Super Saiyan
A Super Saiyan (also referred to as SSJ as it is スーパーサイヤ人 "Supa Saiya-jin" in Japanese) is a special advanced and powerful state of the Saiyan race in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. This can be performed at at least four levels, each more powerful than the previous.
Super Saiyan: The Legend
The ability to become a Super Saiyan was once considered to be a myth, because it had not been performed for over a thousand years until Son Goku accomplished it when he was fighting Frieza on Planet Namek. The story goes that one day a Saiyan warrior would push the limits and change state into a superior individual. This fearsome being, a 'Super Saiyan' would wield exeptionally colossal power, and was told as he wouldn't be the first. There would be a dawn of a new era, starting with this legendary Super Saiyan: the dawn of the Saiyan saga.
Frieza feared the Super Saiyan legend (but more so the ability for a Saiyan's power to over double in growth when they recover from the brink of death) and destroyed Planet Vegeta in the hope that the Super Saiyan legend would never be complete.
As Saiyans trained during the Z series, they discovered levels beyond Super Saiyan never seen before, completely unheard of. The appearance of a Super Saiyan is different in each form, more so in the fourth and final form.
A theory has been that female Saiyans (Pan, Bra and females seen on planet Vegeta in the Bardock movie special) cannot make the transformation, however this has yet to be proven as fact. Some have claimed Akira Toriyama said females cannot transform in an interview, but this is a misinterpretation. His excuse he stated is that neither Pan nor Bra had the incentive to transform, and that he never drew female Super Saiyans because he couldn't figure out what they would look like. So females cannot transform in canon, although the DBZ Daizenshuu implied Pan had the potential to transform and might have become a type of Super Saiyan never seen before. Aside from this, all Saiyans still alive (as of the Freeza Saga) have managed to reach at least the first level (except Paragus).
There are many theories about the requirements of the transformation. One incorrect hypothesis is that in order for a Saiyan to transform, he must have lost his tail. Another, which is a very poor theory on a technicality is that if your father had previously been a Super Saiyan before the time of conception, you would be born without a tail, and have the ability to transform yourself at a very early age (Goten, Chibi Trunks). This is actually because they are half-Saiyans, and is a mere coincidence that Gohan (who was born before Goku had achieved Super Saiyan) didn't achieve Super Saiyan himself until a later age than Goten. Gohan didn't reach it until he was 11, four years later than Goten did, but thats still very early and this theory should be disregarded. Although a fact, it would seem that if the father of a Saiyan child had been a Super Saiyan before the time of contraception then the child (assuming he was a male) would be a “natural Super Saiyan” of sorts. Thus enabling the child to achieve the Super Saiyan form at a very young age, as well as disregarding any sort of necessity to the transformation (anger being the most prominent). This was seen when Goten first transformed into a Super Saiyan while training with his mother Chi-Chi. Unlike all previous Super Saiyans (for the exception of Brolly) He achieved the transformation without any real need or anger (it is possible he was always a Super Saiyan and just didn’t know). “The Transformation comes from a need not a desire” – Son Goku. There is a possible hole in this theory as Chibi Trunks also seemed to have achieved Super Saiyan at a very young age. And since in the series Trunks was shown to be born before Vegeta turning Super Saiyan its not necessarily true that a Super Saiyan father equals a Super Saiyan son. However, Vegeta had been a Super Saiyan some time before he actually was shown transforming, it is possible that he was a Super Saiyan at the time of Trunk’s conception. However there is no real way to tell.
Goten is proportionately weaker than Gohan, for both Goten and Trunks take after their human half, thus have no tail; Goten just looks like his father. Half-breeds' bodies are weaker than pure Saiyans, and allow for transformation to the first 2 levels of Super Saiyan at a lower (easier to attain) power level that can be achieved at an early age, but they cannot transcend Super Saiyan 3. What you have to understand is that the body transformation is a mechanism to be able to continue a fight, harnessing all of the power at a new plateau. In general, all of the forms require a purpose and very formidable power to undergo transformation. The necessary power can be obtained from an extremely intense rage (as is the case for all except Broly). The transformation takes place when the Saiyan body needs to morph in order to handle all of the power, at least a power level of 100,000-300,000 (more than scouters can read). Humans, who can't change form, cannot generate much power at all, with few exceptions like Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien.
