Dragon Ball: Every Saiyan’s Greatest Moment, Ranked

The Saiyans are the main characters of the Dragon Ball franchise, and have been so since its early days. Due to it following the adventures of Goku and the others, the series has watched them grow to become some of the most powerful beings in the entire multiverse by fighting threats who were strong enough to effortlessly erase entire planets.

As such, the Saiyans have seen their fair share of incredible feats over the years. So, in this article, let’s break down the main cast of Saiyans from Dragon Ball to see their greatest moments, not just to see how far their strength has come, but also to see what this has meant for their overall character journey.

8

Gotenks Achieved A Legendary Transformation

Arc: Buu Saga

Unfortunately, one of the biggest complaints that fans have had about the series as a whole has been the lackluster representation of Trunks and Goten. Despite their middling screen time, they have grown in strength collectively rather than through individual means, like their peers. As such, their greatest moment came when they fused into Gotenks to unlock Super Saiyan 3.

This transformation was one that was thought to be entirely impossible at one point, but Goku achieved it earlier on in the arc. Just by seeing it once and thinking it was cool, Gotenks proved himself to be strong and skilled enough to replicate it for himself, which allowed him to perform exceptionally well against Super Buu.

7

Broly Was Stronger Than Two Super Saiyan Blues

Arc: Broly Arc

When it was announced that Broly was finally being introduced into the canon, fans were eagerly anticipating which of the elements of the original version of the character were going to be adopted. Although this Broly is virtually nothing like his Z predecessor, he has kept his freakish natural potential and dialed it up to 11.

Because of this, Broly’s strength is some of the greatest that we have ever seen in the series. Although he lost his mind with each subsequent transformation, his power was even greater than Goku and Vegeta’s combined strength with Super Saiyan Blue. To combat the Saiyan, they had to fuse into Gogeta to awaken a greater power than ever before.

6

Future Trunks Put An End To Zamasu’s Immortal Body

Arc: Goku Black Arc

In the Goku Black arc, none had an answer to the impossible strength of Merged Zamasu. Although Vegito Blue was stronger and could have put the villain down, the limitations of the Potara Earrings caused him to defuse far before he was supposed to, leaving the heroes with no means of tackling this dangerous monster.

However, this is where Future Trunks unlocked his greatest ability and transformation, which saw him absorb the energy gathered from the surrounding humans, similar to a Spirit Bomb. This awakened Super Saiyan Rage, a transformation that imbued Trunks’ sword with immense spiritual energy which ended up destroying the immortal body of Merged Zamasu.

5

Vegito Humiliated The Strongest Version Of Buu

Arc: Buu Saga

Although Vegito was stronger than ever during the Goku Black arc when he fought Merged Zamasu, the greatest showing of his power was much earlier on during the Buu Saga. Due to Ultimate Buu being the strongest enemy in all of Z whom none could face on their own, Goku and Vegeta fused using the Potara Earrings for the first time.

As a result, Vegito was born and was proclaimed to be the ultimate warrior. This title was proven in his fight against the villain, as Vegito’s strength was so absurd that he was toying with the most powerful version of Buu as if he were a child. Even in his base form, he was far superior to the villain, and when he went Super Saiyan, the difference was made even more clear.

4

Gogeta Didn’t Concede A Single Hit Against Broly

Arc: Broly Arc

Just like Broly, Gogeta also made his canon debut in the film bearing the former’s name. Broly’s strength had grown considerably and was even greater than that of two Super Saiyan Blues, despite him only being in his regular Super Saiyan state at the time. To combat someone so much stronger than them, Goku and Vegeta fused using the Metamoran Fusion Dance.

The result was the fan-favorite fusion, Gogeta. Upon entering the battlefield, Gogeta began to close the gap between himself and Broly rapidly, especially upon unlocking Super Saiyan. However, knowing that he had limited time to defeat the foe, Gogeta proceeded to unlock Super Saiyan Blue, after which he didn’t concede a single hit and brought one of the most devastating beatings to Broly that the series has ever seen.

3

Gohan Became The First To Unlock Super Saiyan 2

Arc: Cell Saga

The Cell Saga is remembered by many as the best arc in the entire franchise that is filled to the brim with incredible and unforgettable moments. However, none even come close to the climax of the arc, which showed a display of power that was the greatest that the entire series had seen up to that point.

The story had always followed Goku and had always put him as the strongest hero. However, after his training with Gohan in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku realized his son’s potential, which came to a head in the final fight of the arc. Upon seeing his friend, Android 16, be mercilessly killed by Perfect Cell, Gohan’s rage awoke something amazing, making him the first Super Saiyan 2 in the series.

2

Vegeta Made The Ultimate Sacrifice

Arc: Buu Saga

When talking about the best characters in the entire Dragon Ball franchise, most fans agree that Vegeta is the greatest of them all. Starting off as a ruthless and bloodthirsty villain, Vegeta underwent arguably the greatest redemption arc in fiction to become one of the universe’s most powerful and fervent protectors.

This was never more clear than in the Buu Saga. Upon reawakening the evil in his heart due to the resentment he felt towards Goku, Majin Vegeta once again became an unfeeling monster. However, as hard as he tried to return to the man he was, Vegeta had changed due to his family and loved ones, so as a final atonement to make peace with his family and Goku, Vegeta sacrificed his life in an attempt to put down Majin Buu for good, making for one of the most beautiful moments in anime history.

1

Goku Changed The Industry With His Super Saiyan Form

Arc: Namek Saga

Even putting the Dragon Ball franchise aside, there is not a single moment in the entire anime industry that is as pivotal and iconic as Goku’s first transformation into a Super Saiyan. This is because, when it happened, it changed the landscape of the entire anime industry, and many say that it singlehandedly brought anime into the mainstream of pop culture.

Since the Namek Saga, Goku and the others have achieved various, incredible transformations. However, none can ever reach the level of importance of the original Super Saiyan. Upon seeing his best friend get killed by a ruthless villain, Goku’s fury awoke a state that was spoken of in legend, leading to him becoming the strongest mortal in the universe at the time.

Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.