In a world where style points count for something, SSJ2 reigns supreme. It’s a form that perfectly encapsulates Goku’s evolution as a fighter—more refined than his initial Super Saiyan transformation, but not bogged down by the impracticalities of forms like Super Saiyan 3. The original SSJ changed the game in anime history. Goku’s first transformation against Frieza was iconic, but visually, it’s pretty tame compared to what comes later. Super Saiyan 1 is Goku with blonde hair and a boost in muscle mass, but not much more. It’s nostalgic, but SSJ2 takes the same template and cranks it up with the added lightning and sharper details.
SSJ3 is the polar opposite of SSJ2. Where 2 is sleek and refined, SSJ3 is a visual spectacle that screams over-the-top. The elongated hair, the lack of eyebrows, and the massive surge in power make it one of Goku’s most radical forms. But while it looks intense, the form is impractical. It drains energy so fast that Goku can’t even sustain it for long without burning himself out. SSJ2, on the other hand, strikes a perfect balance between power and stamina.
When Dragon Ball Super introduced the God forms, it was clear the show was moving into a whole new realm of power scaling. Super Saiyan God is sleek, with Goku’s red hair and leaner physique giving off an almost ethereal vibe. The form is more about divine power than brute strength, and it feels like a natural evolution from Goku’s earlier forms. But in terms of raw visual impact, Super Saiyan 2 still looks cooler, even if God form is stronger.
Super Saiyan Blue took that divine energy of Super Saiyan God and mixed it with the explosive power of Super Saiyan. The result is a form that’s not only incredibly strong but also looks fantastic. The blue hair is a nice change from the usual gold, and it represents Goku’s mastery of both godly and mortal power. It’s flashy, for sure, but it lacks the raw, untamed feel that Super Saiyan 2 brings to the table. Then there’s Ultra Instinct—the pinnacle of Goku’s transformations. Ultra Instinct isn’t just a form, it’s a whole new way of fighting, relying on pure instinct rather than thought. The silver hair, the calm expression, the glowing aura—it’s a masterpiece in terms of design and concept. But Ultra Instinct is so polished, that it almost feels like Goku has transcended the chaotic energy that made his earlier transformations so exciting. Super Saiyan 2, with its wild aura and electric energy, feels raw and visceral by comparison.