Goku first unlocks the power of Super Saiyan God in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, which corresponds to episodes 8 and 9 of Dragon Ball Super. This pivotal moment marks a turning point in the Dragon Ball narrative, introducing a power level previously unknown and setting the stage for the escalating cosmic battles to come.
The Genesis of Super Saiyan God
The journey to Super Saiyan God is a collaborative effort, requiring the power of six righteous Saiyans. This differs drastically from previous transformations which relied primarily on individual power and emotional triggers.
The Prophecy and the Ritual
Lord Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens after a long slumber, driven by a prophetic dream of a Saiyan God capable of challenging his immense power. His search leads him to Goku, who at the time, is only a Super Saiyan 3. Whis, Beerus’s attendant and teacher, explains the legend of the Super Saiyan God and the ritual necessary to achieve the transformation.
To become a Super Saiyan God, five righteous Saiyans must channel their energy into another righteous Saiyan. This ritual, depicted in the Dragon Ball Super anime, involves the Saiyans holding hands and focusing their ki, allowing it to flow into the chosen individual. In Goku’s case, Gohan, Vegeta, Goten, Trunks, and Pan (still in Videl’s womb) contribute their energy. The resulting transformation imbues Goku with divine ki, granting him the red-haired Super Saiyan God form.
The Battle Against Beerus
As Super Saiyan God, Goku fights Beerus in an epic battle that threatens the very fabric of the universe. The fight showcases the immense power of both characters, with shockwaves from their clashes capable of destroying planets. While Goku ultimately loses the battle, he gains invaluable experience and the ability to sense divine ki, paving the way for future power advancements. The transformation itself is imperfect, with Goku initially struggling to maintain the form and eventually reverting back to Super Saiyan mid-fight. However, he learns to internalize some of the divine ki, making him stronger even in his base form.
Understanding Super Saiyan God
The Super Saiyan God transformation represents a significant leap in power compared to previous Super Saiyan forms. It’s not just about raw strength, but also about the nature of the ki being used.
Divine Ki vs. Normal Ki
The key difference between Super Saiyan God and other Super Saiyan transformations lies in the use of divine ki. Divine ki is energy that originates from the realm of the gods, possessing unique properties and allowing for feats impossible with normal ki. For example, Goku is able to resist Beerus’s destruction energy, something he wouldn’t be able to do in his previous forms.
Furthermore, sensing divine ki becomes a crucial ability after attaining Super Saiyan God. Normal individuals cannot perceive divine ki, making it difficult to fight against those who possess it. Goku’s exposure to divine ki allows him to sense other beings with divine energy, like Gods of Destruction and Angels.
Visual Characteristics
The Super Saiyan God form is characterized by red hair, a slimmer physique, and a fiery aura. Goku’s eyes also change, taking on a more relaxed and pupil-filled appearance. While initially depicted with a flame-like aura, later iterations of the form show a more controlled and refined appearance. The transformation represents a mastery over divine ki, resulting in a more efficient and less taxing state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Super Saiyan God
Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Goku’s Super Saiyan God transformation:
FAQ 1: What specific episode does Goku stay in Super Saiyan God for the longest duration?
While the initial transformation occurs in episodes 8 and 9, Goku continues to utilize Super Saiyan God throughout the Battle of Gods arc. It’s difficult to pinpoint one episode where he remains transformed the longest, as the duration fluctuates depending on the intensity of the fight with Beerus. However, episodes focusing primarily on the battle, such as episode 12, feature significant screen time with Goku in his Super Saiyan God form.
FAQ 2: Can Vegeta also achieve Super Saiyan God?
Yes, Vegeta does achieve Super Saiyan God. He trains with Whis alongside Goku and eventually unlocks the form through his own dedicated training, rather than needing the ritual. He demonstrates this transformation during the Resurrection âFâ saga.
FAQ 3: Is Super Saiyan God stronger than Super Saiyan 4?
This is a highly debated topic among fans. Super Saiyan 4 is from Dragon Ball GT, which is now considered non-canon. However, based on power scaling, Super Saiyan God is generally considered to be significantly stronger than Super Saiyan 4. The introduction of divine ki and the ability to fight beings like Beerus places Super Saiyan God in a higher tier of power.
FAQ 4: What are the weaknesses of Super Saiyan God?
One key weakness of Super Saiyan God is its energy consumption. Initially, Goku struggled to maintain the form, reverting back to his base form relatively quickly. While he learns to internalize the divine ki and improve his stamina, maintaining the form for extended periods can still be taxing.
FAQ 5: How does Super Saiyan God tie into Super Saiyan Blue?
Super Saiyan Blue is essentially Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, meaning a Super Saiyan while possessing divine ki. It’s the next evolution after achieving Super Saiyan God, combining the raw power of the Super Saiyan transformation with the divine energy of the God form.
FAQ 6: Why doesn’t Goku use Super Saiyan God more often?
Goku often alternates between Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue depending on the situation. Super Saiyan God is arguably less taxing on the body and can be used for strategic maneuvers. Super Saiyan Blue offers a more explosive power output but consumes energy more rapidly. It really depends on the opponent and their abilities.
FAQ 7: Does Goku learn anything from his fight as Super Saiyan God?
Absolutely. The fight against Beerus as Super Saiyan God grants Goku invaluable experience in handling divine ki and fighting against opponents of god-like power. This experience becomes crucial in his future training and battles. He also gains a better understanding of his own limitations and how to push past them.
FAQ 8: Is the Super Saiyan God form permanent once achieved?
While the initial transformation relies on the ritual, Goku and Vegeta both learn to achieve the Super Saiyan God form through training. Once internalized, they can access the transformation at will.
FAQ 9: Does the ritual still work after the first transformation?
The ritual is still a viable method for achieving Super Saiyan God. However, after experiencing the power of the transformation, both Goku and Vegeta opt to train and unlock the form through their own efforts, suggesting that it allows for a more personalized and controlled mastery of divine ki.
FAQ 10: How does Super Saiyan God affect Goku’s base form power?
After experiencing Super Saiyan God, Goku’s base form receives a significant boost in power. He internalizes some of the divine ki, making him stronger even without transforming. This improved base form serves as the foundation for further power advancements.
FAQ 11: Are there any other variations of Super Saiyan God beyond Super Saiyan Blue?
Yes, there is Super Saiyan Rose, used by Goku Black, which is essentially the Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form, but with a different color and attributed to Zamasu’s divine ki. While not strictly a variation for Goku, it demonstrates the flexibility of the God forms. There’s also Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Evolved used by Vegeta.
FAQ 12: Does the Super Saiyan God form appear in the Dragon Ball Super manga?
Yes, the Super Saiyan God form appears in the Dragon Ball Super manga, though there are some stylistic differences compared to the anime. The manga provides further insight into the mechanics of the form and its role in the overall power scaling of the series. The manga sometimes takes different approaches to certain transformations and story elements compared to the anime.