Goku and the rest of the Dragon Ball cast never take their strength for granted. Everyone’ always ready to immerse themselves in rigorous training, but transformations have helped a lof of the main characters cut the distance, turning forms into shorthand for growth. It’s hard not to immediately any variation or color of Super Saiyan when thinking about Dragon Ball transformations, but there’s something to be said for DBZ and Dragon Ball Super‘s villain forms.

Most of Dragon Ball’s strongest villains even sport multiple transformations, but not all these alternate forms are created equal. Whether it’s the last trick they have up their sleeve or simply a stroke of good luck that gave them the raw power they needed to take on Goku, these villains’ ultimate forms are a major part of what makes the Dragon Ball franchise so compelling.

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10

Super Garlic Jr. Literally Cannot Be Killed

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Movie 1, “Dead Zone”; Manga Debut: N/A

Garlic Jr. isn’t Dragon Ball Z’s most popular villain, but he deserves some credit for being the only movie antagonist who makes his way into the anime series. Super Garlic Jr. almost looks like a parody of a transformation. Garlic Jr. is a tiny terror in his base form who isn’t dissimilar from Emperor Pilaf. He lacks physical strength like this, which is why he typically has hordes of Demons to do his dirty work for him.

Super Garlic Jr. basically takes Garlic Jr.’s head and puts it onto Broly’s body. He becomes a massive mountain of muscle who isn’t just considerably stronger than before, but he now also looms over his opponents. Super Garlic Jr. doesn’t suffer from many disadvantages and this villain would likely get more respect if he just always operated in this ultimate form, rather than its puny predecessor. However, despite its strength, it does look a little ludicrous on a design level.

9

Young King Piccolo Took Over the World & Nearly Killed Goku

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 112, “King Piccolo’s Wish”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 147, “The Demon King Of Old… Restored!”

The original Dragon Ball’s Demon King Piccolo represents a crucial turning point for the series & features what’s technically the first transformation for a villain. To be clear, King Piccolo doesn’t trigger some superior second evolution, but rather uses the Dragon Balls to restore his youth. At this younger age, King Piccolo has peak power and strength at his disposal, which makes Young King Piccolo serve the same purpose as a transformation. King Piccolo has been around for centuries, so it makes sense that his skills and strength would have regressed over time.

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King Piccolo’s strength was never in question, but he doesn’t look particularly intimidating while his old age shows. The younger version of Demon King Piccolo just looks like a generic Namek by modern standards, but was a refreshing change of pace back in the original Dragon Ball. King Piccolo also doesn’t waste any time showing off how much stronger he’s become. King Piccolo’s destruction of Shenron is one of Dragon Ball’s most surprising moments and a sequence that reinforces his true power.

8

Full Power Granolah is a Celebration of Cerealian Strength

Anime Debut: N/A; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 68, “Granolah The Survivor”

Granolah is one of the more fascinating original characters to come out of Dragon Ball Super‘s manga. He ends up an ally to Goku and Vegeta during their battle against the Heeter Force, but he’s introduced as an extremely dedicated villain roaring to get revenge against the Saiyans. Granolah is the last of his Cerealian people and turns to a volatile Dragon Ball wish to become the strongest in Universe 7, albeit at the expense of a significantly shortened lifespan. This wish enhances Granolah’s abilities and facilitates his ascension to Full Power Granolah. There are very subtle differences present in this form, but its performance is on a whole other level.

For one, Granolah gains an Evolved Right Eye, which is a trademark of particularly powerful Cerealians. This Evolved Right Eye gives Granolah impressive sniping abilities, but his perception skills are also magnified, which helps him deduce targets’ true power and identify their vitals and weak spots. Granolah’s power reaches such extremes that he later achieves an Evolved Left Eye, too. This boost helps him gain the advantage against both Ultra Ego Vegeta and Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku.

