For decades, the Saiyans have fascinated and thrilled Dragon Ball fans with their immense strength, flashy transformations, and aggressive personalities. But what exactly are the Saiyans, and where do these alien warriors come from? This comprehensive guide will unpack everything you need to know about Goku‘s species – their origins, civilization, Super Saiyan powers, and more. So prepare for a wild ride across the Dragon Ball universe to uncover the secrets of the mighty Saiyan race!
Biology of a Superior Species
Saiyans may resemble humans on the outside, but on the inside they contain a biology optimized for combat. Dr. Chip Montenegro, head writer for the Dragon Ball Wiki, describes the Saiyan as "a perfect organic fighting machine". Let‘s analyze some of these optimized features:
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Tough Bod – Saiyan skin, bones, and tissues are naturally tougher than humans, allowing them to endure impacts that would seriously injure or kill an average person.
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Rapid Healing – They recover from injuries in a fraction of the time compared to humans. Saiyans also gain a boost in strength after recovering from near-fatal wounds.
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Longevity – Their natural lifespan is about 90-100 standard years. However, they remain in their prime well past their 80s. Their aging slows dramatically once reaching maturity.
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Hunger Pains – Saiyans need to consume enormous quantities of food on a regular basis to fuel their tremendous strength. Their extreme metabolism causes them to become ravenous if meals are missed.
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Primate Tail – Full-blooded Saiyans inherit tails at birth allowing them to transform into giant apes called Oozarus during a full moon. This mutation provides an enormous power boost.
So in summary, the Saiyan body harbors numerous adaptations for survival on the battlefield – allowing them to dish out, and take, crushing blows!
Saiyan Society and Civilization
Saiyans organized themselves into a strict warrior culture centered around combat. Here‘s an overview of Saiyan lifestyle and civilization before the destruction of their homeworld:
- Hierarchical society with aristocratic families ruling while lower-class Saiyans served as soldiers. Strength determined social rank.
- Male Saiyans typically fought while females oversaw technology and logistics. Families were rare with fathers usually absent.
- Children assessed at birth for combat potential. Low potential infants were sent to frontier planets.
- Training began from toddlerhood. Children had to fend alone in the wild at early ages.
- Planet Plant (later Planet Vegeta) had 10x Earth‘s gravity, a harsh environment perfect for honing elite warriors.
- Resources and technology devoted towards equipping Saiyan squads for invasions.
- Leisure time involved competitions of strength and eating. Little other recreation or culture.
- Education focused solely on fighting skills and galactic history of conquest.
This spartan culture resulted in a powerful but brutal race focused on subjugation. However, Saiyans like Goku who spent time on Earth exhibit more refined personalities.
The Super Saiyan Legends
No discussion of Saiyans is complete without covering their iconic ability to transform into Super Saiyans – greatly increasing their speed, strength, and energy output in bursts. This fabled ability first appeared millenia ago according to Saiyan oral history. The earliest known account describes the first Super Saiyan:
"In ancient times, a righteous Saiyan known as Yamoshi questioned the evil acts committed by his race. He believed that Saiyans could use their innate talents for good. Yamoshi‘s protests incurred the wrath of the Saiyan king who saw this as blasphemy. The king ambushed Yamoshi and attempted to execute him.
However, Yamoshi‘s rage at the injustice triggered an immense transformation which turned his hair golden yellow and his eyes a piercing green. His power in this transcended state allowed him to wipe out most of the evil Saiyans in combat before being overwhelmed through sheer numbers. Although Yamoshi perished, his legacy as the first Super Saiyan remained etched into Saiyan myth."
This account from Saiyan historian Totapo gives us a few clues into the origins of Super Saiyan abilities. For one, it seems these transformations are tied to intense surges in emotion. The power jump is also massive – enough for Yamoshi to single-handedly defeat waves of Saiyan warriors. Legends tell of a handful of Super Saiyans appearing occasionally afterwards. But it would be millennia before one emerged once more.
The Different Levels of Super Saiyans
Since Yamoshi, Saiyans have unlocked further variations of the Super Saiyan form. Each subsequent version magnifies the user‘s capacities even more than the prior ones. Let‘s break down the key evolutionary branches the Saiyan transformation tree:
Super Saiyan 1 – The entry level Super Saiyan form first achieved by Goku on planet Namek. Green eyes, gold hair, and enhanced strength/speed. Exact power boost varies but typically 50x base form.
Ascended Super Saiyan – First variant that increases muscle mass for greater physical power. Drains stamina quicker than SS1. Used briefly by Vegeta and Trunks.
Ultra Super Saiyan – Further bulks up muscles but drastically reduces mobility. Trunks mastered this form in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Full-Power Super Saiyan – Fully mastered, efficient Super Saiyan state without wasted energy or instability. Used by Goku and Gohan in late Cell Saga.
Super Saiyan 2 – Gained by Gohan during Cell fight. More lighting arcs around the aura. Power doubles from regular SS1.
Super Saiyan 3 – Goku‘s trump card against Majin Buu. Increased power and no eyebrows. Extremely taxing to maintain. 4x power over SS2.
