Not all moments off anime exists only in memory; they exist in humans. The transformation scenes tend to be the very scenes when fans remember their favorite moments, who they watched TV with, and how it felt when their favorite characters went silent and everything was different. These aren't just power-ups or flashy sequences, but emotional checkpoints, years of struggle, frustration and growth finally boiled down into something fans will never forget.
The difference is that these transformations resonated with viewers from different generations, and that's what makes these transformations iconic. Some of them occurred decades ago and continue to impress viewers even now, and others came recently and immediately entered the same legendary status. They would have fans cheering, screaming, rewinding and in some cases simply sitting in disbelief. This is a list to honor the transformation scenes that not only elevated characters to the next level, but also defined why anime is remembered, re-watched, and even loved in the first place.
Usagi Tsukino — Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon
There aren't many transformation scenes as instantly identifiable as the one in Sailor Moon. The music, the graceful poses, the waving ribbons and this sense of ritual made her transformation look magical and not violent. It wasn't about brute strength or anger, but rather elegance, personality and taking the next step to be what she was meant to be. It was soothing, easy to recognize and empowering when it was broadcast.
Sailor Moon's transformation is something that fans loveas it is a sign of consistency and perseverance appeal. To remain iconic, it never had to reinvent itself. It was seen by generations, and to this day it is timeless. It showed that a transformation scene can be exquisite, symbolic and emotionally moving, without having to resort to sheer spectacle, which is something that a lot of current anime can hardly do.
Denji
Chainsaw man
The metamorphosis of Denji is chaotic, fierce and completely uncontrolled, which is why it is successful. It is not good or heroic. Flesh is torn, chainsaws spin, and the situation doesn't exactly look like a power-up, but like a panicked grab at the maelstrom. The first time it happens is shocking, not because it's flashy, but because it's something that doesn't feel right, just what fits perfectly in Denji's world.
Audiences latched on to the transformation of Denji due to the fact that it represents what he is at best, a person fighting not against fate or justice, but against life and death, and the small, extremely human needs. It does not romanticize power. Rather, it makes the strength unnatural and well-deserved. It's that rawness that makes it shine in a genre of well-refined changes.
Goku — Ultra Instinct
Dragon Ball Super
Ultra Instinct didn't seem like an ordinary one Dragon Ball transformation when it first appeared. No ecstatic shout, no explanation – just silence and astonishment so lifelike it was almost non-existent. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath throughout the episode of Goku dodging attacks without thinking. It was no longer about defeating any opponent but going above and beyond the effort itself.
The fact that Ultra Instinct redefined the look of growth attracted fans as the character had already reached infinite heights. Goku was calmer, colder, and almost invincible, rather than more powerful and noisier. It was a reminder to many viewers of why Dragon Ball transformations should not be ignored due to their ability to still surprise when done correctly.
Luffy — Gear 5
One Piece
Gear 5 didn't just change the way Luffy struck; it changed the very feeling of One Piece. The cartoonish movement, the overstated expressions, and the total denial of realism all made the transformation more of a celebration than a horror. It was chaotic, a prank, and surprisingly unpredictable, and it was the ideal type of spirit that One Piece has always been hiding during his long journey.
Gear 5 is so popular with fans because it makes them feel like they are celebrating everything Luffy is. He leaned fully into freedom, as opposed to getting deeper or darker. It even rewarded the long-time fans who persevered through the years of build-up, reminding them that conventionally accepted power was never the focus of One Piece. It was about imagination and freedom.
Most Iconic Anime Poses Ever, Ranked
Anime always finds a way to make the mundane seem extraordinary. These poses are as iconic as the anime itself.
Gon
Hunter x Hunter
The experience of Gon changing isn't something you want to see, and that's the point. It's not exciting or hyped when it comes, just horror. His physical appearance turns into a monster through grief and self-destruction, instead of evolving. This seems less of a conversion than it is a final, irreversible decision.
This is what fans can remember, as it was the point that broke expectations. Gon didn't get stronger as he trained more; he did nothing but sacrifice. It presented an aspect of strength that has rarely been addressed in anime: one that is terribly expensive. It is the emotional burden that causes this transformation to continue to be discussed years later.
Gohan – Super Saiyan 2
Dragon Ball Z
Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 awakening is considered one of the most defining moments in anime history. The silence of snapping, the flash, the change in the smile, it was all inevitable but shocking. Decades of tension, threats and suppressed violence culminated in a moment that changed the course of the battle. Gohan's beast transformation in DB Super had a similar feel, but nothing can top the original.
This is a fan favorite change, because it wasn't a question of dominance, but it was a question of freedom. Gohan didn't want to fight; he never did, but once he recognized his identity there was no holding him back. This is a moment that is still replayed, referenced and praised as one of the emotional peaks of Dragon Ball, even decades later.
Eren Yeager – Founder of Titan
Attack on Titan
The founding Titan transformation that Eren experienced seemed not triumphant, but catastrophic. The size of the scale was enough and what really bothered viewers was its meaning. This was not a hero who rose up, but a person who wholeheartedly took the road and there was no turning back. The change was less of a power than a declaration of war against the world itself.
This moment appealed to fans because it was bold and uncompromising. It was a test of loyalty, fractured fan bases and made viewers think about which side they were rooting for. Hardly anything has experienced as much storytelling and controversy as this transformation and is therefore memorable.
Goku – Super Saiyan
Dragonball Z
Nothing compares to the first Super Saiyan transformation. The silence that preceded the shout, the golden hair, the aura change, it was lightning in a bottle. Nothing like it existed at the time. It was a scene where a legend was made when it happened. Every child, every teenager, even every adult who witnessed Goku's transformation could feel a connection to it.
Fans still consider this the most important transformation ever because of what it is. It wasn't just a power-up; it was an event in cultural history. Decades later, even now, Super Saiyan Goku still serves as the benchmark for every transformation.
Dragon Ball: Goku's Best Forms, ranked by design
Throughout Dragon Ball, Goku has had many good designs, but some forms are better than others.
