Summary
Dragon Ball Supershowed the characters to be stronger than they had ever been in the past, mostly due to the new transformations they were able to unlock with the introduction of God Ki. Because of this new energy that is unique to the Gods, Goku and Vegeta could now tap into a power greater than anything before by turning into a Super Saiyan God. Eventually, they surpassed their limits and unlocked a form above that; Super Saiyan Blue.
For the most part, Super Saiyan Blue became the default transformation for the two Saiyans after the events of the Resurrection F arc ofDragon Ball Super. However, the Tournament of Power saw both of them get even strongerwith their Blue transformations, although in very different ways. So, let’s take a look at these unique evolutions of Super Saiyan Blue and go over their specialties, strengths, and see which one was stronger.
User: Goku
First Appearance
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 39, “A Developed “Time Skip” Counterstrike? Here Comes Goku’s New Move!”
Story Arc
Universe 6 Arc
Although this technically isn’t a new transformation on top of the regular Super Saiyan Blue, it is the preferred way for Goku to further increase in power. Instead of powering up to realize a stage beyond that ofSuper Saiyan Blue, Goku instead reinforces his body and powers with Kaioken to reach that stage, greatly powering up and becoming far stronger than he was before.
Due to this state being the amalgamation of two different power-ups, Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue gets a reddish hue and his regular blue Ki has another, larger red Ki on top of it. Because of the usage of two extremely taxing techniques, the strain they take on Goku’s energy and stamina levels is immense, as it is explained that the combination has a 10% chance of working and a 90% chance of failing, in which case Goku will die.
Oh… it’s the Kaioken Attack. It’s like a massive upsurge of energy. Everything is heightened: power, speed, even hearing and vision improve dramatically.
The first usage of Super Saiyan Blue with Kaioken came in the Universe 6 arc when Goku battled Hit. Initially, the Saiyan was repeatedly being overpowered bythe legendary assassin’s time-manipulating powers. To make up for the difference in strength, Goku awakened the Kaioken power-up on top of Super Saiyan Blue, adding a 10x multiplier to his overall strength which allowed him to overcome Hit’s timeskip. It was initially explained that Goku had been saving the technique for his eventual rematch against Beerus but felt the need to use it then.
Goku used the combination of his two powerful states again in his fight against Zamasu in the Goku Black arc. However, it wasn’t until the Tournament of Power that Goku would surpass his abilities, utilizing Kaioken x20 in his heated battle with Jiren. However, despite the power-up being incredible and gifting Goku much better strength and speed, it was still below Jiren’s level, though it was still used to great effect against other combatants.
User: Vegeta
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 123, “Body, Soul and Power Unleashed! Goku and Vegeta!”
Tournament of Power Arc
In contrast to Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue with Kaioken,Super Saiyan Blue Evolved is a brand-new transformationthat is unique to Vegeta. It doesn’t add a technique to multiply his forms' innate power, rather, it’s an entirely new form that is far stronger than Super Saiyan Blue, giving Vegeta a unique hue and aura that arguably makes him even stronger than Goku’s Blue state with Kaioken, though the difference between them is negligible.
Visually, the change from Super Saiyan Blue can be seen quite clearly. In this form, Vegeta grows more bulky and has a larger and much more pronounced muscle mass, with his aura taking on a brighter hue with sparkling particles surrounding him, although his hair takes on a darker shade of blue. Essentially, this form acts as a significant power-up to the regular Super Saiyan Blue, similar to how Super Saiyan Grade 2 was, with spikier hair and an increase in overall power.
I’ll shatter through my limits! In my own way! On my own terms!
The transformation was originally born out of desperation at the start of Goku and Vegeta’s united assault on Jiren. After watching Goku achieve new heights with Ultra Instinct Omen, failing to realize it himself, and getting easily beaten in a previous clash against Universe 11’s strongest, Vegeta dug deep within himself andpushed past his limits like never before, unlocking a transformation that was not only unique to him, but was a better alternative compared to Goku’s Kaioken x20 power-up due to it being far more sustainable.
However, just like Goku’s power increase, it was still no match for Jiren, who was able to hold back both fighters. Still, though, it was an exceptional asset for Universe 7 once Toppo unlocked his God of Destruction abilities, even overpowering the destroyer in one of the best fights ofSuper. This was incredibly important for Vegeta as a character since it showed him defeating a candidate for the position of Destroyer God using his own strength.
