enquire any mortal about the first Zanzibar copal that got them perfectly strung-out , and chances are that the majority of people will name one anime that has stood the test of clock time as one of the most legendary shows of all clip   — Dragon Ball Z. The report of the Z Fighters as they endure countless challenges and always manage to come out on top is easily one of Japan ’s most popular IPs , and one need only look at its rampant popularity in the West to understand why this is the case .

A tumid part of whyDragon Ball Zhas attained such a monumental fanbase is definitely due to the character , with Goku being an obvious cite . The pure - hearted Saiyan warrior has been at the center of pretty much every major conflict in the series , and for safe reason . The exponent escalation InDragon Ballhave moderately much always been insanely high , andthe style in which he ’s transformedto magnify his strength and crush his foe against all betting odds is really a affair of wonder .   But what is Goku ’s strongest strain ?

Updated on December 2nd , 2021 by Patrick Mocella : Being the main character in a serial that loves to present Modern transformations more often than most entertainment enfranchisement , Goku has had a heap of transformations over the age . Some of these have been used a minuscular number of times , which causes lover to forget about them over time .

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Not every transformation is iconic to the anime steamroller as Super Saiyan God or Super Saiyan 3 . Many of these are variants of the original Super Saiyan transmutation but there are key contingent that make them dissimilar from the one Goku used on Frieza on Namek .

Super Saiyan Second Grade

The first of many Goku transformations in the Cell Saga that is sometimes forget by DBZ buff . Super Saiyan Second Grade is often call back by rooter when used by Vegeta . He shout out himself Super Vegeta when in this state and while it is similar to the original Super Saiyan transformation , there are some differences .

Notably , Goku in this form concentrate his chi into his sinew so that he arise bulky and flummox significant gain to his speed and power . We do n’t see Goku use this Super Saiyan variant against any enemies , instead , he attain this while breeding with Gohan in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber .

Super Saiyan Third Grade

Another offshoot of the steady Super Saiyan shape , Super Saiyan Grade 3 is only truly used by Future Trunks in his fight with Perfect Cellbut as Goku shows in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber , he can attain this shape as well .

This form is similar to Super Saiyan Second Grade in that Goku ’s Ki is forced into his physical structure but the difference here is that 100 % of the substance abuser ’s strength and stamina is utilise . While this is great , there is a monolithic decrease in speed due to the redundant muscle mass . This is what get Goku to desolate any hope of using this form and he instead concenter his care elsewhere .

Full Power Super Saiyan

Realizing that the other offshoots of the original Super Saiyan form were n’t sufficient enough to beat Cell , Goku and Gohan trained to reach a different story of power than the Briefs family . This was known as Full Power Super Saiyan and while it may not be as powerful as the other variant , there are some fundamental vantage .

As one can tell from Goku and Gohan ’s softer facial expressions when they expire the Hyperbolic Time Chamber , Full Power Super Saiyan is able-bodied to have their users stay much more controlled in this manakin due to a subordination of their ki . dear of all though is that compared to other forms , Goku does n’t put a massive variant on his body with this translation and his stamina and ki do not suffer any major loss . This was the variety Goku select to use in his engagement with Perfect Cell and it served him pretty well until he sent Gohan in his office .

Super Saiyan 2

While Super Saiyan 2 is associated most with Goku ’s son Gohan , it ’s deserving noting that Goku has used the form as well , including for his heroic replay with Vegeta in the Buu Saga .

As many are cognisant , this form of Super Saiyan has sparks of electricity border it at all time and multiplies the base power of the substance abuser by 100 . Unlike other forms used by Trunks and Vegeta in the Cell Saga , this anatomy has no disadvantage to speed and stamina while also increasing the user ’s ki and intensity by an huge amount . Funnily enough , serial publication creatorAkira Toriyamawould accommodate that he wholly forgot about this form as sentence went on and thought this was really the foresighted - hirsute Super Saiyan 3 .

Kaioken

Although this can arguably not be considered a true " translation " butinstead a proficiency that could , in theory , be learned by anybody , it is such an iconic spirit for Goku and constitute a major wallop when introduced in the Saiyan Saga that we will admit it .

give Goku a red atmosphere and a more intense behaviour , the Kaioken is used to help Goku exit the magnate gap between himself and Vegeta in their first fight and to avail Goku shoot down Nappa with comfort . Even well , the Kaioken can be multiplied for more power and upper but the higher one goes the tenor on the dead body increases . This get the form one of the best in the serial in a dramatic mother wit since there is a real forcible struggle for Goku to maintain the Kaioken .

