Super Saiyan 3 is a unique form that often seems like an outlier in the Super Saiyan ranking system. Super Saiyan 3s take on a mythical form that requires tremendous dedication and more. Super Saiyan 3 seems almost alien to the Saiyan race because of its irregularities.
There are only three people who have obtained Super Saiyan 3 during the canon episodes of Dragon Ball. It stands out for being both exceptional and mediocre. From reading the list below, you'll understand why Super Saiyan 3 is an unusual form. There are a few things fans need to know about Super Saiyan 3. Enjoy!
Updated by Michael Connor Smith on April 10th, 2020: Super Saiyan 3 is the last main form shown in the original Dragon Ball Z and left many fans wanting to know and see more about this mysterious form. Though it only appeared in a handful of fights, it quickly became a favorite among many fans.
This list was updated to include a few more facts about the Super Saiyan 3 form that wasn't present in the original. Though the form may have far less screentime than other forms, through Dragon Ball video games, manga, anime, and movies, there are a surprising amount of facts about SSJ3.
15 Original Design Concepts
The Super Saiyan 3 form underwent quite a few design variations before being first unveiled during the events of the Buu saga. The most interesting of these concepts would be the addition of a tail similar to Super Saiyan 4, and this is referenced in Goku's transformation in the anime where he is shown reverting back to his child state.
When its design neared completion, Toriyama originally drew the form with hair length similar to Super Saiyan 2 but slicked back to become more menacing before deciding on adding the Raditz-length hair-do. During this final stage of development, the decision to give the form a lack of eyebrows was thought to make the form more intimidating than previous Super Saiyan form as well as to help it better stand out from the rest.
14 10. A Saiyan Must Master Super Saiyan 2 Before Turning Into Super Saiyan 3
Also known as an "Ascended Saiyan", Super Saiyan 2 pushes users past the power of a Super Saiyan. If it weren't already difficult enough to go Super Saiyan 2, one must master the form if they wish to achieve Super Saiyan 3.
Goku learned how to turn Super Saiyan 3 in heaven but was unable to control his power on Earth, which means he must have only transformed a few times before doing it in front of Majin Buu. Facing Majin Buu, Goku changed into the two forms in an instant, demonstrating Goku's Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 2 prowess.
13 9. The Form Has Its Weaknesses
Under normal conditions, the Super Saiyan 3 form is highly ineffective against powerful foes like Beerus and Majin Buu. Due to the physical toll it bestows to its user, a Super Saiyan 3 tires quickly and has trouble controlling his or her enormous power. While other Super Saiyan forms can be mastered to mitigate instability, Super Saiyan 3 is erratic under normal conditions. For these reasons, Goku prefers not to use Super Saiyan 3 unless he's out of options.
12 Super Saiyan 3 Has No Canonical Victories
Super Saiyan 3 was shown off quite late into Dragon Ball Z's lifespan, coming in during the last major saga of the series and only making a few appearances in Dragon Ball Super. Because of this limited screen time, there are far fewer battles where Super Saiyan 3 is the star of the show, especially considering that its extreme energy consumption provides a strict time limit.
During the Buu Saga, Goku was never able to best any of Buu's forms with Super Saiyan 3, even though he came close on multiple occasions. In Dragon Ball Super, Beerus absolutely wiped the floor with SSJ3 Goku in the infamously poorly animated battle, and he only ever used the form again to show off his power. The only victories that this form has come in the form of movies and games, mainly against Hirudegarn in Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon.
11 Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta And Broly
Canonical Dragon Ball only features two lone Super Saiyan 3 users, being Goku and Gotenks, but various video game adaptations have brought us a ton of "what-if" scenarios for more long-haired action. In Dragon Ball: Raging Blast, two fan-favorite characters receive Super Saiyan 3 transformations.
Broly's hair becomes a slightly darker green and makes him look even more intimidating than he already was. Fans have always wondered why Dragon Ball loves to skip out on Vegeta's transformations, as we've never seen him as a Super Saiyan 3 or a Super Saiyan God, and this is the closest we'll likely ever get.
10 8. Raditz' Hair Grows Even Longer In The Super Saiyan 3 Form
If Raditz' hair wasn't already long enough, his hair grows even longer in the Super Saiyan 3 form. His hair is almost touching the ground, which couldn't make fighting easy. Raditz proved to be more powerful than both Piccolo and Goku when we first met him on Earth. Raditz has never gone Super Saiyan 3 because he's never attained the Super Saiyan 3 form. It is widely agreed, however, that Raditz' hair grows longer while Super Saiyan 3 and this is evidenced in Super Dragon Ball Heroes.
9 7. Goku Only Uses The Super Saiyan 3 Transformation In Rare Circumstances
We know from seeing Goku in various episodes that he doesn't like to transform into Super Saiyan 3. As someone who changes between Super Saiyan forms regularly, Goku probably doesn't care to master Super Saiyan 3; he could just as easily use Super Saiyan 2 and be faster.
