Top 10 Awesome Dragon Ball Power-Up Scenes

Goku

Love or hate it – at least something good did come out of Dragon Ball GT. After a less than stellar 34 episodes, things finally started to pick up half way through the Baby Saga. After transforming into Golden Oozaru, which was hinted at during in the past, audiences were treated to a brief look into Goku’s fractured mind before Super Saiyan 4 is unleashed. The design is pretty divisive with the audience, but the experience was made even better due to how long fans were left waiting to see Goku as an adult once again.

Goku

Once Super Saiyan was introduced, Kaio-ken quickly became obsolete. Created by King Kai, Goku successfully uses the technique multiple times during the Saiyan and Namek Sagas. Fast forward more than two decades, and the power-up is suddenly resurrected for Dragon Ball Super. In the final battle of the Universe 6 tournament, the assassin Hit has Goku on the ropes, so the Saiyan activates Kaio-ken while in his Super Saiyan Blue form. C’mon Goku, King Kai said to never go past times 2!

Frieza
Emperor of Universe 7 and an all-around bad dude, King Cold’s second son is arguably the most iconic villain of the franchise. Born with enough power to destroy entire planets, Frieza did not need to train a single day in his life. While fighting Vegeta on Namek, the sadistic ruler goes through a handful of transformations, with each one being bigger than the last. After announcing there is one more change, Toriyama subverted expectations by having Frieza’s final form be way smaller…but much scarier.

Vegeta
This is for Planet Vegeta. Resurrection ‘F’ brought back Frieza, who was revived by the remnants of his army. After training for four months, the villain achieves his Golden form and heads to Earth for some sweet revenge. With Goku laying helpless on the floor, Frieza summons Vegeta and asks him to prove his allegiance by killing off Kakarot. Instead, the Prince transforms effortlessly into Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, wiping the smirk right off Frieza’s face. Considering Vegeta used to be terrified of the tyrant, this role reversal provided much-needed closure.

Cell
Damn you Vegeta and your stupid pride. Semi-perfect Cell was far from a push over, but Vegeta and Trunks had the upper hand during their fight. Unfortunately, the Saiyan Prince prioritized his own ego and refused to deliver the final blow until Cell achieved perfection. After swallowing up Android 18, we are treated to a mesmerizing light show, as the villain slowly reveals his final form. As one of the best villains in the franchise, this transformation is fondly remembered as a stand-out moment of the anime.

Vegeta
Better late than never. After seeing Goku and his unborn son beat him to the punch, Vegeta finally manages to turn Super Saiyan during the Android saga. As far as transformations go, this one is rather short and straight to the point, with the Prince delivering a one-liner before powering up. The sequence that follows is the real highlight, as a quick overview is shown of the harsh training Vegeta put himself through to be able to achieve this form. Sure, Vegeta might be kind of a dick – but he earned the right to gloat.

Goku
A power-up so colossal, two episodes were needed to do it justice. Dragon Ball Super’s Universe Survival Arc does not lack capable warriors, with Universe 11’s Jiren being absurdly strong. After overpowering Goku and returning his spirit bomb, the Saiyan loses consciousness and falls right into the massive ball of energy. At first, people assume the worst, before Goku is reborn in an entirely new form. Coated in a white and blue aura, the hero’s strange power-up even shocks the Gods watching the tournament, as Goku and Jiren continue to trade blows.

Gohan
Everyone has a breaking point. Gohan is a fan favorite for a bunch of reasons, with his showdown against Cell being his crowning achievement. A sensitive and quiet boy, Goku’s son does not really enjoy fighting, but he is willing to do anything to protect those important to him. Perfect Cell spends a few episodes tormenting Gohan to try and awaken his real power, before the death of Android 16 sends the young hero over the deep end. From Super Saiyan 2's electrifying design to that bone-chilling scream; Cell got more than he bargained for.

Goku
Who does not remember the first time they saw this episode? Prior to this historic transformation, anime fans were still waiting to see if the Legendary Super Saiyan myth held any water. Believing that Goku’s fierce Spirit Bomb put Frieza down for the count, Krillin and Piccolo are defenseless as the Emperor launches a counter attack. Fueled by the explosive death of his best friend, Goku loses control and taps into his inner Super Saiyan – while screaming Frieza’s name out in anger. Even today, this scene still gives us goosebumps.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Super Saiyan
Trunks

Legendary Super Saiyan
Broly

Super Saiyan Rosé
Goku Black

Goku
The scream to end all screams. Super Saiyan 3 might be Goku’s least utilized form, but the transformation was beyond perfect. While most power-ups tend to happen out of nowhere and rather quickly, Goku achieved Super Saiyan 3 deliberately after around five minutes of build-up. This sequence is intercut with shots of tsunamis, earthquakes, and a panicking King Kai; suggesting Goku’s new form might not be the greatest idea ever. Super Saiyan 3’s design is also a departure from what came before, giving the anime hero a much more animalistic appearance.