Dragon Ball 10 Underwhelming Transformations

In order to keep fans invested and excited, new transformations have to be constantly introduced. Unfortunately, not all of them are well thought out.

Anime series like Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball have been able to become such timeless hits because there are so many aspects about them to enjoy. The Dragon Ball franchise features lovable characters, a creative world, and unbelievable action sequences, but it’s also a series that’s routinely singled out for its explosive transformations of power.

Dragon Ball has examined the quest for greater transformations ever since the debut of Super Saiyan, and the series’ growing scope has allowed some powerful new forms to arise. At the same time, transformations can be a double-edged sword and invite their own share of disadvantages. The majority of Dragon Ball’s transformations are worthy to get excited about, but there are also a select group that enthusiastically fall on deaf, unimpressed ears.

10 Ultra Super Saiyan Is Clunky Eyesore

The initial Super Saiyan transformation is a defining moment for Dragon Ball. Appropriately, it takes some time until Super Saiyan 2 unveils itself, but in the interim, the series’ tries to have its cake and eat it too with an in-between stage. Ultra Super Saiyan, also known as Super Saiyan Third Grade, is more powerful than the standard Super Saiyan stage, but it’s accompanied by such additional bulky muscle mass that it’s a form that’s too slow to be useful. Ultra Super Saiyan turns into a tease as a new transformation that looks unflattering and isn’t helpful in battle.

9 Gohan’s Mystic Upgrade Quickly Becomes Forgettable

For better and for worse, Dragon Ball has remained Goku’s series, and he’s typically in the spotlight and the one who gets to save the day. There’s an exciting period between the Cell and Buu Sagas where Dragon Ball legitimately intends to make Gohan its main character. Part of the climax of this involves Gohan’s training with Old Kai, who unlocks his Mystic/Ultimate form. This is a massive boost in power, but it’s hard to know Gohan has even experienced a transformation. There’s a striking white aura that accompanies the boost, but there’s no defining element to this improvement.

8 Giant Super Namekians Are Proof That Size Doesn’t Matter

Dragon Ball has expanded on the lore of Namekians in some fascinating ways, and they definitely have the most depth out of the anime’s aliens behind Saiyans. Namekians have a wealth of unique skills, but they can undergo a powerful transformation where they radically increase their size as they transform into a Giant Super Namekian.

This transformation may seem frightening, but it’s really only a concern if the character is stuck on the ground and can’t fly. Most of Dragon Ball’s characters are skilled in flight, so they can take the fight directly to any Giant Super Namekian’s face.

7 Cooler’s Final Form Doesn’t Add Anything To The Equation

The Dragon Ball Z movies have expanded upon Frieza’s family tree in some interesting ways, like with his brother, Cooler. If the presence of another member of Frieza’s family wasn’t enough, Cooler also introduces a new form that goes beyond what’s seen with Frieza’s final transformation. The problem is that so much variety is covered with all of the previous transformations that there are not many other places to take this species. Cooler’s new form doesn’t look any stronger and comes across as derivative of Frieza’s second form in a lot of ways.

6 Golden Great Ape Isn’t Much More Than A Flashy Color Swap

The Saiyans have come a long way in Dragon Ball since the original series and the infancy of Dragon Ball Z. Super Saiyan transformations have become the norm, but before their existence, it was the Saiyan’s Great Ape transformation that was arguably their strongest trick. The original Great Ape is iconic and the reason for Saiyan tails in the first place. Dragon Ball GT attempts a twist on this transformation that results in a Golden Great Ape. Beyond the more striking color, this change feels superfluous, and it doesn’t bring enough forward. It’s an awkward stage before Super Saiyan 4.

5 Top’s Destroyer Form Comes Down To A Bold Aura

Dragon Ball Super’s anime culminates with a gigantic competition between the strongest fighters in the multiverse, known as the Tournament of Power. Goku encounters a lot of formidable opponents from other universes, with some of the members of the Pride Troopers, like Jiren and Top, being the strongest of the lot. Top is not a God of Destruction, but he’s evidently on the level of one.

This is proven when he shifts into his Destroyer form during the Tournament of Power. Top becomes more enraged and driven, but he doesn’t look much different beyond the purple aura that follows him.

4 The Legendary Super Saiyan Berserker Form Wears Thin Fast

The Dragon Ball series has had some fun with the concept of a Legendary Super Saiyan, which is exhibited through an ultra-muscular figure and green aura and hair, first with Broly and then again with Kale in Dragon Ball Super. A Legendary Super Saiyan is compelling in theory, but this transformation doesn’t feel that substantial. More muscles and an uncontrollable rage are nothing new, and it’s a very literal interpretation of power. Dragon Ball develops much more significant transformations that also have more exciting stylistic touches. This form also reduces all of its Saiyans to the same look, diminishing their originality.

3 Super Saiyan Rosé Is Just Another Color Change For A Super Standard

Dragon Ball Super’s Goku Black makes for one of the most vengeful and compelling villains from the franchise, and he actually injects some mystery into the narrative. There’s an understandable level of shock to have this evil double of Goku that acts as the villain. There’s not much of an explanation provided, but Goku Black has a unique Super Saiyan form, most likely to make it easier to tell him and Goku apart. Goku Black’s Super Saiyan Blue equivalent is Super Saiyan Rosé, which is identical other than reddish hair and aura instead of blue.

2 The Majin Transformation Turns Into A Gaudy Face Tattoo

Dragon Ball has frequently looked for ways to return to the electric dynamic that was present when Goku and Vegeta were first at odds. Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga brings forward Babidi and a sect of possessed individuals who become a member of the Majin race. Vegeta succumbs to this boost in power, which results in a stylish "M" adorning his forehead, just like every other Majin. The strength is appreciated, but it’s a ridiculous branding that could have instead been represented through so many other devilish ways.

1 Pseudo Super Saiyan Can’t Make Up Its Mind And Never Returns

The Dragon Ball Z movies technically exist out of canon, which can result in some odd details as they try to give a vague indication of when they should fall in the larger scope of the series. The fourth Dragon Ball Z movie, Lord Slug, is set during an interesting period of transition right after Goku first turns into a Super Saiyan. The movie comes across as a little confused on this front as Goku’s big finish involves a version of Super Saiyan that looks like a Kaio-Ken hybrid, looking almost like an unofficial Pseudo Super Saiyan form.