Important takeaways
- Buu became stronger after losing his fusion, creating a contradiction in his power levels that confused fans.
- Super Saiyan God form introduced via ritual, providing a unique way to unlock a new transformation in the Dragon Ball series.
- Tien's Tri-Beam delaying Cell showcased a rare moment for a human character to shine when surrounded by so many powerful aliens.
Dragon Ball is a series packed to the brim with some of the most memorable powerups and transformations in the history of combat. Watching the heroes battle adversity time and time again to secure victory against all odds is a great time, especially when they are on the verge of a brutal loss only to use a motivating moment to outdo their opponent.

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Dragon Ball: Best Frieza Quotes
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But given the large number of times that fighters enter Dragon Ball has struck and taken out his opponent, it's easy to see why some cases are harder to explain away than others. Heroes and villains alike have seen random bursts of energy at opportune moments that seem far too convenient for their own good.
8 Kid Buu
Somehow losing the people he had fused with made Buu stronger than ever
- Debut:Evil Kid Boo! (Section 276 of Dragon Ball Z)
Super Buu's debut in the series was a shocking moment that showed just how strong this antagonist could become when his evil side took over. To make matters worse, this antagonist absorbs most of his opponents and becomes even more powerful.
So it's strange that the consequence of removing everyone that Buu had melted out of his body was that he became even stronger despite turning into a child-like version of his former self. While Majin Buu's rescue may explain some parts of it, the presence of Evil Buu acts as a contradiction that undercuts what is otherwise a chilling reveal.
7 Super Saiyan Blue Evolved
A cool moment in the tournament of power, if rather hastily executed
- Debut:Body, soul and strength are unleashed! Goku and Vegeta! (Section 123 of Dragon Ball Super)
The Tournament of Power is easy Dragon Ball Super when it is at its very best. Players get to see the debut of several impressive forms, including Vegeta's attempt to surpass Goku on his terms instead of trying to emulate his rival's success.
This leads to the reveal of an evolved Super Saiyan Blue form that is on par with Goku in his Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken form. It's a great moment for Vegeta who uses this ascended form to defeat Top after a grueling battle.
6 Orange Piccolo
A wish from Shenron gives Piccolo a transformation long in the making
- Debut:Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Never before has a new transformation for a character been unlocked after making a wish to Shenron. This is exactly what happens to Piccolo, who uses the Dragon Balls to unlock his hidden potential and help him achieve a new transformation for the very first time.

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Looking at the chiseled features of the Orange Piccolo makes for a great moment in a movie full of fan service. This powerful fighter wastes no time in showing who's boss, although some people think the transformation's inclusion was a bit random.
5 Super Saiyan God
A hidden ritual comes out of nowhere to introduce a new form in Dragon Ball
- Debut:Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
It was clear that a new chapter in Dragon Ball series needed to figure out a way to introduce a new transformation. Instead of Goku channeling his rage or training extensively to unlock a new power, the Super Saiyan God form requires a ritual to unlock divine ki.
This is achieved when five righteous saiyans channel their ki into a sixth recipient, allowing Goku to unlock the next stage of transformations that would dominate Dragon Ball Super. It might be a little convenient to introduce yet another transformation in such a way, but fans don't mind because most of them consider Battle of Gods to be the greatest Dragon Ball movie of all time.
4 Ten That Can Hold Off Cell
Tien's Tri-Beam somehow delays a semi-perfect cell long enough for Android 18 to escape
- Debut:Sacrifice (Section 153 of Dragon Ball Z)
Given the power of Saiyans and other non-humans i Dragon Ball Zmost of the human characters took a backseat to the conflict. However, this doesn't stop Tien from enjoying her moment to shine when Semi-Perfect Cell needs to be distracted until Android 18 makes her escape.
Tien steps up and refuses to sit on the sidelines any longer. He unleashes a barrage of Neo Tri-Beams that hold Cell down long enough to facilitate this retreat. It might not make a lot of sense, but seeing Tien unleash multiple Hail Mary attacks and almost die is one of the most intense moments that allows this supporting character to enjoy an epic moment after being on the sidelines for so long.
3 The resurrection of the cell
Perfect Cell returns and is strong enough to fight toe-to-toe with Super Saiyan 2 Gohan
- Debut:A hero's farewell (Section 188 of Dragon Ball Z)
After Gohan unlocks the Ascended Super Saiyan Form, a single punch is all it takes for Cell to cough up Android 18 and return to his semi-perfect form. Moments before destroying himself and taking out Earth, Goku makes the ultimate sacrifice and transports the duo to King Kai's planet to save the planet.

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Saddest quote in Dragon Ball
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However, this is not the end of this story, not by a long shot. Perfect Cell returns and kills Trunks, revealing himself to be stronger than ever before. It doesn't make much sense even with his regeneration theory, but fans don't mind as this sets the stage for one of the most iconic Dragon Ball beam collisions through the ages.
2 Gohan Beast
Gohan goes insane and becomes the stronger fighter in the universe again
- Debut:Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Gohan has shown a habit of neglecting his training and leaning into his gentle side, only for his potential to explode as he becomes stronger than ever before. But despite how familiar this trope is, it still makes the events Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero difficult to process.
Gohan was barely training before he showed up to save Pan, only for Cell Max to put him in his place. After seeing Piccolo felled by what appeared to be a fatal blow, Goku's son lets his anger take over, transforming into the Gohan Beast and unleashing a Special Beam Cannon to take out Cell Max for good.
1 Super Saiyan Rage
Future Trunks randomly powers up Goku Black and Zamasu without eating dirt in record time
- Debut:Zamasu's Ambition The Storied “Project 0 Mortals” of Terror (Section 61 of Dragon Ball Super)
The Future Trunks bows in Dragon Ball Super had tons of potential, but some issues dragged down the overall experience. One of the most questionable decisions in this arc is giving Trunks a whole new form that isn't well explained and is way too convenient for its own good.
Super Saiyan Rage is certainly a cool moment that helps Trunks fight on almost the same level as Goku and Vegeta, but that's all there is. After this form's debut, it is not mentioned in any capacity throughout the series, making it one of the most wasted transformations in the entire series.
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Dragon Ball
- Release date
- February 26, 1986
- Studio
- Toei animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
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Dragon Ball Z
- Release date
- April 26, 1989
- Studio
- Toei animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
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Dragon Ball Super
- Release date
- July 5, 2015
- Studio
- Toei animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama