Goku first achieves Super Saiyan Blue (SSB) during his training with Whis on Beerus’s planet, a transformation formally revealed and utilized in Dragon Ball Super, episode 24: “Clash! Frieza vs. Son Goku: This is the Result of My Training!”. This episode marks the first time we witness Goku consciously harnessing the power of a Saiyan God to ascend beyond Super Saiyan God and into the radiant blue aura of SSB.
The Genesis of Blue: Goku’s Path to Divine Power
Goku’s journey to Super Saiyan Blue is a testament to his relentless pursuit of strength and his unwavering dedication to protecting the universe. The transformation isn’t simply a power-up; it’s a culmination of rigorous training under the tutelage of Whis, the angel attendant of Beerus, the God of Destruction. It involved mastering Super Saiyan God (SSG) and subsequently learning to maintain the godly ki and energy within his Super Saiyan form. This process isn’t instantaneous; it requires immense focus, discipline, and understanding of divine energy.
The events leading up to episode 24 depict Goku and Vegeta undergoing grueling training sessions with Whis. He challenges them physically and mentally, forcing them to confront their weaknesses and unlock their potential. These training sequences are crucial, highlighting the dedication and hardship required to attain godly power. Episode 24 acts as the culmination of that training, where the audience finally witnesses the fruits of their labor.
The Frieza Factor: A Catalyst for Transformation
The clash against Golden Frieza serves as a pivotal catalyst for Goku unleashing Super Saiyan Blue. Frieza’s terrifying power and thirst for revenge force Goku to push himself beyond his limits. Recognizing the imminent threat posed by Golden Frieza, Goku consciously unlocks the Super Saiyan Blue form, surprising even Beerus and Whis with its raw power. This emphasizes the reactive nature of Goku’s power development; a powerful enemy often triggers a significant power boost. The visual spectacle of the transformation itself is memorable, with Goku surrounded by a vibrant blue aura and emanating immense energy.
Understanding Super Saiyan Blue: Power, Weaknesses, and Significance
Super Saiyan Blue, also known as Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (SSGSS), is a transformation that blends the power of Super Saiyan God with the raw strength of Super Saiyan. It significantly amplifies the user’s power, speed, and overall combat capabilities. However, this immense power comes with its own set of drawbacks.
The most notable weakness is the energy drain. Maintaining Super Saiyan Blue requires a significant amount of ki, which can quickly exhaust the user if not managed carefully. Early iterations of the transformation had a substantial stamina drain, hindering long battles. Goku and Vegeta eventually learn to mitigate this weakness through rigorous training and improved ki control, enabling them to sustain the form for extended periods.
Beyond Power: The Tactical Advantage of SSB
Beyond the sheer increase in power, Super Saiyan Blue offers a tactical advantage: god ki. God ki is a unique type of energy that can only be sensed by other beings with god ki, making the user difficult to track and predict. This allows for surprise attacks and strategic maneuvers that would be impossible with standard ki. Furthermore, god ki provides a level of resistance to attacks that utilize conventional ki, further enhancing the user’s defensive capabilities.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Super Saiyan Blue
FAQ 1: Is Super Saiyan Blue stronger than Super Saiyan God?
Yes, Super Saiyan Blue is definitively stronger than Super Saiyan God. SSB essentially combines the godly ki of SSG with the raw power amplification of Super Saiyan, resulting in a significantly greater power output.
FAQ 2: How does Vegeta achieve Super Saiyan Blue?
Vegeta achieves Super Saiyan Blue through the same rigorous training as Goku, primarily under Whis’s guidance on Beerus’s planet. He focuses on perfecting his ki control and mastering the art of utilizing god ki within his Super Saiyan form.
FAQ 3: What is Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken?
Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken is a technique developed by Goku that combines the power of Super Saiyan Blue with the Kaioken technique. This significantly multiplies his power even further, but it also puts immense strain on his body.
FAQ 4: Is there a limit to the power of Super Saiyan Blue?
Yes, like any transformation, there is a limit to the power of Super Saiyan Blue. This limit can be overcome through further training and mastery of ki control. Goku eventually surpasses even the standard SSB form.
FAQ 5: What is the difference between Super Saiyan Blue and Super Saiyan Rosé?
Super Saiyan Rosé is a unique transformation achieved by Goku Black, who is Zamasu in Goku’s body. While similar in concept to Super Saiyan Blue, Super Saiyan Rosé is fueled by Zamasu’s godly ki and has a different color palette and potentially distinct properties.
FAQ 6: Can other characters besides Goku and Vegeta achieve Super Saiyan Blue?
In the main Dragon Ball Super canon, only Goku and Vegeta have achieved Super Saiyan Blue. While other characters might possess immense potential, they haven’t undergone the specific training required to harness god ki and transform into SSB.
FAQ 7: How does Future Trunks achieve Super Saiyan Rage?
Future Trunks achieves Super Saiyan Rage through a combination of intense emotional stress and his latent Saiyan potential. It’s a unique transformation specific to him and doesn’t directly relate to Super Saiyan Blue.
FAQ 8: What is the evolutionary path from Super Saiyan to Super Saiyan Blue?
The evolutionary path generally follows this sequence: Super Saiyan -> Super Saiyan 2 -> Super Saiyan 3 -> Super Saiyan God -> Super Saiyan Blue. However, training and special circumstances can sometimes lead to variations or alternate forms.
FAQ 9: Does Super Saiyan Blue affect Goku’s lifespan?
The initial usage of Super Saiyan Blue, especially when combined with Kaioken, did put a strain on Goku’s body and potentially could have affected his lifespan. However, as he masters the form, the strain is reduced, minimizing the long-term impact.
FAQ 10: Is there a manga equivalent to episode 24 where Goku uses Super Saiyan Blue?
Yes, the equivalent to episode 24 of Dragon Ball Super in the manga is roughly covered in chapters 9 and 10, during the Resurrection ‘F’ arc. The manga depicts the same events, with Goku revealing his Super Saiyan Blue form against Golden Frieza.
FAQ 11: What are some training methods to potentially unlock a form similar to Super Saiyan Blue?
While achieving true Super Saiyan Blue requires godly ki, aspiring martial artists (in a fictional context!) might focus on:
- Meditation and Ki Control: Refining their control and understanding of their own energy.
- Extreme Physical Conditioning: Building a robust body capable of handling immense power.
- Seeking Powerful Mentors: Learning from individuals with advanced knowledge and experience.
FAQ 12: How does Super Saiyan Blue compare to other transformations like Ultra Instinct?
Ultra Instinct is considered a significantly higher level of power than Super Saiyan Blue. While SSB relies on controlled ki and a conscious transformation, Ultra Instinct is a state of being where the body reacts instinctively, bypassing the need for conscious thought. It allows for far greater speed, precision, and overall combat effectiveness. Super Saiyan Blue often serves as a stepping stone towards achieving and mastering Ultra Instinct.