The Super Saiyan transformation is an iconic element of Dragon Ball Z and the series has iterated on it with new forms ever since its introduction. Goku first unlocked the Super Saiyan transformation during the Namek Saga, and since then, the franchise has introduced a total of 21 variations and upgrades. While not all of these transformations are available to every Saiyan, each of them has been used by a Saiyan at some point in the broader Dragon Ball canon.
These Super Saiyan forms are listed primarily in order of debut, which also loosely aligns with the power level of each form. Many of these forms were only used for a brief period of time, or by only one person, and they don't always have an obvious visual difference, like different hair color, to distinguish them from one another. This list discusses when these forms made their first appearance, a bit of what they're capable of, and who is able to use these transformations. Keep in mind that, for the sake of completeness, this list includes forms that are not technically derived from Super Saiyan, such as Goku and Vegeta's recent Ultra forms.
23 Super Saiyan - The Most Iconic Saiyan Transformation
Dragon Ball Chapter 317 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 95
Naturally, the first transformation being discussed is the original Super Saiyan, where it all began. Goku first unlocked his Super Saiyan form after being filled with rage from watching Frieza kill Krillin. With his new power and luxurious golden locks, he was able to finally overwhelm and defeat Frieza. The Super Saiyan form would go on to be unlocked by nearly every other Saiyan character, including the Universe 6 Saiyans in Dragon Ball Super, and it remains one of the most iconic elements of the franchise to this day.
22 Super Saiyan Second Grade - A Stronger Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Chapter 377 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 155
The first instance of a Super Saiyan ascending beyond the initial form was when Vegeta reached Super Saiyan Second Grade, which he called Ascended Super Saiyan. Vegeta and Future Trunks developed the technique while training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and with its power, they both became strong enough to completely outclass Semi-Perfect Cell. Ascended Super Saiyan stands out from the original Super Saiyan thanks to the visible increase in muscle mass. However, it's technically not a separate transformation; merely a means of artificially drawing out more power from the initial Super Saiyan form.
21 Super Saiyan Third Grade - Powerful But Too Slow
Dragon Ball Chapter 385 & Dragon Ball Episode 162
Immediately following Ascended Super Saiyan was the Super Saiyan Third Grade a.k.a. Ultra Super Saiyan. Ultra Super Saiyan took the basic concept of Ascended Super Saiyan even further to give Dragon Ball Z's Trunks even more power than Vegeta, which caused Trunks to gain an incredibly muscular body. Unfortunately, Trunks never realized that the increase in muscle mass would make him too slow to beat someone like Cell. Ultimately this trade-off wasn't worth it, and made Ultra Super Saiyan inferior to the lower forms preceding it. After its initial appearance, Ultra Super Saiyan wouldn't be seen again until Trunks used it in a sparring match against Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super, and when Caulifla briefly used it against Goku in the Tournament of Power.
20 Super Saiyan Full Power - The Final Evolution of Base Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Chapter 390 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 168
The final advancement of the basic Super Saiyan transformation was Super Saiyan Full Power. After discovering the flaws of Ultra Super Saiyan, Goku and Gohan decided to train themselves to be able to make Super Saiyan their natural state. This training resulted in a form of Super Saiyan that drew out the maximum power of the technique without artificial enhancements, making it easier to fight without losing excess amounts of energy. That made it the strongest variation of the basic Super Saiyan, and the one seen throughout the majority of the series since.
19 Super Saiyan 2 - The Next Evolution of Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Chapter 408 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 184
The first truly new Super Saiyan transformation was the appropriately named Super Saiyan 2. The transformation was first unlocked by Gohan in his fight against Cell, and in addition to serving as payoff to the arc of Gohan's hidden potential, its power completely turned the fight around in Gohan's favor. Other Saiyans would end up unlocking Super Saiyan 2, but because it looks virtually identical to the original Super Saiyan aside from the crackling electricity in the 's aura, it doesn't appear as much as the original Super Saiyan and transformations with more distinct appearances.
18 Super Saiyan 3 - Original Dragon Ball's Strongest Form
Dragon Ball Chapter 374 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 245
The next Super Saiyan transformation to appear in Dragon Ball Z was Super Saiyan 3 has the major weakness of having a severe stamina drain, something that affected both Goku and the Goten/Trunks fusion Gotenks in critical moments against Buu. As a result, it's often ignored in favor of more durable transformations.
17 Potential Unleashed (Ultimate Gohan) - Gohan Sures His Father
Dragon Ball Chapter 496 & Dragon Ball Z Episode 262
In addition to Super Saiyan 3, Dragon Ball Z's Buu Saga also introduced Gohan's signature "Potential Unleashed" form, better known as Ultimate Gohan. Training with Elder Kai allowed Gohan to tap into his full potential, resulting in a form that sured his Super Saiyan forms to make him one of the strongest fighters in the universe. Potential Unleashed technically isn't a Super Saiyan transformation, especially since Piccolo is able to use it in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, but it's still being included because of how much it's tied into Gohan's character.
16 Super Saiyan God - Power That Can Rival a God
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods & Dragon Ball Super Episode 9
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods was the first canon continuation of the franchise in almost twenty years, and with it came the introduction of a brand-new Super Saiyan form, Super Saiyan God. The ultimate Super Saiyan form of the Legendary Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan God grants a Saiyan a form of Super Saiyan that infuses them with divine ki, making it one of the most powerful transformations in the franchise. Goku's use of the form was the deciding factor in his fight against Beerus, although he still couldn't defeat him. Since its appearance, Super Saiyan God and its variations have been at the center of Dragon Ball Super and the Dragon Ball franchise.
15 Super Saiyan Blue - A Saiyan God Goes Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F & Dragon Ball Super Episode 24
Immediately following Super Saiyan God's debut was Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, more commonly referred to as Super Saiyan Blue. As the full name implies, Super Saiyan Blue is achieved when the power of Super Saiyan God is combined with Super Saiyan, resulting in a transformation far more powerful than the regular Super Saiyan God that also turns the 's hair blue. After its first appearance, Super Saiyan Blue became Goku and Vegeta's primary transformation throughout Dragon Ball Super, although they would still make use of their older transformations from time to time.
14 Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken - Goku Combines Two of His Strongest Techniques
Dragon Ball Super Episode 39 & Chapter 39
Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken is a form of Super Saiyan Blue that combines it with Goku's very first transformation, the Kaio-ken. Kaio-ken's red aura is layered on top of Super Saiyan Blue's blue aura, and the combined multipliers of both techniques increase Goku's power to epic proportions. Before Ultra Instinct, using Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken with a multiplier of 20 was Goku's strongest form, although just like regular Kaio-ken, it had the drawback of damaging Goku's body the longer he used it.
