From the primal Great Ape to the divine power of Ultra Instinct, Saiyans have unlocked some of the most iconic transformations in anime history. Below is a chronological guide to the major Saiyan forms, the characters who used them, and their first notable appearances.
Great Ape (Ōzaru)
A giant ape transformation triggered when a Saiyan with a tail is exposed to the light of a full moon.
First appearances:
- Goku: Dragon Ball, Episode 12
- Gohan: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 11; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 8
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 31; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 23
False Super Saiyan
A pseudo-Super Saiyan state that grants increased power but lacks the defining traits of a complete Super Saiyan transformation.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Super Saiyan
The iconic Saiyan transformation, characterized by golden hair, green or blue-green eyes, a golden aura, and a dramatic increase in power.
First appearances:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 95; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 47
- Future Trunks: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 120; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 57
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 129; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 66
- Gohan: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 170; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 84
- Goten: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 207; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 99
Ascended Super Saiyan
Super Saiyan Grade 2
An enhanced version of Super Saiyan that increases muscle mass, physical strength, and overall power.
First appearances:
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 152; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 77
- Future Trunks: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 152; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 77
Ultra Super Saiyan
Super Saiyan Grade 3
A power-focused Super Saiyan variation with even greater muscle mass. Although extremely strong, its heavy build significantly reduces the user's speed.
First appearance:
- Future Trunks: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 164; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 82
Super Saiyan 2
An advanced Super Saiyan form distinguished by sharper features, more rigid hair, greater power, and lightning surrounding the user's aura.
First appearances:
- Gohan: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 184; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 93
- Goku: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 229; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 115
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 236; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 121
Super Saiyan 3
A powerful transformation characterized by extremely long golden hair, the disappearance of the eyebrows, and a massive increase in energy.
First appearances:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 245; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 134
- Gotenks: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 257; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 146
Ultimate Gohan
Mystic Form
A state in which Gohan's full latent potential is unlocked without requiring him to transform into a Super Saiyan.
First appearance:
- Gohan: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 262; Dragon Ball Z Kai, Episode 148
Golden Great Ape
A golden-furred version of the Great Ape that combines a Saiyan's primal power with Super Saiyan energy.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball GT, Episode 34
Super Saiyan 4
A transformation that combines a Saiyan's primal Great Ape power with a humanoid body. It is recognized by red fur, black hair, and a tail.
First appearances:
- Goku: Dragon Ball GT, Episode 35; Dragon Ball Daima, Episode 18
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball GT, Episode 59
Super Saiyan God
A divine transformation that gives the user a slimmer build, red hair, red eyes, and access to godly ki.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 9
Super Saiyan Blue
Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan
A form that combines the power of Super Saiyan with godly ki. It is characterized by blue hair, blue eyes, and a controlled divine aura.
First appearances:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 24
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 27
Super Saiyan Rosé
A divine variation of Super Saiyan used by Goku Black. The form features pink hair and a powerful rose-colored aura.
First appearance:
- Goku Black: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 56
Super Saiyan Rage
A unique transformation used by Future Trunks. It combines Super Saiyan power with an intense golden and blue aura.
First appearance:
- Future Trunks: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 61
Ultra Instinct Sign
A preliminary form of Ultra Instinct that allows the user's body to react and move independently, although the technique has not yet been fully mastered.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 110
Super Saiyan Blue Evolution
An enhanced version of Super Saiyan Blue used by Vegeta. It features darker blue hair, a more intense aura, increased muscle mass, and greater power.
First appearance:
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 123
Legendary Super Saiyan
A rare transformation characterized by immense power, rapidly increasing strength, a muscular build, and distinctive green-tinted energy.
Notable appearances:
- Broly: Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
- Broly: Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Mastered Ultra Instinct
The completed silver-haired state of Ultra Instinct. It grants extraordinary reflexes and allows the user's body to attack and defend without conscious thought.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 129
Ultra Ego
A transformation used by Vegeta that draws upon the power of destruction. It emphasizes offensive strength and becomes more powerful as Vegeta's fighting spirit intensifies.
First appearance:
- Vegeta: Dragon Ball Super manga, Chapter 74
Beast Gohan
Final Gohan
Gohan's most powerful transformation, distinguished by long silver hair, red eyes, and an overwhelming surge of energy.
First appearance:
- Gohan: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
True Ultra Instinct
A refined version of Ultra Instinct that allows Goku to combine the technique's autonomous movement with his natural emotions and Saiyan instincts.
First appearance:
- Goku: Dragon Ball Super manga, Chapter 85
