Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot aims to retell the story of Dragon Ball Z with utmost focus on precision. This faithful retelling is sure to focus the one thing that sets the series apart from any other, the Super Saiyan transformation. Throughout Dragon Ball Z, Goku, Gohan, and other Saiyans undergo a series of power-boosting, awe-inspiring transformations, reaching incredible new heights of power each time and blowing fans (and villains, for that matter) away. The Super Saiyan transformation has come to define Dragon Ball Z, and is one of the most well-known and iconic things in all of anime's history, setting the tone for many future anime.

For those unaware, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an upcoming action-adventure RPG Dragon Ball game by Bandai Namco. This game will differ from previous Dragon Ball games in that it is purely single player. Having no player versus player options means that they developers don't have to balance the characters against each other as vigorously, allowing for uphill boss battles against characters and unique character customization and growth. During the story, players will have the ability to go Super Saiyan, and will likely have many options if the game does stay true to the anime. Here are all the canon Super Saiyan forms from the original Dragon Ball Z anime.

Super Saiyan

dragon ball z before kakarot

- Confirmed: Goku, Future Trunks, Vegeta, Gohan

This one started it all. Fans will never forget the moment they first saw Goku ascend to this legendary form, gaining the power of Super Saiyan and facing the all-powerful Emperor Frieza in a battle to the death on a crumbling planet Namek. This battle was so charged with energy and tension that it directly resulted in Namek's destruction, and set the tone for the high stakes and power levels the rest of the series would feature.

Although Goku is the first to attain this form, Future Trunks, Vegeta, Gohan, and even young Goten and Trunks (the present one) all eventually achieve this form. This form multiplies a Saiyan's power level, increases his muscle mass, and grants him the glowing, golden hair which readers will see quite a bit of from here on out.

Super Saiyan Grade 2

Vegeta powers up to super Saiyan Grade 2 DBZ dragon Ball z anime

- Not Confirmed: Goku, Future Trunks, Vegeta

Saiyans being Saiyans, Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks were not satisfied with the level of power granted to them by Super Saiyan. With new, more powerful threats like the Androids arriving, they needed a way to get stronger. Intense training can result in this form, Super Saiyan Grade 2. This form features a huge increase to strength and speed, but at the cost of a much higher energy output. Although potent, this form proved to be unsustainable for long periods of time, making it mostly unused except by Vegeta, whose energy control allowed him to maintain this form for longer. That said, it has yet to make an appearance in any trailers or screenshots.

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Super Saiyan Grade 3

Future Trunks goes Super Saiyan Grade 3 dragon Ball z

- Not Confirmed: Future Trunks, Goku

This peculiarform was discovered by Future Trunks. Entering this form results in a massive increase to muscle mass and strength, but it is quickly discovered that a fighter's speed takes a huge hit. Although this form is far more powerful than Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan Grade 2, its slow speed and tremendous energy consumption make it a fool's errand, as any worthwhile opponent can easily outmaneuver it.

Future Trunks learns this the hard way in his battle with Perfect Cell, where he is handily dispatched by the villain. Both Goku and Vegeta knew how to use this form, but opted against it, as due to their combat experience, they knew the form would slow them down too drastically. Like Super Saiyan Grade 2, this form has not yet been shown in any trailers or screenshots.

Super Saiyan Full Power

Super saiyan full power dbz dragon Ball z

- Confirmed: Goku, Gohan, Super Vegito

This form is nearly identical in every way to the original Super Saiyan form, with one key difference. The original Super Saiyan form requires great rage in order to tap into, and as a result is very unstable and has poor ki control. Goku, seeing this, decides that he and Gohan will stay in Super Saiyan form for a full year while in the Hyperbolic time chamber. The result of this is a new form, with all the power, speed, and stamina of a Super Saiyan but lacking the draw back of emotional toil and loss of control. This form eventually becomes the standard, as it is clear that the benefits of the other Grades of Super Saiyan are not worth the draw backs.

Super Saiyan 2

dragon ball z kakarot teen gohan cell

- Confirmed: Gohan, Goku, Majin Vegeta

This climactic moment at the end of the Cell Saga is one that fans of Gohan will never forget. In this moment, Gohan surpasses his father and destroys Cell, the villain that was able to easily defeat Super Saiyan Grade 2 Vegeta and Super Saiyan Grade 3 Trunks. In this form, the hair grows slightly longer and more rigid, lightning sparks throughout the Saiyan's aura, and power flows from the user. Gohan was probably able to attain this form due to his training to reach Super Saiyan Full Power, as Super Saiyan 2 also has much greater control over emotion. Vegeta, Goku, and Future Trunks gain this power shortly after Gohan does.

RELATED: New Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Gameplay Shows Classic Goku vs. Vegeta Fight

Super Saiyan 3

Goku dragon Ball z Kakarot flying in super Saiyan 3

- Confirmed: Goku, Gotenks

The culmination of the Super Saiyan form in the original Dragon Ball Z anime, Super Saiyan 3 is achieved by Goku and Gotenks and used very sparingly. In this form, the Saiyan's spiky, golden hair grows to absurd length, reaching all the way down to their feet, and their eyebrows strangely disappear. This form is far stronger than even Super Saiyan 2, and uses intense amounts of ki. Goku unlocks this form after years of training on Other World, while Gotenks achieves it with the added power of fusion and by seeing Goku perform it.

The Super Saiyan form is a powerful, iconic, and inspiring transformation which will undoubtedly be a focus in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Fans should aim to unlock these huge power boosts quickly, as they are sure to help in their quest to defend Earth from the many Dragon Ball Z villains which try to destroy it.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will be available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One on January 17, 2020.

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Source: Bandai Namco