Every Dragon Ball fan has dreamed of unleashing a Kamehameha or transforming into a golden Super Saiyan. For Goku, these feats are everyday occurrences, but for us mere mortals, it’s a different story.
In an interview, Akira Toriyama dashed the hopes of countless Dragon Ball enthusiasts by explaining why becoming a Super Saiyan isn’t as simple as lifting weights and getting angry.
Toriyama clarified that the key to achieving this legendary transformation lies in something called S-Cells. These unique cells multiply in response to intense anger, triggering the transformation into a Super Saiyan. Here’s the catch: only Saiyans possess S-Cells naturally, and even then, it’s not a guarantee.
Saiyan-human hybrids like Goku and Vegeta’s children inherit enough S-Cells to potentially become Super Saiyans, especially growing up on the more nurturing Earth rather than the harsh environment of Planet Vegeta.
Surprisingly, the secret to increasing S-Cells isn’t rage-fueled training sessions. It’s actually quite the opposite. Toriyama revealed that a gentle nature and empathy are crucial for boosting S-Cells. On Planet Vegeta, known for its hostility and the Saiyan’s aggressive attitude, fostering a gentle spirit is nearly impossible.
This is why Goku, who spent time on Earth developing empathy, achieved the Super Saiyan transformation. Even Vegeta, the epitome of a Saiyan warrior, only achieved it after forming bonds with others.
The Saiyans who quickly transformed into Super Saiyans—like Gohan, Trunks, and Goten—had the advantage of being raised in loving families with supportive and hardworking parents. Their nurturing environments and kind spirits allowed their S-Cells to flourish, paving the way for them to achieve the legendary status of a Super Saiyan.
