"We Saiyans are sort of like planet brokers. We scour space for planets that will bring a high price on the galactic market. Once we find them we send our warriors there to purge them of any life and make them ready for sale. It's a very, very profitable business and we take great pride in being efficient in our work." |
Saiyans (サイヤ人 Saiya-jin) are a race of extraterrestrials in the Dragon Ball anime and manga and its adaptive sequels, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super. In the series, the Saiyans from Universe 7 are a naturally aggressive warrior race who were supposedly striving to be the strongest in the universe, while the Saiyans from Universe 6 are protectors. Nearly all of the Saiyans from Universe 7 were obliterated by Frieza before the start of the Dragon Ball series.
The Saiyans play a central role in the series once it is revealed that the protagonist, Goku, is actually a Saiyan sent to conquer Earth.
Quick Answers
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Overview
Name
The name is a pun on yajin (野人) which means "wildman", and an anagram of yasai (野菜) which means "vegetable". The suffix -jin means "person". "Saiyan" is the English transliteration of the roman letter term Saiya-jin. In the Japanese language, Saiya-jin (サイヤ人) is pronounced "Sigh-ya-jeen" while in Funimation's English dubs, "Saiyan" is pronounced "Sey-uhn".
All full-blooded Saiyans (such as Raditz, Kakarot, Vegeta, Nappa, Paragus, Broly, or Bardock) have names that are a pun on various vegetables.
Homeworld
From one of Akira Toriyama's memos, shows a bit of Planet Plant and the rocky homing areas used by the Saiyans
The homeworld of the Saiyans is Planet Sadala. The planet has a natural gravity that is ten times that of Earth, which helps give Saiyans a greater natural strength than most races.[1] In Universe 7, the Saiyans lived here but their planet got destroyed by internal discord; in Universe 6, the planet still exists. In Universe 7, Planet Plant is conquered by the Saiyans after the defeat of the Tuffles, and they renamed it "Planet Vegeta" after their most powerful warrior and ruler, King Vegeta.
Saiyans' rocky home as seen in "Goku's Ancestors"
At some point, Planet Vegeta was visited by the God of Destruction Beerus, who ultimately deemed the Saiyans as a savage race with no chance of improving (or more accurately he felt that they were just annoying). He ultimately ordered Frieza to destroy the planet and the entire Saiyan race, who was of a similar mind set as he came to see the Saiyan race as potentially posing a threat to his tyranny. To which, the tyrant went to the planet and completely obliterated them from space, wiping out all but a small group of Saiyans.
Culture
- Universe 7
Saiyans place great emphasis on strength and power as a source of prestige, measuring and defining their race from infancy by their power level and placing them in an associated social caste afterwards. A baby Saiyan's power level is measured as soon as they are born, if their power level is up to standard they are raised as upper-level warriors and become combatant candidates. If their power level remains low even after a certain amount of time has passed, they are classed as low-level warriors and become either engineers, scientists, or infiltration babies. Infiltration babies are sent off to a planet the Saiyans have selected for take over, and if the baby grows up into a warrior capable of taking over the planet they are allowed to return as a full-fledged combatant. Incidentally, infiltration babies have a low survival rate.[2] Coincidentally, despite their value on strength as a designator of social class, almost all Saiyans before the Genocide of the Saiyans were low-class, only about 10 mid-class, and the elite-class warriors were made up of only King Vegeta and his son Vegeta.[3]
Despite placing great value on strength, Saiyans as people were not averse to dealing with other weaker cultures or civilizations provided, they could provide services in exchange, such as the case where the Saiyans agreed to raze planets for the Arcosians and later the Frieza Force in exchange for technology, wealth, and free reign to indulge their lust for battle onto other worlds.
Saiyans do not naturally know how to fly, some need to be taught, while others figure out how to so on their own (like Pan did in Dragon Ball Super). Despite valuing strength and battle prowess, training to increase one's power level is also uncommon among Saiyans, with only a few Saiyan children receiving a short period of specialized training to acquire a greater power level.[4] Instead of playing like Earthling children, Saiyan children fight amongst themselves.[5] Saiyans also do not celebrate any holidays or yearly occasions.
In terms of governance, Saiyans are generally ruled by the strongest of their kind of various warring clans, with the strongest clan of all ruling as dynastic lines of royalty among their peers, as is the case with the current Vegeta family line. However, strong enough Saiyans may overcome the current Saiyan royalty to replace them (like King Vegeta feared an infant Broly would eventually grow up to do in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan).
On a cultural level, Saiyans possess a collective sense of pride in their status as a warrior race, believing themselves as unstoppable independent fighters and the strongest of their universe. Pride was significant to Saiyans until they were tamed by Frieza's army; causing all of the Saiyans who served Frieza (aside from Bardock) to have lost their pride.[6]
Technological prowess
Even prior to joining the Frieza Force, Saiyans possessed compact spaceships and combat-based items more advanced than the technology on Earth.[7] At some point Saiyans became capable with biotechnology, becoming able to create and even upgrade Saibamen and create birthing pods for their young to gauge combat prowess in infancy.
Military force
The Saiyans possessed a powerful military, the Saiyan Army (named only in the Funimation dub). As of Age 737, the Saiyan Army was under the command of Nappa (also stated only in the Funimation dub), who was its most powerful general.[8] The Saiyan Army was employed under the Frieza Force, in which the tyrant would use the Saiyan warriors to conquer planets for him. Normally only upper level warriors are allowed to become combatants in the Saiyan Army, and they are chosen from birth, the army employs various ranks based on power levels: the only ranks mentioned in the series are "Elites" and "Low-Class", with the series creator Akira Toriyama confirming in an interview that there are also "Mid-Class" warriors; while almost all Saiyans are low-class warriors, there are only about ten mid-class warriors, and only King Vegeta and Prince Vegeta are elite warriors.[9] This rank is determined by an innate latent battle power, but if their battle power rises greatly afterward, they can be promoted.[9] Saiyans who are deemed lower level warriors from birth are usually not able to become combatants, however a lower level warrior who is made an infiltration baby and who returns successful from their mission will be allowed to be a full-fledged combatant. The military force met its final destruction when Frieza committed his genocide of the Saiyans, with the force's only survivors being Vegeta, Nappa, Raditz, Onio, and two other male Saiyans.
In Universe 6, the Saiyans try to protect the universe and get rid of evil doers. Because of this, they are known as Heroes of Justice. They also have their own elite unit in charge in protecting their home planet, called the Sadala Army.
Types
Universe 7
- Ancient Saiyans
Ancient Saiyans (alternatively known as Prehistoric Saiyans)[10] existed long ago. Aside from time travelers, none still exist in the modern time. They possess ki completely different from their modern-day counterparts, but like them can transform into the Great Ape, Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3 forms.
Most of these Saiyans were evil, the most notable being Cumber, who displayed the unique "Evil Aura" and as an extension of this, their golden-haired Super Saiyan forms possessed differences to modern Saiyans and they were capable of drawing out the full power of Super Saiyan 3.
The twin brothers of the Super Saiyan God race, Shallot and Giblet in Dragon Ball Legends
A subspecies of ancient Saiyans were the "Super Saiyan God race", born from the original Super Saiyan God. Good ancient Saiyans are referred to as "the defeated" by Giblet due to them having been defeated and killed by evil Saiyans.[11] They possess the potential to become Super Saiyan Gods.
- Modern Saiyans
The modern Saiyans are descended from the evil ancient Saiyans who killed the original Super Saiyan God and historically wiped out the Super Saiyan God subspecies of Ancient Saiyan.[11] The Saiyans who eventually joined the Frieza Force were the Saiyans who moved from Planet Sadala to Planet Vegeta, nearly all of them were wiped out by Frieza - leaving only a handful remaining. These Saiyans have displayed the ability to take on any Saiyan form aside from the full power Super Saiyan 3 and those exclusive to the Legendary Saiyan. Modern Saiyans are referred to as "the tainted", due to possessing the blood of the evil Saiyans, and Neo Saiyans by Giblet.[11]
- Earthling hybrids
While the Saiyans who worked under the Frieza Force are near extinct, they have carried on through Saiyan-Earthling hybrids through Goku and Vegeta, with these hybrids being fairly common by Age 1000.
- Bio-Androids
Through advanced science, hybrid clones composed of Saiyans along with numerous other races were created from Age 767 on-wards. Bio-Androids like Cell have displayed the ability to use the Super Saiyan forms. The demonic Saiyan Bio-Androids have displayed their own distinct Super Saiyan form and can achieve the Dark King state via the Dark Factor.
- Godly beings
Saiyans who are full deities can also exist, though only one and his counterpart have existed as a Supreme Kai candidate. Saiyans who are proper godly beings possess natural god ki, as well as an altered Super Saiyan Blue. Additionally, in Super Dragon Ball Heroes, his counterpart achieves godly versions of Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3, as well as full power of their altered Super Saiyan 3 during which their Tail regrows.
- Tuffle hybrids
Tuffle-Saiyans only existed in Age 789 as a result of Baby and his Tuffle Parasites invading Earth. Fully Tuffleized Saiyans have displayed their own variants of the golden-haired Super Saiyan forms known as the "Strongest Forms".
Universe 6
- Evolved Saiyans
The Saiyans of Universe 6 differ from their Universe 7 counterparts in that they never left Planet Sadala and are a more heroic species. Additionally, they have evolved so they no longer possess tails nor require them to access their maximum efficiency in raw strength and combat performance, but subsequently as a result presumably have lost access the Great Ape form through conventional means. They have displayed the ability to achieve the Super Saiyan form, as well as Super Saiyan 2. They were also able to obtain these forms with exponentially less effort than Universe 7 Saiyans - Cabba was able to reach Super Saiyan form simply from the anger caused by Vegeta "threatening" to destroy his planet. He was later able to teach Caulifla and Kale how to reach this form by describing the sensation he felt when transforming.
In Dragon Ball Legends, Giblet refers to Cabba as a Neo Saiyan, though due to Zahha's manipulation Giblet is seemingly unaware that Cabba originates from Universe 6 and mistakenly groups him with the Modern Saiyans of Universe 7.[11]
- Tuffle hybrids
Tuffle-Saiyans only existed in Age 780 as a result of Oren and Kamin invading Sadala. Fully Tuffleized Saiyans have displayed their own variants of the golden-haired Super Saiyan forms known as the "Strongest Forms".
Legendary
Legendary Saiyans are a unique type of Saiyan that exist in both Universe 7 and Universe 6. An individual Legendary Saiyan is born once every 1,000 years in both universes. These Saiyans are demonic mutants and have massive power levels even upon birth. While not shown to be able to take on any normal Saiyan forms aside from the basic Great Ape, these Saiyans possess their own transformation line based around the Legendary Super Saiyan state. Legendary Saiyans, or at least the original Broly, may have also been capable of surviving the vacuum of space without any protective measures, as demonstrated with Paragus's flashbacks in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan. However, this ability might be hampered if they suffered severe wounds, as the original Broly was forced to escape in an Attack Pod from New Planet Vegeta just as it was destroyed by Comet Camori after he was left at near-death by Goku immediately beforehand.
Despite their demonic nature, Legendary Saiyans can be gentle hearted as shown by Kale of Universe 6 and Broly of Universe 7 (and to a much lesser extent implied to be the case with the original Broly when rendered amnesiac in Supersonic Warriors 2 as well as the doctors discussing him and Goku's traits in a flashback to their births in his debut film). However, because of their demonic nature, they can end up becoming violent, bloodthirsty, and destructive like the original Broly, his clone Bio-Broly, and alternate world counterpart Dark Broly. Because of their destructive tendencies legendary Saiyans are feared in both Universe 6 and 7, though in Universe 7 they are often associated with the legends pertaining to the Super Saiyan of Legend as the general Saiyan population in Universe 7 tends to be more barbaric and violent than their more evolved Universe 6 counterparts.
History
Universe 7
Origins
The Saiyans are a fighting race who, since ancient times, have lived a violent and inhumane lifestyle, where they attack numerous planets to build up wealth and goods.[12] Dragon Ball GT: Perfect File speculates that Saiyans were originally Great Apes who gained intelligence and took on a humanoid form.[13] As noted by Whis, "ancient Saiyans" possess different ki from the ones in the present time.[11]
The previous Super Saiyan appeared approximately 1,000 years (3,000 in the Ocean Group dubs) prior to the Frieza Saga, approximately 238 Before Age, and is described by Vegeta as a Super Saiyan who could only retain his status in the transformed state. As per the story of the Super Saiyan God told from the Namekian Book of Legends, this Saiyan was an individual with a noble heart, and along some of his comrades, tried to stop their evil fellow Saiyans. However, he couldn't achieve his goal and perished. In the legend, Yamoshi appeared to have lost control and gave in to his destructive primitive desires, destroying himself with his own power,[14] in actuality Yamoshi was killed by the evil Saiyans.[11] The good Saiyans and evil Saiyans were in conflict for a long time, with the good Saiyans only ever managing to get one victory to their name, eventually the evil Saiyans wiped out the good Saiyans, and thus all modern day Saiyans are descended from them.[11] At some point in the era of the conflict between good and evil Saiyans, Cumber fought for the evil Saiyans side, and seemingly encountered a Super Saiyan God - however Cumber was whisked away from the conflict and brought to the future by Fu as part of his plans. Similarly, Shallot and Giblet were among those who fought on the good Saiyans side but were taken from their rightful time to participate in the Tournament of Time.
The Saiyans arrival on Planet Plant, as seen in Dragon Ball GT
A small group of Saiyans eventually found their way to Planet Plant in Age 550, and the history of the Saiyans predating their conflict with the Tuffles was revealed in the anime, where it is discussed heavily during the Vegeta Saga, as well as in the OVA Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans. It is also a central theme in the Baby Saga of Dragon Ball GT. GT Perfect Files speculate the launching point of the Saiyan's spaceships as being the Saiyans' true homeland itself.
During the Vegeta Saga of Dragon Ball Z, King Kai describes the Saiyans as a group of barbaric aliens who shared a planet with a race known as the Tuffles. The Saiyans lived in the arid wastelands, while the Tuffles lived in great cities, employing advanced technology. Eventually the Saiyans attacked, vowing to conquer the Tuffle's great cities and extinguish the race. This sparked a ten year long war (described in greater detail below).[1]
It is revealed in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans that when the Saiyans arrived on Planet Plant, they were welcomed by the Tuffles. The Tuffle survivor, Dr. Lychee, then describes the horrors of the war in a similar fashion to the one King Kai tells.[15] However, whilst explaining, Vegeta states the Tuffles used the Saiyan race as slaves.
