If you’ve been keeping up with Dragon Ball Super, you’re well aware that the series has been building up to a new transformation for Goku over the past few weeks.
However, if you’ve been following the Saiyan’s journey since Dragon Ball, you’ll know that this transformation is just the latest in a long line of extraordinary power-ups for the legendary fighter.
First came the awe-inspiring reveal of the Saiyans’ Great Ape form, followed by Goku’s energy-boosting Kaioken technique, and ultimately, his historic transformation into the legendary Super Saiyan. That moment, during his climactic battle against Frieza, remains one of the most iconic in the franchise’s history.
Dragon Ball Super seeks to reignite the nostalgic excitement of that legendary transformation, as well as previous milestones in the series, by incorporating classic storytelling elements.
The show has already reunited the Z Fighters for the Tournament of Power, given Goku the chance to battle formidable opponents he never faced in Dragon Ball Z, and rekindled his rivalry with Vegeta through intense training and epic showdowns.
Additionally, Dragon Ball Super has introduced new Saiyan power levels, such as Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Rosé, and Super Saiyan Blue, while also showcasing the first female Super Saiyans in the series. But now, Goku has unlocked a power that surpasses all his previous transformations.
In the explosive two-part episode, “The Ultimate Enemy Approaches Goku! Now, Let Loose! The Killer Spirit Bomb!!” (Episode 109) and “This is the Ultimate Battle of All Universes! Son Goku vs. Jiren!!” (Episode 110), Goku finally confronts the enigmatic and overwhelmingly powerful Jiren.
Fighters from across multiple universes have been competing in the Tournament of Power, not just to prove their strength but to prevent the erasure of their own universe.
While the gods have devised a ruthless game with entire universes at stake, for Goku, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to challenge himself against the strongest warriors in existence.
His relentless drive to push his limits and evolve his abilities has always been the key to his growth as a fighter, taking full advantage of the unique potential within his Saiyan biology.
As Krillin and Master Roshi observe Goku and Jiren sizing each other up, they remark that master martial artists yearn to test their skills against equally skilled opponents at full power.
This not only highlights Jiren’s strength but also serves as a nostalgic nod to Dragon Ball’s past. As Goku cycles through his various power levels, it mirrors his journey throughout the series, testing his abilities against Jiren—who remains unfazed.
It takes Goku pushing himself to Super Saiyan Blue with Kaioken x20, his strongest form to date, just to get Jiren to take the battle seriously. And once they clash, the fight is nothing short of spectacular. Jiren completely overwhelms Goku, an uncommon sight in recent years. Desperate, Goku unleashes his ultimate technique: the Spirit Bomb.
However, things don’t go as planned. After an intense power struggle—and a lot of screaming—Jiren ultimately repels the attack, sending it hurtling back toward Goku.
In past Dragon Ball sagas, Goku’s fate would have remained uncertain for weeks, but Dragon Ball Super wastes no time with major plot developments. The Spirit Bomb, rather than obliterating Goku, instead seems to have triggered something deep within him.
When he emerges, gone are the familiar golden, blue, or rosé hues—his hair remains its natural black, but his eyes have taken on a piercing silver color, and his aura has transformed into a shimmering, translucent energy radiating intense heat.
This is no ordinary transformation; it is the manifestation of a rare and legendary technique—migatte no goku’i, also known as Ultra Instinct.
While it may not quite match the emotional weight of Goku’s original Super Saiyan transformation, the Ultra Instinct awakening is still an unforgettable moment.
Think of all the times Goku has escalated his power levels, whether out of sheer excitement or fueled by rage over a fallen comrade. Now, imagine what he could accomplish if he tapped into his full potential with pure focus.
That is Ultra Instinct—a technique Jiren quickly learns to respect. Unlike Goku’s previous battles, where his attacks were often chaotic and accompanied by his trademark shouting, this fight showcases him as a calculated and precise warrior. Each move is deliberate, each strike more refined as he adapts to Jiren’s combat style.
As the battle intensifies, the gods watching from the sidelines grow increasingly uneasy. Goku has attained a level of power that even they struggle to master.
Whis had previously introduced the concept of Ultra Instinct while training Goku and Vegeta, but its true significance had yet to be explored—until now.
The series also teases a new legend, one that speaks of a warrior so powerful that not even a God of Destruction could defeat him. Initially, this was believed to refer to Jiren, but Goku may be closer to claiming that title than anyone expected.
Despite his newfound power, Jiren proves to be a force beyond comprehension. Even after Goku achieves this extraordinary state, he is unable to maintain it for long, and Jiren swiftly regains the upper hand.
Update: Prior to this moment, Goku had accessed Ultra Instinct in an incomplete state twice before. However, in the episode “Transcending the Limit! Mastering Ultra Instinct!!”, as the title suggests, Goku finally appears to master the technique completely.
With nearly everyone else eliminated from the tournament—except for Jiren and a strategically lurking Frieza—Universe 7 and Universe 11’s strongest warriors prepare for their final clash. By this point, there’s hardly any fighting stage left, but that doesn’t matter.
Goku seemingly channels energy equivalent to a star or even an entire galaxy into himself, transforming into a radiant embodiment of limitless power. Meanwhile, Jiren “heats up” to an unprecedented level, his red energy clashing with Goku’s silvery-blue aura.
For the first time, Jiren finds himself on the defensive, struggling against Ultra Instinct Goku, who now appears untouchable. While this battle is far from over, one thing is clear: This will be Goku’s final use of Ultra Instinct against Jiren, as even the gods acknowledge that he cannot sustain it indefinitely.
The Gods of Destruction, watching in frustration and awe, realize that Goku may have surpassed even their own abilities. The angelic guides, including Whis, and even the Omni-Kings are equally stunned by this revelation.
Could Goku truly ascend beyond mortal limitations? We’ve seen Toppo revealed as a candidate for a God of Destruction—could Goku be destined for an even greater divine role, perhaps as a God of Creation?
That answer likely depends on the outcome of his battle with Jiren and the wish that follows. Dragon Ball Super’s future, as well as the next chapter of the franchise, may hinge on this pivotal moment.
Update #2: The latest episode, “An Unprecedented Super Showdown! The Ultimate Survival Battle!!”, crashed Crunchyroll’s servers and drew massive crowds to live viewing events worldwide. Fans finally witnessed Goku utilizing his perfected Ultra Instinct form against Jiren.
Initially, Goku dominated, forcing Jiren to power up in response, leading to one of the most intense one-on-one battles in franchise history.
Though Jiren initially positioned himself as a hero within the Pride Troopers, his willingness to eliminate Goku’s allies showed a darker side. Perhaps through his battle with Universe 7, he will finally learn what it truly means to be a hero.
Ultimately, Ultra Instinct Goku proved strong enough to overpower Jiren, but in a shocking turn of events, the form took its toll. Just as victory seemed imminent, Goku’s body collapsed under the immense strain. With the Saiyan unable to continue, Jiren regained the advantage.
However, with Universe 7’s survival at stake, the tournament is far from over. Even without Ultra Instinct, the battle isn’t finished yet, and the final outcome remains uncertain!
