Dragon Ball has helped to shape anime and manga in a number of ways. For over four decades, the franchise has inspired and remained a major influence on the works of countless artists and creatives around the world, while anime fandom and culture has always, in one way or another, been directly affected by the actions of Goku and company. There’s little the iconic leading Saiyan hasn’t done, from his humble beginnings as a shōnen action manga hero, to becoming a mascot of an entire art form.

Dragon Ball‘s popularity isn’t likely to go anywhere, either. Though the franchise celebrated its 40th anniversary just last year, it continues breaking revenue records and remains a powerhouse in the anime industry, despite airing only one new TV anime in the last decade. Dragon Ball fans are incredibly loyal, and many were won over by the series when watching a scene that aired 35 years ago this week in Japan.

Episode #95, titled “Transformed at Last”, aired on June 19th, 1991 in Japan, and featured Goku ascending into a Super Saiyan for the very first time while fighting Frieza on Planet Namek. Since then, countless Super Saiyan transformations by different characters have come and gone, but none have surpassed the original moment.

35 Years Ago, Goku Became a Legend

The First Super Saiyan Transformation Has Yet to Be Surpassed

These days, transformations have become Dragon Ball‘s selling point. Numbered versions of Super Saiyan, and even a couple of colorful forms have brought audiences to their feet. In Dragon Ball Super, Super Saiyan has all but been left behind in favor of transformations unique to the character undergoing them. However, 35 years ago, fans saw something they hadn’t seen before.

Goku, the simple, silly, but serious when needed protagonist, threw his kind-hearted nature aside, and embraced the ruthless Saiyan heritage in his DNA when Frieza crossed the line. In Akira Toriyama’s original manga, the scene is rather brief, portraying the transformation as a sudden snap that leaves Goku with blonde hair and a serious demeanor. In the anime, the scene is extended somewhat, with swirling music accompanying Goku’s rapidly building rage. His eventual scream is distorted, and his pupils disappear as the now-iconic golden aura sweeps over him.

The shock from Frieza’s return and his killing of Krillin is quickly replaced by the shock of Goku’s transformation. King Kai, watching on from his planet, is unsure whether any trace of the Goku he knew remains. 35 years later, the first Super Saiyan transformation is as effective as it’s ever been, and the work done by Toei Animation staff to build upon the manga remains masterful.

Though Dragon Ball Z featured epic transformations later on, Gohan’s first time becoming a Super Saiyan 2 being a notable one, the franchise has never been able to surpass the moment of its first. At the time, just about every battle shōnen series began featuring their own sleek transformations, though none have been as memorable as, or packed the punch of Super Saiyan.

35 Years Later, Dragon Ball Is Thriving

35 years on from Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation, Dragon Ball fans expect new, flashy, powerful forms from the series each time a new entry hits screens. And, somehow, 35 years later, the formula is just as effective as it ever was. In 2017, Goku’s Ultra Instinct broke the internet. In 2022, Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo sent hordes of fans to their local theaters. Since Dragon Ball Super‘s anime concluded, fans have begged to see Ultra Ego Vegeta animated.

Dragon Ball‘s main fighters breaking through their limits and finding new levels of power just hasn’t gotten old, and the franchise has had no issue fulfilling fans’ wishes of seeing their favorite characters steal the spotlight. What has become of Dragon Ball all began with one brief scene that aired 35 years ago, and it’s a moment the franchise has yet to top.

Release Date

1989 – 1996

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Daisuke Nishio, Shigeyasu Yamauchi, Osamu Kasai

Writers

Akira Toriyama, Neil Bligh, Hiroshi Toda, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Aya Matsui, Keiji Terui, Reiko Yoshida, Toshiki Inoue

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  Masako Nozawa

  Son Goku / Son Gohan / Son Goten (voice)

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  Ryo Horikawa

  Vegeta (voice)