Dragon Ball: The 8 Strongest Great Ape Transformations!

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Summary

  • Raditz, Gohan, Vegeta, King Vegeta, Bardock – strong Great Apes in Saiyan race despite lack of screen time.
  • Goku’s Golden Great Ape and Broly stand out among Great Apes due to immense power and unique forms.
  • Broly’s legendary Great Ape form reigns supreme, showcasing exceptional strength and fury in the multiverses.

Known throughout the cosmos for their fierce temperament and battlefield enthusiasm, the Saiyan race stands out. What sets them apart is their preference for hand-to-hand combat and raw strength over high-tech weaponry. After all, what’s a laser gun compared to transforming into a Great Ape?

Absolutely!

Hey there fellow fans of this epic series! As you well know, Saiyans have a legendary ability to transform into mighty Great Apes when they gaze upon a full moon. This form unleashes colossal destructive power, but it’s not often we get to witness the chaos these Great Ape forms can cause in our favorite shows, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. However, by branching out to non-canon stories like spin-offs and video games, we can discover more about the most powerful Great Ape transformations! Here are some characters with the strongest Great Ape forms that you might not know about!

8. Raditz

The Average Power Level of a Saiyan Great Ape

  • Status: Deceased
  • First Appearance: Episode 1 (Dragon Ball Z)

Raditz, who is Goku’s elder brother, is part of Frieza’s forces. Unlike high-ranking Saiyans such as Vegeta, Raditz comes from a lower class among the Saiyans, which contributes to his being less powerful than Vegeta. Nevertheless, it should be noted that his power level surpasses the typical strength within Frieza’s army.

In neither the anime nor the manga of Dragon Ball does Raditz exhibit his Great Ape form, but in games like Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and Super Dragon Ball Heroes, we can witness this transformation. Despite his power level as a Great Ape being lower than other Great Apes, it’s important to note that he can still cause massive destruction when enraged, enough to flatten an entire city. Remarkably, Raditz maintains his iconic long black hair even after transforming into a Great Ape.

7. Son Gohan

Potentially Stronger Than Little Goku’s Great Ape

  • Status: Alive
  • First Appearance: Episode 1 (Dragon Ball Z)

Originally, Gohan held the title of the strongest fighter within the series, even being predicted as Goku’s eventual replacement as Earth’s protector. Yet, he opted for a future in scientific research and wedded his beloved, effectively stepping away from the realm of combat.

In the epic saga of Dragon Ball, I found myself transforming into a Great Ape not just once, but twice! The first transformation occurred during my training under Piccolo, a moment that truly tested my limits. The second time was during our intense battle against Vegeta, a fight that pushed me to unleash an unprecedented level of power compared to when Goku underwent his Great Ape transformation around the same age as mine. Each transformation was a testament to the immense potential within me, a potential that continues to astound even me!

6. Vegeta

The Upper Level of Saiyan Great Ape

  • Status: Alive
  • First Appearance: Episode 5 (Dragon Ball Z)

I, an observer, am witnessing the tale of a Saiyan prince named Vegeta. Born into a lineage destined to rule his warrior race, his reign was abruptly ended when Frieza devastated his planet and annihilated his kin. Despite these tragic circumstances, the royal blood coursing through his veins and an unyielding ambition fueled Vegeta’s transformation into one of the mightiest warriors, not only among his fellow Saiyans but also within Frieza’s formidable army.

Initially for Vegeta, the esteem he holds for his royal lineage and power takes a hit when Goku confronts him in Dragon Ball Z’s early stages. Desperate, Vegeta undergoes a Great Ape transformation. Remarkably, due to his royal bloodline and rigorous training, Vegeta maintains his composure even in this fearsome form. As a skilled warrior, the destructive force he wields is immense. If it weren’t for Yajirobe severing Vegeta’s tail at that moment, Vegeta would have annihilated Goku and devastated Earth.