During the Baby Saga of Dragon Ball GT, Baby described the history of the Saiyans war with the Tuffles in a different manner. He states that the Saiyans first arrived in mysterious space-pods and attacked the Tuffles in cold blood. He states they were led by Vegeta's father, and upon the rising of the full moon, the Saiyans assumed their Great Ape transformations, completely wiping out the Tuffle race in a single night.[16]
War with the Tuffles
A Great Ape levels a Tuffle city
King Kai explained the story of the Saiyan race to Goku during the Vegeta Saga. He explains that around Age 720, a civil war broke out. The Saiyan Army tried many times to overthrow the Tuffles but were unsuccessful, sparking a ten-year conflict on the planet. Although the Saiyans were bigger in size and physically far superior, they were fewer in number compared to the Tuffles. The Tuffles had a trump card in the form of their technology to read the power levels of the Saiyans and advanced weaponry such as blasters to hold them off. Then, around Age 730, the Saiyans were able to transform into Great Apes thanks to the full moon that only appeared once every 100 years on the planet; with this, they finally annihilated the Tuffles and renamed the planet Planet Vegeta after their commanding hero, King Vegeta.
Meeting other races
The Saiyans and the "Arcosians" meet
King Kai goes on to explain that after their victory over the Tuffles, the Saiyans were approached by the Arcosians. These aliens had money and technology, but their planet was unsuitable, so they hired a group of Saiyans to take over a planet for them; in return, they would share their technology with them. Over the years, the Saiyans also learned how to use the Tuffles' advanced equipment and became smarter and less barbaric, although they still lusted for fighting and destruction.
Occupation by Frieza
A Saiyan attacking a planet
In Universe 7, according to Akira Toriyama, the Saiyans joined the Frieza Force when it was still under the command of King Cold,[7] while according to Daizenshuu 7 around Age 731, about a year following the Saiyan victory over the Tuffles, the planet was conquered or annexed by Frieza's empire and the Saiyans (like many other races) were drafted to serve as soldiers in Frieza's military.[17]
Due to the Saiyans' innate strength and penchant for violence, they were considered to be useful mercenaries and assisted in the conquering of many planets, or if assignment called for, eradication of the planet's population (even Saiyan children were considered powerful enough to conquer some of the weaker planets, such as Earth).[18]
A young Vegeta and his father watch Saiyan space pods leave for other planets
Eventually, seeing how quickly some of the more gifted Saiyan warriors were gaining power through battle, around Age 735, Frieza grew concerned with the potential of the Saiyan race and thought that they would grow strong enough to face him or even become the fabled Super Saiyans, able to defeat him in battle. In Age 737, a Saiyan scientist develops the Saibamen using biotechnology[19][10] and those creatures make their way into the Galactic Frieza Army through the Saiyans.[20] Soon, that same year the maniacal warlord Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, nearly eradicating the Saiyan race.[21] There were only a few thousand Saiyans on the planet. As a warrior race, it would be difficult to increase their numbers (presumably, though left unsaid, because they would war with each other over superiority).[22] The manga reveals only four pure-blood Saiyans who have survived the destruction: Kakarot (Goku), Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz as they were not on the planet at the time. Once the latter three discovered that their planet was destroyed, Frieza lied to them that an asteroid had hit their world and offered them continued employment in return for eventual wealth.
Over two decades later, the Saiyans were finally avenged when Goku defeated Frieza on planet Namek.[23] Frieza later met his first death on Earth a year later, when Future Trunks killed him.[24] In the Dragon Ball Z movies only, three more Saiyans survived the catastrophe: Turles, Broly and Paragus. In the manga and special Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!, Vegeta's brother Tarble is shown as another survivor. In the manga Nekomajin Z, Onio appears. In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Broly and Paragus are revealed to have survived. Two unnamed mid-class Saiyans are also shown to have survived the genocide, as they were on the same mission with Vegeta, Nappa and Raditz when Planet Vegeta was destroyed.
Survival through Earthlings
Goku, after suffering a head injury as an infant, lost all memory of his mission and past, and was raised as an Earthling. When he did find out about his heritage years later, he still considered Earth as his home. Goku married Chi-Chi, an Earthling who was his childhood sweetheart, and she bore him two half-breed sons, Gohan and Goten, and they later have a quarter-breed granddaughter, Pan. Vegeta would arrive in Earth with the intention of obtaining the Dragon Balls and destroying the planet, however, losing his battle against Goku and the conflict with taking down Frieza served as crucial epiphanies for Vegeta. After this, he ended up settling on Earth initially to wait for his rematch with Goku. Vegeta would later fall in love with and marry Bulma, who bore him two half-breed children, Trunks and Bulla. After more than 100 years since the Saiyans first came to Earth, there were fewer Saiyan descendants left, with Goku Jr., Vegeta Jr., Pan, and Bulma Leigh being the last survivors of the Saiyans.
Several Saiyan survivors were still around during Age 850, as shown in Dragon Ball Xenoverse, these Saiyans had become members of the Time Patrol.
By the time of the events of Dragon Ball Online, pure blooded Saiyans had become extinct in Universe 7, as the only survivors of the planet Vegeta's destruction were male. However, Goku and Vegeta's families had spread and so many Earthlings possessed hidden Saiyan genes, and thus the traits of the Saiyans, such as the potential to become Super Saiyan, and also to receive Saiyan Power. Many of these Earthlings with Saiyan traits joined the Time Patrol and soon awakened their hidden Saiyan powers.
Universe 6
In Universe 6, their history diverged from that of Universe 7, the Saiyans remain to be a thriving race with their original planet intact. They have also come to use their innate capacity for combat productively, fighting evil rather than causing it. Around 220 Before Age, a Legendary Saiyan appeared among the Universe 6 Saiyans.
Universe 6 Saiyans lack tails, having evolved to not require them for full efficiency in battle, and can transform into a Super Saiyan with more ease once they obtain the knowledge of the transformation. However, the Universe 6 Saiyans were unaware of the existence of the Super Saiyan transformation until they were introduced to it by the Universe 7 Saiyans in Age 779 - with Cabba being the first Saiyan of Universe 6 to achieve the form. The only transformation that the Universe 6 Saiyans were aware of was the demonic Legendary Saiyan, with a Saiyan capable of transforming into it appearing once every 1,000 years.
Universe 6 Saiyans, similar to their counterparts, were employed by the emperor of the universe, Frost, in order to fight in wars on his behalf. In the anime there was the added distinction of Frost starting the wars himself for a profit duping his employees in the process until his exposure as a space pirate.
The two remaining Universe 7 Saiyans meet the Universe 6 Saiyan, Cabba in the Tournament of Destroyers years later after the genocide in Universe 7.
The Saiyans of the twin universes came to fight in combat in the Tournament of Power. When Team Universe 6 lost in the Tournament of Power, the Saiyans were erased with the rest of Universe 6. They were later revived when the erased universes were restored.
Physiology
Physical Appearance
Saiyans are outwardly very similar to Human-type Earthlings, with the exception of their monkey-like tails. They are commonly seen to have black hair, black eyes (although the anime has occasionally shown brown, blue and blonde hair and purple eyes), and yellow skin.[10] Although Saiyans such as Kale, Broly and Paragus have darkened skin. In at least the case of Universe 6 Saiyans, their irises are visible with slightly lighter coloring. Naturally growing stronger as they mature, they gain a very muscular and well-defined build.
Vegeta states that the hair of a pure-blooded Saiyan does not deviate from its appearance from the day the Saiyan is born.[25] However, it can fall off, as seen with the bald Nappa (he had hair in the TV special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku). This is somewhat contradicted by a young Vegeta shown with strands of hair hanging in front of his forehead, but later has his characteristic widow's peak. This is not the case with hybrid-Saiyans who are shown to have several different lengths and styles for their hair throughout the series.
Vegeta and Goku with beards after three years of training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber
Facial hair of pure-blooded Saiyan males can grow. Some examples are Nappa, Vegeta, and Paragus who have all been seen with mustaches, while King Vegeta himself had a beard. While Saiyans can grow beards it apparently takes them a long time, as seen when Goku and Vegeta spent three years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, yet only grew enough facial hair to cover their faces. Given that Saiyans have evolved to have a slowed aging process upon reaching physical maturity in order to fight longer, this is most likely why it takes so long for Saiyans to develop facial hair.
Saiyans, at least as adults, are resistant to extreme temperatures, far more so than humans, as evidenced by Bardock going into outer space to face Frieza for the last time, Broly surviving being frozen in a glacier, and Goku training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and facing Lord Slug and his minions when they used a machine to cause the Earth's climate to get extremely cold. This resistance to cold is likely either a trait gained over time from evolution in harsh climates or due to the energy consumption of Saiyans increasing their ambient body temperature far above a human's, even in a resting state. Even in a functional, calm state, an adult Goku has shown to be unaffected by glacial temperatures on Earth, although he was crippled by the same temperatures as a child.
Tail
Goku uses his tail to wash his back
All pure-blooded Saiyans from Universe 7 are born with a brown-furred monkey-like tail. Commonly for adult Saiyans, they will wrap their tail around their hip as a makeshift belt for better convenience. The tail is very prehensile and can be used to grasp things (much like some new world monkeys do), giving them in a sense an extra hand to fight with.
Chi-Chi pulling Goku's tail (his weakness at the time)
While as strong and coordinated as any other limb on the Saiyan, the tail is a particularly sensitive area. When grabbed or injured, it causes great pain to the owner, leaving them drained of all strength and effectively immobilizing the whole body. However, the Saiyans can train themselves to overcome this weakness, leaving them unaffected altogether, like Goku did when he preparing for the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament or Vegeta and Nappa before coming to Earth.[26] Their monkey-like tails, alongside their turning into Great Apes, is the main reason why those of Saiyan descent are sometimes referred to as "monkeys" or "apes" as a racial slur (especially notable by the Frieza Force's reference to them as such).
The tail also serves to help young Saiyans with balance, as when Goku and Gohan's tails were first removed, they had trouble standing, let alone moving about. However, when Vegeta's tail was cut off, his balance was unaffected, possibly due to the Saiyan prince having adjusted to the balance after years of wearing his tail at the hip.
Goku squeezing Raditz's tail
As noted by Raditz, the tail is the source of a Saiyan's true strength (Great Ape form), enabling them to perform to their maximum efficiency. This was supported by Goku who once stated that he feels stronger with it than without it.[27] The most unique and prominent ability the tail provides Saiyans is to transform into a Great Ape if exposed to the Blutz Waves of a full moon. If the tail is removed, this power is lost, forcing them back into their normal state if transformed at the time. If the tail is lost it will often suddenly grow back if the Saiyan is in danger.[28] However, once a Saiyan reaches a certain level of strength, the Saiyan's body seems to deem the tail as an unnecessary appendage if removed.[29] A Saiyan's tail has an 8% chance of growing back, and will not grow back if they have surpassed the power of their Great Ape form in their base form.[30]
It is shown in Dragon Ball GT that the tails also provide a boost in Super Saiyan transformations, as when Goku was shrunk into the size of a child, he had trouble maintaining his transformations until his tail reformed, to the point where he was able to easily activate Super Saiyan 3 and maintain it for a considerable amount of time (along with his tail's fur turning gold).
Gohan is the only half-breed Saiyan seen with a tail in the series. Other half-breeds like Trunks, Goten, and Bulla are not seen with tails. The reason behind this is never explained in the series other than it was hypothesized their tails were removed at birth, but Akira Toriyama has stated that tails are a recessive trait. Despite most deceased warriors who keep possession of their bodies are healed from any injuries or dismemberments (i.e., Tien Shinhan's severed arm), no Saiyan with a lost tail are shown to have regrown it upon being resurrected.
In Universe 6, Saiyans naturally no longer have tails. This is because of the evolution process they underwent in their universe, presumably enabling them to naturally access maximum capacity without additional training. It is unknown if this permanently voids Universe 6 Saiyans of the Great Ape form or can access it without the need of a tail.
In the Super History Book, released on January 21, 2016, as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Dragon Ball franchise, Toriyama finally explains the reason why he did away with Saiyans' tails. He explains that it was confusing for him how Saiyans dressed themselves with the tail on, and these sorts of minutiae annoyed him to no end, enticing him to get rid of Saiyans' tails.[31]
Personality
From top to bottom: Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa
"I'm so tired of these Saiyans making every battle they're in harder than it needs to be..." |
Saiyans tend to share common personality traits, even at young ages. Being aggressively militant, they share an innate enjoyment for conflict and fighting, choosing violence over peace with other races. Even Goku retained his love to fight after his amnesia, but satisfied that love through competitive sport, rather than barbaric slaughter. Saiyans are typically very aggressive and hard-headed, with short explosive tempers. Saiyans appear inclined to be arrogant at times, leading them to allow enemies to gain advantages in battle just for fun. It appears they have a tendency to let their emotions get the better of them when roused in stimulating situations (as demonstrated by Vegeta, Goku, Nappa, and Bardock), resulting in them at times making rash decisions. Normally, Saiyans do not have much of a notion of romance or marriage, and apart from the royal family of Vegeta, they are not particular about blood-relationships.[9]
They appear to lack sympathetic emotions as though by choice rather than by nature, as shown by their relative lack of fear of death and uncaring attitude towards family members (example being Raditz's brutal beating of his long-lost brother Goku, and Vegeta's seeming indifference to his father's death). Clearly, neither Vegeta nor Nappa showed any signs of sympathy for their fallen comrade Raditz when he was killed. They merely laughed and stated that he was only a "weakling", although Nappa did suggest bringing Raditz back to life with the Dragon Balls. Vegeta and Nappa themselves had a good degree of camaraderie between them, but Vegeta did not hesitate to kill Nappa later on when he displayed weakness after being crippled by Goku. Saiyans value honor for their race above anything else and seemed to have been not only opposed to mating with other races but producing half-breed offspring. This is based on Vegeta's initial disapproval of Nappa's suggestion they conceive children with female Earthlings to recreate the Saiyan race, his disgust at Gohan for possessing unusual powers that surpass a full-blooded Saiyan while being part Saiyan, and his initial refusal to accept his son, Trunks, during the child's early years. Most Saiyans also possess a keen fighting sense and understanding of battle, which allows them to acquire many new skills, such as overcoming the weakness of their tails, learning to detect ki, and achieving new fighting forms and transformations.