Great Ape

The first grade Goku ever transforms into in the series is the Great Ape , which is triggered when Goku looks at a full moon while jug by Emperor Pilaf .

As this is technically the first - everDragon Ballarc , take in Goku turn into something so fearsome was definitely surprising , and record a small peep into Goku ’s limitless strength .

Super Saiyan

Watching Frieza explode Krillin ’s eubstance in front of his eyes was the last straw for Goku , who rightfully lost all sense of understanding and pay in to his ire at that very moment .

The result is easy one of the most iconic moments inDragon Ball Z , as Goku in conclusion fulfills the divination and transforms into a Super Saiyan . This powerup lastly allows him to get the upper hand on Frieza and kill the despot once and for all .

Super Saiyan 3

Gohan might ’ve been the pioneer of Super Saiyan 2 , but it was the Buu spark that finally put this spotlight back on Goku again in a pretty striking style .

Goku ’s transmutation into a Super Saiyan 3 is easily the stuff of legends , and mass who see to it the English dub were secret to one of the most iconic voice performances of all sentence , as Sean Schemmel screams for what feels like forever as Goku strains his entire body to strain this incredibly powerful state .

Super Saiyan God

The initiation ofDragon Ball Superbrought with it a whole host of newfangled possibilities and Super Saiyan God was the gateway into another serial publication of powerful transformation .

This transformation kicked off the starting instant ofDragon Ball Superand render fans a coup d’oeil of what was to amount in this new and exciting chapter ofDragon Ball . This transformation is notable for being one of the few where Goku requires outside help to reach it as a ritual with many Saiyans is necessitate for him to become a god .

Super Saiyan Blue

While Goku ’s Super Saiyan God form was for sure quite neat , it was the ascended version of this shape that was used for the majority of the series . Watching the champion finally get his chi under control condition and achieve this fresh form was certainly a treat to witness in every sense of the word .

However , Goku did n’t halt there . He decide to immix this powerful form with a classic technique that provided for one of the best instant inDragon Ball Super .

Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-Ken

For the longest part , the Kaio - ken had been block for the most part ofDragon Ball . The technique made its most memorable appearance during Goku ’s engagement against Vegeta . However , after a few fleeting showcase in the Frieza Saga , the technique was pretty much draw a blank after the introduction of the Super Saiyan form .

gratefully , Dragon Ball Superbrought this iconic proficiency back during Goku ’s fight against Hit , which was an awful moment indeed . Watching Goku compound the raw and old facets ofDragon Ballto gain the upper hand in his battle was quite an interesting thing to see indeed .

Ultra Instinct

ascertain Goku transform into an imperfect Ultra Instinct form felt like a breath of fresh air , and fan could n’t wait for the moment when Goku would master this form once and for all and ultimately give Jiren the beatdown he deserved .

So , it goes without aver that watching Goku transform intothe perfect form of Ultra Instinctwas easily one of the best import inDragon Ballhistory . The plain increase in his superpower was a thing of wonder , and watching Jiren get all educate by Goku after have the upper hand throughout the battle was a delicacy to witness in every sentiency of the word .

Super Saiyan 4

Dragon Ball GTmight not be a show that most fans remember lovingly , but one ca n’t deny that the serial in spades had its moments . One such part is unquestionably when Goku transform into a Super Saiyan 4 , gaining his grownup eubstance back in the unconscious process .

The innovation of Super Saiyan 4 is emphatically quite singular , with most people argue that it makes the Super Saiyan design ofDragon BallSuperlook lazy in comparing . This , combined with Goku ’s increase in power , made for quite an amazing shift indeed .

NEXT:10 Anime Characters Who Can in reality Rival Goku , Ranked By Strength

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Split image of Goku in three different transformation stages

Super Saiyan Second Grade Goku in Dragon Ball

Super Saiyan Third Grade Goku is stunned by his dramatic increase in power.

Goku and Gohan in Full Power Super Saiyan form.

Goku in his Super Saiyan 2 form.

Goku uses the Kaioken in Dragon Ball Z.

Gohan’s Great Ape form roaring in front of the full moon in Dragon Ball Z

Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan for the first time

Goku In his Super Saiyan 3 transformation.

DBZ Kakarot Goku Super Saiyan God

Goku Super Saiyan Blue in Dragon Ball

Goku Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken

Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku in Dragon Ball Super

Super Saiyan 4 Goku in Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball