Level 1 Super Saiyan Goku
On this page you can read the story of Goku's transformation to the first level of Super Saiyan.
Goku, the famous protagonist of "Dragon Ball Z", reaches the Super Saiyan level for the first time in episode 95 of the series, entitled "Transformation into Super Saiyan". This event represents a significant turning point in the Frieza saga and one of the most iconic moments in the entire anime.
Goku's transformation into Super Saiyan occurs in a moment of great desperation, triggered by the death of his dear friend Krillin, killed by Freeza.
This, combined with Piccolo's apparent death and the threat Frieza poses to his son Gohan and the rest of the universe, pushes Goku beyond the limits of anger and grief, sparking his transformation. This stage of Super Saiyan, sometimes called Super Saiyan level one or Super Saiyan 1, is characterized by a spectacular physical mutation: Goku's hair turns golden and rises, his eyebrows take on the same blond color and his eyes become a celestial blue.
Goku's powers as a Super Saiyan are greatly enhanced compared to his base state. The transformation not only increases his strength, speed, stamina, and fighting ability, but also allows him to fight on equal footing and ultimately overcome Frieza, who up until that point had been a seemingly invincible foe. During their battle, Goku demonstrates devastating power, forcing Frieza to use 100% of his strength.
The ability to transform into a Super Saiyan comes from the special "S Cells" present in the Saiyans. These cells develop most following intense battles and life-or-death situations. When a Saiyan experiences strong emotions, such as anger or sadness, the S Cells react, allowing the transformation. The transformation is also hereditary, which explains why Goku's sons, such as Gohan and Goten, are able to transform into Super Saiyans more easily.
In addition to increasing physical and fighting power, the Super Saiyan also alters the personality of the transformed person. In Goku's case, we notice a greater seriousness and concentration, with an increase in fury in combat, a characteristic that does not normally belong to his friendly and playful behavior.
This transformation marks a turning point for Goku and the other Saiyan characters in the series, paving the way for further evolutions and stages of Super Saiyan in subsequent chapters of "Dragon Ball Z" and in future series. Its relevance and visual impact continue to make it one of the most beloved and memorable transformations in the world of anime.
The epic battle between Goku and Frieza on Namek remains one of the most memorable and intense battles in the “Dragon Ball Z” universe. It takes place in a series of pivotal moments that not only demonstrate the growth of Goku's character but also mark a decisive turning point in the plot of the entire series.
The Turning Point: The Transformation into Super Saiyan
It all begins with the culmination of Goku's desperation, marked by the brutal killing of his friend Krillin at the hands of Frieza. This ruthless act unleashes immense anger in Goku, who transforms into the legendary Super Saiyan for the first time. His transformation is not only an iconic twist in the series, but also marks the beginning of his revenge against the galactic tyrant Frieza.
The Superiority of the Super Saiyan
With his newly acquired Super Saiyan strength, Goku begins to dominate the duel. Every blow he exchanges with Frieza is enhanced not only by his physical might but also by intense anger. Even when Frieza reaches 100% of his maximum power in his final transformed form, he fails to overpower Goku. The battle intensifies, and Goku maintains a clear advantage, resisting his opponent's increasingly desperate attacks.
Frieza's Desperate Attempt
Despite being clearly at a disadvantage, Frieza does not give up and tries an extreme move to win: he destroys the core of planet Namek, condemning it to destruction. This act shows Frieza's true desperate and ruthless nature, willing to do anything to avoid admitting defeat. However, even this attempt proves futile against Goku's determination and power.
The Dragon's Awakening and the Fate of Namek
As the battle between Goku and Frieza reaches its climax, the supporting characters work to mitigate the damage and save those they can. Gohan and Bulma recover the spaceship to escape, while on planet Earth, Shenron is called upon to bring back those who have fallen to Frieza, including the Namekians and the Chief Elder. These actions lead to the reappearance of Polunga, the dragon of Namek, who offers new hope with his power to grant wishes.