5. King Vegeta

One of Saiyan’s Race Strongest Great Ape

  • Status: Deceased
  • First Appearance: Episode 78 (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta’s father, known as King Vegeta, governed the Saiyans. Just like his people, he was a formidable warrior with an incredible power level. At one point, he was the strongest Saiyan in the universe. However, as age took its toll, he began to lose some of his boldness and desire to fight. This decline eventually resulted in the downfall of the Saiyan race, leading them to live under the oppressive rule of Frieza.

King Vegeta, much like Raditz, didn’t exhibit his Great Ape transformation in the primary Dragon Ball Series. However, he does display this form in Dragon Ball games such as Budokai Tenkaichi 3. His Great Ape form bears a resemblance to Vegeta’s, but his raw power significantly surpasses that of the crown prince.

4. Bardock

Slightly Stronger Than King Vegeta’s Great Ape

  • Status: Deceased
  • First Appearance: Episode 78 (Dragon Ball Z)

Bardock is the father of Goku and Raditz, having spent his entire existence as a Saiyan warrior. He has taken part in numerous battles under the command of his king, and stands out as one who boldly defies Frieza, despite knowing that such opposition may cost him his life.

In many battles, Bardock, along with other Saiyan warriors who are usually at the forefront, turn into Great Apes frequently. Given his exceptional battle skills and extensive combat background, Bardock stands out as one of the strongest Great Apes among the Saiyans. Like King Vegeta, we witness Bardock’s Great Ape form in Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku and most Dragon Ball games.

3. Crimson-Masked Saiyan

Nearly As Strong as Goku’s Great Ape

  • Status: Deceased
  • First Appearance: Episode 33 (Super Dragon Ball Heroes)

This character is probably not well-known, even among fans of the series, as they were initially introduced in a restricted series titled “Super Dragon Ball Heroes“, which was a spin-off from the television show and manga created to advertise the “Dragon Ball Heroes” game.

Essentially, Crimson-Masked Saiyan can be thought of as a manifestation of Goku Black, but with more mastery over Goku’s highly skilled physique. It’s accurate to state that the power level of Crimson-Masked Saiyan surpasses that of the original Goku Black significantly. Furthermore, it’s important to note that his Great Ape form possesses immense strength too.

2. Son Goku

The Incredible Might of the Golden Great Ape

  • Status: Alive
  • First Appearance: Episode 1 (Dragon Ball)

Through his unwavering determination rather than royal lineage or being foretold in an old prophecy, Goku has ascended to be among the greatest and mightiest warriors in the cosmos.

Goku ascended to that height without needing his Great Ape transformation. However, there’s a storyline in Dragon Ball GT where Goku transforms into a legendary being called the Golden Great Ape. This creature is essentially a Great Ape transformed into Super Saiyan form. It goes without saying that Goku’s immense destructive power in this Golden Great Ape form is unmatched. Admittedly, other characters can also achieve this form, but none can compare to Goku’s terrifying might.

1. Broly

The Most Powerful Great Ape in the Multiverses

  • Status: Alive
  • First Appearance: Dragon Ball Super: Broly

From an outside perspective, I’d say that in a battle scenario, Goku has the advantage due to his extensive abilities and combat experience. However, when it comes to raw power, Broly surpasses Goku. That’s because he is the legendary Super Saiyan spoken of in the ancient texts of the Saiyan race.

As a diehard fan, I’d say it’s no contest when it comes to the mighty Saiyans: Goku always holds his own, even above some of the toughest. But when we delve into the realm of the Great Apes, embodying raw power and fury, Broly’s legendary Great Ape form outshines any other Great Ape in the Saiyan race, hands down!

In his legendary Great Ape form, Broly is the only one who maintains a hint of his human appearance. Unlike other Great Apes, Broly’s fur is green. Just like other characters mentioned, players can witness Broly’s fearsome yet magnificent legendary Great Ape form in several Dragon Ball games, most notably in Dragon Ball Heroes.

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2025-01-20 09:06