Fans debate over the identity of the true Legendary Super Saiyan. While Toei animation stated it is Broly, many fans say it is Son Goku, because Goku was first seen turning Super Saiyan in the fight against Frieza. In Daizenshuu and the game Dragonball Z Budokai 3, Broly's Ultra Super Saiyan-like form is stated as being Legendary Super Saiyan. However, Broly was not in the manga so he is considered Non-Canon, technically proving by omission that Goku is the true intended Legendary Super Saiyan.
Super Saiyan Levels
The following is a description of each Super Saiyan level, and the Saiyans who reached the level (in chronological order).
Giji Super Saiyan (Non-Canon)
(Quasi-Super Saiyan) This is a mid point between a Saiyan's regular form and Super Saiyan form. Certain features such as elevated hair, non-existant pupils, and a golden aura are evident, however, this is only just a small sample of the full transformation. Users do not seem to be in complete control while in this state. This form cannot be retained for very long since stress can build-up enormously from the lack of complete transformation needed to maintain stability of the power.
Goku reached this form in DBZ Movie #4, when he became enraged at Lord Slug. Goku used it again when he visits HFIL in Otherworld, after being killed by Cell. He uses it to quickly dismember the dead Ginyu Force. Broly also attained this form In movie #8 as an infant.
Achieved By:
Super Saiyan
Going Super Saiyan gives the saiyan a huge power boost along with golden hair that stands up on end and bluish-green eyes. The first person we see reach Super Saiyan in the series is Goku when fighting Frieza. The transformation is triggered when a Saiyan experiences extreme, intense emotion, which empowers them to a point beyond the limits of power that their body can handle, forcing a transformation. With training, afterwards the transformation is controlled and happens at will with a smaller spike in emotion (usually includes screaming until they reach a level of mastery where it can be silent and without muscle straining or flexing movements). These Super Saiyan transformations 'taint' your heart or soul, which, for a time, disallowed Goku the ability to properly perform his Spirit Bomb technique.
Achieved By:
- Son Goku
- Future Trunks
- Vegeta
- Son Gohan
- Broly
- Son Goten
- Chibi Trunks
- Gotenks
- Vegetto
- Gogeta
- Goku Junior
- Vegeta Junior
Super Saiyan 2nd Grade/Ultimate Super Saiyan
This form is a much more powerful version of Super Saiyan. It increases muscle mass and is more powerful than the standard Super Saiyan level. Super Saiyan 2nd Grade isn't truely a form, but a name for the point in between the Super Saiyan level and the Super Saiyan 3rd Grade form. This is the form Vegeta and Trunks use for the fight with Semi-Perfect Cell. We also see Goku in this form when he is training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Gohan.
Achieved By:
Super Saiyan 3rd Grade/Ultimate Super Saiyan 2
More commonly known as Ultra Super Saiyan, this is a midpoint between Super Saiyan 1 and Super Saiyan 2. At this stage a Saiyan's hair gets bigger and spikier, and their muscle mass dramatically increases along with equal amounts of strength, but they take a big hit in their speed. Also, this form consumes vast ammounts of energy. The raw power is close to Super Saiyan 2, but since this form isn't perfect, the speed gets worse than it was originally as normal Super Saiyan. Goku demonstrated this to Gohan, during the Cell Saga inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. However, Trunks failed to notice this flaw, and was defeated by Perfect Cell when he used it against him. Trunks believes that Vegeta also noticed this disadvantage during his training. This form is relatively useless on any opponent that calls for this much strength, for they will probably be faster.