Bardock appears to be the exception to the uncaring attitude of Saiyans: he shows some care for his wife Gine and his youngest son Kakarot in Dragon Ball Minus, and he is shocked and saddened at seeing his crew, with his best friend Tora among them, slaughtered by Dodoria in the television special Bardock - The Father of Goku. This also shows that perhaps the uncaring attitude of Saiyans is a choice, rather than natural. Bardock's last words while facing Frieza are "This is for all the people we killed in your name" (he only states this in the Funimation dub, it is never present in the Japanese version), he also states that he was not all evil (also Funimation dub only). After the destruction of Planet Vegeta, Bardock talks to Goku from the other side, saying "I wish I could have held you in my own two arms" (also Funimation dub only). To a lesser extent, King Vegeta also shows a degree of care, since part of the reason he rebelled against Frieza was rooted in paternal instincts of trying to protect his eldest son from having to be handed over to the tyrant despite being forced into doing so earlier and opted to merely exile his youngest son Tarble instead of killing him due to his weak power level. Similarly, it was implied that his exiling Broly in Dragon Ball Super was similarly rooted in his parental instincts towards Vegeta.
Even Vegeta himself later has been shown to express emotion, such as when he was dying from his wounds inflicted by Frieza, when Future Trunks was killed by Cell, and when he sacrifices himself to destroy Majin Buu. He later develops a loving relationship with his wife Bulma and has shown genuine affection and care for his children, Trunks and Bulla. Also, Vegeta's brother Tarble lacks the characteristic aggression of Saiyans, which also served as the reason why King Vegeta sent him to another planet. Goku's mother Gine is also noted to lack the characteristic aggression of the Saiyans which apparently made her unfit for life in the army as she often had to be saved by Bardock on missions. Eventually she decided to leave the army and went to work in the meat processing industry and became Bardock's wife developing a genuine loving relationship with him. The existence of the original Super Saiyan God who got his power from five other pure hearted Saiyans in the past also implies that the barbaric and uncaring attitude had been a choice at some point in their history, rather than being an inborn character to all Saiyans.
The Saiyans also seem to believe that death is preferable compared to living with the shame of losing against someone inferior to them in level, which is especially evident with Vegeta and his primary motivation for his rivalry with Goku. However, while he still believes fighting to death is an honorable act of a Saiyan, Vegeta is able to use his rivalry with Goku as a motivation to test his limits and allow them to develop a unique friendship.
The trait that sets almost all pure-blooded Saiyans apart is their innate lust for battle. This trait seems to be maintained even in kind-hearted Saiyans like Goku and does not diminish when a Saiyan loses their cold-heartedness like Vegeta. This trait causes many Saiyans to seek out stronger opponents, either to test their might or for the desire to be the best. This trait has been the cause of many of the major conflicts in the series, as Goku's love for fighting leads him to seek out battles with strong individuals such as Frieza and Beerus. Saiyans also have a tendency to conduct battles in a sport-like manner, preferring one on one matches and often not using their full power straight away in order to get the best out of a fight. This desire to draw out a worthy opponent has also been the cause of many conflicts, as refusing to co-operate or end a fight quickly often results in a Saiyan being defeated less by an opponent and more their own natures.
In Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta reveals that Saiyan females have strong willed personalities, and such characteristics were sought out as mates for male Saiyans, which causes Piccolo to surmise that this is why Saiyan males like Goku and Vegeta chose strong willed human females like Chi-Chi and Bulma as their respective wives. This preference for strong-willed spouses appears to be a dominant trait even in Saiyan hybrids, such as Gohan, as his wife, Videl, is a very strong-willed woman.
Kind-hearted Saiyans under the initial influence of the Super Saiyan form will become more barbaric, rash and explosively hot-headed and those who had typical Saiyan traits will have them amplified to a great degree, while in some cases changing their strategic mind to a more brash and impulsive one, these traits can be eliminated through training, however.
Cabba, a Saiyan from Universe 6, explains to Vegeta that the Saiyans from his universe are not as brutal as compared to their Universe 7 counterparts. The Saiyans from Universe 6 are not planet sharks, and they are employed to stop evil beings. To which, most Saiyans of Universe 6 appear to have a calmer and kinder nature compared to the majority of their Universe 7 counterparts, regarding the Saiyans with a rare aggressive attitude as "punks". However, they are still a warrior race regardless.
Calm-hearted Saiyans who attained and are under the influence of the Ultra Instinct Sign transformation will show a demeanor that generally contradicts their usual impulsive and prideful personality, becoming much calmer, collected, more serious, lacking egoism, as well as more disciplined-like than before as well as more clever minded, as demonstrated by Goku cleverly using the Divine Kamehameha as a last resort to defeat the fused Kefla.
In Dragon Ball Legends, it is revealed that members of the Super Saiyan God subspecies sought to defeat the evil Ancient Saiyans in order to restore what they considered to be the true Saiyan way.
Apparently, besides power levels, Saiyan children are determined on whether they make suitable warriors by the extent in which they loudly cry as infants. This was implied in Paragus's flashback to Goku and Broly's birth in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan where two Saiyan medics are discussing the two babies and note that, despite Goku's meager power level of 2, especially compared to Broly's power level of 10,000, he nevertheless had the feisty spirit of a typical Saiyan warrior due to his constant wailing, while expressing amusement on how Goku's crying even managed to cause Broly to cry slightly.
Energy Manipulation
Saiyans have a natural affinity to control Ki energy, allowing them to generate very powerful energy blasts even at young ages. In Dragon Ball GT it is said that Saiyans and half-breeds possess a unique type of energy called "Saiya Power".
Also, any energy lost during a battle, will be completely restored, and, in some cases, multiplied, after a short time of resting.
Ancient Saiyans possess different energy from their present-day counterparts, the evil ancient Saiyan Cumber was shown to have a corrupting aura and the ability to create shadow hands.
Hybrid Saiyans like Gohan, Beat, and Pan are shown to be able to manipulate their ki subconsciously without formal training though said abilities usually manifest when they are in danger. Examples include Gohan's Leave My Daddy Alone! and Hidden Potential techniques, Pan developed the ability to use Flight without formal training, and Beat could subconsciously use ki while guarding to cancel out simple Ki Blasts. Gohan and Goku Jr. are also known to subconsciously access their hidden potential through emotional distress particularly when enraged, though their power often fluctuates depending upon their emotions though with training they can learn to consciously and better control their energy.
Flight
An angry Vegeta flying at hypersonic speeds, towards Krillin and Gohan's location.
Due to their natural ability to control their energy, and the massively increased gravity of their home planet, Saiyans possess the innate ability to fly at hypersonic speeds, with little, to no effort at all. Due to their superior Ki control, they're able to fly much faster than normal humans, proven by Goten, when he completely outclassed Videl in their first day of flying training.
Pan, Gohan's daughter and a quarter Saiyan herself, was able to fly as a baby with no formal instruction.
Strength
Using his incredible Superhuman strength, Goku pushes apart an entire mountain.
Saiyans, naturally possess vast superhuman strength, far greater than that of Earthlings and other alien races and are veritable fighting machines. They are capable of easily lifting ten times their own weight (before receiving Master Roshi's training, Goku was already able to lift Bulma's car at age 12).
The naturally high gravity of Planet Vegeta (10x that of Earth) develops their physical strength, making them incredibly strong at young ages. Even weaker Saiyans are capable of conquering most planets alone. Due to their insane levels of physical power, they are easily able to destroy mountains, islands, and potentially entire planets just with pure physical strength, especially in the Super Saiyan states. For example, during Goku's battle with Kid Buu, the planet they were fighting on was warping and contracting with each blow and would have destroyed it if not for the Sacred World of the Kai indestructible nature. God-like Saiyans, possess an astronomical level of physical strength, capable of crumbling apart the entire universe when clashing with another God. Broly a Legendary Super Saiyan displays strength that is high even by the Saiyan's standards as seen in his Wrathful and Full Power states where he could brutalize both Goku and Vegeta in their God forms with his own physical strength despite lacking any God-Ki. When Broly and Gogeta clashed they were capable of shattering a Dimension of Strange Swirling Lights with their blows.
Through tough training, Saiyans are able to reach new levels of power, and the more intense training and fights they go through, the stronger they become. If a Saiyan survives a near-death experience through extreme injury to the body, then, when the body recuperates, the Saiyan grows much stronger than they were previously, their body adapting to compensate for the damage dealt, essentially evolving their power, the more they fight. The duration of recovery does not seem to hinder this ability as Saiyans have healed through natural, technological and mystical means and still gained substantial increases in physical strength.
Saiyans put a heavy emphasis on strength and fighting ability when it comes to importance in their society. In fact, they will excommunicate Saiyans who do not show potential to assist in their violent ways, even alleged "royalty," such as Tarble.[32]
Speed and Agility
Goku using his speed to block Frieza's Barrage Death Beam
Saiyans possess tremendous levels of superhuman speed, easily capable of breaking the sound barrier, even with their basic moves. They also have much faster reflexes than an average Human; reflexes so fast that they can avoid a bullet without any trouble at all, or even catch them with no harm. Their superhuman speed can easily be seen in their fighting skills; their movements occur in fractions of seconds which are not visible to average Human eyes, and even "super" humans, like Krillin, Tien or Yamcha, have trouble following up a Saiyan's speed.
Their agility is also substantial in their battles and training, they can easily perform immensely high jumps or acrobatics far more advanced than those of normal human beings, with no drawback or strain on their bodies. These movements can be improved by training, transformations, and other methods. These natural powers of speed and reflex make nearly all Saiyan hand-to-hand combat very fast. In the anime, the strongest and most powerful of Saiyans (especially those who can turn Super Saiyan), can easily move faster than the speed of light, and even King Kai, who can easily track Attack Ball's traveling at faster-than-light speeds, can't keep up with them.
Saiyans who have achieved the Super Saiyan God form and above, such as Goku and Vegeta, can even keep up with a God of Destruction's immense speed, and the likes of Dyspo, a being whose speed surpasses sound and light.
In World Mission, Beat is shown to be faster than the game world speedsters Burter, Neiz, and Dyspo when he encounters them in an anomaly within Age 764 of the game world.
Durability and Endurance
Saiyans possess enormous amounts of superhuman durability, and are a remarkably resilient species, who refuse to be physically broken. Even as children, Saiyans are easily capable of taking on bullets (at least those belonging to small arms such as handguns and machine pistols), explosions or sharpened objects and come out relatively unharmed, and as even younger infants, are able to survive extreme head-trauma and stunt forces. However, their ability to resist bullets may have limits, as Bulma in the Japanese version of Blue, Black and Blue implied that Saiyan children can still be killed by higher-caliber bullets such as shotgun rounds. On a related note, Saiyan children were also capable of withstanding even being crushed, which was best demonstrated with Goku where he not only survived being flattened by a trick ceiling, but even managed to lift it off him, albeit with some effort.
However, as fully developed adults, Saiyans possess immense levels of resistance to nearly all harm, and essentially, no Earth-made weapon could hurt them, and even most alien weapons cannot either. According to Dr. Gero, at age 24, Goku was already too tough to be killed by even city-destroying explosives, prompting the former to build planet-destroying bombs into all of his Androids in the hopes that they could be used to destroy Goku. A Saiyan is also capable of surviving re-atmospheric reentries with no negative effect to their bodies.
Even after taking a beating, stopping an extremely powerful energy sphere from a God, and passing out from exhaustion, Goku receives just minor injuries and takes no harm, even from falling at atmospheric reentries.
When a Saiyan becomes a Super Saiyan, their durability, as well as their strength, increases massively, becoming tough enough to easily survive powerful energy beams, even to their faces, with no visible harm or scratch, and take most blunt forces against large amount of rock or solid matter, with no discomfort. God-like Saiyans are able to survive universe-clashing forces with essentially no harm, or even take planet-destroying finger-taps from Beerus, a God of Destruction with little issue.
However, they are not invincible, and substantially powerful forces and enemies can overcome a Saiyan's basic durability. But even if they are hurt, Saiyans not only also appear able to heal from injuries at a faster rate than normal human beings, but also have an extremely high tolerance to physical pain, and will only succumb to injuries if a massively high amount of bones are broken, also, they possess remarkable immune systems, making it very hard for them to become sick (in fact the only illness in the series shown to be capable bypassing a Saiyan's immune system is Heart Virus). If a Saiyan lets his guard, the most important part of their durability, gradually down, no matter how powerful, this will cause the Saiyan to become vulnerable to behind surprise attacks and will take as much damage as a "super-human" could. God-like Saiyans have an even higher durability and can survive star system-shattering energy attacks like Beerus' Sphere of Destruction, as demonstrated by Goku, but with extreme difficulty.
It is said by Vegeta that Saiyans are unable to survive in the vacuum of space, although they are capable of going to the upper levels of a planet's atmosphere, as seen when Goku fought Beerus, Bardock's final stand in the anime as well as Bardock - The Father of Goku, and when Goku and Vegeta were looking for Moro. The only possible exception to the rule of Saiyans being unable to survive the vacuum of space might be Legendary Saiyans, due to the original Broly flying through an asteroid field without any apparent problems as a child and teen. On a similar note, Saiyans also have a sufficiently high cardiovascular build, being capable of surviving even being a significant depth underwater, as demonstrated by Goku staying underwater to form an ambush against Frieza and later him conducting a significant part of his duel with the latter's brother, Cooler, underwater with little apparent need to surface for air. Saiyan hybrids also have similarly high cardiovascular builds, as demonstrated by Gohan where he attempted a similar ambush against Dabura to the one his father used against Frieza.
Intelligence
Saiyans are considered for the most part to be comparable in intelligence to humans. Goku's head trauma and sheltered childhood left him unenlightened about anything not concerning martial arts, though he gradually outgrows this as his teachers all stressed the values of brains over brawn. Due to a Saiyan's strength, their level of cunning is generally downplayed, unless their strength is below average, like Raditz. Perhaps as a byproduct of their speed and reflexes, Saiyans are also abnormally quick learners, able to process large amounts of information within a limited amount of time. This can be seen when Goku was able to use the Kamehameha after seeing it just once and Vegeta taught himself how to sense energy despite being reliant on scouters for most of his career. Despite being a race of barbarians, Saiyans have no trouble adapting to new technology. It is unknown if Saiyan aptitudes carry onto their hybrid children, as the intelligence of all Saiyan hybrids has been shown to be products of their upbringing (Gohan was privately tutored, Trunks grew up in a family of scientists etc.). However, a Saiyan's superhuman learning curve is seen time and time again throughout the series, such as Gohan being able to keep up with immense amounts of coursework in his private studies as a child despite his young age.
Saiyans also have very good memories, even from the time they were babies. This was evident when Raditz meets Goku and expects him to remember his brother and his mission only to discover Goku suffered from amnesia due to a severe concussion as an infant, with Goku implying that he did at least recall hitting his head around that time when Raditz asked him. Broly as well was able to remember Goku's Saiyan name and appearance despite them both being newborns the last time they met. It's possible for Saiyans to restore their lost memories through the means of a trigger. As shown with Goku recognizing his father's voice recovering the long-lost memories of his parents Bardock and Gine, as well as the original Broly regaining his memories by catching a glimpse of Goku in a what-if saga in Supersonic Warriors 2 and Raditz regaining his memories from catching a glimpse of his nephew Gohan's tail while training in Fateful Brothers.
