The scariest transformations in Dragon Ball

Summary

• Dragon Ball features epic and terrifying transformations that can destroy enemies.

• Some notable transformations include Super Saiyan Rage, Super Saiyan Rose, and Destroyer Form.

• Frieza's third form, Super Perfect Cell and Mutated Fused Zamasu are among the menacing transformations.

Dragon Ball began as an adventure manga before the allure of pulsating battles became too much for Akira Toriyama to resist. It followed a smooth transition to anime and introduced some of the series' most iconic elements, incl breathtaking transformations which have become a serial basis.

Most of the transformations seen in the series are epic and awe-inspiring, while others leave fans with a sense of dread. These terrifying transformations they are no joke and can decimate enemies unfortunate enough to stand in the way of someone who has unlocked such terrifying power.

8

Super Saiyan Rage

Future Trunks' rage boils over as he becomes a powerful, vengeful Saiyan

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

After being beaten countless times by Goku Black and Zamasu, Trunks can't take it anymore. His rage explodes as he recounts all the painful things the evil duo have done to 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 terrifying and 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 Zamasu caused him.

7

Super Saiyan Rose

Goku's Evil Version is even more powerful

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

Seeing Goku Black in the flesh was scary enough, but this Saiyan brought more to the table. Goku's true form watched in shock as his evil doppelgänger revealed a brand new Super Saiyan form powered by divine ki.

This allowed Goku Black to use the energy scythe and impale his enemies with blades of pure ki. It's a harrowing form that stands in the way of the Saiyans during their first encounter, but Goku and Vegeta tactically retreat back to their timeline and train to overcome Goku Black's power.

6

Destroyer form

The god of destruction's energy transforms mortals into terrifying demigods

• Debut: “A commanding presence! The arrival of Top the Destroyer!” (Vol. 125 Dragon Ball Super)

The God of Destruction is a formidable being. Beerus made it clear he wasn't going to mess with him when he showed up Battle of the Gods. So it's easy to see why the prospect of a mortal channeling Beer's destructive power would be so terrifying.

Top is the leader of the Pride Troopers and will show off his power before the Tournament of Power begins. However, what makes this warrior so terrifying is the fact that he can summon the energy of the Destroyer God to unlock a form that makes him one of the strongest characters in the series. Without Vegeta's enhanced Super Saiyan Blue form, he would have been easily taken out by this worthy foe.

5

Frieza's third form

The bully turns into a twisted version of the Xenomorph

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

When Frieza finally decides to join the battle after having had enough of the Z Warriors, his immense power leaves them speechless. All of his forms are terrifying to behold, but his third-stage transformation is particularly terrifying to behold.

This look channels the iconic Xenomorph Foreignwith Frieza looking more otherworldly than ever. The form doesn't last too long before it's eventually replaced by his final transformation, but the tyrant is as menacing as ever in his third form, showing the heroes just how out of their depth they really are.

4

Super perfect cell

Cell returns and is stronger than ever, terrorizing the Z Warriors

• Debut: “Farewell to the Hero” (Episode 188 Dragon Ball Z)

Gohan puffed himself up in his Super Saiyan 2 form, giving Cell the opportunity he needed to unleash a Hail Mary attack that would destroy the entire planet. However, Goku swooped in at the last moment and sacrificed himself using the teleportation technique to save Earth.

However, the Warriors are left helpless when Perfect Cell reappears, looking stronger and more threatening than ever. He wastes no time in killing Trunks and is also about to send his father to the afterlife, only for Gohan to save Vegeta at the cost of his arm. A beam clash for the ages ensues as Gohan channels all of his power and takes out the Super Perfect Cell, with Vegeta providing a critical assist to save the day.

3

Mutated Fused Zamasu

The rushed fusion has dire consequences for Zamasu when he is cut in half by the trunks

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

Zamasu was already threatening enough, and merging with Goku Black made him a formidable opponent that was impossible to stop. However, when Goku blew off the right side of his face during their clash, something strange happened that made the villain look scarier than ever.

Zamasu's imperfect immortality showed as he slowly began to transform into a mutated mess that was more monstrous than ever before. Even after being cut in half by Future Trunks, his evil presence took over the world and would have overwhelmed the heroes if not for Future Zeno's timely interruption.

2

Great monkey

This form causes untrained Saiyans to go insane

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

The Great Ape form is not a joke and serves as the very first transformation in Dragon Ball. Watching the mild-mannered Goku transform into a raging beast that had already killed his grandfather was terrifying to witness in a show that was otherwise pretty light-hearted.

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

1

Legendary Super Saiyan

Watching Broly turn into a monster is terrifying

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

The first appearance of the Legendary Super Saiyan form is something fans fondly remember to this day. No matter how illogical Broly's motivations were before he was summoned again, seeing him transform into an enemy more powerful than anyone had ever seen was a terrifying moment and followed by a defeat for the ages.

It was all the more disappointing to see this formidable threat eliminated with a single punch at the end of the film. That said, the legendary Super Saiyan form continued to make waves as one of the scariest transformations in the Dragon Ball. Even in Dragon Ball Coolthis form is still quite terrifying, although the threat has been toned down only slightly.

• 

  Dragon Ball
  

  Release date

  February 26, 1986
  

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Final year

  April 12, 1989
  

  Season

  1

  Number of episodes

  153

  Extend

• 

  Dragon Ball Z
  

  Release date

  April 26, 1989
  

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Final year

  November 30, 1995
  

  Season

  9

  Number of episodes

  291

  Extend

• 

  Dragon Ball Super
  

  Release date

  July 5, 2015
  

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Final year

  November 30, 2017
  

  Season

  1

  Number of episodes

  131

  Extend