The Strongest Dragon Ball Super Characters Who Can Use Ultra Instinct, Ranked

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Ultra Instinct is the most significant development in the Dragon Ball series since Goku first transformed into a Super Saiyan during the Frieza Saga. First appearing in the Tournament of Power arc, it reframed Goku’s training with Whis in Dragon Ball Super as preparation for achieving this powerful state. Ultra Instinct is a unique form and technique originally intended only for Gods, Angels, and exceptionally skilled martial artists.

Ultra Instinct is a powerful state that demands complete control over your body and a peaceful mind, allowing you to react to anything without thinking. While Goku was the first to demonstrate Ultra Instinct in the Dragon Ball Super anime, he isn’t the only one who can achieve it. The Dragon Ball Super manga shows several characters using Ultra Instinct, and even highlights others who have accessed similar abilities.

Honorable Mention: Master Roshi Used His Own Version of Ultra Instinct To Fight Jiren in the Dragon Ball Super Manga

The Dragon Ball Super manga and anime have some key differences, especially in how Goku achieves Ultra Instinct during the Tournament of Power. In the anime, Goku unlocks this powerful form during a desperate moment after a failed Spirit Bomb attack against Jiren. However, the manga presents a different scenario: Master Roshi actually teaches Goku the basics of Ultra Instinct by demonstrating his own unique version while battling Jiren.

It was incredible watching the Tournament of Power! Seeing Goku so focused on just powering up against Jiren, it reminded me of how much he’d forgotten. Master Roshi actually had to step in and give him a lesson! He reminded Goku about all the teachings from his previous masters – things like clearing your mind, reacting without thinking, controlling your Ki, and staying calm. And then, Roshi showed it! He dodged so many of Jiren’s attacks – it was honestly the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen him do in all of Dragon Ball! Even though he eventually got knocked out, that display was exactly what Goku needed to finally unlock Ultra Instinct. It was a perfect passing of the torch, really.

Honorable Mention: Bardock Unlocks a Similar Form to Ultra Instinct Fighting Gas in the Dragon Ball Super Manga

Fans debate whether Bardock achieved a form similar to Ultra Instinct in the Dragon Ball Super manga. While it doesn’t make logical sense – Bardock hadn’t received any special training, couldn’t use God Ki, and was clearly stressed during his fight with Gas – the manga actually presents some surprisingly strong hints that he briefly accessed a limited, Ultra Instinct-like state, much like Master Roshi did during the Tournament of Power.

The Dragon Ball Super manga visually depicts Bardock’s power-up in a way that’s strikingly similar to Goku’s Ultra Instinct -Sign- form, even using the same hair shading. Later in the story, Gas has a flashback to Bardock while battling Ultra Instinct Goku. This significant increase in Bardock’s power implies he achieved a new transformation, rather than simply becoming stronger through a normal Zenkai boost. Whatever Bardock did, it clearly made a lasting impression, as Gas instantly recognized the connection between Bardock and Ultra Instinct Goku.

Merus Completes Goku’s Ultra Instinct Training Before His Final Battle With Moro

In the Moro Saga of Dragon Ball Super, Merus initially appears as an unusually powerful member of the Galactic Patrol. It’s later revealed he’s actually an angel-in-training sent to the mortal world to learn and grow. While forbidden from using his full angelic powers – doing so would mean his erasure – Merus risks everything to help Goku master Ultra Instinct when he sees that Universe 7 is unable to defeat Moro on its own.

Merus trains Goku in a remote Hyperbolic Time Chamber, revisiting fundamental techniques and helping him gain the control needed to activate Ultra Instinct at will, rather than only when calm. He then fights Moro using his full power and Ultra Instinct, inspiring Goku to finally defeat the ancient wizard. This selfless act results in Merus’s death, but the Grand Minister surprisingly revives him as a normal being.

Moro Unlocks Ultra Instinct After Absorbing Merus’ Powers

Moro is a truly excellent villain in Dragon Ball Super, and fans would be thrilled to see him animated if the planned 2026 remake happens. What makes Moro so captivating and dangerous is his ability to grow stronger throughout his storyline. Initially, Goku and Vegeta might have been able to defeat him, but Moro cleverly steals energy from the Saiyans and drains the life force of the entire planet Namek, making him a serious threat.

As the Moro saga reached its climax, things got intense! He absorbed Seven-Three, which let him copy his opponents’ techniques, and then, unbelievably, he absorbed Merus, essentially becoming an angel himself and gaining access to Ultra Instinct! Seriously, the fight between Ultra Instinct Moro and Ultra Instinct Goku is easily one of the greatest battles ever in Dragon Ball. Goku only managed to win thanks to a massive effort from everyone pitching in – it was truly incredible!

Goku Has Finally Mastered Ultra Instinct By The End of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Goku initially accessed Ultra Instinct during his battle with Jiren in the Tournament of Power, but he truly mastered the form in the manga storylines, specifically the Moro and Granolah Sagas. Since his first transformation, Goku has focused almost entirely on perfecting Ultra Instinct. As shown in the manga epilogue of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, he can now project his energy outside his body while using the form, and even combine it with his various Super Saiyan transformations.

Goku has gotten much better at using Ultra Instinct. He doesn’t need to be perfectly calm to activate it anymore – he can now use it even when angry, similar to how he transforms into a Super Saiyan. Throughout the story, his control over Ultra Instinct keeps getting stronger. At his current level, Goku’s Ultra Instinct is actually more developed than Beerus’, and he might need to push it even further to defeat Black Frieza when Dragon Ball Super continues.

Beerus is the Only God of Destruction Who Can Use Ultra Instinct

Beerus consistently sets the standard in Dragon Ball Super. Whenever Goku and Vegeta become significantly stronger, the show emphasizes that Beerus remains the most powerful character. It seems defeating him would only happen at the very end of the series, after Goku and Vegeta have reached their absolute peak and defeated Black Frieza. However, Goku has already shown he’s better than Beerus at mastering Ultra Instinct.

However, this isn’t meant to diminish Beerus’s power. He’s unique among Gods of Destruction because he can actually use Ultra Instinct. In the Dragon Ball Super manga, Beerus uses Ultra Instinct to skillfully avoid attacks from several other Gods of Destruction, ultimately being one of the last ones remaining after their fight. Considering how Dragon Ball Super frequently shows Beerus getting stronger between scenes, it’s possible he’s even improved his Ultra Instinct by observing Goku master the technique and become more powerful.

Whis, The Angels, and The Grand Minister All Have Perfect Use of Ultra Instinct

Ultra Instinct is a technique all angels in Dragon Ball Super can use. Although Goku was the first to demonstrate it in the series, the story later reveals that Whis actually used Ultra Instinct earlier during his training with Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. We see Whis use it again during his fight with Broly in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, where he easily avoids all of Broly’s attacks. As the only angel shown actively fighting, Whis is the only angelic character who has used Ultra Instinct on screen.

The Grand Minister, who oversees all the angels, is also capable of using Ultra Instinct, though he hasn’t had to fight yet in the series, including up to Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. He’s considered the most powerful being in the Dragon Ball universe, surpassed only by Zeno and possibly Rymus from Dragon Ball DAIMA. Because of this, he’s likely the strongest Ultra Instinct user ever.

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2026-01-14 03:35