In Dragon Ball Legends, Ancient Saiyans like Shallot are shown to be somewhat more primitive than their modern counterparts, as demonstrated by the game's original protagonist Shallot, who is shown to be ignorant of technology, large cities, and concepts such Sensing Ki, and genetics. However, it's possible that his amnesia can account for some of this and/or can be attributed to his personality as his brother Giblet is demonstrated to be much more intelligent than his twin. However, like Goku, Shallot is shown to be a quick learner as he learns how to sense Ki with just a little instruction from Kid Gohan and can learn various Special Move Arts from certain characters who have reached Friendship Rank 2. Additionally, Shallot is shown to be less naive than Goku, as shown by him thinking Bulma was complimenting him in an attempt to manipulate him to provide her free protection. He is also less trusting of evil people like Turles and Frieza and it requires an extremely skilled manipulator like Zahha who managed to convince Shallot he was a friend and ally, though this was only successful due to Zahha being behind Shallot's amnesia. However, Shallot has more trouble with technology as he initially had trouble using the Communicator that Bulma supplied him with, which may be due to his originating from an early period of Saiyan history.
Appetite
Saiyans usually eat 30-40 times more food than humans to maintain their metabolism.
Saiyans are noted for having ravenous, and seemingly insatiable appetites. Due to their enormous strength and intense aura, the Saiyans' energy and nutritional intake requirements are a great deal higher than normal Earthlings. This heightened metabolism also benefits their physique, as despite their gluttonous eating, it is still much harder for Saiyans to grow obese or even suffer indigestion or cramps; in fact, it seems to improve their overall performance.[33] They are often shown eating plate after plate of food, resulting in many dishes piling up. After the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament ended, while only 12 years old, Goku hastily consumed a 50-course meal (57 full-course meals in the English dub) and still wanted dessert. In Daizenshuu 4, it is stated that they have no particular favorite kind of food, although they appear to prefer meat over anything else. Saiyan hybrids can also show a high appetite, although it may appear later in life; Gohan only began showing such an appetite after he became a Super Saiyan. At times, their appetite seems to work against them: in his childhood, when Goku went for too long without something to eat, he became too weak to do much of anything.
In Dragon Ball Legends, the Ancient Saiyan Shallot also demonstrates an appetite not unlike modern Saiyans. In fact, while Shallot was initially cold towards Krillin and Yamcha even after they helped him defeat a Saibaman following his escape from Legendary Super Saiyan Broly, the pair tell Shallot he can eat and rest at the Capitol - after which Shallot quickly changes his tone and even thanks them, with Yamcha realizing where Shallot's priorities lay (presumably being reminded of Goku's appetite). Though Shallot is initially reluctant to eat Earth cuisine even after Jaco points out its pretty high quality on the galactic scale, due to the color, he notes it smells good. However, after a single bite, Shallot notes that the food is very tasty. Despite his amnesia, Shallot apparently remembers how hunt as he talks about hunting when the meal Bulma supplies him with isn't enough to curb his appetite. Shallot is also skilled at tracking, which he presumably utilizes while hunting. However, Shallot isn't above calling out his fellow Saiyans, such as when he admonishes Caulifla for eating the Earth Resistance's food supplies due to it causing trouble for Future Mai, though it is implied that he fails to see the hypocrisy in his statements.
Aging, lifespan and growth
According to the Daizenshuu, Saiyan's lifespan is about the same as an average Earthling (75 to 100 years, with longer exceptions), but keep in their peak health, performance, and appearance much longer. However, according to Akira Toriyama, their natural lifespan itself is longer than humans', but as a warrior race many of them die in battle, and by extension their general lifespan is shorter.[9] In Dragon Ball Super, it is explained that Saiyans are generally still young around the age of 80.[34] As explained by Vegeta near the end of Dragon Ball Z, Saiyans evolved into a natural warrior race, enabling them to stay in their prime and fight longer.[35] This is seen when Nappa, who was Vegeta's attendant when Vegeta was a child, remained in his prime and visibly unchanged (apart from his bald head) long after Vegeta has become an adult, but in actuality, Nappa is roughly 50 years old during his arrival on Earth.[10][36] Chi-Chi complained of this in Dragon Ball GT when Goku was reduced to a child, pointing out that she was getting older faster than him (although this also attributes to the fact Goku spent a collective total of 8 years dead by then during which he did not age).[37] This is again demonstrated in the GT finale when Pan is seen one hundred years later. Despite being well over a hundred years old and only quarter Saiyan, she remained strong and relatively healthy, appearing only in her early sixties with only grey hairs and minor wrinkles.[38][39] In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Paragus' black hair is shown to have become grey indicating that a male pure Saiyan's hair can turn grey as they age. However, his tail fur remains the same, indicating only the hair on their head and face are affected.
Goku, a full-blooded Saiyan, at the physical ages of 12, 24 and 30; notable differences in muscularity are seen
In terms of physical development, this differs by Saiyan as it does with Earthlings. Most full-blooded Saiyans appear to grow in spurt phases, as seen through Goku.[40][41] Saiyans appear identical to that of a Earthling baby in their early years, although they are born with a full head of hair more often than Earthlings, but also appear to grow at somewhat slower rates. Goku at the age of 12 was actually about the same size as his future son Gohan (who is half-Earthling) would be at the age of 5. Bulma herself believed Goku to be that young when they first met, but was shocked to find out he was actually 12.[42][43] By the age of 18, Goku had undergone his largest spurt phase; he became significantly taller and more muscular, going from half the size of Yamcha to nearly matching him three years later.[44] General height and built once fully grown can still differ between Saiyans the same as Earthlings as Vegeta, who is five years older than Goku, is noticeably shorter and smaller overall. This is supported by Super Hero, in which Piccolo is surprised that Goten and Trunks had grown significantly since the last time he saw them. Gohan appears to be aware of the way Saiyans grow, as he tells Piccolo that they stay small for a long time before hitting a sudden growth spurt that brings about better fighting physiology. This is once again brought up in Dragon Ball Daima with Goku stating that Saiyans usually hit at a growth spurt at around the age of 15.[45]
Stabba an elderly female Saiyan from Dragon Ball Fusions
Saiyans appear to undergo one final growth spurt between the ages of roughly 20 to 30, when the body seems to finalize its physical maturity. Growth in muscle mass can clearly be seen, with even some height gained. Goku and Vegeta are clear examples of this. Goku appears to have greater depth to the chest, neck, shoulders, and thighs, with other muscles increasing in size and definition after that. This can clearly be seen during the Frieza Saga and Androids Sagas: Goku appears more muscularly built than he did during the Vegeta Saga, as well as taller. Vegeta also makes a transition, appearing to even grow in height, as by the end of Dragon Ball Z, he was shorter than Bulma, but by Dragon Ball Super he was noticeably taller than her. In Dragon Ball Fusions, an elderly pure-blooded female Saiyan named Stabba is introduced. She is quite old as she has visible wrinkles and has long retired from active combat, though she decides to come out of retirement after hearing about the Timespace Tournament, as she couldn't resist the chance to fight against powerful opponents from across time and space. However, despite her aged appearance, Stabba remains energetic and retains her fighting strength.
Reproduction
Saiyans have a sexual reproduction system compatible with that of Earthlings, as they are able to produce fertile offspring together. This indicates that despite their vastly enhanced physiology, Saiyans have genes that are similar enough to an Earthling’s to be able to avoid debilitating genetic conditions that come with hybridization, allowing the resulting hybrids to be born perfectly healthy and normal. As such, it can be assumed that Saiyans have at least similar chromosomes in their DNA as Earthlings. The mothers of the full-blooded Saiyans were never in the original manga, though there have been some mentions of them. When Raditz tells Goku about the destruction of their home planet in the manga/anime, he mentions that "their parents" died along with it. Their mother Gine was later revealed in Dragon Ball Minus. Also, at least in the anime, Nappa clearly states that he had a mother. Female Saiyans have been seen, including a female Saiyan holding a knife in her mouth shown in a trio of Saiyans when King Kai tells Goku about his ancestry,[1] Bardock's comrade Fasha is a female, and a number of female Saiyans in a bar are shown in Bardock - The Father of Goku.[21]
Based on Vegeta's initial disgust and animosity towards Gohan when he first learns about the half-breed's unusually high-power level, it is strongly hinted that Saiyans were adamantly against reproducing with creatures of another race and bearing hybrids. As Vegeta states a hybrid's power would be too dangerous for even a full-blooded Saiyan to combat against, it seems the Saiyans were highly cautious of this and there is no record of any Saiyan procreating outside of the Saiyan race until Goku's marriage to Chi-Chi and the birth of Gohan. It is also possible the Saiyans viewed hybrids as abominations and insults to their race. However, it should be noted that Nappa suggested the idea they could repopulate the Saiyan race through reproducing with Earthlings to create hybrids, even suggesting that hybrid offspring had potential to become Super Saiyans, which was later proven correct by Gohan and his counterpart Future Gohan (as both Trunks & Future Trunks achieved it after their respective timelines' incarnation of Gohan). However, Vegeta rejected Nappa's suggestion outright, only to ironically end up in a relationship with Bulma that accidentally led to the birth of Trunks (and Future Trunks in the case of Future Vegeta).
Due to being a warrior race, Saiyans prefer to artificially incubate their offspring. Even non-warriors like Gine kept baby Kakarot in an incubation chamber due to its convenience.
Given that their ability to reproduce fertile and stable offspring with Earthlings with few noticeable physical differences between hybrids and full-blooded type of humans, then Saiyans must possess similar chromosomes in their DNA.
Family
Saiyan families appear to be far different to that of a traditional Earthling family; apart from the royal family of Vegeta, they are not particular about blood-relationships.[9] Of the few (pure-blooded) Saiyan families seen, only Vegeta and his father have had close relationships, as well Broly and Paragus to some extent. Children are kept in pods as infants and monitored by doctors while their parents are usually occupied on mercenary missions.[21] Even as infants, their natural strength and their Great Ape transformation means that they are capable of conquering planets like Earth single-handedly[21] and so it is unlikely they spend much, if any time, with their parents or siblings.[9] Notably, when Bardock is asked by his comrade Tora if he remembers what day his newborn son was born, he replies "No, but that was a long time ago." Fasha then goes on to say that it was the day before, and that he should go see him.[21]
Saiyans do not have much of a concept of family,[9] but they do tend to have close relationships with their friends and comrades however, with whom they do spend a great deal of time in battle. Bardock has a close relationship with his wife Gine however, which is apparently rare among Saiyans. Goku was able to have a close relationship with his family as a result of being raised as an Earthling since infancy. Also, in Vegeta's case, he was initially uninterested in his family due to the comfortable nature on Earth conflicting with his Saiyan nature but living on Earth for many years enabled him to reconcile with this, and he became more family oriented. In contrast to the Saiyans of the Universe 7, the Saiyans of the Universe 6 seem to care for their families more, as shown by Cabba, wanting to protect his planet when Vegeta falsely threatened to destroy their planet. In Dragon Ball Minus, Bardock and Gine chose to send their son Kakarot to Earth to save his life as Bardock suspected Frieza planned to destroy the Saiyans. Gine informed Raditz of his brother's whereabouts though he, Nappa, Vegeta, and Frieza Force assumed Goku had been sent to invade Earth by the Saiyan Army, unaware his departure to Earth was unauthorized as Bardock and Gine had stolen a Attack Ball to send Goku off-world. Due to his refusal to join him and siding with the Earthlings, Raditz saw Kakarot as a disgrace to their family though he did lament that Goku would sacrifice himself for what he saw as low-level trash, showing that he did value his brother's life in his own way.
Vegeta explained that all Saiyan men were strong willed and that they were genetically inclined to like strong willed women, which is the reason why they picked Earthling wives that were also strong willed.
Vegeta is shown to care for his father as a child, coming to his defense when Beerus was punishing King Vegeta for keeping the universe's most comfortable pillow for himself, that Beerus requested him to acquire for him only for King Vegeta to try to pass off the universe's second most comfortable one as the most comfortable. However, as he grew older, Vegeta acted as though he didn't care about his father likely due to him becoming more cold-hearted due to the influence of Frieza and as a way to cope with the loss of his race due to the Genocide of the Saiyans. Vegeta also rejected Nappa's suggestion they mate with Earthling females to rebuild their race and create a new Saiyan empire due to fearing the strength of said offspring would rival them. However, after Frieza's death, Vegeta slowly began a relationship with Bulma whom he conceived his first child Trunks with. However, Vegeta initially wanted nothing to do with the child and coldly refused to bother with protecting Bulma and Trunks when they were attacked by Dr. Gero, leading Future Trunks to admonish him for failing to protect his family. Before the birth of his son, Vegeta also refused to believe Future Trunks was a Saiyan due to his lack of black hair and was unaware of their relation until he heard Piccolo call him Trunks. Though he was largely dismissive of Future Trunks, he slowly came to care for his son's counterpart, to the point he vengefully attacked Cell when he killed Future Trunks. After Future Trunks returned to his timeline, Vegeta married Bulma and became a proper father to Trunks. Though he allowed Babidi to control him to fight his rival Kakarot, his love for his family won out. He apologized to his son for not being attentive to him as an infant, while confirming he loved him. Much later, he sacrificed himself in an attempt to destroy Innocent Buu to protect his wife and son. He also blamed Goku for Trunks' death when he chose to rescue Mr. Satan and Dende when Kid Buu destroyed the Earth and was outraged to learn Goku had made a deal with Old Kai using a promise of a kiss from Bulma without seeking Vegeta and Bulma's approval. After the defeat of Kid Buu, Vegeta tries to spend quality time with his family and stays with Bulma during her pregnancy with their second child Bulla, even when faced with the opportunity to train against Goku. Vegeta is shown to fret over his newborn daughter to the point of angrily transforming into his Super Saiyan Blue form spontaneously when Mr. Satan and Yamcha make her cry. In Dragon Ball GT, he and Bulla share a strong bond due to Vegeta spoiling her.
Though King Vegeta saw Tarble as a disgrace due to him being determined a low-class fighter because of his lack of aggression and ruthlessness, he chose to exile him and Vegeta is shown to get along with Tarble when they reunite as adults, though this is likely due to Vegeta's being more of a family man by this point. Tarble looks up to his older brother due to his mistaken belief that Vegeta was the one who defeated Frieza and gets along with his sister-in-law and nephew. Vegeta likewise is polite to his sister-in-law Gure, though he is caught off-guard to learn Tarble was married to her.
