The Scariest Transformations In Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball started as an adventure manga before the allure of pulse-pounding battles became too much to resist for Akira Toriyama. A smooth transition to anime followed and introduced some of the most iconic elements of the series, including the breathtaking transformations that have become a series staple.

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Most of the transformations seen in the series are epic and awe-inspiring, while others invoke a sense of dread in fans. These scary transformations are no joke, and they can decimate enemies unlucky enough to stand in the path of someone who has unlocked such fearsome power.

8

Super Saiyan Rage

Future Trunks’ Anger Boils Over As He Becomes A Strong, Vengeful Saiyan

• Debut: “Zamasu’s Ambition The Storied ‘Project 0 Mortals’ of Terror” (Episode 61 of Dragon Ball Super)

After being beaten up by Goku Black and Zamasu countless times, Trunks can’t take it anymore. His rage explodes as he recounts all the painful things that the malicious duo have inflicted on him, causing the Saiyan to unlock a new level of power on his terms.

Watching Trunks’ pupils disappear as he channels this rage and unlocks a brand-new transformation is scary yet epic at the same time. As the series goes on, the transformation becomes easier to digest, but many fans still remember how menacing everyone’s favorite Saiyan looked when he finally had enough of the torment inflicted by Zamasu.

7

Super Saiyan Rose

Goku’s Evil Version Gets Even More Powerful

• Debut: “Rematch with Goku Black! Enter Super Saiyan Rose” (Episode 56 of Dragon Ball Super)

Witnessing Goku Black in the flesh was eerie enough as is, but this Saiyan brought more to the table. Goku’s real form looked on in shock as his evil doppelgänger unveiled a brand new Super Saiyan form fueled by divine ki.

This allowed Goku Black to use an energy scythe and pierce his foes with a blade of pure ki. It’s a harrowing form that stands in the way of the Saiyans during their first encounter, but Goku and Vegeta make a tactical retreat back to their timeline and train to surpass Goku Black’s power.

6

Destroyer Form

The Energy Of The God Of Destruction Turns Mortals Into Terrifying Demigods

• Debut: “A Commanding Presence! The Advent of Top the Destroyer!” (Episode 125 of Dragon Ball Super)

The God of Destruction is an imposing being. Beerus made it clear that he wasn’t to be trifled with when he appeared in Battle of Gods. So, it’s easy to see why the prospect of a mortal channeling Beerus’ destructive power would be so terrifying.

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Top is the leader of the Pride Troopers, and he displays his strength well before the Tournament of Power starts. However, what makes this warrior so fearsome is the fact that he can invoke the energy of a Destroyer God to unlock a form that makes him one of the strongest characters in the series. Without Vegeta’s improved Super Saiyan Blue form, he would’ve been eliminated with ease by this worthy foe.

5

Frieza’s Third Form

The Tyrant Turns Into A Twisted Version Of The Xenomorph

• Debut: “Frieza’s Second Transformation” (Episode 82 of Dragon Ball Z)

When Frieza finally decides to join the battle after having enough of the Z Warriors, they are left speechless by his immense power. All of his forms are scary to behold, but his third-stage transformation is especially menacing to behold.

This look channels the iconic Xenomorph from Alien, with Frieza looking more extraterrestrial than ever before. The form doesn’t last for too long before it’s eventually replaced by his final transformation, but the tyrant is as menacing as ever in his third form, as he shows the heroes just how out of their depth they truly are.

4

Super Perfect Cell

Cell Comes Back And Is Stronger Than Ever, Scaring The Z Warriors

• Debut: “A Hero’s Farewell” (Episode 188 of Dragon Ball Z)

Gohan got cocky in his Super Saiyan 2 form and gave Cell the opening he needed to unleash a Hail Mary attack that would take out the entire planet. However, Goku swooped in at the last second, sacrificing himself with the Instant Transmission technique to save Earth.

However, the Z Warriors are left helpless when Perfect Cell reappears, looking stronger and more menacing than ever before. He wastes no time in killing Trunks and is about to send his father to the afterlife too, only for Gohan to save Vegeta at the cost of his arm. What follows is a beam clash for the ages as Gohan channels all of his strength and takes out Super Perfect Cell, with Vegeta giving a critical assist to save the day.

3

Mutated Fused Zamasu

A Hasty Fusion Has Severe Consequences For Zamasu When He’s Cut In Half By Trunks

• Debut: “Showdown! The Miraculous Power of Unyielding Warriors” (Episode 66 of Dragon Ball Super)

Zamasu was already threatening enough as is, and fusing with Goku Black turned him into a menacing antagonist who seemingly couldn’t be stopped. However, when Goku blasted the right side of his face during their clash, something odd happened that made this villain look more terrifying than ever before.

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The imperfect immortality of Zamasu kicked in as he slowly started transforming into a mutated mess who was more monstrous than ever before. Even after Future Trunks sliced him in half, his evil presence takes over the world and would’ve overwhelmed the heroes had it not been for Future Zeno’s timely interruption.

2

Great Ape

This Form Makes Untrained Saiyans Go Berserk

• Debut: “A Wish to the Eternal Dragon” (Episode 12 of Dragon Ball)

The Great Ape form is no joke and serves as the very first transformation in Dragon Ball. Watching a mild-mannered Goku transform into a raging beast who had already killed his grandfather was scary to witness in a show that was pretty lighthearted otherwise.

However, the true terror of the Great Ape form is seen when the Saiyan can control himself in this form. Vegeta showed just how potent the Great Ape form could be in the right hands, crushing Goku’s bones and earning a decisive victory at the end of their conflict. If Gohan and Krillin hadn’t come along to help the protagonist, Goku would’ve been toast at that very moment.

1

Legendary Super Saiyan

Watching Broly Turn Into A Monster Is Terrifying

• Debut: Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan

The first appearance of the Legendary Super Saiyan form is something fans remember fondly to this day. Regardless of how illogical Broly’s motivations were before he got retconned, seeing him transform into a foe stronger than anyone had ever seen was a terrifying moment, and it was followed by a beatdown for the ages.

This made it that much more disappointing to see that this imposing threat was done away with a single punch at the end of the movie. That said, the Legendary Super Saiyan form continued to make waves as one of the scariest transformations in Dragon Ball. Even in Dragon Ball Super, this form is still quite scary despite the threat being toned down just a smidge.

• 

  Dragon Ball
  

  Release Date

  
  February 26, 1986
  

  Studio

  Toei Animation

  Finale Year

  
  April 12, 1989
  

  Seasons

  1

  Number of Episodes

  153

  Expand

• 

  Dragon Ball Z
  

  Release Date

  
  April 26, 1989
  

  Studio

  Toei Animation

  Finale Year

  
  November 30, 1995
  

  Seasons

  9

  Number of Episodes

  291

  Expand

• 

  Dragon Ball Super
  

  Release Date

  
  July 5, 2015
  

  Studio

  Toei Animation

  Finale Year

  
  November 30, 2017
  

  Seasons

  1

  Number of Episodes

  131

  Expand