan

As the Z-Fighters prepared for the Cell Games, the Saiyans pushed themselves through intense training. Vegeta and Trunks spent a significant amount of time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, achieving new levels – Super Saiyan Grade 2 and 3 respectively. When it was Goku and Gohan’s turn to train, Goku realized that simply getting stronger wasn’t enough. He sensed a hidden potential within Gohan and focused on helping him unlock it. This approach proved incredibly effective, as Gohan became the first to transform into Super Saiyan 2 during the Cell Games.

Gohan achieving Super Saiyan 2 was a truly iconic moment, comparable to Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation. It revealed a hidden power within the usually gentle Gohan, triggered by the loss of Android 16. While Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks all reached this level, none of their transformations felt as impactful or as powerful as Gohan’s fight against Cell, solidifying Teen Gohan as the definitive Super Saiyan 2.

The Awesome Super Saiyan 3 Form

Best Represented By Goku

Goku secretly trained in the afterlife and developed the Super Saiyan 3 transformation, which he first used in his battle against Majin Buu. This transformation is famous for its incredible power – it was so strong it caused tremors throughout the universe, demonstrating a level of strength no one had ever witnessed before.

Super Saiyan 3 is a fan-favorite transformation in the Dragon Ball series, and while Gotenks also achieved it, Goku’s initial transformation was truly groundbreaking. The way his appearance and personality changed when he first unlocked this form was unlike anything viewers had ever seen, making him the definitive Super Saiyan 3.

The Divine Super Saiyan God Form

Best Represented By Goku

The introduction of Beerus completely shifted the power balance in Dragon Ball. As a God of Destruction, he easily overpowered even Super Saiyan 3 Goku, forcing Goku to achieve a new level of power called God Ki and transform into Super Saiyan God. While this new form was stronger than Super Saiyan 3, it wasn’t enough to defeat Beerus.

Looking back, Goku’s Super Saiyan God form felt like the perfect way to kick off the new Super series. It was really stable and didn’t seem to take a huge toll on him. Eventually, Vegeta learned how to use it too, but by then, everyone really associated it with Goku since he was the first one to achieve it. Vegeta looked amazing and fought incredibly well with the form, but it just seemed to fit Goku’s style and power a little better.

The Beloved Super Saiyan Blue Form

Best Represented By Vegeta

Similar to his initial Super Saiyan God transformation, Goku was the first to achieve and demonstrate the Super Saiyan Blue form. However, Vegeta truly stole the show with it. Everyone expected Goku to be the one to overcome the villain, making Vegeta’s sudden and powerful transformation even more surprising. He then dominated Frieza, proving his strength.

Goku and Vegeta have consistently been central figures in storylines focused on Super Saiyan Blue. However, Vegeta’s design is generally considered stronger and more memorable, making him a better embodiment of the form, especially considering how he’s developed it. While both characters sought ways to surpass the power of Super Saiyan Blue, Vegeta’s path and resulting strength are often seen as superior.

The Legendary Berserker Saiyan Form

Best Represented By Broly

This powerful transformation actually appeared first in an earlier Dragon Ball Z movie featuring Broly, where it was known as the Legendary Super Saiyan form – a tale passed down through generations. While Super didn’t maintain that same backstory, the transformation worked the same way: it put the user into a furious, uncontrollable state, making them act like a destructive, mindless beast.

While many associate this transformation with Broly, it actually first appeared in canon with Kale during the Tournament of Power. She used it to rapidly increase her power level and match stronger opponents, and the ability was later seen in Broly’s movie. However, Broly’s version of the transformation was significantly stronger, easily surpassing even Super Saiyan Blue. Because Broly was the first to demonstrate this ability in the official canon, his portrayal is considered the definitive version.

The Mythical Super Saiyan 4 Form

Best Represented By Goku (Daima)

Officially, Goku is the only character to reach Super Saiyan 4 because Dragon Ball GT isn’t considered part of the main story. But since many fans grew up watching GT, we’ll still talk about this form. Whether you like GT or not, Super Saiyan 4 has a really cool design, especially for Goku and Gogeta. Goku’s first time transforming into SS4 is incredibly impressive – it’s only possibly topped by the lengthy transformation into Super Saiyan 3.

While Super Saiyan 4 Goku in GT didn’t have many standout victories, the Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Daima is a truly impressive and powerful fighter, especially in his adult form. This new version also has a slightly different color scheme that helps it stand out and even hints at the power of Super Saiyan God.

Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-12-07 01:36