The final battle
The episode opens with Frieza, who, aware of the planet's imminent destruction, reveals the catastrophic truth to Goku. Despite the hostile environment, with lava explosions and earthquakes shaking the ground, the two continue to exchange devastating blows. Goku's resistance is palpable, even if Frieza seems to have the upper hand in the early stages of the battle.
On planet Earth, meanwhile, scenes of waiting and tension unfold. The Namekians and Goku's companions, transported there through Polunga's wish, watch with apprehension. A particularly agitated Vegeta threatens to become the strongest warrior in the galaxy if Goku and Frieza perish, underlining the stakes of the encounter.
As the battle progresses, Frieza begins to show signs of weakness, his energy seems to run out, and Goku takes advantage of this to intensify his attacks. Realizing that he is close to victory, Goku decides not to kill Frieza, but to leave him defeated and humiliated, thus revealing not only his physical but also his moral superiority.
The defeat of Frieza
In the climax of the episode, Frieza, desperate and humiliated, attempts one last treacherous attack, but Goku, anticipating the enemy's movement, responds with a decisive move that cuts the tyrant in two. Frieza's final humiliation is complete when Goku, out of pity, gives him some of his energy to allow him to escape and survive despite his final attempt to deceive him.
Frieza's defeat not only marks the end of his reign of terror, but also a turning point for Goku, who demonstrated the depth of his character and his growth as a warrior and as a person. The episode ends with planet Namek exploding, and as Goku tries to escape, our hero's fate remains uncertain, leaving viewers in suspense until the final seconds.
Goku's Super Saiyan Transformations: From Wrath to Divinity
The transformation into Super Saiyan (超サイヤ人) is one of the most iconic moments in the history of Dragon Ball, marking a turning point for Goku and the Saiyan race. This transformation is possible thanks to the activation of the "S Cells" in the body of a Saiyan. To achieve this transformation, a Saiyan must be driven by an intense emotion, such as anger, but fight with a calm heart, as demonstrated by Son Goku. Vegeta, on the other hand, enters this form out of frustration at not being able to transform before his rival, Kakarot.
Evolution of Transformations
In “Dragon Ball Z”, in addition to the original Super Saiyan, the second level Super Saiyan and the third level Super Saiyan are introduced, each with amplified characteristics and powers. “Dragon Ball GT” introduces the fourth level Super Saiyan, a distinct transformation that combines elements of the Super Saiyan with the Golden Ape, despite not being a true fourth level as explained in the 'Dragon Ball GT: Perfect Files' guide.
“Dragon Ball Super” takes transformations to a god level with the introduction of Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue, the form mortal Saiyans take when they reach god level. Another significant transformation in this series is Super Saiyan Rosé, accessible only to divine Saiyans. Additionally, Future Trunks achieves Super Saiyan Rage, a powerful and unique form that only appears in the anime.
Before his canonization, the Super Saiyan was depicted in the film “Dragon Ball Z: Challenge of the Invincible Warriors” as the False Super Saiyan, and the Legendary Super Saiyan was introduced in “Dragon Ball Z: The Super Saiyan of Legend” , later becoming canon in “Dragon Ball Super.”
Legend and Reality of the Super Saiyan
Legend says that a Super Saiyan only appears once every thousand years. Yamoshi, the first known Super Saiyan, was a pure-hearted Saiyan who transformed during a deadly battle. Frieza, fearing this legend, decided to destroy Planet Vegeta to prevent the emergence of such a warrior. However, his fear was realized when Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan on Namek, avenging Krillin's death and defeating the tyrant.
Implications of Transformation
The Super Saiyan transformation is triggered by intense need rather than desire. Every Saiyan who has achieved it has done so through an emotionally traumatic experience. For example, Krillin's death was the catalyst for Goku, while extreme frustration was for Vegeta. Once Super Saiyan is reached, the individual's personality becomes more aggressive and combative, as evidenced in the changes of Goku and Vegeta after the transformation.
Conclusion
Each new Super Saiyan transformation brought new challenges and discoveries for Goku and the other Saiyans. From a simple legend to a powerful reality, the Super Saiyan continues to be a fundamental pillar in the Dragon Ball saga, representing not only the growth of its characters but also the evolution of the series itself.
