Dragon Ball has enthralled viewers for decades with its surreal clashes and dramatic story. The different Dragon Ball series are more than just cartoons. From watching the series, it's evident that becoming a Super Saiyan is not easy. According to legend, the original Super Saiyan could only control his power in the Great Ape form. Not much is known about the Super Saiyan from the legend, only that he existed over a thousand years ago. After the emergence of the first Super Saiyan, Goku, others learned from Goku and made the transformation.
One of the coolest and most impactful Super Saiyan form in Dragon Ball is the Super Saiyan 2 form. Although difficult to identify, Super Saiyan 2 can unleash immense power, capable of destroying planets. There are at least 10 things fans need to know about Super Saiyan 2. Enjoy!
10 10. Super Saiyan 2 Is Identifiable By A Saiyan's Hairstyle And Electric Aura
The differences between Super Saiyan 2 and the first Super Saiyan form is minuscule. Taking a closer look, we can see what the Super Saiyan 2 form looks like in the above photo. It is characterized by having an electric field around a Saiyan while his or her hair raises. Babidi was not impressed when Goku showed off his Super Saiyan 2 transformation. Although it appears similar to the first Super Saiyan form, a Saiyan's power doubles. We finally understand how weak Frieza was on Namek when he was flabbergasted by Goku's first Super Saiyan transformation.
9 9. There Are Four Ways To Make The Transformation
So far, there are four known ways to ascend to Super Saiyan 2. Powerful emotions like the ones Goku showed after Frieza ended Krillin on Namek can create a Super Saiyan 2. The second method of becoming a Super Saiyan 2 is for it to happen during tremendously intense training. A Saiyan may also transform if they are in a desperate situation, which involves survival or protecting someone. The fourth method is kind of weird, but a Saiyan has to "feel out the tingly feeling in their back." It's worth noting that a Saiyan cannot transform by merely doing the things as mentioned above. They must have discipline and go through much training first.
8 8. Super Saiyan 2 Fighters Are Much Faster
"This new form has a weakness," said Goku. Often confused for one another, Super Saiyan Second Grade and Super Saiyan 2 are different forms. While in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku attained Super Saiyan Second Grade, but it came with drawbacks.
The biggest flaw of the form is that a Saiyan's muscles become bulky, making their speed slow down drastically. Both Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan Second Grade are referred to as an "Ascended Saiyan," but more on that later.
7 7. Super Saiyan 2 Is 100x Stronger Than An Ordinary Saiyan
Super Saiyan 2 is 100x stronger than an ordinary Saiyan. Since the form of Super Saiyan 2 is twice as strong as a regular Super Saiyan, and Super Saiyan 2 multiplies a Saiyan's base power by 100x, it must mean the regular form of Super Saiyan increases a Saiyan's Power Level 50x. It's also worth recognizing that a Super Saiyan 3's Power Level is at least ten times stronger than a Super Saiyan 2. For such a complicated transformation, it's strange how all the math adds up neatly.
6 6. Super Saiyan 2 Is 1/4 The Strength Of A Super Saiyan 3
Most die-hard fans of the series know that Super Saiyan 3 has its setbacks. When Goku first faced Majin Buu as Super Saiyan 3, he knew that the more energy he used, the less time he would have to stay on Earth. Due to the circumstances of that faceoff, it made sense for Goku to use the Super Saiyan 3 form since he didn't have much time anyway. Super Saiyan 2 is 1/4 the strength of a Super Saiyan 3, but fighters move more swiftly in the Super Saiyan 2 form. SS3 is not the perfect transformation, which is why Goku has issues with it.
5 5. Akira Toriyama Forgot There Was A Super Saiyan 2
Once, during an interview, Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) forgot that there was a Super Saiyan 2. After years of working on the Dragon Ball series, it's understandable for there to be at least a few errors. Apparently, Akira Toriyama thought that Super Saiyan 3 was Super Saiyan 2. The subtle changes that take place for the transformation to Super Saiyan 2 may have caused Akira Toriyama to forget about the form. The power difference between the two forms is substantial, but the change in appearance is minor.
4 4. Gohan Transformed To Super Saiyan 2 Out Of A Necessity To Defeat Cell
The different Dragon Ball series have taught us that becoming a Super Saiyan is complicated. It doesn't always happen for the same reasons, and the act of turning into a Super Saiyan is nearly impossible to duplicate. Most of the time, a transformation occurs when the audience members and the Saiyan least expect it.
Gohan's hidden power has been a recurring subject in Dragon Ball shows. Since he was a young boy, Gohan showed the potential to take down great foes. Unlike other transformations, Gohan ascended using the combination of his hidden power, and a strong desire to defeat Cell.
3 3. Both Super Saiyan Second Grade And Super Saiyan 2 Are Called "Ascended Super Saiyan"
The term "Ascended Super Saiyan" can mean two different things. In the Dragon Ball manga, Super Saiyan 2 is referred to as an Ascended Super Saiyan, and Super Saiyan Second Grade is also called an Ascended Super Saiyan. One might ask, how can Ascended Super Saiyan refer to two different transformations?
When Goku faces off against Babidi and Majin Buu, he transforms into each of his transformations to stall for time. He refers to Super Saiyan 2 as an Ascended Saiyan, yet Super Saiyan Second Grade is also called an Ascended Saiyan. Some people even believe that Super Saiyan 3 is Super Saiyan 2 since Super Saiyan 2 is often overlooked. It's really confusing but each form has subtle differences.
2 2. Cell Could Turn Into A Super Saiyan 2
Cell collected DNA samples from most of the Z-fighters. Z-fighters including Goku, Frieza, and Piccolo may have been what allowed him to go Super Saiyan. With so many different cells, the unnatural product of his growth would enable him to go Super Saiyan, but it wouldn't be as powerful. When Gohan went SSJ2 versus Cell, he was far more powerful than Cell. Since Cell was able to go Super Saiyan, nothing is saying he couldn't go Super Saiyan 2. Although, it would be difficult to discern the difference.
1 1. Vegeta Reached Super Saiyan 2 Through Hard Training
It is widely debated if Vegeta ever reached Super Saiyan 2 through training. Since he was given an increase in power from the Babidi's spell that turned him into Majin Vegeta, it seemed like Babidi granted him the powers. It has been confirmed by the manga, however, that Vegeta's source of power came from hard training. It hasn't been confirmed directly by Akira Toriyama, but we can say with certainty that Vegeta grew powerful before the tournament. He endured hours of training (likely at a higher gravity level) and attained Super Saiyan 2. Maybe one day they'll make a Dragon Ball movie explaining what happened.