Throughout the long history of the Dragon Ball franchise, creator Akira Toriyama has introduced fans to legendary characters and iconic fighting techniques that define the anime world. Typically, to overcome the fierce villains at the end of each saga, the Z fighters unleash a decisive attack fueled by immense energy.
Let’s revisit the major story arcs across the entire Dragon Ball series to discover the most powerful techniques from each era!
1. Max Power Kamehameha
Story Arc: 21st World Martial Arts Tournament
User: Master Roshi
During this tournament, an unprecedented event occurred when Goku accidentally looked at the full moon and transformed into a Great Ape. To stop the rampaging beast, Master Roshi pushed his muscles to the limit and fired his strongest Kamehameha ever.
Instead of targeting Goku, the blast destroyed the moon itself, marking the first glimpse of Dragon Ball’s absurd power scale.
2. Dodon Ray
Story Arc: Red Ribbon Army
User: Tao Pai Pai
Although Goku skillfully used the Kamehameha to destroy Tao Pai Pai’s mechanical body, the deadliest move belonged to the assassin’s Dodon Ray.
Unlike wide-area attacks, Dodon Ray is a concentrated Ki beam aimed at a single point, capable of piercing any defense. It struck Goku’s chest and nearly took his life.
3. Tri-Beam
Story Arc: Tien Shinhan Saga
User: Tien Shinhan
Most Dragon Ball techniques scale with the user’s strength, but Tien’s Tri-Beam is a rare exception. This move drains all the user’s energy and life force to unleash a massive Ki explosion, capable of seriously injuring foes far stronger than Tien.
Its devastating power is so great that in later arcs (Cell Saga), Tien still uses it to hold back and stall Semi-Perfect Cell.
4. Penetrate! (Piercing Punch)
Story Arc: King Piccolo Saga
User: Son Goku
The deadly battle with King Piccolo seemed lost when Goku was badly injured with broken bones. In a last desperate move, Goku used his remaining healthy hand to fire a Kamehameha at the ground, propelling himself upward at incredible speed.
He then poured all his remaining strength into a punch that pierced through King Piccolo’s chest. This move later inspired the legendary Dragon Fist technique.
5. Explosive Demon Wave
Story Arc: 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament
User: Piccolo Jr.
After his rebirth, Piccolo’s power rivaled Goku’s. In the tournament final, Piccolo grew giant-sized and unleashed the Explosive Demon Wave, an energy blast with the destructive force of a nuclear bomb.
The attack obliterated Papaya Island and the arena, leaving behind only a massive crater.
6. Spirit Bomb
Story Arc: Saiyan Saga
Users: Son Goku, Krillin, Gohan
Vegeta proved to be an overwhelmingly powerful opponent for Earth’s warriors. To turn the tide, Goku, Krillin, and Gohan had to work together to form the Spirit Bomb and hit their target.
While fans debate whether Vegeta’s Galick Gun or Goku’s Kaioken x4 Kamehameha is stronger, the Spirit Bomb’s sheer effectiveness nearly sent the Saiyan prince to his doom.
7. Angry Kamehameha
Story Arc: Namek Saga
User: Super Saiyan Son Goku
The legendary battle on Namek awakened Goku’s Super Saiyan form. Before this, Goku had used a giant Spirit Bomb but still couldn’t finish Frieza.
Only at the fight’s climax, after Frieza betrayed and attacked from behind, did Goku unleash a furious golden energy wave, crushing the tyrant once and for all.
8. Big Bang Attack
Story Arc: Android Saga
User: Super Saiyan Vegeta
Motivated by pride, Vegeta trained fiercely and awakened his Super Saiyan form, surprising his allies. In his first battle, he overwhelmed Android 19 and instilled deep fear.
The fight ended with the Big Bang Attack, a compressed Ki sphere with unmatched destructive power. It created a massive mushroom cloud, leaving a huge crater and completely destroying the unfortunate android.
9. Father-Son Kamehameha
Story Arc: Cell Saga
User: Son Gohan (with Goku’s spirit)
Cell’s terrifying ability was to regenerate fully from a single cell. After self-destructing and killing Goku, he returned even stronger in his Perfect form.
To finish the monster, Gohan unleashed his full Super Saiyan 2 power in a massive Kamehameha, combined with his late father’s will from the afterlife. The blast vaporized Cell at the cellular level, leaving no chance for revival.
10. Super Spirit Bomb
Story Arc: Buu Saga
Users: Earth and Universe’s forces led by Goku
Like Cell, Kid Buu could regenerate from the tiniest particles, surviving Vegeta’s Final Explosion suicide attack. Knowing this, Goku realized he needed energy beyond normal limits.
With help from Santa and beings across the universe, the Super Spirit Bomb was formed. When connected to the target, Goku transformed into Super Saiyan and delivered the final blow, sending Kid Buu away forever and restoring peace to the universe.