SSJ3 Transformation - Anticlimactic?

[Zarathustra]

Compared to the first on-screen transformation of both SSJ1 and SSJ2, doesn't level 3 seem a bit sub-par/anticlimactic?

When Goku first transformed into a SSJ, it was a huge turning point and milestone for Dragon Ball. Not even Goku himself had planned for it. Not only that, it led to the defeat of Frieza.

Same goes for Gohan VS Cell. No one had precipitated this (except for maybe Goku) but in the end, he was able to defeat Cell with this new power.

Now, SSJ3 is presented as this "new trick" that Goku learned off-screen in Otherworld who knows how many years ago. And the only reason he even transforms is just to stall time! In the end, SSJ3 is proven to be pretty worthless as he doesn't really do anything with it except waste time. The series would've been exactly the same without it, unlike SSJ1 or 2.

Does anyone else agree? I mean, I don't mind the fact that there is a 3rd level just that it seems kinda lame how it was executed.

[Herms]

Maybe it's not used in the most dramatic way, but I like that it was at least used in a different way than Super Saiyan 1 and 2. It'd be boring if it was just another case of the hero being overwhelmed by the bad guy and suddenly reaching a new form that turns the tables.

[Savage68]

Eh. I didn't find it to be particularly anticlimactic, because it's not like Goku couldn't have exuded massive epicality with Buu in his first go-round using the form. He only chose not to, because he's sort of a sillypants. Goku'd be the one at fault here, not the SSJ3 form.

[Zarathustra]

Eh. I didn't find it to be particularly anticlimactic, because it's not like Goku couldn't have exuded massive epicality with Buu in his first go-round using the form. He only chose not to, because he's sort of a sillypants. Goku'd be the one at fault here, not the SSJ3 form.

Nah, the form in itself was alright. It's just the way it was used that I think is anti-climactic. That massive transformation that was proven to have been ultimately pointless in the end.

[p123]

Eh, I think it's about on par with the rest of the manga....The massive powers that are displayed by new means are all more than one. And one trumps the other generally...


Saiyan to Freeza Saga

Massive Zenkais/Kaioken/ Super Saiyan


Cell Saga

USSJ/ MSSJ / Super Saiyan 2


Buu Saga


Super Saiyan 3 / Fusion



It's just that Goku's SSJ3 transformation is dwarfed by Fusion, which is by far the biggest power ever shown. But hell, Gotenks SSJ3 transformation was quite relevant. But Fusion is just too much...

[Bussani]

I agree with Herms. It would be boring if it was exactly like Super Saiyan 1 and 2, and just because it doesn't end up saving the day doesn't mean the story would have been the same without it. Stories get predictable if you only introduce things that are going to end up being really important, you know? Honestly, I'm glad it wasn't Super Saiyan 3 that saved the day in the end.

[Vagrant]

Super Saiyajin 3 just came across as entirely unnecessary.

To be honest, I never liked it. I would have much preferred it if Goku had only ever reached SSj2, but had simply trained in such great conditions in the Otherworld, constantly for seven years, that he was just majorly strong.

I actually have a similar gripe for SSj2, I expected it to be something unique to Gohan, just a pure unlocking of rage that transcended SSj1, and so for a while I assumed that Goku would simply be an SSj1 of mind-blowingly strong proportions, with Vegeta catching up by way of the Majin powerup.

I didn't find the SSj3 form anti-climactic so much as a completely pointless exercise in excess.

[Zarathustra]

Eh, I think it's about on par with the rest of the manga....The massive powers that are displayed by new means are all more than one. And one trumps the other generally...


Saiyan to Freeza Saga

Massive Zenkais/Kaioken/ Super Saiyan


Cell Saga

USSJ/ MSSJ / Super Saiyan 2


Buu Saga


Super Saiyan 3 / Fusion



It's just that Goku's SSJ3 transformation is dwarfed by Fusion, which is by far the biggest power ever shown. But hell, Gotenks SSJ3 transformation was quite relevant. But Fusion is just too much...

That's actually a really good point. I never thought about it in those terms.

[Fox666]

Maybe it's not used in the most dramatic way, but I like that it was at least used in a different way than Super Saiyan 1 and 2. It'd be boring if it was just another case of the hero being overwhelmed by the bad guy and suddenly reaching a new form that turns the tables.

Basically that's the case. It would be very boring if it was otherwise.

The major problem is that Goku achieving that form was quite pointless.

[Kingdom Heartless]

It's possible Goku's SSJ3 transformation was more of a prelude to Gotenks', just so they could have a nifty transformation.

[Necrosaber]

Yea, I was never a fan of SSJ3. To me, it really never proved all that useful. I found it more cool in movie 12 and 13 than in the entire Buu saga.

[Snail]

The fact that SSJ 3 proved to be more-or-less useless against the series' latest foe added a little more suspense to whole ordeal I believe.

[p123]

How is SSJ3 pointless? Goku is able to match the strongest being in existence with it. A being who's power completely dwarfs that of Perfect Cell, who's power is beyond the power of the Gods.

Lol, useless?

Gotenks is able to match a ridicolously powered up version of Kid Buu , and Gotenks may be a bit superior to Super Buu because of SSJ3. Hardly useless.


Without SSJ3, Fat Buu would have destroyed everything. Even if Goku could have taught the boys fusion in time, if Super came about, Super would have destroyed everything. And if Kid Buu came around again, there would be no answer for him either...


SSJ3 is one of the most important things in the Buu Saga, it's just that fusion is that much better than unfused powers.

[astrallite]

Super Saiyan 2 (particularly Gohans) is one of cooler transformations (if not the best).

Super Saiyan 3 with shaved eyebrows and Raditz hair...ugh. The only thing it's outdone by is the GT Super Saiyan 4 in sheer ugliness.

[Zarathustra]

Super Saiyan 2 (particularly Gohans) is one of cooler transformations (if not the best).

Super Saiyan 3 with shaved eyebrows and Raditz hair...ugh. The only thing it's outdone by is the GT Super Saiyan 4 in sheer ugliness.

I also think Super Saiyan 2 is probably the coolest transformation.

[Nazi Cola]

Probably because it improved on everything that made the original Super Saiyan so great. Spikier hair, cooler aura, fucking lightning. Badass.

[Kaboom]

I like that the Super Saiyan 3 transformation wasn't the be-all, end-all plot device of its story arc. That'd been done twice before already (though both with their own unique and proper build-up, so it worked) and a third time would almost surely be too much. But it's still an extremely cool form any way you slice it.

I applaud Toei for doing a relatively good job in this regard with Super Saiyan 4, as well. GT had more than its fair share of screw-ups, but I'd say Super Saiyan 4 definitely wasn't one of them.

[Rory]

I applaud Toei for doing a relatively good job in this regard with Super Saiyan 4, as well. GT had more than its fair share of screw-ups, but I'd say Super Saiyan 4 definitely wasn't one of them.

I still think it would've been better with gold fur.

[p123]

Yes but I think the point is to show that SSJ4 is from a different breed, it's not supposed to really look like SSJ. But yea, I think black fur, with golden hair, would have looked badass, and made a majority of fans happier than the red/black combo... But hey what can you do?


Yea, SSJ2 Kid Gohan is by far the best looking transformation ever shown. SSJ3 isn't all that bad, but it's not the best...

[TheDevilsCorpse]

I say red and black were the right way to go. All the other colorations that have been suggested have been done by a fan somewhere or another as a fake SS5+ transformation, and they always look horrible.