Super Saiyan Blue Transformation - Dragon Ball
Super Saiyan Blue (also known as Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan) is a transformation that surpasses its red counterpart, Super Saiyan God. It is usually achieved by using the power of a god (often by being in the God-like Saiyan state that can be used after first transforming into a Super Saiyan God) and then transforming into a classic Super Saiyan on top of that. Alternatively, a Saiyan can train with a deity until they develop their own divine ki and use that to turn into Super Saiyan Blue, as Vegeta did.
History and Creation
Akira Toriyama, the original creator of the Dragon Ball series, gave some details regarding the Super Saiyan Blue transformation and says that it is the next evolution of Super Saiyan God in that it is essentially someone with the power of Super Saiyan God further transforming into a Super Saiyan, making it a kind of hybrid transformation. Continuing on, Toriyama mentions that the blue hair color is supposed to represent Goku breaking a limit that allows him to be both strong and tranquil. This may possibly allude to the sheer jump in power caused by the Super Saiyan transformation in tandem with the calm awareness that the Super Saiyan God transformation provides. Toriyama considered giving the transformation a white color scheme, but eventually reconsidered, saying that the color would have clashed with the next foe in a future arc.
Transformation
Super Saiyan Blue’s original name (Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan) may be somewhat misleading, as the user doesn’t have to transform into a Super Saiyan God and further ascend to Super Saiyan Blue. The only requirements the user needs to transform into Super Saiyan Blue is divine ki and the ability to transform into a Super Saiyan while using the divine ki. It is also possible to transform into Super Saiyan Blue by having their Super Saiyan transformation ascend past the power of Super Saiyan God. Either way, the transformation changes very little about the user’s physique, with the exception of their hair and eyes.
The transformation turns the user’s hair and eyes into a vibrant electric blue color. The aura they give off is similarly blue, but seems to have a faint yellow glow around the edge as well, possibly alluding to the original Super Saiyan transformation being a factor in Super Saiyan Blue. In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, this yellow glow is no longer present. Like Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue’s aura flows like fire, but also seems to have particles of shimmering energy flowing through it as well.
In terms of power, Super Saiyan Blue is currently the most powerful canonical transformation that is specific to Saiyans. It far surpasses Super Saiyan 3 and even Super Saiyan God in power, though Super Saiyan God seems to have a slight edge when it comes to speed. Furthermore, this transformation keeps its user level-headed and gives them an incredible amount of ki control. Although previous Super Saiyan transformations power up its user, it also causes a large amount of ki to leak out of their bodies, putting more stress on the user to maintain the form. The impressive amount of ki control given by Super Saiyan Blue, on the other hand, allows one to stay transformed longer and lets them reserve their energy for attacks rather than simply maintaining the form. This precise ki control also lets Goku use his Kaio-ken technique to further boost his power all the way up to x20.
Variations
Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken: A form used by Goku to further multiply the power of the basic transformation. This variation has the fiery electric blue aura of the base transformation and the explosive and wild red aura caused by using Kaio-ken. Goku can use this technique to multiply the power of Super Saiyan Blue by up to twenty times, though it places an incredible amount of stress on his body.
Super Saiyan Rosé: This variant form is the result of a Saiyan with natural divine ki using their equivalent of Super Saiyan Blue. It is most notably used by Goku Black, who is considered part deity after Zamasu fused with Universe 10’s Goku. As the name implies, it turns its user’s hair a light pink color, though it gives off a rather dark aura comprised of various shades of purple, pink, and red.
Rage Empowered Super Saiyan Blue: This emotion-fueled power boost is used by both Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super. It was first used by Goku after Goku Black told him that he killed his universe’s Chi-Chi and Goten after taking over his body. Vegeta later used this rage boost after Goku Black injured Future Trunks.
Perfected: Mastering the Super Saiyan Blue transformation results in its user being able to use this “Perfected” form. Goku uses this variant in the Dragon Ball Super manga after he takes a moment to focus on controlling all of the transformation’s power within himself. This evolution can also be powered up much like any transformation. Power stressing is also an option and even seems to have no negative effects on the user’s speed or stamina. However, doing so will directly damage their body in exchange.
Limit Break (also called “Evolved”): This variation of Super Saiyan Blue transcends the power of the basic version significantly. This transformation is used exclusively by Vegeta after remembering his promise to “Cabba” and breaking through his self-imposed limits. Its power is said to be as strong as Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue while using Kaio-ken x20, but gets even stronger as Vegeta starts adjusting to it. Whis and the Grand Minister mention that this evolved form shares some qualities with Ultra Instinct.
Links
Dragon Ball Series
Dragon Ball Z Series
Dragon Ball Kai Series
Dragon Ball Super Series
Dragon Ball GT Series
Super Dragon Ball Heros
Akira Toriyama