The following article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Super.
Dragon Ball Super has introduced many amazing new transformations for all the main Saiyans. Super Saiyan God (introduced in the Battle of Gods movie), Super Saiyan Blue, and Ultra Instinct are all examples of new forms that got fans hyped to see Goku and the others surpass their own limits.
However, even though Dragon Ball Super does a great job expanding the lore of the series, none of these are Goku’s most loved form. In fact, his most beloved form is a very nostalgic one. But first, let’s explore how powerful Goku has become and why his most beloved transformation remains an old one.
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Ultra Instinct was introduced in Dragon Ball Super Chapter 66 (and episode 166). Ultra Instinct refers both to a transformation and an ability. The technique, best known as Autonomous Ultra Instinct, allows users to react almost instantly to attacks, making them almost invincible. All Gods of Destruction and Angels use this ability. Mortal beings, however, would struggle to use this technique if not transformed into the Ultra Instinct form.
Therefore, as a transformation, Ultra Instinct, sometimes called Ultra Instinct Sign, is a divine form that can be achieved by breaking one’s own limits and unlocking their true potential. Once transformed, mortals are able to use the Autonomous Ultra Instinct ability, minimizing its dangers. Using it without being transformed can quickly lead to fatal exhaustion.
Goku is the only character in the series who has been able to unleash Ultra Instinct, but Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Broly have unleashed other transformations with similar power. However, Goku is still not able to tap into this form intentionally; he only does it when he is in extreme danger. Furthermore, like other forms, Ultra Instinct needs to be mastered, especially since this form costs a lot of energy and stamina.
At this point of the story, Goku has already reached the Perfected Ultra Instinct (or Mastered Ultra Instinct) form. Still, he struggles with this form, as it requires a calm ki to be maintained, which might be very difficult for a Saiyan. However, Goku was able to create a variant of this form called True Ultra Instinct, which he can unleash by taking advantage of his Saiyan nature. In True Ultra Instinct, he doesn’t need to maintain his aura all the time, but this alternative form is not as powerful as Perfected Ultra Instinct.
The series has been ambiguous about exactly how powerful Goku becomes once he transforms into Perfected Ultra Instinct. However, it is implied that he is still not at the same level of power as the Gods of Destruction. For instance, Black Frieza is said to be at the same level as them, and it is clear that Goku is still no match for Black Frieza. Furthermore, it is implied that Beerus is still stronger than him.
However, it could be a matter of training and feeling more adapted to this technique, or perhaps Goku could still unleash an even stronger form. Another option is that Goku could probably combine this transformation with Kaioken, since he maintains a calm state in this form.
There is no doubt that Perfected Ultra Instinct is Goku’s strongest form, but this is far from being the most loved one by fans. No matter how strong Goku becomes, or how cool his new forms are, no transformation is likely to ever surpass Super Saiyan 1 (SSJ1). The excitement that fans felt when this transformation was introduced will never be surpassed.
In fact, SSJ1 changed everything in Dragon Ball. From that point on, the series started to rely on new transformations as a way to level up the characters. Before the introduction of the Saiyan lore, the human characters had more weight in the story. Looking at Dragon Ball now, it’s hard to believe that Goku used to compete with Krillin and Yamcha to prove who was stronger. In any case, the battle between Goku and Frieza on Namek was one of the most exciting points of the story for most Dragon Ball fans, so it’s hard for any transformation to match what SSJ1 means to most fans. While it’s not his most powerful transformation, it’s definitely the most meaningful one.
Other fans might think that Kaioken is more important and meaningful than SSJ1, as Goku had heavily relied on Kaioken to become stronger before unleashing SSJ. While that’s true and many fans love Kaioken, it is not a transformation. Kaioken is, just like Autonomous Ultra Instinct, an ability.
Oh… it’s the Kaio-ken attack. It’s like a massive upsurge of energy. Everything is heightened: power, speed, even hearing and vision improve dramatically. You sort of become a super-self. But it can only be sustained for a short time, so you have to get the job done quickly.
Many fans mistake Kaioken for a transformation, probably because Goku doesn’t combine it with most of his SSJ transformations (except in the Other World Tournament, an anime filler arc). This happens because, according to Old Kai, mixing Kaioken and SSJ is dangerous due to the stress caused by SSJ. Kaioken requires a refined ki control, which can only be achieved with a calm ki. For this reason, Kaioken can only be safely combined with Super Saiyan Blue and, likely, Perfected Ultra Instinct.
2015 – 2018
Fuji TV
Tatsuya Nagamine
Masakazu Morita
Whis (voice)
Masako Nozawa
Son Goku/Goku Black/Son Gohan/Son Goten (voices)