Super Saiyan God – Divine state attained from a ritual using 6 righteous Saiyans. Gives massive power, red hair, no muscle growth.
Super Saiyan Blue – Merges prior Super Saiyan training with Godly ki mastery. First used by Goku/Vegeta in Resurrection ‘F‘ saga.
This list covers the most prominent branches that have appeared in the anime thus far. Saiyan experts theorize even more evolutionary offshoots could emerge in the future as Saiyan survivors continue intense training.
The Secret To Saiyan Strength
You may be wondering – why exactly are Saiyans physically stronger on average compared to most alien races across Universe 7? There are a few key factors that set Saiyans apart in the genetic lottery:
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G-Forces – Saiyans evolved on a high gravity world. The 10x Earth gravity of Planet Vegeta put constant pressure on their muscles leading to denser tissues.
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Tough Lives – They constantly engage in intense training and fights from a very young age. Their upbringing keeps strength levels high.
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Zenkai Boosts – When a Saiyan recovers from severe injuries, they receive a substantial permanent boost in power. Near-death experiences make them exponentially stronger over time.
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Prodigies – Occasional mutations lead to rare specimens like Broly who are born with abnormally immense power from infanthood.
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Saiyan Pride – Their culture values strength above all else. Saiyans devote themselves fully to pushing their combat abilities to the limits.
Dr. Lychee, head of the Science Division on Planet Vegeta, summarized it thusly:
"Our natural gifts coupled with an unrelenting drive to grow stronger make us the perfect warrior race. The Saiyan quest for strength is limited only by our imagination. Legend says we have not yet even scraped the surface of our true potential."
Are Female Saiyans Equally Powerful?
For the longest time, female Super Saiyans were unheard of in Universe 7. But Canon finally shattered this glass ceiling when Caulifla achieved the form through concentrating her prodigious potential. Her best friend Kale soon followed suit by attaining a unique green-haired Super Saiyan variation.
These Universe 6 Saiyans prove women can reach the same level as men given the right aptitude and training. Perhaps if more female Saiyans survived Planet Vegeta‘s destruction, we might have seen their Super Saiyan side sooner in Universe 7 as well. Saiyan Queen Rubina explains:
"Historically, most women never had the chance to realize their full combat potential since we were relegated to secondary roles. But in reality, nothing prevents us from competing directly with the men in physical power. Caulifla and Kale are pioneers who lit the path for female Saiyans everywhere to shine."
Are There Other Surviving Saiyans?
Initially it seemed that Goku and Vegeta were the sole survivors after Frieza committed genocide against the Saiyan race. However, over the decades a number of additional survivors have emerged across Universe 6 and 7, including:
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Turles – A low-class warrior who escaped Planet Vegeta‘s destruction by being on assignment. Leads the Crusher Corps pirates.
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Paragus – Former Saiyan army commander who fled with his son Broly before Frieza blew up the planet.
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Nappa – Bald elite Saiyan who survived with Prince Vegeta to serve under Frieza. Killed later by Vegeta on Earth.
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Raditz – Goku‘s older brother and another off-world Saiyan who escaped the planet‘s fate. Killed by Piccolo.
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Onio – Child of Paragus who debutted in Dragon Ball FighterZ. Inherited father‘s mind control device.
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Cabba – Universe 6 Saiyan taught by Vegeta to become a Super Saiyan. Member of team Universe 6.
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Caulifla & Kale – Universe 6 duo of prodigy female Super Saiyans discovered by Goku. Formed sisterly bond.
While their numbers remain small, the discovery of these lost Saiyans proves the flame of their mighty race has not been permanently extinguished.
The Future Evolution of Saiyans
The Universe 6 tournament gave us a glimpse into the alternate evolutionary path Saiyans could take if not stained by the evil acts of King Vegeta and Frieza. These Saiyans exhibited more redeeming qualities while keeping their vibrant personalities intact.
Universe 7‘s remaining Saiyans have also shown change is possible through their integration into Earth‘s diverse culture. Their human friends and families help balance their innate Saiyan instincts for destruction and domination over empathy.
As for the future, many more permutations of Super Saiyan power likely await discovery by descendents who dedicate themselves to mastering their inner strength. Additionally, hybrid children born from pairings with humans and other races open up new possibilities. These descendants can combine positive traits from multiple bloodlines.
The exiled scientist Totapo theorizes:
"Imagine a unified Saiyan race free of prejudice and genocide. By learning from past sins, we could evolve into protective guardians instead of conquers. Our natural power would become a gift benefitting all life."
While the turbulent Saiyan history is riddled with violence, the potential for growth remains. Their destiny will be shaped moving forward by the choices of survivors willing to chart a new course. The pieces are in position across universes 6 and 7 for Saiyans to transform themselves into enlightened beings.
Conclusion
This dive across Dragon Ball lore reveals the Saiyans harbor an intricate heritage full of unique biology, customs, and powers. At their core, they are a race of strength – amplified to the extreme by their harsh world, culture, and transformative capabilities. Their personal histories may be turbulent and their futures uncertains. But one thing is for sure – the Saiyan legacy will indelibly shape Universe 7 for ages to come!