Hybrids
Gohan, the half-Saiyan and half-Earthling warrior in his Super Saiyan 2 state
Due to their similar physiology, Saiyans and Earthlings are capable of interbreeding. While this was always possible, it became necessary for the survival of the Saiyan race when all the female Saiyans were exterminated. The resulting offspring generally possess the same enhanced strengths of the Saiyans, developing their abilities far more easily than Earthlings, but lack the same drive and instinct for combat.[41] Hybrid Saiyans, due to genetic reasons, can be born without a tail, like Goten or Trunks[46] (Gohan is the only Saiyan-hybrid in the manga/anime that is shown with a Saiyan tail), and if they do, they have an extraordinary potential. Hybrid Saiyans possess a greater potential to become Super Saiyans than pure-blood Saiyans, but it is unclear how many generations removed from their Saiyan ancestor a hybrid can be before the transformation becomes unavailable to them. This is principally called into question because of Pan's supposed inability to transform as she is only quarter Saiyan, yet in the TV special Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy, descendants of Goku and Vegeta are able to turn Super Saiyan, despite their Saiyan heritage being even more diluted than Pan's.
Three half-Saiyans
It is unclear if all hybrids possess a naturally greater potential than their Saiyan parents, but shown evidence suggests that they do. In the Japanese version of the Saiyan saga, Nappa suggested to Vegeta that they mate with the female Earthlings to produce a new powerful Saiyan race, but Vegeta refused because he feared a half-breed's power would become too dangerous. Gohan repeatedly demonstrated a hidden power that, when harnessed, made him more powerful than even Goku or Vegeta. When he and Goku trained to battle Cell, Gohan not only caught up to his father, but surpassed him even before making his Super Saiyan 2 transformation; he is also noted to be the youngest Saiyan to reach that form, at the age of 11 (9 in the manga).[47] Also, he, Trunks, and Goten were able to make the transformation to Super Saiyan at age 8 and 7 respectively, far younger ages than their fathers and Gohan, with Trunks and Goten showing such ease at obtaining the first form that they treated it almost like a "child's play thing" (as stated by Vegeta in the Funimation dub). Goten and Trunks' fusion as Gotenks shows much, much more ease in obtaining even the final form, entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber whilst being unable to make the first transformation. In no more than about a week in the room, they emerged as a fused Super Saiyan 3. Vegeta also claimed upon his arrival on Earth with Nappa that Gohan's potential was higher than a normal Saiyan's because of his mixed blood.
A hybrid Saiyan's potential may be held in check by the fact they lack the same desire for combat as pure Saiyans, and thus tend not to train as much, in times of peace, as a pure Saiyan would. For example, Gohan actually became less powerful during the seven years between his battle with Cell and the emergence of Buu, allowing Goku and Vegeta to catch up to and then surpass him, due to him having not trained enough.[48] It is also during this time that both Goku and Vegeta make the transformation to Super Saiyan 2 as Gohan did, with Goku surpassing it to ascend to Super Saiyan 3, the last form displayed in the manga and in the Dragon Ball Z anime.
Further, it is unknown if quarter Saiyans, such as Pan, have a lesser potential than half Saiyans or pure-blooded Saiyans due to their further diluted heritage or if their comparative weakness, exhibited by Pan, is simply the result of lacking the Saiyan drive to train coupled with growing up in peaceful times. Pan as a quarter Saiyan was able to fly as a baby only a few months old without any training, but it is unknown if this is because of factors like her upbringing, and Gohan's potential being greater than Goku's.
In Dragon Ball Fusions, non-Earthling Saiyan hybrids are introduced such as Mint a female Saiyan hybrid who is 1/4 Offworlder (a classification which includes various races native to other dimensions such as Other World and Demon Realm) and Nenjo a male Saiyan hybrid who is also 1/4 Offworlder. Additionally, Shalot is a female Saiyan hybrid who is 1/4 Earthling (making her the opposite of Pan who is 1/4 Saiyan).
In Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, Beat is revealed to be the Earthling Saiyan hybrid descendant of Goku, explaining his ability to subconsciously use ki defensively without formal training, competitiveness, and affinity for Goku's SDBH cards. However, his percentage of Saiyan blood is unknown and it is unknown whether he is descended from Goten or Gohan's family lines, though as his mother strongly resembles Chi-Chi, he is apparently maternally descended from both Chi-Chi and Goku. In both his normal state and pure Saiyan Hero Avatar, Beat is able to achieve the Super Saiyan transformations.
Hybrid Saiyans, particularly Earthling-based hybrids, also might inherit more degenerative aspects from their non-Saiyan heritage which would impact their overall potential. This is implied with Gohan around the time Cell Max was activated, where he fumbled a Senzu Bean tossed by Piccolo and accidentally knocked it into a ravine largely because he could barely see it coming without his glasses.
S-Cells
Saiyans possess S-Cells within their bodies, S-Cells are what allow a Saiyan to become a Super Saiyan, however most Saiyans do not have many S-Cells within their bodies. Any Saiyan can become a Super Saiyan, however they require a large number of S-Cells in order to take on the form, Saiyans who have a gentle spirit gain more S-Cells (though they cannot gain enough to go Super Saiyan through a gentle nature alone) and when a Saiyan increases their battle power they steadily gain more S-Cells. Additionally, a gentler environment that is easier to live in (such as Planet Earth and their native home planet Sadala compared to Planet Vegeta) makes S-Cell production increase. Once the Saiyan has enough S-Cells, a feeling such as strong anger or sadness can transform a Saiyan into a Super Saiyan,[10][49][50] once a Saiyan has achieved the form they can transform into it any time by focusing their energy into their back to make it tingle. A Saiyan who has a very large battle power can turn Super Saiyan without needing a trigger, due to their tremendous number of S-Cells (an example being Caulifla). Saiyan offspring will inherit S-Cells from their parents, this is why Goten, Trunks, and the hybrid clone Cell were able to become Super Saiyans so easily. The aggressive and murderous tendencies of previous generations of Saiyans prior to Goku and Vegeta and their respective children is likely what limited the accessibility of the Super Saiyan transformation for so long.
Senses
As evidenced in Dragon Ball, Saiyans have a very keen sense of smell. When Goku and Krillin are looking for the rock that Roshi had thrown into the jungle, Goku is able to smell the rock which had Roshi's scent. Goku even claims his sense of smell is similar to that of a dog's (which is far superior to that of a human).[51] This later worked against him when he met Bacterian; because Bacterian had never bathed or brushed his teeth in his life, the smell was so horrible that Goku nearly passed out. Another instance is when he is able to smell Roshi when Goku and his friends are searching for him at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku also uses this ability to track down the thief that steals his belongings in the episode Pilaf and the Mystery Force. Goku also partly used his sense of smell to detect Bulma's arrival after arriving at her home with help from a Police Officer, mentioning it smelled like her when sensing her arrival via a Jet-Bike, much to the officer's shock.[52] Saiyans also have powerful sense of touch and hearing. They are very alert to vibrations through the ground and shifts in the air, enabling them to instinctively react to incoming danger from these subtle signals. This allows them to easily fight their opponents in absolute dark or even blinded, as Goku did against Yakon and Gohan did against Lavender respectively.
In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Broly is able to use his keen sense of smell to detect even faint traces of Goku's scent as he has apparently committed his nemesis' scent to memory as an alternative way of tracking him (as Goku is capable of suppressing his ki and Broly is incapable of sensing Godly ki). He is even shown to detect similarities between the scents of close relatives, as he notes similarities between the scents of Raditz, Bardock, Gohan, and Future Gohan to Goku's. It is also implied that this sense of smell, combined with his shattered sanity, was also part of the reason why he mistook Goten and Gohan for Goku in Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming.
In Dragon Ball Legends, the Ancient Saiyan Shallot is shown to possess a heightened olfactory sense superior to even modern Saiyans like Goku and Broly, due to his ability to determine a fighter's power level via their scent alone. Shallot can also use his nose to track Red Ribbon Army Androids via their scent with him noting that mechanical Androids have artificial scents due to the artificial materials used in their construction. This makes him one of the only beings capable of tracking Androids that lack ki signatures. Additionally, during his first encounter with New Cell, he notes that he has the scents of Frieza, Goku, Vegeta, and Nappa whose genes had been used in the Bio-Android's creation. Shallot also notes that while Goku Black has Goku's body, he has Zamasu's scent. Additionally, he is able to determine that Turles isn't Goku via his scent. Shallot often uses his sense of smell to detect potential dangers especially when he lacks the ability to Sense Ki normally. According to Jaco, "Sensing Ki" is a technique that is foreign to Saiyan culture entirely, explaining Shallot's reliance on his ability to determine power levels via scent and the Saiyan Army's reliance on Scout-Scopes and Scouters, as Shallot, Goku and Vegeta only developed the ability to sense Ki after coming to Earth, with Goku acquiring the ability after having his potential unlocked by the Ultra Divine Water and refined said ability during his training under Mr. Popo and Kami, while Vegeta developed the ability as a result of his battle's with the Dragon Team, and Shallot learns how to sense ki after only a little instruction from Kid Gohan, once he and Zahha became aware of Shallot's inability to sense Ki (Jaco is not surprised due to Ki Sense being foreign to Saiyan culture).
Saiyans also seem to have keen eyesight. When Goku and Bulma see Turtle returning with Master Roshi on his back, Goku is able to clearly make them out at a distance when Bulma could not, with Bulma even remarking, "It's like you've got super vision or something."[53]
Transformations
Great Ape
Gohan as a Great Ape
Their tail also grants a Saiyan special transformations; a great metamorphosis into a giant ape beast with tremendous power when looking at a full moon. The Saiyan grows incredibly in size and tenfold in strength while drastically changing in appearance. If the tail is removed, this ability is lost. In this state, a Saiyan will generally lose most if not all control of themselves, with aggressiveness reaching its peak, causing them to lose all rationality to primal instinct. However, some Saiyans who have advanced enough (i.e., Prince Vegeta) are able to contain this heightened ferocity, allowing them to retain their individuality and rationality to perform in battle as normal. Additionally, some Saiyans are capable of retaining partial control over themselves allowing them to avoid attacking allies and/or family, while focusing their aggression against their enemies as shown by Great Ape Bardock and Great Ape Gohan. In Xenoverse, Great Ape Bardock destroys the Power Ball created by Vegeta that allows Bardock to transform, in order to prevent the time displaced Villainous Mode Broly from transforming into a Great Ape.
Though normally a tail is required access the transformation, it is possible for Saiyans to transform even if their tail is removed, however they require the use of a Blutz Wave Generator which will cause them to transform, causing their tail to regrow briefly while in their transformed state, as shown by Vegeta in Dragon Ball GT. As the Saiyans of Universe 6 lost their tails through the process of evolution, no longer requiring it to naturally access their full combat efficiency, they are presumably incapable of transforming into Great Apes (it is unknown if they would be capable of transforming via the use of a Blutz Wave Generator like the Saiyans of Universe 7).
By managing to access the power of the Great Ape without taking on the form, a Saiyan takes on the Wrathful state.
Super Saiyan
Goku is the first shown to achieve the Super Saiyan transformation after witnessing Krillin's death at the hands of Frieza
The most powerful ability of a normal Saiyan, however, is the ability to drastically augment their speed, strength and energy by transforming into a Super Saiyan. The ability is rare and difficult to achieve normally but gives the Saiyan unbelievable enhancements to their normal abilities. Saiyans possess several Super Saiyan transformations, each different in appearance and the power they provide. For the majority of the Super Saiyan forms, the Saiyans muscle mass increases slightly, their irises turn bluish-green, and their hair turns golden in color. There are additional transformations beyond Super Saiyan, and variations thereon.
There are several forms of Super Saiyan, most notably the Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3 forms.
As shown by Cabba's Super Saiyan transformation during his match with Vegeta in the Tournament of Destroyers, the Saiyans of Universe 6 are capable of achieving this form in the same manner as the Saiyans of Universe 7.
When used by a heroic ancient Saiyan, the form is identical to the modern day Super Saiyan - though it possesses a golden tail (which is not always portrayed as a trait of a modern Saiyan). The ancient Saiyan Shallot also displayed a unique angered state with black Super Saiyan-like hair and red eyes. When used by an evil ancient Saiyan, the Super Saiyan form exhibits differences from those of a present day Super Saiyan; under Saiyan Cumber's utilization the forms retained his red and black aura, and both his pupils and irises were present. Additionally, when utilized by Cumber, the Super Saiyan 3 form did not appear to greatly increase the length of his hair. Additionally, Cumber proved to be able to access the full power of Super Saiyan 3.
Super Saiyan God
Goku after ascending to Super Saiyan God via the special ritual
Through several different methods a Saiyan can ascend to godhood and achieve the Super Saiyan God form, the most notable being a sacred ritual involving the transfer of ki from five righteous Saiyans to a sixth Saiyan as host. Attaining these forms is quite difficult and only three Saiyans are known to have ever accomplished it - with only two retaining the power. These forms possess Godly ki.
Retaining the godly power also causes the user's normal forms to become more powerful than before, and also gifts them with the Saiyan beyond God state, a state which utilizes the power of Super Saiyan God without a physical change in appearance. A Saiyan can also transform into a Super Saiyan God at will if they retain the godly power.
A Saiyan with the power of Super Saiyan God who transforms into a Super Saiyan becomes a Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan.
Evil Saiyan
Evil Saiyan Cumber
Saiyans can take on an empowered state known as Evil Saiyan. This form grows the user's hair to the same length as a Super Saiyan 3 - but keeps its natural color. Aside from an increase in power, Saiyans using this form possess an Evil Aura which has special properties and numerous utilities.
Hybrid forms
Saiyans are capable of mixing their Super Saiyan forms with their other non-Super Saiyan states in order to achieve powerful hybrid states. This has shown to be possible by mixing the standard Super Saiyan form with either Great Ape or Super Saiyan God.
Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan
A Saiyan with the power of Super Saiyan God transforming into a Super Saiyan results in Super Saiyan Blue
Once a Saiyan masters the divine power of Super Saiyan God, by transforming from a Saiyan with the power of Super Saiyan God into the Super Saiyan form, they can access a new more powerful transformation called Super Saiyan Blue, more descriptively known as "Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan".
When a Saiyan breaks through their normal limits, they can achieve the power beyond Super Saiyan Blue known as Super Saiyan God SS Evolved.
When a Saiyan is taken by the Evil Aura from an Evil Saiyan they'll take berserk transformations that depend on what form they are when corrupted. Super Saiyans 1 and 2 will turn into Super Saiyan (Berserk) while Super Saiyan Blue will turn into Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (Berserk).
When a Saiyan manages to overwhelm the evil aura and turn it into their own power, they will take the Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (Berserk Controlled) form which will also allow the control of the evil aura like the evil Saiyans do.
