Dragon Ball is known for its explosive transformations and ever-growing power levels. The latest film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, offered fans a surprise that had been long overdue. Amid the chaos of battle, Piccolo achieved a new form, Orange Piccolo, named after the change in the color of his skin and known for his hulking build and glowing aura.

Unlike many Dragon Ball transformations that serve as spectacles, Orange Piccolo offered fans so much more. It reinforced Piccolo’s legacy as a mentor, strategist, and protector while enhancing his presence in a storyline that much too often sidelines non-Saiyan warriors. This transformation did more than enhance his power, and that’s why it's one of the anime’s best.

Dragon Ball Is Known for Rewarding the Characters’ Training With Elevated Forms

Granting New Transformations Are Essential to the Storyline

From the beginning, Dragon Ball has maintained a clear reward system. Rigorous training would most certainly lead to extraordinary power and the potential to transform. Characters who push their limits are eventually granted an eye-catching new form that escalates the excitement and the stakes. Whether it’s the Kaio-Ken or a new Saiyan transformation or Ultra Instinct, these clear milestones serve as payoffs for the physical struggles the cast endures. This formula is part of the franchise’s appeal, giving fans a sense of progression and heightening the anticipation with every new arc.

These transformations aren’t just visual upgrades because they embody the characters' growth. Training sequences alone aren’t enough to offer fans a sense of progress, especially when they are often grueling and push those involved past their limits. Each form reflects more than strength; it’s a checkpoint that represents development, resilience, and even resolve. The introduction of new forms energizes the story and offers fresh dynamics in battles, making them essential.

It’s a Given That the Saiyans Will Receive Brand New Transformations

When a Non-Saiyan Receives a Transformation, It Is Far More Significant

Dragon Ball has always rewarded its Saiyans with an arsenal of new transformations. These moments are etched into the franchise's core from the original Super Saiyan form that redefined anime power-ups to the more recent additions of Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego evolutions. Goku and Vegeta are the primary benefactors of this system and have repeatedly broken past their limits through training or sheer willpower. By now, it’s expected that the series will grant new forms to both advance and enhance the progression of the story.

While this ongoing evolution drives much of the franchise’s momentum, it’s also central to a recurring disparity. The Saiyan warriors consistently receive new transformations, whereas other characters who are capable of keeping up with them never do. This leads to a predictable transformation hierarchy that, while effective, significantly narrows the spotlight. However, it also makes instances of non-Saiyan evolution much more impactful. Due to this, Orange Piccolo became a groundbreaking addition to the franchise that was a long-time coming.

Piccolo’s Newest Transformation Was Long Overdue

Orange Piccolo Closes A Gap That Had Been Present For Far Too Long In Dragon Ball

Piccolo has been one of Dragon Ball’s most consistent and disciplined warriors. From his first introduction as a rival to his evolution into a mentor and guardian, Piccolo has dedicated himself to growth through training, intellect, and responsibility. Unlike the Saiyans, Piccolo has never relied on flashy transformations to defeat his opponents, and some of his most significant power boosts came after fusing with Nail and Kami. Otherwise, meditation, training, and strategy have consistently earned his progression.

It’s less about reaching a new height of power and more about finally closing the gap that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.

Thanks to this, Orange Piccolo is far from a transformation coming out of nowhere. The result of decades of development was unlocked because he was finally granted the same kind of potential that others were gifted long ago. The wish of Shenron was made to unleash what had always been there, stifled only due to narrative restraints. In a way, Orange Piccolo is a restoration of balance in the series. It’s less about reaching a new height of power and more about finally closing the gap that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.

Orange Piccolo Is a Transformation That Was Well Deserved

Piccolo’s Stunning Visual Transformation Marks a New Chapter for the Series

Orange Piccolo stands out thanks to the fact that it elevates his legacy. Piccolo has operated from the sidelines for far too long, offering mentorship, protection, and acting as a tactician without gaining the same rewards that the Saiyans receive. His transformation to Orange Piccolo doesn’t feel cheap or unearned. Instead, it acts as a narrative recognition of his character and all the hard work he puts into training and guiding others, which is long overdue. Piccolo has always had unwavering commitments, played a crucial role in Gohan’s life, and held an important place across every major era of the franchise.

His new transformation restores him to a position of strength, both physically and symbolically. It reminds fans that his power is aligned with Saiyan warriors and that he dedicated himself to training through patience and discipline. The form is so satisfying because it naturally fits into the storyline. Orange Piccolo wasn’t introduced just for ego or glory, and serves as a physical manifestation of his perseverance. His transformation is a statement rather than just creating a spectacle.

Orange Piccolo is more than a visually appealing transformation because it’s a course correction that should have happened sooner. It affirms Piccolo’s place in the series and adds to the narrative surrounding his strength, mentorship, and overall growth. In an anime where transformations are expected from central characters, it’s more surprising that Piccolo hasn’t received a transformation before the film. With the addition of Orange Piccolo, the series will most certainly be featuring him in more prevalent roles that extend beyond mentorship and strategy. There’s no doubt the transformation will prove to be one of Dragon Ball’s best choices.