Achieved By:
Super Saiyan, Permanent Distinction
During the training time before the Cell Games , Goku comes up with an idea. He wanted himself and Gohan to try and remain as Super Saiyans for as long as they could, and so get their bodies used to the form. The result is that the Saiyan can stay in the form for an indefinite period of time with little or no effort and without "that restless feeling" he says being a Super Saiyan causes. Goku and Gohan are the only individuals with this grade, because they are the only ones who trained until they felt natural in the form. This grade indicates complete mastery of the Super Saiyan 1st grade form.
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Legendary Super Saiyan (Non-Canon)
In Dragonball Z movie 8, the audience is introduced to Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan. Broly's transformations are similar, but unique to the other saiyans of DBZ which put him in a class of his own.
In Movie 8, the Giji Super Saiyan-like form that Broly takes during his first fight against Goku is actually his Super Saiyan form. The bluish hair in daylight is caused by the device his father attached to him on his forehead in order to control, calm and tame Broly to a certain extent. When activated, it automatically restricts Broly from surpassing this form. In this form his muscles swell slightly from his previously unspectacular body. However, when Broly and Goku come face to face for the second time in the movie, Broly's anger becomes too strong for the device on his forehead to control him, and shatters, allowing Broly to ascend to Legendary Super Saiyan.
Beyond his initial transformation, he has a final form which resembles an Ultra Super Saiyan form, but with several notable differences. His size, muscle mass, and strength are far beyond that of Ultra Super Saiyan, to the point of being ridiculous. In Movie 8 his hair is gold, but with a strong lime-green tinge. His aura is lime-green, while his ki is neon green. Additionally, he has no irises or pupils in his eyes. This form is what was known to the Saiyans as Legendary Super Saiyan. Broly's legendary form doesn't lose speed as Ultra Super Saiyan does, and his seemingly invincibleness stems from his power, not his muscles. His transformation to this form involves unleashing his power in an explosive bubble-shaped blast of energy.
Since he is not canon, his power is never stated. Some fans believe he is a super powered mutant Super Saiyan (much like the Ultimate Super Saiyan 2 in that particular aspect) equal to Super Saiyan 3, in strength and power only. His speed is greater than an Ultimate Super Saiyan, but not as fast as a Super Saiyan. To FUNimation it seems he is the Super Saiyan among Super Saiyans, making his transfomation superior to them all. If nothing else, it is at least superior to Super Saiyan, and the two Ultimate Super Saiyan forms.
Achieved By:
Super Saiyan 2
This stage is very similar to Super Saiyan in appearance, where the muscles do not receive much of a boost in their mass. On this Super Saiyan level the Saiyan's energy has multiplied from the first Super Saiyan level, resulting in a very evident bio-electrical field. The hair becomes spikier, longer, and perhaps finer. The irises obtain a hint of blue as well, resulting in a greenish-cyan. In this form power and speed are proportional to each other and increased several times from the first Super Saiyan stage. This jump in skills is greater than the jump from Super Saiyan 2 to Super Saiyan 3. This form was first achieved by Gohan whilst battling Cell. It too is triggered by powerful emotions. It is the pinnacle of forms for anyone less than pure-blooded, not counting the Mystic form.
Achieved By:
Super Saiyan 3
This form is the strongest (and strangest) of all Saiyan forms in canon. Only Goku and the fused body of Gotenks can handle it. Goku achieves this form whilst training in Other World after the Cell Saga. He says "It's not the easiest thing to control." Apparently, he was referring to the difficulty, fatigue, and energy consumption one experiences, which makes movement less fluid.
Super Saiyan 3 is characterized by very long, full, golden hair down the back. Also, the lightning was carried over from Super Saiyan 2, and the Saiyan's eyebrows disappear. Goku is unique in this form, that in it, he becomes the only Super Saiyan in any form with pupils. This form increases power and speed even more, but also uses a lot of energy, so it cannot be maintained for very long. While Goku was in the Other World, he could maintain this form for as long as he wished, but once he came back to life his living body could not handle it for very long. The rise in fighting skills from Super Saiyan form 1 to 2 is far greater than the jump from form 2 to 3; although awesome, the change is less dramatic. The form is achieved by unleashing power: power that lies within every Saiyan and just needs to be tapped. This form is strictly unattainable by anyone without pure-blood status for they cannot handle the energy required, with the exception of Gotenks, whose exponential power due to the fusion and make-up of two halves of a Saiyan made it possible. Gotenks is more powerful and adept with the use of this form than Goku.
