Top 20 Awesome Dragon Ball Power Up Scenes

Piccolo

Most of the time, getting beaten to a pulp and slammed into a pit isn’t a great way to win a fight. But, no need to worry, Piccolo had a back-up plan by the name of Shenron. The wish-granting dragon unlocked the Namekian’s latent potential, and the results are plain to see. Erupting from a pillar of orange energy, Piccolo’s return to the battlefield is the very definition of epic. If you want to know just how strong this new form is, look no further than the fact that Piccolo doesn’t even flinch at Gamma 2’s attacks anymore. Earth’s resident Namekian was long overdue for a transformation, and thankfully, Orange Piccolo’s debut was worth the wait.

Frieza

Over the years, there’s been a lot of gilded transformations in “Dragon Ball.” From Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, and yes, even Frieza. But, although we’ve already seen the space tyrant try on the golden look, this scene sells the weight of the power-up like never before. The sharp and detailed animation fills the screen with so much gold, the glow of it can literally be seen from space. It’s more than a mere paint job, though. The only thing cooler than the transformation itself is watching Freiza use his new power to utterly obliterate the poor assassins. After a power boost like this, those guys never stood a chance.

Gotenks

What’s a transformation without some dramatic flair? To Goten and Trunks, the answer is nothing. That’s why, when push came to shove, they still held onto their trump card until the very end. It’s only when they’re trapped in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, with the fate of the Earth hanging in the balance, that they finally unveil Super Saiyan 3 in all its glory. On principle, the roar that triggers the iconic golden mullet just can’t beat. But, it’s even more memorable because of how much character is packed into its hilarious context. In the end, Gotenks got their wish - they saved the day, and looked damn cool while doing it.

Majin Buu

You really don’t want to make this guy mad. Not just because Buu’s an all-powerful villain with no moral compass, but also because he has some serious anger-management issues. So much so, that Majin Buu’s fury manifests into a whole other version of himself. That’s right, it’s two Buus for the price of one, and neither is particularly friendly. But, as if the gray-skinned Evil Buu wasn’t frightening enough, he then eats his original form, transforming again into the new and improved Super Buu. Each form is scarier, cooler, and more insane than the last. But, from a character like Buu, we shouldn’t even be surprised.

Broly

With one ki blast and a hell of a monologue, Frieza triggered one of the most iconic Super Saiyan transformations in decades. Now, what if we said that was just the start? “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” doesn’t skimp in the animation department, and that’s no clearer than when its title character finally lives up to his potential. There’s no other way to put it, Broly’s explosive final transformation is a pure spectacle, through and through. But, rest assured, it’s got some serious power behind it, too. Not just anyone can keep up with Gogeta himself. After witnessing Broly’s jaw-dropping strength, it’s obvious why they call him the Legendary Super Saiyan.

Goku

To unlock the red hair dye, it took a threat to Earth, an ancient ceremony, and the power of five Saiyans. Yet, somehow, Super Saiyan God was worth it all. Trading golden hair for a divine aura, this new style proved that Goku could still tussle with the best of them. Even literal Destroyer Gods. While the red hairdo is certainly a nice change of pace, the real meat of this glow-up comes from Goku’s high-flying spat with Beerus. In just one fight, Super Saiyan God earned itself a place as one of the most impressive Saiyan skills to date - and there’s a lot of them.

Goku Black

By “Dragon Ball Super,” we’d pretty much seen the whole Saiyan Rainbow. But, then, Goku Black came along. Instead of the standard gold, red, or blue, the doppelganger went with pink, and just like that, Super Saiyan Rosé was born. The look on Trunks and Vegeta’s face says it all. This is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. It’s new, it’s intimidating, and most of all, it’s stylish as hell. As a test drive, Goku Black dices through Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta like it’s a warmup. Super Saiyan Rosé isn’t the last new form introduced in the “Future Trunks Arc,” but it is the most memorable.

Trunks

Back in the day when classic Super Saiyan still meant something, few debut’s did it as well as Trunks’. Taking place in a timeline devastated by the androids, you can practically feel the Saiyan’s heartbroken rage. Especially since he’s sitting over the body of his dead mentor, Gohan. The rain, the music, the voice acting - all together, it’s an emotional gut punch you simply can’t look away from, no matter how hard you try. There’s not many transformations in all of “Dragon Ball” that are this tragic. But, then again, that’s precisely why Trunks’ turning into a Super Saiyan is one for the history books.

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, audiences were treated to a brief look into Goku’s fractured mind before Super Saiyan 4 is unleashed. The design is pretty divisive, but the experience was sweet all the same due to how long fans were left waiting to see Goku as an adult once again.

Goku

A precursor to the awesomeness to come. 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. The shimmering aura proves to be the tipping point needed to finally put Jiren and his Universal cronies on the backstep.

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. Quite the color combo.

Frieza

Self-proclaimed ruler and Dragon Ball’s baddest of bads, 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

You can always count on Vegeta to take a moment of despair and turn it into a crowd pleaser. 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, more commonly known now as Super Saiyan Blue, 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

Vegeta’s pride ruins the day again. 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 series.

Gohan

Shattering your limits must run in the family. When both his daughter and Piccolo are put on the chopping block, Gohan becomes so angry, he gets a new kind of power all to himself. And, of course, it comes with one hell of a jaw-dropping debut. Gohan’s enraged roar is, well, bestial. With a power level as big as his new hair, the Beast form is the best part of Gohan’s character all wrapped into one, spine-tingling fight scene. Fittingly, it’s against none other than Cell Max. Just try not to blink through it. Beast Gohan is so overpowered, our only complaint is we wanted to see more of it.

Vegeta

Well, better late than never. After seeing Goku and Trunks beat him to the punch, Vegeta finally manages to turn Super Saiyan after pushing himself to near death. As far as transformations go, this one is rather short and straight to the point, with the Prince delivering his classic one-liners before powering up. While still very much in his arrogant anti-hero phase, witnessing Vegeta attain this level of strength was quite something, especially with the beat-down that followed!

Goku

You know you’re doing something right when even Gods of Destruction stand to offer their respect. Throughout the Tournament of Power, Goku’s uphill fights against Jiren pushed him to near-divine levels of strength. And, in the eleventh hour, it all paid off in a scene that speaks for itself. Sporting incredible build-up and top rate animation, the unveiling of Mastered Ultra Instinct is by and large the crowning moment of all “Dragon Ball Super.” It manages to culminate the tournament, Goku’s character, and the entire arc of the show in one, breathtaking moment. Even if Goku surpasses his limits again one day, there will never be anything quite like Ultra Instinct.

Gohan

Everyone has a breaking point. 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 episode after episode tormenting Gohan to try and awaken his real power, before the death of Android 16 sends the young Saiyan over the deep end. From Super Saiyan 2's electrifying design to that bone-chilling scream; Cell got more than he bargained for and then some!

Goku

It's the form that changed everything. Prior to this historic transformation, 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 tyrant launches a counter attack. Fueled by the explosive death of his best friend, Goku loses control and taps into his inner Saiyan – going golden in the process. Even today, this scene still gives us goosebumps.

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 given the magnitude of force it is able to exert. But damn if it isn't amazing to behold.

What’s your favorite “Dragon Ball” power-up? Don’t be shy, let us know in the comments below!