Summary
Dragon Ballis famous for having some of the most memorable character designs, not only in the anime industry, but across all of fiction. Because of the legendary work of Akira Toriyama, everyone now associates blond hair with the term ‘Super Saiyan’, which truly speaks to how incredible and timeless his designs were, since the series penetrated through cultural barriers to become one of the most successful franchises of all time.
The Saiyans are the face ofDragon Balland, as such, are some of the best-designed characters in the series. However, some forms and states that the Saiyans unlock stand leagues above their peers. This can be for many reasons, chief of which is justhow memorable and cool they are. While this is a subjective topic that is likely different for everyone, let’s take a look at the commonly agreed upon best-designed Saiyans in the franchise.
Story Arc
Fusion Reborn Arc
The Saiyan fusions are among the most beloved characters in the entire series and stand out merely due to the aspect of fusion alone. However, even among them,Gogeta is by far the coolestfrom a visual perspective. Although Vegito’s design is impeccable with his merger of Goku and Vegeta’s clothes and the Potara Earrings, Gogeta’s look sporting the little padded fusion vest upon his bare chest gives him a badass aura of strength that just can’t be replicated.
Our two strengths aren’t just added together, they’re significantly magnified!
Gotenks is also a product of the Metamoran Fusion Dance, so he rocks a very similar look to Gogeta with the vest. However, Gogeta wins out over him purely due to the fact that he is older and has a far more mature appearance, which is the perfect mix of Goku and Vegeta’s facial features. InDragon Ball Super, this design language is kept the same save for the color of the padding on the vest, and it still looks amazing in Super Saiyan Blue.
Legendary Super Saiyan Arc
Ever since his first appearance in the franchise, Broly has been a fan-favorite character, especially due to his unique form that has made everyone below him look like cannon fodder.The legendary Super Saiyan formis unique to him and bulks up Broly’s already gigantic silhouette to even bigger proportions, sporting massive muscles and spikier, green hair which no other Saiyan, except for Kale, can achieve.
You, Kakarot! I choose you to be the first of my victims!
This form is present in both iterations of the character. WhileSuperBroly is undoubtedly the better character overall, the design of theZversion works much better. The recent version of the character was just a misunderstood warrior whereas the original was an insane, mindless lunatic hell-bent on causing destruction, which just worked perfectly with how he looked. His massive muscles were extremely intimidating but were so well juxtaposed with the red and gold accents on him that gave him an almost royal and regal look.
Cell Saga
At the start of the Android Saga, the Super Saiyan transformation had begun to become fairly widespread since the remaining Saiyans could all eventually access the form. However, the enemies they faced were also getting stronger, so they needed to push further to ensure victory. After his loss at the hands of Android 18, Vegeta would undergo intense training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and emerge far stronger than before with a new form.
The sleeper has awakened. I am the Prince of all Saiyans once again!
This form was named Super Vegeta, and it remains one of the most beloved in the franchise. It stood out from what had been shown for Saiyan transformations before, giving Vegeta a much bulkier and imposing appearance while also making his hair spikier. Although Trunks would unlock a form that was even beyond this, Vegeta just filled out his version better. It was so loved that it was brought back inSuperwith his Blue Evolved state.
In one of the most iconic moments ofDragon Ball, Gohan unleashes all of his anger in his fight with Cell and becomes the first person ever to unlockthe fabled Super Saiyan 2 form. In this form, he far eclipses everything and everyone that had ever come before, proving to be the only person capable of fighting Perfect Cell in one of the best fights in the franchise.
It’s not enough, Dad. He deserves to suffer more.
In his Super Saiyan state, Gohan sported the iconic purple Gi and shoulder pads that had been given to him by Piccolo as an homage to the training he underwent during the initial parts ofZ. In Super Saiyan 2, Gohan ditches the shoulder pads and his hair stands up far more than ever before while he is surrounded by lightning formed from his sheer power. Although the others would also unlock this form, which gave them the same aura, none can claim it as their own as Teen Gohan can.
Android Saga
The first Super Saiyan that fans saw after Goku was one they didn’t even recognize. As soon as he made his debut, everyone fell in love with his design simply due to how unique it was compared to the other Saiyans. Hisstrength was especially formidable, as seen by how he easily dispatched Frieza in a matter of seconds using a sword, which was another aspect of what made his overall design so unique.
No matter how strong you become, never seek to fight alone.
In the non-canonDragon Ball Zfilms, Trunks looked his best, as the jacket was ripped at the sleeves and his overall appearance was far more bulky than the average Saiyan. His hair was different too and when he turned Super Saiyan, it would stand up in a unique way that everyone just loved, so looking at the total package, Future Trunks fromDragon Ball Zis one of the best-designed Saiyans of them all.
Baby Arc
Dragon Ball GTis a series that has drawn a lot of ire from fans over the years. However, something that is almost unanimously agreed upon ishow incredible the design for Super Saiyan 4is, with the commonly held belief being that it is the best looking Super Saiyan form in the entire franchise. Not only does it break away from the previous trend of each new transformation’s hair just getting longer and golden, but it also sets the precedent for how great a form can look with the right design elements implemented.
Sorry about all that. I’m surprised as well. Surprised at how strong I’ve become.
It’s also amazing from a thematic standpoint since it serves as an awesome callback to the Oozaru transformation that is unique to every Saiyan with a tail. Super Saiyan 4 sprouts fur across the Saiyan’s body and has a different hairstyle from previous forms as well, with all the colors and design elements complimenting each other brilliantly to come together in the best and most unique Saiyan transformation in all ofDragon Ball.
Dragon Ballcan be streamed onCrunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
