Vegeta's Big Bang Attack, explained

Summary

  • The Big Bang Attack is Vegeta's iconic powerful Ki blast move, originating in DBZ episode 130.

  • Different versions of the Big Bang Attack exist, including Cell's variation and Gogeta's Big Bang Kamehameha.

  • Vegeta used variants like God Heat Flash and God Big Bang Attack in various battles.

Ask a Vegeta fan to name his most iconic moves Dragon Ball Zand they will tell you that it is Galick Gun, Final Flash and Big Bang Attack. All these traits originate in Z and has remained with the character throughout the rest of the franchise's anime, manga, and games. This time the focus is on Vegeta's Big Bang Attack, a move that debuted in Dragon Ball Z episode 130, “The Secret of Dr. Gero”.

Little Fun Fact: Vegeta's famous attack was never actually named in the original Funimation dub, even though the original Japanese version called it that. The Big Bang Attack was only named in Dragon Ball Z Kai for English dubs.

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What is Big Bang Attack?

Vegeta's strongest attack in a while

The Big Bang Attack is a powerful Ki blast performed by Vegeta extending one hand with the palm facing his target. A large ball of Ki then forms in front of his palm and lunges forward, causing mass devastation to whatever it hits. At least that's how it usually looks. In his fight against Android 18, Vegeta fires a “Big Bang Attack”.

Only this time, instead of being a ball of Ki, it was in the form of an energy wave like the Galick Gun or Kamehameha. As far as anyone knows, it wasn't a special variation of the Big Bang Attack; it just happened to be formatted that way. Although Big Bang Attack may seem like a completely new move, Daizenshuu 7: Dragon Ball Encyclopedia hinting that it is connected to the Galick Gun, calling it Super Saiyan Vegeta's version of the move.

The creation of the Big Bang attack and its first use

Vegeta using Big Bang Attack

Some iconic moves Dragon Ball has its origin shown or mentioned in the series. For example, Master Roshi invented the Kamehameha, and Instant Transmission came from an alien race known as the Yardrats. However, the origins of the Big Bang Attack are still vague. Most would speculate that Vegeta invented the move during the three years between Goku's return to Earth and the Android's first appearance since he has never been shown to use the move before then.

“Follow your eyes with Super Vegeta's Big Bang Attack!!!” – Vegeta when you first use Big Bang Attack

The first time Vegeta used the Big Bang Attack was in his fight against Android 19. The move's debut was huge; as not only did it bring about Vegeta's first Super Saiyan transformation, but it also instantly obliterated everything but Android 19's head, who at the time was believed to be the big bad that killed Future Trunks' Z Fighters.

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Big Bang Attack Variations

Big Bang Crash

Cell Second Form Big Bang Crash Dragon Ball Z

Strangely, Cell uses a variant of the Big Bang Attack, implying that the attack may have been used before Android Saga for Cell to speed up his skill set. The attack is only used by Semi-Perfect Cell and is similar to Vegeta's move, but red-orange in color, looking like a miniature sun. Cell even has another variation of it known as the Super Big Bang Crash which turns the move into a rapid fire attack, which he used in an attempt to draw out Android 18.

Good Big Bang Attack

god big bang attack

Unfortunately, this variant of the move only appeared once in the anime, and Vegeta never even managed to fire it. In it Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' movie or Dragon Ball SuperVegeta's version of it charges up the God Big Bang Attack, which is similar to the regular Big Bang Attack, except boosted by his God Ki. But before Vegeta could launch it, Frieza destroyed the Earth, killing almost everyone in it, including Vegeta. The move lives on Dragon Ball Fusions and Dragon Ball Legends however, so these games are currently the only way to see the movement in action from start to finish.

Good Heat Flash

vegeta god heat lightning

If Cell can copy Vegeta's moves and make variations of them, then Vegeta can copy Cell's variation and create a variation of it. It sounds weird and confusing, but God Heat Flash basically looks like a stronger version of Big Bang Crash. A sun-like orb forms in Vegeta's hand and transforms into a Ki beam that shoots out at his opponent. Vegeta used God Heat Flash i Dragon Ball Super: Broly in a failed attempt to defeat the rampaging Saiyan.

Big Bang Kamehameha

big-bang-kamehameha-dbz

As you probably understand, the Big Bang Kamehameha is a combination of Vegeta's Big Bang Attack and Goku's Kamehameha. To perform it, the user places two hands in front of them and produces a concentrated ball of Ki. A wave of energy then emerges from the ball and jumps to its target. This move is performed by Vegito against Buu in Dragon Ball Z episode 269, “Meet Vegito”, and Gogeta in the now non-canon Dragon Ball GT.

Dragon Ball video game variations

vegito big bang attack

As Dragon Ball GTThe franchise's video games aren't considered canon, but they've produced so many Big Bang Attack variants that it would be a shame not to mention a few of them.

  • The Big Bang burst from Supersonic Warriors 2 is a giant ball of Ki that damages the opponent it touches. Vegeta doesn't launch it, but instead sustains it for a short while, dealing continuous damage.

  • The Big Bang Cannon is Cabba's iteration of the move Dragon Ball Fusions. Despite their different names, they essentially look the same.

  • Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden has a variant called the Big Bang Ray, which initially charges as a sphere in Vegeta's palm, but then transforms into a wave of energy once unleashed.

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Dragon Ball Z is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

dragon-ball-z-1989.jpg

Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while simulating the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku usually defends Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.

Release date

April 26, 1989

Studio

Toei animation

Creator

Akira Toriyama

MyAnimeList Score

8.19

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