What Episode Does Goku Turn Super Saiyan? Including Video

We all know for a fact that the Super Saiyan transformation was the gateway to the many different transformations that Son Goku and his allies were able to achieve throughout the course of the Dragon Ball storyline. Of course, the Super Saiyan transformation now pales in comparison to the power Goku has achieved in his other forms, but it is still the most iconic moment in the history of the NBA. But what episode does Goku go Super Saiyan for the first time?

Goku became a Super Saiyan for the first time in episode 95 of Dragon Ball Z. He achieved this form when he became enraged after Frieza survived his Spirit Bomb and resorted to killing Krillin out of revenge for the damage caused by Goku’s attack. In his rage, Goku powered up and became a Super Saiyan.

The Super Saiyan transformation that Goku underwent is still the most iconic moment in Dragon Ball history because this was the first time we saw the form that became one of the standards in terms of power in the entire anime industry. No other transformation has ever been more iconic. In that regard, let’s look at the episode where Goku goes Super Saiyan for the first time.

What Episode Does Goku Go Super Saiyan?

One of the most iconic arcs in the entire history of the Dragon Ball storyline was the Frieza Saga, which happened after Bulma, Gohan, and Krillin needed to travel to planet Namek in search of the Dragon Balls there so that they could revive the allies that they lost during the Saiyan Saga. But what awaited them in Namek was something they did not expect.

In Namek, a galactic tyrant named Frieza, who was said to be the strongest being in the entire universe at that time, was scouring the entire planet for the Dragon Balls as well so that he could become immortal. Vegeta was also on the planet as he became an unlikely ally that helped Bulma and the others in their search for the Dragon Balls. Meanwhile, Goku was also on his way to the planet while he was training.

Eventually, the entire saga reached a point where Frieza had already transformed into his final form against both Vegeta and Piccolo, who was revived thanks to the Dragon Balls. And while they couldn’t defeat Frieza in his final form, Goku woke up from his medical machine just in time to help fight the tyrant.

Goku proved to be a better match against Frieza because the power-up he gained after the fight against the Ginyu Force was large enough for him to trim the gap between him and the most powerful being in the universe. He was able to utilize his Kaioken technique to make it possible for him to push his body to the very limit and match Frieza’s unthinkable power levels. Still, he needed an ace up his sleeve to finally defeat the tyrant.

In an attempt to destroy Frieza, who he couldn’t defeat using his own strength, Goku used the power of the Spirit Bomb, which acquired energy from the living creatures in Namek. He launched the Spirit Bomb on Frieza, who struggled to keep the attack at bay as he was seemingly destroyed by it.

Nevertheless, Goku, Krillin, and Gohan were surprised to see that Frieza survived the Saiyan’s strongest attack. And after something that Frieza did to push Goku to the brink of his anger, the Saiyan’s power levels increased drastically as even the planet itself reacted to his rage.

Goku’s hair raised as it was transforming into a shade of yellow, all while the Saiyan was in a state of rage the entire time. In that regard, he eventually completed his transformation into a much more powerful entity with yellow hair protruding upward and teal eyes. Goku was also enveloped in an aura of golden energy.

This was the Super Saiyan transformation in all of its glory, as Goku was able to achieve it for the very first time in the Dragon Ball anime. He achieved this form in Dragon Ball Z episode 95, entitled “Transformed At Last!! The Legendary Super Saiyan, Son Goku.”

Through Goku’s transformation, his power levels reached unthinkable status as not even Frieza could lay a finger on him. Super Saiyan Goku was so powerful that Frieza was visibly afraid of what he saw. And Goku, in this form, was toying with the galactic tyrant, who needed to push himself to his max power level, which still wasn’t enough to defeat the Super Saiyan.

It was through the Super Saiyan transformation that Goku was finally able to defeat Frieza before the destruction of Namek. After that, the Super Saiyan form became a staple in Dragon Ball as Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Goten eventually achieved this form as well. And it was one of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball history because it was the gateway for more transformations to come.

How Does Goku Transform Into A Super Saiyan?

Before Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan, Vegeta was already talking about the legend of the Super Saiyan, which was a story passed on from one generation to another among the Saiyan race. However, due to the fact that it had been a very long time since a Saiyan achieved this form, they believed that it was a legend. Still, even Frieza feared this legend as he destroyed Planet Vegeta and killed almost all of the Saiyans so that he wouldn’t have to face the Super Saiyan in the future.

At one point, Vegeta believed himself to be the Super Saiyan of legend when he became powerful enough to match Frieza’s earlier forms during the Frieza Saga. Still, he proved to be no match for the tyrant, who was only matched by Goku. Vegeta eventually died at the hands of Frieza, as he told Goku that he believed that he was the Super Saiyan of legend.

But while Vegeta believed that Goku was the Super Saiyan, he battled Frieza in his base form throughout a good part of what eventually became one of the longest fights in the history of anime. As mentioned, Goku used the Spirit Bomb as his last resort to defeat Frieza, who he struggled to defeat with his Kaioken. Nevertheless, Frieza survived the attack. 

Out of anger after suffering an attack that nearly killed him, Frieza used his telekinetic powers to control Krillin’s body. He made Krillin far up in the sky, where he made him explode despite Goku’s protestations. This was actually the trigger that pushed Goku to the very limits of his rage.

Seeing his childhood best friend exploding before his very eyes was too much for Goku, who became so angry that he was able to transform into a Super Saiyan. This eventually became the trigger for the other Saiyans to achieve this transformation, as they needed to push their rage to the max to unlock this state.

As such, it was Frieza, who made the mistake of killing Krillin for no reason at all, that triggered Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan. In short, Frieza sealed his own fate by enraging Goku to the point that he unlocked this form for the very first time in the anime. And, as seen in Dragon Ball Super, it was not the first time that Frieza forced a Saiyan to transform into a Super Saiyan, as he did the same with Broly.