Dragon Ball has long been famous for featuring some of the strongest warriors in anime and manga, led by the Saiyans. Goku, Vegeta, and hybrid Saiyan fighters like Gohan, Goten, and Trunks have always been at the center, constantly pushing their limits to overcome every threat.
However, a surprising truth is that Saiyans in Dragon Ball Z should have been much stronger from the start. What was once considered their greatest power actually held them back for a long time.
The Great Ape transformation actually restrained Saiyan evolution
In the Dragon Ball universe, before Saiyans could transform into Super Saiyans or reach godly power levels, the Great Ape form was once seen as the peak of their strength. This concept existed long before Akira Toriyama decided Goku was a Saiyan, and it played a key role up through the Namek Saga.
Although the Saiyans’ reliance on the Great Ape form might have been Toriyama’s simple way to explain Goku’s tail, a closer look suggests this dependence actually held them back. When conquering planets, Saiyans planned to exploit the Great Ape’s power under a full moon. Their pride made them believe no power could surpass this form, which led to stagnation in their evolution.
This isn’t just speculation. Saiyans from Universe 6 have proven to evolve much faster than those from Universe 7, despite lacking tails. Fighters like Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale can reach Super Saiyan form quickly without enduring brutal battles.
This shows that abandoning the Great Ape form allowed them to evolve faster through training. It’s a shame to imagine how powerful Goku and Vegeta could have become if they had improved their abilities as easily as Universe 6 Saiyans. Without this limitation, they might have reached Super Saiyan 5 or 6, or even mastered Ultra Instinct much earlier.
Saiyans in Dragon Ball are becoming overwhelmingly powerful
Dragon Ball’s structure has always been: a new villain appears, forcing Saiyans to grow stronger to overcome them. But this structure needs limits. Goku has reached Ultra Instinct, a state even gods struggle to master. Vegeta wields Ultra Ego, the power of the Gods of Destruction. Gohan has risen with a unique Beast form that might even surpass his father and Vegeta.
The characters’ powers have become so immense that continuing to add new transformations risks making the story feel unrealistic. While the Great Ape form once helped balance Universe 7 Saiyan power, now they have grown so strong that it’s almost impossible to set limits.