A Saiyan who possesses an actual status as a deity takes on the Super Saiyan Rosé form instead of the ordinary Super Saiyan Blue.
As shown by the Crimson-Masked Saiyan, the Rosé form is capable of taking higher levels known as Super Saiyan Rosé 2 and 3.
Later, Crimson also shows a new transformation which is the last level of the Super Saiyan Rosé line known as Super Saiyan Rosé Full Power.
Golden Great Ape
Despite its name, Super Saiyan 4 does not follow the same transformation line as the other forms
By combining Great Ape and Super Saiyan, a Saiyan becomes a Golden Great Ape. Their offensive capacities have become much greater, and their rage is even more intense than the standard Great Ape's. While in the Golden Great Ape state, the power and strength of a Saiyan increase extraordinarily.
The Super Saiyan 4 form is a unique transformation attained through control of the Golden Great Ape form. Despite being called a "Super Saiyan" it is not part of the main Super Saiyan line of transformations.
By achieving a power beyond their limits in Super Saiyan 4 form, a Saiyan will be enhanced further into an Ultra-full-power Saiyan 4.
While evil ancient Saiyans have been shown capable of taking on the Golden Great Ape form, they have not displayed the ability to become Super Saiyan 4 after gaining control over their Golden Great Ape form.
Fighting
Saiyans have an inborn need to fight. Most Saiyans will spend their lives training to become stronger so that they can prove themselves in battle. When Frieza hired the Saiyans as his planet pirates, he knew of their amazing fighting skills and used that to his advantage. However, Frieza began to notice how powerful the Saiyans were becoming and began to fear that one day one of them would overwhelm him as the most powerful being in the universe. This eventually led to Frieza's destruction of Planet Vegeta and all the Saiyans on it. Saiyans like Goku and Vegeta are frequently seen training and improving their fighting skills to keep up with each other's skills and the appearance of new, more powerful foes. After battles, injured Saiyans are placed inside Medical Machines by doctors of the Frieza Force. The healed soldier can then immediately return to the battlefield.[54][28]
Many of the Saiyan and Saiyan/Human hybrids that appear throughout the series possess extreme fighting potential. It is also very common for them to develop the ability to transform into Super Saiyans at childhood, thought to be particularly likely when the hybrid's Saiyan parent had achieved the transformation prior to conception.
A Saiyan who achieves a level of power at the level of gods becomes a "Saiyan beyond God".
Protection
Shallot wearing the original type of Saiyan armor
As a warrior race, the Saiyans would commonly wear protective armor consisting of a form-fitting body suit and battle armor. It was extremely light yet durable, able to protect from most attacks. At the same time, it is extremely flexible, able to stretch out so far without losing any of its integrity, enabling to remained clothed while turning into a Great Ape, moving about unhindered, and likewise return to normal size once the Saiyan shrinks back to their base form.
Nappa in full Battle Armor
As noted by Vegeta, Universe 7 Saiyan Armor originally looked very similar to the Universe 6 Saiyan armor, possessing a gladiator-like design. However, after they were conscripted into the Frieza Force, like most other members, they began wearing a remodeled version that consists of a body suit with chest-protection. Newer models would have large pads on the shoulders, on the hips, and/or above the pelvic.
Transportation
Vegeta and Nappa in their space-pods
Saiyans have small space-pods that are only big enough for one person sitting down.[55] When more than one person is sent to a planet, each warrior has a pod to themselves, who fly alongside each other in a group. It is unknown what fuel the space pods use, and there is no visible exhaust area for the fuel's waste to be expelled from (though when they fly, they have an energy aura around them). However, the computers operating the pods seem to be very sophisticated, and can even change course in space, despite there being no visible means of doing so (in the real world, spaceships must either slingshot around a large gravity source, such as the Moon, or must have some object to push themselves away from, per the Third Law of Motion, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction"). The passenger appears to be in stasis during travel, but upon reaching a destination air is pumped into the pod, reviving the occupant.
In the Namek Saga, Dr. Brief was able to obtain the space pod that Goku arrived at the planet in as a baby and was able to use reverse-engineering to build a bigger spaceship, so that Goku would have room to train in on his way to Namek.[56] In an interview, Akira Toriyama said that the Space Pods are uncomfortable. In Dragon Ball Minus, it shows Bardock and a comrade flying in an unusually large Space Pod, enough for both to be inside of it.
Healing
Having become a natural-born race of warriors, Saiyans are shown to be very resilient and adaptive. As they continue battling, their minds and bodies continue to adapt and improve from the experience. To which, they instinctively learn from their mistakes and become more accustomed to the adversity before him. Even more, Saiyans are shown able to recover from injuries much faster than humans. Also, as their bodies recover and adapt from the injuries, their bodies will grow considerably stronger than before, a literal example of the saying "That which does not kill me only makes me stronger". This power increase is known as Saiyan Power.
Evolution
While the Saiyans from Universe 7 have not changed much morphologically during their evolution. The Saiyans from the Universe 6 have changed somewhat morphologically, having long since evolved beyond naturally having tails as a physical trait.
List of Saiyans
In addition to the name "Saiyan" being an anagram of the Japanese word for vegetable, most pure-blooded Saiyans in the series also have names with vegetable puns, either in English or Japanese. Furthermore, the Saiyan Royals are keeping in line with this, simply named Vegeta(ble) and (Vege)Tarble.
Full-blooded Saiyans
Modern Saiyans
Toei's family tree of full-blooded Saiyans (1993)
- Bardock (Father of Raditz and Goku, he was killed by Frieza or sent to the past)
- Future Bardock (Father of Future Goku, he was killed by Future Frieza and sent to Other World)
- Xeno Bardock (Father of Xeno Goku, he fought Frieza during the Genocide of the Saiyans but was abducted and turned into the Masked Saiyan by the Dark Empire, though was later freed by the Time Patrol which he later joined becoming subordinate to Chronoa alongside his son, grandsons, great-granddaughter, and descendant Beat)
- Beets (A non-combatant Saiyan in Broly, he was killed by Paragus)
- Borgos (A large balding member of Team Bardock, he is killed by Team Dodoria)
- Broly (DBS) (The Legendary Super Saiyan of the Universe 7, son of Paragus and main antagonist of Dragon Ball Super: Broly)
- Broly (The Legendary Super Saiyan, son of Paragus and the main villain of Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan and Broly - Second Coming. He was killed by the Family Kamehameha of Gohan, Goten and the spirit of Goku. He eventually returned thanks to the machinations of demons and eventually went on to achieve an even higher level of power)
- Fasha (The only female member of Team Bardock (after Gine retired), she is killed by Dodoria's Elite)
- Gine (Mother of Raditz and Goku, and former member of Team Bardock[9])
- Goku (The main protagonist whose original Saiyan name is Kakarot. He is killed by sacrificing himself to kill Raditz, and years later to defeat Cell. Now training under Whis, he is one of the only currently god-like Saiyans. Son of Bardock and Gine)
- Future Goku (The future counterpart of Goku and father of Future Gohan who died from Heart Virus. Son of Future Bardock)
- Xeno Goku (An incarnation of Goku who was summoned by Chronoa and a member of the Time Patrol)
- Goku Black (The Goku who existed in the original, unaltered present (Main) timeline, whose body was stolen by the Zamasu from the original, unaltered present timeline using the Super Dragon Balls)
- Crimson-Masked Saiyan (A version of Goku Black whose fate was changed due to Fu's intervention)
- King Vegeta (King of the Saiyans and father of Vegeta and Tarble. He is killed by Frieza)
- Xeno King Vegeta (King of the Saiyans and father of Xeno Vegeta. Became a servant of Dark King Mechikabura known as the Dark-Masked King. Member of the Dark Empire)
- King Vegeta's Majordomo[57] (Servant of the Saiyan Royal Family)
- Leek (Bardock's mission partner)
- Moroko (A male Saiyan scientist in Broly)
- Nappa (A large bald Saiyan who was Vegeta's partner and General of the Saiyan army, he is killed twice by Vegeta)
- Future Nappa (Nappa's future counterpart who was Future Vegeta's partner and General of the Saiyan Army, who like his counterpart is killed by Future Vegeta)
- Nion (A female scientist in Broly. Theorizes Broly may be the Legendary Super Saiyan which is later proven true)
- Onio (A fat Saiyan that appears in the self-parody manga, Nekomajin)
- Paragus (DBS) (The father of Broly and the tertiary antagonist of Dragon Ball Super: Broly. he was killed by Frieza so his son can awaken his true power)
- Paragus (The father of Broly and the secondary antagonist of Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan. He was killed by Broly in the same movie. He later returned as Xeno Paragus, only to be killed by Xeno King Vegeta)
- Raditz (Brother of Goku, he is killed by Piccolo)
- Scarface (A short balding Saiyan seen only in the pendulum room during filler of the DBZ anime)
- Shito (A male scientist in Broly.)
- Shorty (A large muscular Saiyan seen only in the pendulum room during filler of the DBZ anime)
- Shugesh (A big overweight member of Team Bardock. He is killed by Team Dodoria)
- Tarble (Vegeta's younger brother who has a lack of fighting spirit[32])
- Taro (An old comrade of Bardock's)
- Tora (A tall masculine member of Team Bardock, he is killed by Dodoria)
- Turles (Main villain of Dragon Ball Z Movie #3: The Tree of Might. He heavily resembles Goku and was the Leader of Turles Crusher Corps. He was killed by Goku)
- Xeno Turles (An incarnation of Turles who merged with a Dark Dragon Ball. Leader of Turles Crusher Corps)
- Vegeta (Goku's greatest rival and the prince of all Saiyans, he is killed twice by Frieza and once by sacrificing himself against Majin Buu. Training under Whis, he is one of the only remaining Saiyans to reach the realm of gods, and the only one in the royal bloodline to ever reach that level)
- Future Vegeta (Future Goku's rival and the prince of all Saiyans in the future timeline, he is killed during the Android Conflict. Father of Future Trunks)
- Xeno Vegeta (Member of the Time Patrol who was briefly captured by the Dark Empire and turned into the Black-Masked Saiyan before being freed)
- Zorn (One of King Vegeta's subjects)
- Saiyan Army (The military force employed by the Saiyans)
- Kili Enhanced Great Ape (A powerful Saiyan who was enhanced by and works for the Time Breakers)
- Dragon Ball Fusions Saiyans:
- Bukha (Evil Saiyan who went berserk on some planets)
- Rhubub (Saiyan assassin)
- Jagamo (Saiyan guard captain on another planet)
- Cissito (A young Saiyan kid)
- Zukini (Saiyan warrior trainer)
- Binas: (Saiyan who became effeminate due to peer pressure)
- Biwala (Saiyan who has strained under an Offworlder)
- Soga (Young Saiyan who lives on Earth)
- Zemma (Barbaric Saiyan)
- Paprika (Friend of Pinich)
- Garatz (Hot-blooded Saiyan. Nazz is his daughter)
- Rakyo (Old warrior who excels at sword fighting)
- Heiya (Lazy Saiyan)
- Lomen (Kenpo master who is close to retirement)
- Racyoh (Samurai trained Saiyan)
- Mibatz (Saiyan with pyrokinetic abilities)
- Gowry (Saiyan mercenary)
- Tyber (Galactic Patrolman)
- Goyan (Crafty Saiyan)
- Kress (Saiyan boxer who lives on Earth)
- Quillin (Deceptive Saiyan)
- Huki (Kind-hearted support based Saiyan)
- Sage (Strong low-class Saiyan who has invaded many planets)
- Vasabi (Saiyan who possess magical arts)
- Plauto (Gentle Saiyan who quit being a soldier)
- Leganon (Saiyan who works as a businessman on Earth)
- Yashimo (Saiyan who seeks the powers of Majin and Demons)
- Zibar (Saiyan who was forced to attend high school on Earth by his parents)
- Kalif (Elite female Saiyan)
- Stabba (Old Saiyan who is skilled at kenpo)
- Sesamy (Believes themselves to be the Legendary Saiyan. Can become a Super Saiyan)
- Zysa (Strong housewife who has tamed her Saiyan husband)
- Nira (Physically strong female Saiyan)
- Chokly (Girl who dresses like a boy)
- Ruccola (Girl who is obsessed with fashion, especially Earth's, has removed her tail)
- Narmis (Arrogant, gets a crush on people who defeat her)
- Nazz (Daughter of Garatz)
- Kiclee (Girl who admires Super Saiyans)
- Prika (Love training)
- Yunaly (Daughter of the CEO of a Saiyan conglomerate on another planet)
- Lisee (Fast and chic Saiyan)
Ancient Saiyans
- Cumber (An Evil Saiyan from the past that once battled a Super Saiyan God (logically the first one) and was later brought to the Prison Planet by Fu using the Dragon Balls)
- Shallot (A Saiyan from the past that had his memories erased and was brought to the Tournament of Time by Zahha along with his twin brother)
- Giblet (A Saiyan from the past that was brought to the Tournament of Time by Zahha to be manipulated to kill Shallot and all Saiyans he could find)
- Yamoshi (The first ever Saiyan to turn into a Super Saiyan. He fought to stop evil from controlling his planet but ended up defeated and killed by the Evil Saiyans, even as a spirit, he went across the universe and helped create the Super Saiyan God)
- Super Saiyan God (The first Saiyan to become Super Saiyan God through the ritual with the help of Yamoshi's spirit and his 5 righteous Saiyan comrades. Eventually the transformation wore off leading to his and his allies' death)
- Skwash (Champion of an ancient Saiyan tournament. Also, a Super Saiyan who can utilize the Kaio-ken technique and can combine the two without dying)
Universe 6 Saiyans
- King Sadala (The ruler of Sadala)
- Cabba (A Saiyan from Universe 6)
- Caulifla (A Saiyan from Universe 6 and Renso's sister)
- Kale (A Legendary Saiyan from Universe 6)
- Renso (Cabba's former captain and brother of Caulifla.)
- Sadala Army (The military force employed by the Saiyans from Universe 6)
Partial Saiyans
- Gohan – 1/2 Saiyan, Eldest son of Goku
- Future Gohan – 1/2 Saiyan, Son of Future Goku (Alternate Timeline)
- Xeno Gohan - 1/2 Saiyan, Son of Xeno Goku
- Future Warrior in Black - 1/2 Saiyan, An incarnation of Future Gohan whose timeline of origin is unknown.