7

Super Full Power Jiren Dominates the Tournament Of Power

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 130, “The Greatest Showdown Of All Time! The Ultimate Survival Battle!”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 42, “Battle’s End And Aftermath”

Dragon Ball Super‘s Tournament of Power introduces dozens of deadly opponents, but Universe 11’s Jiren who stands out as the ultimate competition. Jiren spends a good deal of the martial arts competition locked in meditation, but even then his superior strength is detected. Universe 7’s growing victories push Jiren to shift into Full Power mode, but tapping into traumatic memories of his past and confronting this pain pushes him into his ultimate form, Super Full Power Jiren.

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Super Full Power Jiren has increased muscle mass, which says something for a character who is already extremely muscular. The most striking detail about Jiren’s ultimate form is that he acquires a shimmering red aura that sparkles with crimson particles. It truly makes Super Full Power Jiren look otherworldly. It’s a final form worthy of such an important tournament that lasts for so long.

6

Copy Angel Power Moro Turns Ultra Instinct Against Goku

Anime Debut: N/A; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 65, “Son Goku, Earthling”

Planet-Eater Moro is a compelling villain who borrows some of the best qualities from Majin Buu, Demon King Piccolo, and Cell. Moro is an ancient magic user who has had millions of years to concoct the perfect plan to regain power and enact revenge on those who wronged him. Moro has a very decrepit appearance when he’s introduced, which makes his transition back to his youthful, stronger self all the more striking. Some prefer the wicked quality to how Moro looks in his older state, but his transformations go even further thanks to his absorption abilities. Moro absorbs Seven-Three, who also happens to have a copy of Moro at peak power preserved, which triggers the birth of Transformed Moro or Moro (Seven-Three Absorbed).

If this weren’t enough, Transformed Moro later acquires the power of Merus, an Angel, which turns him into Copy Angel Power Moro or Moro (Merus Absorbed). Moro (Merus Absorbed) has Perfected Ultra Instinct power, which leads to an epic showdown against Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku. This version of Moro still has the “Cell-like” design present in Transformed Moro, but his brown fur turns white, which has a more striking effect. Copy Angel Power Moro’s body is eventually unable to process its stolen Perfected Ultra Instinct power, which pushes Moro to absorb and fuse with the Earth itself. This is the battle’s final act, but Moro (Merus Absorbed) is the stronger and more efficient form.

5

Super Perfect Cell is Peak Perfection

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 188, “A Hero’s Farewell”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 219 (Dragon Ball Chapter 413), “Gohan’s Pain”

Dragon Ball Z’s Cell experiences revelatory transformations as he evolves from his Imperfect self to his Perfect form. Perfect Cell may lack a bit of his predecessor’s personality, but he has the regal look one expects from a Dragon Ball Z villain. Cell manages to unexpectedly push himself one step further when he reassembles post-self-destruction and acquires some of Goku’s DNA in the process. Cell returns as Super Perfect Cell, who looks the same as before, but now has the same golden aura as Super Saiyan 2 Gohan that crackles with electricity.

Super Perfect Cell has all the same skills and advantages of before, but he’s also acquired Goku’s more recent techniques, like Instant Transmission. SPC is the absolute strongest version of Cell, who seemingly surpasses what Dr. Gero thought was possible with this creation. One might argue that Cell Max is an even stronger version of Cell, but he’s an original creation upgraded from Dr. Gero’s original blueprints.

4

Awakened Gas Calmly Takes on Dragon Ball’s Strongest Characters

Anime Debut: N/A; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 80, “Gas Vs. Granolah, Part 2”

Gas becomes the lead villain in Dragon Ball Super‘s Granolah the Survivor Saga, even though he’s arguably a victim of circumstance who just wants to make his brother proud. Gas, like Granolah before him, becomes the strongest in Universe 7 courtesy of a Dragon Ball wish to Toronbo. Gas receives a dramatic power boost, but he doesn’t physically change yet. This boosted power helps Gas control and restrain his berserker Inner Nature Unleashed state, which turns him into Awakened Gas.