It may be necessary for the individual to acheive Super Saiyan 3, initially, in a dimension other than that of the living world, where the laws of physics differ, and do not exhaust the body. The Afterlife (Other World) and the Room of Spirit and Time (Hyperbolic Time Chamber) are two such dimensions where Goku and Gotenks both achieved Super Saiyan 3 respectively. Once the form has been attained, it can be used anywhere, though the limitations of that dimension could still make it difficult.
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Mystic form
During the Buu Saga, Gohan breaks the mighty Z sword, releasing the Elder Kai. The Elder Kai then teaches Gohan the Mystic form by meditating over him for 24 hours. The Mystic powerup unlocks a fighter's hidden full potential, taking the base Saiyan form to its limits, so much so that the Super Saiyan form was unnecessary to Gohan at the time. The transformation didn't change the appearance of Gohan much at all, his bangs moved, he had a stern face and white aura.
The Mystic form surpasses Super Saiyan 3 and a child Super Saiyan 3 fusion being; it is just as powerful as a half way step to form 3 while just in base form. This is a transformation that can take place while in any other form (the potential carries over to the other forms; if Gohan used them while already in Mystic it would make him stronger than any one else on his level, except Broly). The ritual performed on Gohan enabled him to act at his utmost maximum peak, and this holds true when he is in Super Saiyan 1 or 2, making him more powerful still with every level he goes to while in Mystic.
But sadly for this warrior, after his death at Buu's hand, Gohan's potential relapsed, losing him his Mystic form, and his Super Saiyan form was used again, in its place. While not a form of strictly Saiyans, Mystic is considered to be a level of Super-Saiyan because the only one to receive the boost was a Saiyan (so for now it can only be related to Saiyans), and the power was Super Saiyan worthy.
Achieved By:
- Son Gohan (As an adult)
Super Saiyan 4 (Non-Canon)
This form can only be reached by a pure Saiyan after transforming into a Golden Oozaru and then gaining conscious control over the form. This form was first achieved by Goku when battling Bebi. In this form the Saiyan's hair reverts to it's natural color for the individual (in Goku's case it turned black again), the tail is present (only because you must be an Oozaru before taking this form, not directly because of it) and the body is covered in some shade of red fur. A Saiyan in this form also possesses a red shadow trim around the eyes and over the eye lids. The hair is lengthened and grows wild and untamed. This form, like Super Saiyan 3, can only be maintained for short periods of time.
Super Saiyan 4 is the highest form achieved by a Saiyan in the official Dragonball continuty (this means no Super Saiyan 5 or 6). This form has the characteristics of a basic humanoid Saiyan and the "Ape"'s characteristics. This is why this form has natural color hair with Ape's fur and tail. This form harnesses the brute power of the Oozaru in the conscious hands of a Saiyan. Super Saiyan 4 is only possible for pure-blood Saiyans (and only Goku has achieved it unaided). This means Gohan, Trunks and any other halflings cannot reach this form. Vegeta, who was missing his tail, used a Blutz Wave emitting device (Bruits Waves, the correct term, a pun on 'brute' and 'fruits') to aid his transformation.
(Note that this form is non-canonical to the original manga and anime by Akira Toriyama as it only appears in the anime Dragon Ball GT and that this is the only form that was not actually designed by Akira Toriyama, but by Dragon Ball GT character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru. However, Toriyama created several of the character designs for the series, and has stated that the series more or less went in a direction that he himself would have taken it. In the Japanese DVD boxed set of Dragon Ball GT, released in June 2005, a sketch of Super Saiyan 4 Goku by Akira Toriyama was included as an extra, thus sealing his acceptance of this form.)
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