No Dragon Ball fan manga has replicated Goku’s rage moment well, and it’s because they’re all missing the point

Dragon Ball is known for its numerous iconic moments, but the first time Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan stands out above the rest. This pivotal moment, which occurred during the Namek saga, solidified the series as a cornerstone of the battle shonen genre. It also introduced the concept of power-ups and the buildup to a ultimate showdown, as seen in the epic confrontation between Goku and Frieza.

Despite the efforts of many Dragon Ball fan manga(s) to depict Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan and capture the intense and emotionally charged moment, they often fall short in their execution. This is due to the tendency of many creators to simply portray Goku’s anger without considering the context of his confrontation with Frieza, a feat that no other villain had been able to achieve in the series up to that point.

This article includes spoilers for the series.

Explaining why Goku’s iconic rage moment in Dragon Ball in the Namek saga worked so well

Goku as a Super Saiyan in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan and loss of control against Frieza had multiple causes, one of which was the death of his dear friend Krillin. Not only was Krillin Goku’s closest companion, but he also played a crucial role throughout the arc, constantly putting his life on the line. Sadly, Krillin could not be revived as he had already been killed by the Demon King Piccolo, a fact that Goku was all too aware of.

Moreover, up until that point, Frieza proved to be the greatest challenge for Goku in the series, and the tyrannical ruler was responsible for numerous deaths. Among Frieza’s victims were Dende, Vegeta, and Krillin. Additionally, Piccolo was on the brink of death, and despite Goku’s best efforts, he was unable to defeat Frieza.

Despite their initial victory with the Genkidama, Frieza proceeded to systematically defeat each remaining member of the Z Fighters. Piccolo was shot down, Krillin was killed, and Gohan was next in Frieza’s sights. This only served to fuel Goku’s anger, as he believed they had already won the battle. However, even the powerful Genkidama was not enough to defeat Frieza.

The Legacy of the Super Saiyan

The semi-Super Saiyan transformation in the series (Image via Toei Animation)

Without a doubt, the Super Saiyan transformation remains the most iconic power-up not just in the Dragon Ball series, but in all of battle shonen. This metamorphosis completely revolutionized the concept of a character’s strength and has since become a defining aspect of the franchise. In fact, the Super Saiyan has become so widely recognized that even those unfamiliar with the series are familiar with its significance.

This franchise was greatly impacted by its immense influence, paving the way for significant changes within the battle shonen genre. Goku’s iconic transformation against Frieza marked a pivotal moment in the series, elevating it to a creative high that has rarely been matched since.

Concluding Remarks

Despite numerous attempts by fan manga artists, none have successfully captured the powerful emotion displayed by Goku when he first transformed into a Super Saiyan. This is often due to a lack of understanding of the context and emotional tension surrounding the moment. Many tend to overlook this and solely focus on Goku’s anger.