The Dragon Ball franchise is known for its fantastic techniques and transformations, and no character is more used to putting them into practice than Goku! The protagonist of Dragon Ball is one of the most powerful characters in all fictional history. He owes it to his transformations and techniques that raise his power level to transcendent levels.
In this article, we will list the Goku transformations that he uses throughout the franchise. For the elaboration of this list, we decided to use canon and non-canon transformations!
1. Great Ape
This was the first transformation we saw Goku use, as until then, we had no idea that Saiyan could use this technique.
In reality, this transformation wasn’t used whenever Goku wanted to since it was inherent in the Saiyan race. Whenever there was a full moon, Saiyans transformed themselves into giant ape.
Despite increasing power levels, Goku lost all awareness and control over his mind, turning into a genuinely irrational animal!
2. Kaioken
Kaioken is a technique invented by King Kai, although Goku is the only one capable of mastering it completely. In its base form, the Kaioken doubles Goku’s power!
Throughout the franchise, we saw Goku use more powerful versions of Kaioken; the most powerful multiplies his power level by 100 times!
Visually, Goku’s appearance doesn’t look much different, a red aura surrounds just his body, and his muscles get slightly bigger.
3. False Super Saiyan
Despite being a super exciting transformation, this form is not considered canon, only appearing in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Goku, The Super Saiyan.
Initially, everyone thought this transformation was the Super Saiyan form, which was only demystified during the Freeza saga of Dragon Ball Z.
When transforming into Super Saiyan Fake, Goku is surrounded by a golden aura; his hair is raised but retains its black color, and his pupils disappear completely.
4. Super Saiyan
The Super Saiyan form is one of the most iconic in the Dragon Ball franchise and was responsible for changing how we look at Saiyans forever.
In this transformation, Goku’s power level increases immensely, and his hair is raised and changes color to golden. Also, Goku’s eyes are different, with his pupils changing to blue.
Until Goku could master this transformation, he was nothing but a legend, as many believed this feat was only within reach of the Legendary Saiyan!
5. Super Saiyan Third Grade
This transformation was probably the least used by Goku. This is the first derivation of the Super Saiyan transformation, only achieved after immense training by the franchise’s protagonist.
This transformation occurs when a Saiyan transformed into Super Saiyan tries to increase his power level but cannot access the Super Saiyan 2 transformation.
The Third Degree Super Saiyan causes Goku’s physical strength to increase as well as his stamina. However, he loses immense speed and agility, which makes this transformation rarely used.
6. Super Saiyan 2
Although visually similar to the Super Saiyan transformation, this is an evolution and a completely different power level.
Goku’s strength dramatically increases as he transforms into Super Saiyan 2, as does his speed, stamina, and energy.
Admittedly, Goku is the protagonist, but usually, this transformation is more associated with Gohan, the first Saiyan to achieve this powerful form!
7. Super Saiyan 3
After years and years of training, Goku could transform into Saiyajin 3 during the Saga Majin Boo. All the potential in a Saiyan’s blood is utilized in this transformation, making this (theoretically) the perfect version of the Super Saiyan transformation.
In reality, Super Saiyan 3 multiplies the power of the base Super Saiyan transformation by eight, which is truly impressive.
Despite all this, Super Saiyan 3 stopped being a transformation used by Goku, passing to the background.
8. Golden Oozaru
Another non-canon transformation in Dragon Ball is the Golden Oozaru. This was a form that Goku managed to achieve in Dragon Ball GT.
In this transformation, Goku appeared as the giant monkey Oozaru, but his fur changed from brown to gold, an apparent reference to the Super Saiyan transformation.
As with the Oozaru transformation, Saiyans must have their tail and can only transform when looking at a full moon or a planet.
9. Super Saiyan 4
Speaking of non-canon transformations that belong to Dragon Ball GT, we couldn’t leave Super Saiyan 4 out!
This transformation is different from all the others. Here, to achieve this form, Goku must have his tail, have enough power to transform into Golden Oozaru, and gain consciousness in that form.
When Goku gains control over himself, he can transform into Super Saiyan 4. This transformation is a mix of Super Saiyan and Oozaru at the appearance level.
10. Super Saiyan God
Once Dragon Ball Super emerged, new transformations entered the franchise canon, which hasn’t happened since Super Saiyan 3 debuted in Dragon Ball Z.
The Super Saiyan God is the transformation Goku uses once he can access Divine Ki. This form is only achieved after a ritual with six other pure-hearted Saiyans or through training with a divine entity.
Goku can face divine beings like the Gods of Destruction when he reaches this form. Even so, the Super Saiyan God is not enough to defeat them.
11. Super Blue Saiyan
Once the Super Saiyan God is mastered, Goku can combine this transformation with the Super Saiyan form. The result of this mixture? The Super Blue Saiyan, also known as Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan.
This is arguably one of Goku’s most powerful transformations and the second-highest-powered Super Saiyan transformation (second only to the Vegeta-dominated Super Saiyan Evolution Blue and Broly’s Legendary Super Sayajin).
Super Saiyan Blue is probably the most used transformation by Goku, becoming a regular presence in both anime and manga.
12. Super Kaioken Blue Saiyan
With this combination, Goku managed to take his power levels to a truly absurd level! Once he attains Super Saiyan form, the Dragon Ball protagonist can combine it with the Kaioken technique.
With the Super Saiyan Blue transformation as one of the most powerful, as soon as Goku activates the Kaioken, his power level increases by 20 times!
We saw this combo during the Tournament of Power, especially in the confrontation between Goku and Universe 11 Warrior Jiren!
13. Autonomous Ultra Instinct
This is basically (as the name implies) the incomplete form of the Higher Instinct technique. Before Goku could tap into the full potential of this technique, he demonstrated his increased power through transformation.
In Incomplete Higher Instinct, Goku keeps his hair in its original shape and color. However, his pupils turn gray, and a blue and white aura surrounds his body.
This one proved powerful enough to beat most of your opponents even being an incomplete form!
14. Ultra Instinct
Once Goku has mastered the Higher Instinct, it’s best to get out of his way! In this form, Goku is virtually invincible.
In addition to your attack power, you are significantly increasing your reflexes and speed to a level that not even some gods can keep up.
This shape is visually represented by Goku’s gray hair and pupils, who are the same color. Also, his physiognomy changes a little, getting Saiyan with his muscles a little bigger!