- Trunks – 1/2 Saiyan, Eldest Son of Vegeta
- Future Trunks – 1/2 Saiyan, Son of Future Vegeta (Alternate timeline)
- Xeno Trunks - 1/2 Saiyan, Son of Xeno Vegeta (Alternative timeline)
- Goten – 1/2 Saiyan, Youngest son of Goku
- Xeno Goten - 1/2 Saiyan, Son of Xeno Goku
- Pan – 1/4 Saiyan, Daughter of Gohan and Granddaughter of Goku
- Xeno Pan 1/4 Saiyan, Daughter of Xeno Gohan and Granddaughter of Xeno Goku
- Bulla – 1/2 Saiyan, Daughter of Vegeta
- Goku Jr. – 1/64[58] or 1/16[59] Saiyan, Grandson of Pan and Great-Great-Grandson of Goku
- Bulma Leigh – Unknown percentage, descendant of Vegeta
- Vegeta Jr. – Unknown percentage, descendant of Vegeta
- Beat's Grandfather - Unknown percentage, descendant of Goku
- Beat's Mom - Unknown percentage, descendant of Goku
- Beat - Unknown percentage, descendant of Goku
- Future Zamasu - Future Zamasu and Goku Black do not defuse properly in the Dragon Ball Super manga, resulting in their cells becoming one, as both possess the same soul. Future Zamasu thus, inherits Black's Saiyan cells and possesses the ability to transform into the Super Saiyan Rosé form upon transforming into Fused Zamasu.
- Fin - Majin who is part-Saiyan in his Dark Gogeta form.
- Mint - A female Saiyan hybrid who is 1/4 Offworlder.[60]
- Nenjo - Saiyan who is 1/4 Offworlder.
- Mint - Saiyan who is 1/4 Offworlder.
- Shalot - Saiyan who is 1/4 Earthling.
Fusions
- Gogeta (Goku and Vegeta via the Fusion Dance, called Veku when the two Saiyans fused incorrectly; Name: Goku + Vegeta)
- EX Gogeta (Goku and Vegeta via EX-Fusion)
- Future Gogeta (Future Goku and Future Vegeta via the Fusion Dance; Name: Future Goku + Future Vegeta)
- Xeno Gogeta: (Xeno Goku and Xeno Vegeta via the Fusion Dance; Name: Xeno Goku + Xeno Vegeta)
- Gokule (Goku and Mr. Satan via the Potara fusion earrings; Uncensored Name (Gotan): Goku + Mr. Satan; Censored Name (Gokule): Goku + Hercule)
- Gotenks (Goten and Trunks via the Fusion Dance; Name: Goten + Trunks)
- EX Gotenks (Goten and Trunks via EX-Fusion)
- Xeno Gotenks (Xeno Goten and Xeno Trunks via the Fusion Dance; Name: Xeno Goten + Xeno Trunks
- Xeno Vegeks (Xeno Vegeta and Xeno Trunks via the Potara fusion earrings; Name: Xeno Vegeta + Xeno Xeno)
- Vegenks (Vegeta and Future Trunks via EX-Fusion; Name: Vegeta + Future Trunks)
- Vegito (Vegeta and Goku via the Potara fusion earrings; Name: Vegeta + Kakarotto)
- Xeno Vegito (Xeno Vegeta and Xeno Goku via the Potara fusion earrings; Name: Xeno Vegeta + Xeno Kakarotto)
- Fused Zamasu (Goku Black and Future Zamasu via the Potara fusion earrings)
- Kefla (Kale and Caulifla via the Potara fusion earrings)
- EX Trunks (Kid Trunks and Future Trunks via EX-Fusion)
- EX Gohanks (Teen Gohan and Kid Trunks via EX-Fusion; Name: Gohan + Trunks)
- Xeno Gohanks (Xeno Gohan and Xeno Trunks via Fusion Dance; Name: Xeno Gohan + Xeno Trunks)
- Future Gohanks (Future Gohan and Future Trunks via Fusion Dance; Name: Future Gohan + Future Trunks)
- Barlot (Goku and Bardock via EX-Fusion; Name: Bardock + Kakarotto)
- Bulpan (Pan and Bulla via EX-Fusion; Name: Bulla + Pan)
- Colohan (Piccolo and Gohan via EX-Fusion; Name: Piccolo + Gohan)
- Gorilin (Kid Goku and Krillin via EX-Fusion; Name: Goku + Krillin)
- Gorus (Goku and Beerus via EX-Fusion; Name: Goku + Beerus)
- Karoly (Goku and Broly via EX-Fusion; Name: Kakarrot + Broly)
- Karoly Black (Goku Black and Broly via EX-Fusion; Name Kakarrot/Goku Black + Broly)
- Kuhan (Kid Goku and Teen Gohan via EX-Fusion; Name: Goku + Gohan)
- Pandel (Pan and Videl via EX-Fusion; Name: Pan + Videl)
- Natz (Nappa and Raditz via the Fusion Dance; Name: Nappa + Raditz)
- Rappa (Raditz and Nappa via EX-Fusion; Name: Raditz + Nappa)
- Ginyuman (Gohan and Captain Ginyu via EX-Fusion; Name: Ginyu + Saiyaman)
- Great Jaco (Gohan and Jaco via EX-Fusion; Name: Great Saiyaman + Jaco)
- Great Satanman (Gohan and Mr. Satan via EX-Fusion; Name: Great Saiyaman + Mr. Satan)
- Great Saiyaman 12 (Gohan and Videl via EX-Fusion; Name: Great Saiyaman 1 + Great Saiyaman 2)
- Jacunks (Future Trunks and Jaco via EX-Fusion; Name: Jaco + Trunks)
- Ultra Tekka (Kid Goku, Goten, Trunks, Tekka, and Pan via Five-Way Fusion)
- Ultra Pinich (Pinich, Frieza, Cell, Piprika, and Wanta via Five Way Fusion)
- Pinita (Vegeta and Pinich via EX-Fusion; Name: Pinich + Vegeta)
- Yamta (Vegeta and Yamcha via EX-Fusion; Name: Yamcha + Vegeta)
- Fused Sealas (Ahms and Sealas via Sealas allowing himself to be absorbed by Third Form Ahms)
- Den-Goku (Goku and Dende via the Potara fusion earrings; Name: Dende + Goku)
- Vegecell ("Fusion Frenzy"; Name: Vegeta + Semi-Perfect Cell)
- Broku ("Fusion Frenzy"; Name: Broly + Goku)
- Buuhan ("Fusion Frenzy"; Name: Good Buu + Gohan)
- Shallet (Shallot and Giblet via Fusion Dance; Name: Shallet + Giblet)
Artificially Created Partial Saiyans
- Baby Vegeta - Genetically modified Tuffle parasite, who takes control of Vegeta's body, creating a Tuffle-Saiyan Hybrid, of sorts.
- Tuffle Parasites - The parasite-infected Trunks, Goten, Gohan and Bulla are all Tuffle-Saiyan-Earthling hybrids.
- Bio-Broly - Clone of Broly.
- Cell - Genetically created using cells from Future Goku and Future Vegeta.
- Clone Goku – Fast grown mindless clones of Goku.
- Clone Vegeta – Fast grown mindless clones of Vegeta.
- Clone Future Trunks - Fast grown mindless clones of Future Trunks.
- Clone Gohan - Fast grown mindless clones of Gohan.
- Clone Cell - Fast grown mindless clones of Cell.
- Duplicate Vegeta - The result of Commeson draining the power of Vegeta and taking on his form.
- Goku's Doll - A magical clay golem of Goku created by Mr. Popo for use as a sparring partner.
- Janemba's Majin Vegeta - Demon clone of Vegeta created by Janemba.
- Mecha Goku - A robotic Android duplicate of Goku created by Bulma in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Mira - Demon/Android who possesses DNA from several races.
- Fu - The son of Mira and Towa
- Shadow Goku - a replication of Goku (as he appears in GT) created by Black Smoke Shenron as his primary method of fighting.
- Dark Gogeta - The Pure Majin Fin after absorbing Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta becomes a Majin-Saiyan hybrid due to his absorption ability allowing him to retain the genetic data of anyone he absorbs, thus he retains the ability to transform into Dark Gogeta even after Gogeta is no longer absorbed.
- Android 21 - A new type of Bio-Android created using the cells of various warriors and scientific researchers. Due to possessing the cellular makeup of Cell, Android 21 is a partial Saiyan due to possessing the cells of Future Goku and Future Vegeta.
- Android 21 (Evil) - Unlike her original self in the Super Warrior Arc scenario, after absorbing Cell, Android 21's skin becomes a darker color, and she gains spots. She becomes tremendously more powerful. Even before absorbing Cell, she possesses Goku and Vegeta's cells due to possessing the cellular makeup of Cell as like him her original self was created from the cells of various fighters including Cell himself, which Android 21 (Evil) inherits due to being Android 21's evil fission.
- Android 21 (Good) - The good fission that represents the original personality of Android 21. Like her original self, her fission inherits the cells of Future Goku and Future Vegeta due to possessing the cellular makeup of Cell.
- Ahms - An artificial intelligent robot created by Sealas in Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission. Possesses Saiyan DNA due to his absorption of Super Perfect Cell & Super Saiyan Rosé Goku Black.
Other
- Time Patrol Saiyans
- Eyrias
- Calum
- Pima
- Biwasa
- Bologne - Self-proclaimed Great Saiyaman 4
- Nira
- Kabu
- Saimo
- Solani
- Basil
- Yasshimo
- Yago
- Bisuna
- Risello
- Piccule
- Purika
- Kaleaf
- Kalif
- Komana
- Hemoro
- Nazna
- Shtoh
- Future Warrior[61]
- Future Warrior[62]
- Ultimate Tenkaichi Hero: The main protagonist in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi's Hero mode.
- Saiyan avatars in Dragon Ball Heroes
- Tekka - The customizable main protagonist in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Pinich - A pure Saiyan and friendly rival of Tekka who's wish to Shenron created the Timespace Rift and Timespace Tournament in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Cissito - A mischievous Saiyan kid who loves practical jokes who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Gowry - A Saiyan mercenary who will take on any job if the price is right and will do anything to complete his missions even if it means sacrificing a friend that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Goyan - A crafty Saiyan thug who fights using traps and trickery who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Heiya - A lazy Saiyan who uses Ki blasts and cheap tricks to keep his enemies confused and far away from him that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Huki - A Saiyan boy who decided to enter the Timespace Tournament as a supporter in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Kiclee - A Saiyan girl who admires Super Saiyans and resembles a female version of Goku who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Leganon - An unusual Saiyan businessman who moved to Earth to do business there and dyed his hair blonde so people wouldn't tease him about his height that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Lisee - A super fast and chic Saiyan girl who hates people and things that aren't stylish that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Narmis - An arrogant Saiyan girl who develops crushes on people who defeat her who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Plauto - A gentle Saiyan who quit his job as a soldier and joined the Timespace Tournament after his friend asked him to in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Prika - A Saiyan girl who loves training and resembles a female version of Vegeta who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Quillin - A Saiyan boy and rival of Cissito who is infamous for his tall tales and deception that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Racyoh - A male Saiyan who became a samurai after encountering samurai warriors on Earth who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Ruccola - A female Saiyan who is so obsessed with fashion she removed her tail who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Sage - A cold barbaric low class Saiyan warrior who's invaded many planets that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Stabba - An elderly female Saiyan who came out of retirement to take part in the Timespace Tournament in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Tyber - A male Saiyan Galactic Patrolman who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions
- Vasabi - A Saiyan warrior who learned magical arts since he lacked battle sense that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Yashimo - A male Saiyan who became interested in Demons and Majin in order to obtain their power and techniques that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Zemma - A barbaric male Saiyan warrior who loves to stand out and cares little for his allies who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Zibar - A young Saiyan who became a major delinquent after he was forced to attend high school on Earth since his parents are obsessed with academics who appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
- Zukini - A male Saiyan warrior trainer who has sent many skilled warriors out into the galaxy that appears in Dragon Ball Fusions.
Name Changes
- Space Warriors - AB Groupe dub
- Saiya People - Speedy dub
- Guerriers de l'espace - French dub
- Espazioko Gerlariak - Basque dub
- Guerrer de l'Espai - Catalan dub
- Csillagharcos - Hungarian dub
- Kosmiczni Wojownicy - Polish voiceover
- Guerreiros do Espaço - European Portuguese dub
- Guerreiros do Espazo - Galician dub
- Los Guerreros del Espacio - Castilian Spanish dub
Trivia
- Frieza stated that Goku could not survive in the vacuum of space. In the anime, most of the series has him wearing a spacesuit when venturing into the vacuum of space. King Kai also notes that Saiyans cannot breathe in space as he instructs the Dragon Team not to revive Goku with the Dragon Balls, because he would appear in space, where he would have died from lack of oxygen. Whis also states that Saiyans cannot survive in space when noting that Vegeta would not have survived the destruction of Earth. Vegeta confirms Saiyans can't survive in space when he stops Goku from pursuing Moro in deep space. Though, there have been several instances where Saiyans have been in airless environments for a very short time with no ill consequences. A plausible explanation is that Saiyans do, indeed, need air to breathe, but, due to their superior cardiovascular conditioning, are able to hold their breath for long periods of time, but still need a source of air to retreat into, after a few minutes, which Goku would not have, after Planet Namek had exploded; this is likely as it was stated by Akira Toriyama that Goku was able to survive in the stratosphere in his fight with Beerus thanks to his powerful lungs. Daizenshuu 7 also states that Saiyans cannot survive in space.
- Early in the series, Goku takes Monster Carrot to the moon. It is possible that there is somehow Oxygen on the moon in Dragon Ball as Monster Carrot's allies - who are normal Humans - are able to breathe there.
- In a filler section of the Vegeta Saga, both Vegeta and Nappa are shown outside of their Saiyan pods while Vegeta destroys Arlia.
- In both the anime and the manga of the aforementioned saga, Vegeta when being pressured by Goku attempts to blow up Earth with his Galick Gun, with it being implied by his lack of concern for potentially being destroyed with the planet that he could survive in space.
- In Bardock - The Father of Goku and a flashback in the Frieza Saga (both in the manga and the anime), Bardock is shown in orbit of Planet Vegeta when confronting Frieza.
- In a flashback in Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan, both Broly and Paragus are shown in an asteroid field.
- Broly's bio in Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 implies that Broly survived in space after being sent into the Sun.
- Saiyans are often associated with monkeys due to their "primate" appearance. Goku is called "monkey boy" when he is a kid, and Frieza and his henchmen (and to a lesser extent, Cooler's Armored Squadron) frequently refer to Saiyans derogatorily as monkeys.
- It is said by Vegeta that powering up in the middle of battle is a trait derived from the Saiyans.
- Vegeta mentions in the episode "Saiyans Emerge" that the hair of a pure-blooded Saiyan will never change after one is born. However, as children, Goku and Vegeta's hair changed. In Bardock - The Father of Goku, Vegeta did not have a widow's peak, and in Dragon Ball, Goku's hair covered half of his forehead. The flashbacks to Broly as an infant in the Broly trilogy also depict his mane-like hair reaching his back while when he's an adult, it only manages to reach just past his shoulders.