It seems as if Super Saiyan 3 was a short-lived form with the introduction of Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan God Blue. Super Saiyan 3 is the most flawed form of all the Super Saiyans, yet Goku will still use it in rare circumstances like when he tried to stall for time against Majin Buu.
8 6. Goku Uses The Form Against Janemba In The Movie "Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn"
History shows that sometimes Dragon Ball movies are considered canon, but are often removed because they conflict with the television series. Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn is not canon either, but it's worth watching since Super Saiyan 3 makes an appearance.
Goku's mastery of Super Saiyan 3 was better than when he fought against Majin Buu. To take down Janemba it took the combination of fusion and Super Saiyan 3. You'll have to watch the action-packed movie to get the full story.
7 Dragon Ball SD Appearances
Dragon Ball SD, like many other "SD" manga, is a chibi version of the original story mainly geared towards younger readers. This shorter series spans original Dragon Ball up to later Dragon Ball Z and has even more of a humorous edge to it than the original series' did.
During a panel celebrating Saikyo Jump on its third anniversary, more than a few characters undergo a Super Saiyan 3 transformation. These characters include Master Roshi, Krillin, Puar, and Yamcha, in which they reveal the true power of the Kame House residents.
6 5. Akira Toriyama Often Forgets Things About The Super Saiyan 3 Form
For a while, Akira Toriyama thought that the Super Saiyan 3 form was Super Saiyan 2. It wouldn't be the first time Akira Toriyama forgot something about the Dragon Ball series. Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan are similar, but there is a distinct difference in hairstyle, Power Level, and aura. A Super Saiyan 2 is surrounded by electricity. On another note, Akira Toriyama forgot about the recurring character known as "Launch.' It's possible Toriyama doesn't watch his series.
5 Super Saiyan 3 Was Originally Going To Be Super Saiyan God
Before Super Saiyan God was decided to have its signature godly, red hair, it was going to be a more simplistic design using Super Saiyan 3. The only main difference with the form was going to be giving Goku a cape, which would have been quite the odd transformation.
The idea was scrapped as Super Saiyan 3 was an already underwhelming form to begin within the eyes of many fans, and something titled "Super Saiyan God" should have a distinct, unique look to accompany it.
4 4. Super Saiyan 3 Is 400x The Power Of A Saiyan's Base Power Level
We know that the Super Saiyan 3 form appears mighty and powerful, but did you know that Super Saiyan 3 is 400x the power of a base Saiyan's Power Level? This is an enormous number in the Dragon Ball universe.
"With great power comes great responsibility." Super Saiyan 3 users are almost always from the good side. How one controls their emotions, and their mindset plays a significant influence on ascending to the next level of Saiyan. As a form that is 400x a Saiyan's base Power Level, Super Saiyan 3 is one of the most powerful forms we've seen yet.
3 3. Goku Is The Only Saiyan With Pupils In The Super Saiyan 3 Form
Every character except Goku loses their pupils when they transform into Super Saiyan 3. Moreover, the color of his irises is bluer in this form. It is a small detail that might have gargantuan implications.
There are quite a few reasons to explain why Goku has pupils in the Super Saiyan 3 form. For starters, it's worth noting that Goku reached the form for the first time in the afterlife (heaven). Since he did it there, his pupils may have been affected. Also, as the earliest Super Saiyan 3 user, Goku may have reached a form above Super Saiyan 3 and not known it. This topic is debatable, but it might just be an irregularity in Dragon Ball's animation.
2 2. An Arcade Trading Card Game, Contains Super Saiyan 3 Forms For Future Trunks And More
Although it bears a similar title, Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a separate show from Dragon Ball Heroes. Both, however, aren't considered canon, but they should be because of how many awesome Super Saiyan 3s it introduced. Vegeta, Broly, Raditz, Nappa, Bardock, Cunber, and Gohanks (Gohan and Trunks fusion) are among the people who attained Super Saiyan 3 in Super Dragon Ball Heroes. As you would expect, each form looks totally awesome. Nappa's beard grows out while Super Saiyan, but he remains bald. This could mean he is genetically hairless and doesn't shave his head.
1 1. Super Saiyan 3 Full Power Doesn't Have Energy Drain Or Body Fatigue
First revealed in the episode of Super Dragon Ball Heroes titled "Goku Revived!! Strongest vs. Strongest Collide!," Super Saiyan 3 Full Power is a variation of Super Saiyan 3 that doesn't have the drawbacks of the original form. The removal of energy drain and body fatigue makes Super Saiyan 3 Full Power one of the most capable Super Saiyan forms. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Heroes isn't considered canon, but it doesn't hurt to theorize about what could be one of the most powerful forms in Dragon Ball. The only known person to reach Super Saiyan 3 Full Power is Cunber, an ancient Saiyan.