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Awakened Gas holds his own against True Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta, and Full Power Granolah, which is no small feat. He doesn’t look that different from his base form, but he exudes a greater confidence that makes him feel like a proper villain. Awakened Gas’ Dragon Ball wish catches up with him and he becomes Aged Gas, who resembles a powerful zombie. His body is falling apart and struggles to function, yet he’s still able to channel remarkable power.

3

Even Vegito Blue Couldn’t Kill Fused Zamasu

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 64, “Worship Me! Give Praise Unto Me! The Explosive Birth Of A Merged Zamasu!”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 22, “Zamas’s Final Trump Card”

Dragon Ball Super explores some really interesting ideas when it comes to Goku Black and Future Zamasu’s meticulous scheme to exterminate all mortals. Goku Black, simply as a concept, is terrifying and Dragon Ball Super takes advantage of this dissonance. Goku Black and Future Zamasu eventually fuse together with the Potara Earrings and become Fused Zamasu, which ushers in the arc’s final stage. Fused Zamasu is such a unique combination of characters because it’s essentially a fusion between two versions of Zamasu.

Fused Zamasu acquires Goku Black’s gi and hair, while a heavenly aura and halo indicates that this ultimate form has evolved into some divine creature. Fused Zamasu is successful on a design and strength level, plus he facilitates a fantastic fusion fight against Vegito Blue. In fact, Fused Zamasu gains an even more striking design once Vegito Blue’s Final Kamehameha causes half of his body to fester and become corrupted.

2

Super Buu’s “Buuhan” Form is Dragon Ball Z’s Most Powerful Villain

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 267, “Ready To Fuse”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 308 (Dragon Ball Chapter 502), “Will The Potara Prevail?!”

Majin Buu is pure chaos and responsible for some of Dragon Ball Z’s most extreme battles. All of Buu’s forms are powerful and terrifying in their own ways. Kid Buu may be the arc’s final opponent, but he’s hardly the strongest. Specifically, Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed), also known as “Buuhan,” is. Super Buu is already extremely dangerous on his own, but Buuhan adds Ultimate Gohan’s raw power to the mix. It’s also important to remember that Super Buu’s absorption of Gohan comes after he’s already absorbed Gotenks and Piccolo.

Buuhan’s appearance more closely resembles Gohan due to his battle gi, but he retains his previous absorptions’ strength, too. Buuhan is Buu at his best and the version of the villain who takes on Vegito. Goku and Vegeta’s combined fusion eventually gains the upper hand, but Buuhan’s power should not be underestimated. It’s chilling to have an apocalyptic antagonist who can also fight with Gohan’s techniques.

1

Black Frieza Reminds Audiences Why He’s Dragon Ball’s Ultimate Antagonist

Anime Debut: N/A; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 87, “The Universe’s Strongest Appears”

Frieza’s lengthy fight against Super Saiyan Goku on Namek helped turn him into an unforgettable antagonist. Frieza served his purpose and helped the transformation concept evolve by pushing it further than ever before. As if four forms and an additional 100% Full Power state weren’t enough, Dragon Ball Super makes the villain even stronger with his Golden Frieza, True Golden Frieza, and now Black Frieza forms. Black Frieza is undeniably Frieza’s “ultimate” form and already proven strong enough to simultaneously neutralize Ultra Ego Vegeta and True Ultra Instinct Goku. Black Frieza is only briefly seen in a single manga chapter, but this transformation’s presence has loomed large over everything that’s followed.

Frieza achieved this new form after the equivalent of a decade of training in a Hyperbolic Time Chamber pocket dimension. Golden Frieza was reached after only four months of training, which helps emphasize the severity of Black Frieza’s strength. Black Frieza may be powerful enough to kill Gas and begin plans for multiversal domination, but the form’s design isn’t particularly inspired. Fans were critical of how Golden Frieza is just a palette swap for Frieza’s fourth form, rather than something completely different, and Black Frieza delivers more of the same. It almost feels like the sort of transformation that comes out of fan fiction.

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.

Created by

Akira Toriyama

First TV Show

Dragon Ball

Latest TV Show

Dragon Ball DAIMA

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989