- Raditz may be the one true exception, as his hair is the length of his body, both as an adult and as a child.
- Even though Vegeta states that a full-blooded Saiyan's hair stays the same throughout their life, in GT, his hair seems a bit more leveled. But he also could have just trimmed his hair and made it shorter.
- When abbreviating Super Saiyan, people often abbreviate it to SSJ (Super Saiya-Jin) this is actually only correct in Japanese as jin is added as a suffix in Japanese meaning "Person" and is also used when referring to a person or people something that is not practiced in the English language.
- In the Xenoverse series, if the Future Warrior's selected race is a Saiyan, other Pure and Half-Saiyan characters will be surprised and remark on there being more survivors than what they thought. Other cases will include:
- Frieza and Cooler will promise to exterminate each and every last Saiyan remaining.
- Some characters will promise to give everything they got (like Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha), whereas others (such as Goku, Vegeta, and Perfect Cell) will find enjoyment in fighting them.
- The Androids will be interested in seeing the power of the Saiyans, Android 17 notes Saiyans have "violent looks" in their eyes.
- In Piccolo's case, he will remark that the Saiyans aren't the only ones trained in the art of combat.
- Vegeta will likewise retort that his power is on a completely different scale.
- Demigra (like Freiza and his men) will be derogatory towards Saiyans calling a Saiyan Future Warrior "monkey brute" during their fight in the Crack of Time.
- While it is said in Super that Pure-Saiyan males prefer strong-minded females, this appears to be a similar case for Saiyan-hybrids (a notable examples being Gohan, who eventually marries the former tomboyish tsundere Videl).
- Saiyans attacks are always in English regardless of Language used. The only exception is Cumber, who attacks are in French. Toriyama stated at the time it gave Saiyans a foreign prescence for Japanese readers at the time before it became global.
- Saiyans are similar to that of Spartans, a society prominent in 900-200 BC. They share many similarities, as Spartans were focused on strength and strong warriors. It's said Spartans threw off weak and sickly babies into the mountains around their city, leaving them to die, very similar to how newborn Saiyans with low power levels are sent off to weaker planets to grow up alone. Spartans and Saiyans also spend most of their time growing up fighting and training at a very young age.
- Ironically, the original incarnation of Broly would be thrown into the wilderness to die alongside his father similar to Spartan children in the last days of Planet Vegeta's existence, although for nearly the exact opposite reasons (namely, the king feared Broly grow powerful enough to overthrow him due to his abnormally high-power level).
- According to Paragus, trust does not exist among the Saiyans.
- Akira Toriyama has said before that he loves films, including many Western films. Among other influences, the concept of the Saiyans were inspired by the Kryptonians, the humanoid extraterrestrial species in the American DC Comics Universe to which Superman/Kal-El belongs to. The story and behavior of the Saiyans are different from that of the Kryptonians in most of their iterations, however key things remain the same: Both have superhuman strength and other metapowers, although Kryptonians can only use theirs under a yellow sun; Both had their home planet destroyed, although the Saiyans' destroyed planet was not their original homeworld; both species resemble humans almost completely, although the Saiyans have long, thick monkey-like tails; Both are almost eradicated completely from existence; and both species had a surviving member shot into space that landed on their universe's respective planet Earth, with the Kryptonians this being Kal-El/Superman and with the Saiyans Kakarot/Goku; both species also have warrior class members. In some DC canons, Kryptonians are no strangers to invading and destroying the life on other planets in order to use them for their gain, although while the Kryptonians often do this in order to create a new Krypton, Saiyans do it so that they can sell barren planets to high-paying buyers. Ironically, Kryptonians were also weak towards mutant apes such as Titano the Super-Ape from exposure to cosmic radiation, while Saiyans were capable of becoming gigantic apes through a similar method.
- Ironically, the eponymous villain protagonist of the horror film BrightBurn, Brandon Breyer, while taking some cues from Superman overall, ended up having his backstory of being sent by an extraterrestrial race to depopulate Earth resemble that of Goku, though the main difference is that BrightBurn wholly embraced his mission ultimately, while Goku thanks to amnesia and later development rejected this path.
Gallery
.png "Saiyan(Pln).png (520 KB)")             A Saiyan transforming  A Saiyan skeleton on Planet Vegeta in the distant past  A Saiyan skeleton on Planet Vegeta  A Saiyan skeleton  Variety in Saiyan appearances from Dragon Ball Z Kai  A Saiyan wearing a Battle Armor  Saiyan soldiers laughing at Bardock in Bardock - The Father of Goku  A Saiyan with the other surviving Saiyans in the shadows  A Saiyan that is similar to Goku  Some of the surviving Saiyans  Two Saiyans (Goku and Vegeta) and two half-Saiyans (Gohan and Trunks)  A Saiyan (Vegeta) with a Super Saiyan 3 (Goku)  Universe 10 Kai, Zamasu inside a pure blooded Saiyan's body  The Universe 6 Saiyans in the Tournament of Power  Kakarot written in Saiyan alphabet in Bardock - The Father of Goku  The Saiyans kneeling to the Frieza Force in Broly  The Saiyans meeting Frieza for the first time in Broly .png "2019-02-04 (3).png (2.44 MB)") A group of Saiyan Scientists  Goku and Saiyan Hero Beat in their Ultra Instinct Sign forms in Super Dragon Ball Heroes .png "Saiya(Daiz5).png (87 KB)") Ancient Saiyans designed by Akira Toriyama, as seen in Daizenshuu 5  Shallot becomes a Super Saiyan to avenge his mentors Vegeta and Nappa during his battle with Final Form Frieza in Dragon Ball Legends  Shallot discovers the Saiyan in Red is his twin brother, Giblet in Dragon Ball Legends .png "DB Legends Part 8-Book 1-Chapter 3-The Truth Revealed...! Blood of the Tainted - The Good Ones (Shallot's Modern Saiyan Allies).png (363 KB)") Shallot reminded of all of the good Saiyans he had encountered and befriended including modern, hybrid, and evolved in Dragon Ball Legends  King Vegeta in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Fasha in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Bardock in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Raditz in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Goku (Early) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 .jpg "Budokai Tenkaichi 3 - Goku (Mid).jpg (191 KB)") Goku (Mid) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 _BT3.jpg "Goku (End) BT3.jpg (187 KB)") Goku (End) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Goku (Kid) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 _BT3.jpg "Goku (GT) BT3.jpg (455 KB)") Goku (GT) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 _BT3.jpg "Vegeta (Scouter) BT3.jpg (173 KB)") Vegeta (Scouter) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Vegeta in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Vegeta (second form) in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Vegito, a Saiyan fusion, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Nappa in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Turles in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Broly in Bodukai Tenkaichi 3  Kid Gohan, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Teen Gohan, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Adult Gohan, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Ultimate Gohan, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Future Gohan, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 _BT3.jpg "Trunks (Sword) BT3.jpg (176 KB)") Future Trunks (sword), a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Future Trunks, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Kid Trunks, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Goten, a 1/2 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Gotenks a 1/2 Saiyan fusion, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3  Pan, a 1/4 Saiyan, in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dragon Ball Z episode 20, "Goku's Ancestors"
- ↑ Toriyama Saiyan interview Part 3. pbs.twimg.
- ↑ Akira Toriyama-sensei Super Q&A!!. kanzenshuu.
- ↑ Toriyama Saiyan interview Part 4. pbs.twimg.
- ↑ Toriyama Saiyan interview Part 8. pbs.twimg.
- ↑ Reddit post on Nagamine interview. reddit. Retrieved on January 2019.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Saiyan Special Q&A. Kanzenshuu.
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 29, "Lesson Number One"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Interview with Akira Toriyama - Saikyō Jump #3, 2014
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Daizenshuu 7, 1996
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Dragon Ball Legends, 2018
- ↑ Super Exciting Guide: Character Volume, 2009
- ↑ "There's also a theory that Saiyans were originally Great Apes, who gained intelligence and became human!!" - Dragon Ball GT: Perfect File, 1997
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 27, "Goku... Super Saiyan?"
- ↑ As stated by Dr. Lychee in Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans
- ↑ Dragon Ball GT episode 27, "The Attack on Vegeta"
- ↑ Timeline within Daizenshuu 7, 1996
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 2, "Reunions"
- ↑ Saibaman Character profile. kanzentai.
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, Saibaman Character biography, 2005
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku, 1990
- ↑ Dragon Ball Minus: The Departure of the Fated Child, 2014
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 106, "Namek's Explosion... Goku's End?"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 120, "Another Super Saiyan?"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 154, "Saiyans Emerge"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 27, "Nimbus Speed"
- ↑ Dragon Ball chapter 40, "The Tail of Goku"
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Daizenshuu 4, 1995
- ↑ Toriyama Interview and Q&A - Shonen Jump #1. imgur.
- ↑ DBZ Kakarot Saiyan tail.
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super History Book Akira Toriyama Interview. kanzenshuu.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends!, 2008
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 210, "The World Tournament"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super chapter 7, "Warriors from Universe 6", page 9
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 289, "Granddaughter Pan"
- ↑ HUMAN RACIAL DICTIONARY. kanzentai.
- ↑ Dragon Ball GT episode 2, "Pan Blasts Off"
- ↑ Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy, 1997
- ↑ Dragon Ball GT episode 64, "Until We Meet Again"
- ↑ Grow Up. kanzentai.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Daizenshuu 2, 1995
- ↑ Dragon Ball episode 2, "The Emperor's Quest"
- ↑ Dragon Ball episode 24, "Krillin's Frantic Attack!"
- ↑ Dragon Ball episode 133, "Changes"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Daima episode 1, "Conspiracy"
- ↑ Daizenshuu reedition
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 186, "The Unstoppable Gohan"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 227, "Heart of a Villain"
- ↑ Toriyama Saiyan interview Part 1. pbd.twimg.
- ↑ Toriyama Saiyan interview Part 2. pbs.twimg.
- ↑ Dragon Ball episode 16, "Find That Stone!"
- ↑ Dragon Ball chapter 69, "Bulma and Goku"
- ↑ Dragon Ball episode 3, "The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi"
- ↑ Saiyan Fights. kanzentai.
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 37, "Plans for Departure"
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 50, "Unexpected Problem"
- ↑ Butler guide. Twitter.
- ↑ Japanese version
- ↑ Funimation dub
- ↑ Dragon Ball Fusions, 2016
- ↑ Dragon Ball Xenoverse, 2015
- ↑ Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, 2016
| Frieza Force | ||
|---|---|---|
| Leaders | Chilled • Frieza Race Conton City Hero • King Cold (Future • Cell) • Frieza (Future • Cell • Xeno • Team 4) • Frost • Frieza's Honor Guard (Captain Wata • Rigll) |  |
| Sub-leaders | Captain Ginyu • Cooler (Meta • Future) • Froze • Garana • Sorbet • Tagoma • Kuriza • Frieza's Honor Guard (Bullgokin • Compression-01 • Toki Toki City Hero) | |
| Executives and elite soldiers | ||
| Mid-level soldiers | ||
| Low-level soldiers | Combatants • Cranberry • Cyclopian Guards • Three Planet Frieza #79 soldiers • Bardock (Future • Xeno) • Blueberry • Borgos • Cheelai • Fasha • Fisshi • Frieza Soldiers • Frog-Face • Guprei • Iru • Kakarot (Future • Cell • Xeno) • Krumbo • Leek • Mei • Melone • Monre • Nabana • Namole • Navel • Orlen • Raspberry • Robery • Scarface • Shorty • Shugesh • Taro • Tora • Turles (Xeno) | |
| Non-combatants | ||
| Fused members | ||
| Squadrons | Cooler Force (Cooler's Armored Squadron • Meta-Cooler Corps.) • Dried Fruitz • Team Dodoria • Frieza's Elite (Ginyu Force • Frieza's Honor Guard) • Namek Invasion Task Force • Frieza's Subordinates • Galaxy Soldiers • Third Stellar Region • Frieza Soldiers • New Frieza Army • New Gadget Super Lovers • Saiyan Army (Team Bardock • King Vegeta's Elite • Phantom Saiyans) • Team 5 • Team Zarbon | |
| Races controlled | Aka's race • Ankoku-seijin • Appule's race • Arcosians • Arlians • Boulean • Beppa-seijin • Blueberry's race • Bowlean • Brench-seijin • Burter's race • Buonean • Cabira's race • Cranberry's race • Cui's race • Dodoria's race • Earthlings • Fishman • Frieza Race • Frieza Soldier race • Frog-Face's race • Ginyu's race • Hera Clan • Inhabitants of Plant • Iru's race • Jiggler • Kanassan • Kettlean • Ledgic's race • Litts • Malaka's race • Majins • Mixxileean • Namekians • Namekian Frogs • Recoome's race • Rejinean • Saibamen • Saiyans • Serpent • Sinkleean • Slug-jin • Sui's race • Toasterean • Tobi's race • Vewonean • Yardrat • Zalt-seijin • Zarbon's race | |
| Planets | Arcose • Bas • Big Gete Star • Cereal • Cooler No. 6 • Cooler's Unnamed Planet • Frieza No. 17 • Frieza No. 79 • Cooler No. 98 • Cooler No. 256 • Frieza No. 448 • Frieza's Training Planet • Kanassa • King Cold's planet • Litt • Meat • Shikk • Tritek • Vegeta • Zeshin and Bun's planet | |
| Motherships | ||
| Technology | Attack Ball • Battle Armor • Cosmic Suit • Drones (Assist Drone • Attack Drone • Recovery Drone) • Fruit of the Tree of Might (Demon Realm) • Galactic Arena • Grenade • Hovercar • Hover Pod • Kiri Charging Machine • Laser Sword • Medical Machines • Metamo-Ring • Ray Gun • Rocket Launcher (Frieza's Rocket Launcher) • Saibamen Set • Scouter | |
| Operations and Wars | Attack on Planet Plant • Occupation of Planet Vegeta • Kanassan war • Invasion of Planet Meat • Genocide of the Saiyans • Shikk conflict • Tritek conflict • Attack on Zeshin and Bun's planet • Attack on Gure's planet • Attacks on Earth • Fight on Planet Frieza 448 • Broly conflict • Frieza's Siege • Tournament of Time | |
| Allies & Affiliated Groups | Beerus • Cells (Cell • Cell Jr.) • Dragon Ball Heroes (Froze) • Dark Empire • Dark Namekians (First Narak) • Frieza Race • Heeter • Mastermind's group (Mastermind • Giblet) • Pilaf Gang (Emperor Pilaf • Mai • Shu) • Red Ribbon Army (Red Pants Army) • Team Beerus (Shallot) • Team Universe 7 • Time Patrol • Whis | |
| Related | ||