In the year 2023, the premiere of the first episode featuring Gear 5 from “One Piece” aired on Japanese television and streaming services, generating considerable excitement among anime enthusiasts. This notable transformation or skill, though, had previously made a short appearance in “One Piece Film: Red,” primarily as a delightful Easter egg for fans.
Despite the excitement surrounding Gear 5 and the buzz around Episode 1071, there’s another transformational moment that stands out as the most iconic. This transformation was first broadcast more than three decades ago.
The Gear 5 Debut Episode Was One of the Most Anticipated
Ever since the introduction of Luffy’s Gears in “One Piece”, fans have been eagerly anticipating what the next Gear technique would entail. While Gear 4 saw significant body transformations for Luffy, nothing quite compares to Gear 5, which not only amplifies his powers but also draws inspiration from classic cartoon designs.
When Gear 5 initially appeared in the One Piece manga, it sparked a flurry of conversation among manga enthusiasts and left anime fans eagerly anticipating its TV debut. Toei Animation capitalized on this excitement with a strong promotional campaign for the introduction of Gear 5 in the anime, which led to a significant increase in One Piece’s viewership. However, some fans felt let down as they had hoped for more than what was ultimately presented.
Gear 5 Will Never Match Goku Turning into SSJ
In simpler terms, there was an unusual amount of excitement around just one episode of a popular anime series called One Piece, specifically the introduction of Gear 5. Even those who don’t typically watch One Piece became curious and wanted to see what all the buzz was about. If you were an anime fan online, it felt like everyone knew that Luffy was going to reveal Gear 5, regardless of whether they had watched One Piece before. The event was a global sensation, with people everywhere discussing it.
Despite the grandeur of Gear 5’s anime introduction, nothing could compare to the awe-inspiring moment when Goku unveiled his Super Saiyan form for the first time. Back in the day, circumstances were markedly different. Viewers from various parts of the world witnessed it on separate dates due to the absence of global streaming services airing series concurrently worldwide. Yet, it was still a massive and impactful event. The Super Saiyan transformation was fresh and unexpected back then, so neither Goku nor Vegeta’s potential to unlock more powerful Super Saiyan forms was anticipated. Goku inadvertently triggered the first Super Saiyan transformation. This transformation set a precedent for anime transformations, and it seems Toei aimed to recreate the “SSJ feeling” when they promoted Gear 5 as a major event in One Piece.
Super Saiyan 1 Is Still The Best Dragon Ball Transformation
| Transformation | Super Saiyan (SS1, SSJ1) |
| Debut Chapter | Dragon Ball Chapter 127 |
| Debut Episode | Dragon Ball Z Episode 95 |
In its initial appearance, Super Saiyan’s unprecedented impact on Dragon Ball fans has remained unrivaled. Due to the shock factor and popularity it created, it remains the favored transformation for many. Initially depicted as a formidable, legendary transformation, only a select few Saiyans were capable of manifesting it. This makes Goku, Vegeta, and other Saiyan or hybrid Saiyan Z Fighters exceptional in Saiyan history, given their ability to achieve forms that surpass Super Saiyan’s initial power level.
Wow, dad! It’s finally sinking in… You know what Vegeta was always going on about? He was right all along! It seems like you’ve achieved something incredible… You’ve transformed into a Super Saiyan! That’s just mind-blowing!
— Gohan
When considering the situation, it’s evident that Super Saiyan (SSJ) remains extraordinary, despite the power-scaling in “Dragon Ball” becoming increasingly illogical and seemingly devoid of meaning. Even if Goku and Vegeta were to unlock a form stronger than Super Saiyan Blue, Ultra Instinct, or Ultra Ego, no future transformation could carry as much weight as Super Saiyan did during the Namek/Frieza Saga.
Will Another Transformation Ever Match Super Saiyan?
In Dragon Ball, the introduction of Super Saiyan marked a significant shift in storylines, leaving an indelible impact not just on the series itself but also inspiring artists worldwide. This iconic transformation played a pivotal role in shaping many common tropes within shonen manga, with Super Saiyan being a key element of this development.
Though it’s possible that another anime transformation could garner similar significance, it would be challenging for anything to surpass the impact of Super Saiyan, given its status as a pioneering moment in the world of anime and manga. Even if other anime gain more popularity than Dragon Ball in the future, it’s difficult for any other work to match such a profound influence on the industry.
The full Dragon Ball series can be read on MANGA Plus, however, you need a premium membership to access it all.
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2025-08-12 20:36