The Saiyan’s Primal Power
The Oozaru, or Great Ape, is one of the most iconic and fearsome transformations in the Dragon Ball universe. This form, unique to Saiyans with tails, taps into their primal instincts and significantly amplifies their power. Created by Akira Toriyama, the Oozaru transformation is a reflection of the Saiyan race’s destructive nature and ties back to their origin as planet-conquering warriors.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oozaru (Great Ape) |
| Race | Saiyan (with tail intact) |
| Affiliation | Saiyan Race |
| First Appearance | Dragon Ball Chapter 21 / Episode 12 |
| Created by | Akira Toriyama |
| Height | Approximately 50 feet (15 meters) |
| Weight | Varies based on Saiyan, significantly larger than normal size |
| Transformation Trigger | Full moon (or Power Ball technique), Saiyan tail |
| Power Increase | 10x the Saiyan’s base power |
| Signature Abilities | Massive strength, enhanced energy blasts, destructiveness, heightened aggression |
Oozaru: The Origins of the Great Ape
The Oozaru transformation is rooted in Saiyan physiology and represents their raw, unrestrained power. When exposed to the light of a full moon (or an artificial full moon), a Saiyan with a tail undergoes a transformation into a gigantic ape-like creature. This transformation boosts their power tenfold, turning them into destructive forces capable of leveling entire cities or planets with ease.
The Great Ape form reflects the Saiyans’ brutal and savage nature. It is believed that Saiyans used this transformation in their early history to conquer planets by transforming during full moons, wiping out civilizations in their path. Their Great Ape form made them nearly unstoppable, and it became a key tool in their rise as planet conquerors before they fell under the rule of Frieza.
The Mechanics of the Transformation
For a Saiyan to transform into an Oozaru, three key conditions must be met:
- Tail: The Saiyan must have an intact tail. The tail is crucial for absorbing Blutz Waves, the energy responsible for triggering the transformation.
- Blutz Waves: A full moon, or an artificial source like Vegeta’s Power Ball technique, emits Blutz Waves. When enough of these waves are absorbed through a Saiyan’s eyes, they trigger the transformation.
- Moonlight Exposure: The Saiyan must look at the full moon, allowing their body to absorb the Blutz Waves and initiate the transformation.
Once transformed, the Saiyan becomes a giant ape, approximately 50 feet tall, with incredible physical strength. However, the downside of the Oozaru form is the loss of control. Most Saiyans lose their ability to think rationally and are consumed by their primal instincts, becoming berserk forces of destruction.
Goku’s and Vegeta’s Transformations
The Oozaru transformation plays a significant role in the early stages of Dragon Ball Z, particularly during the Saiyan and Frieza Sagas.
Goku Oozaru
Goku’s First Transformation: As a child, Goku’s first transformation into Oozaru occurred unknowingly, as he gazed at the full moon. In this form, he unknowingly killed his adopted grandfather, Grandpa Gohan, which Goku was unaware of for many years. Goku’s lack of control in this form made him a danger to those around him, and it wasn’t until his tail was removed that he could no longer transform.
Vegeta Oozaru
Vegeta’s Control over Oozaru: Unlike most Saiyans, Vegeta demonstrates the ability to remain conscious and in control while in his Oozaru form. During the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta uses a Power Ball to create artificial Blutz Waves, transforming into a Great Ape to battle Goku and the other Z Fighters. Vegeta’s control over his Oozaru state sets him apart as an elite warrior, capable of strategic thought even while tapping into this immense power.
Oozaru’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Massive Power Boost: The Oozaru transformation increases a Saiyan’s power tenfold, making them incredibly dangerous in combat. Even the strongest Z Fighters struggled to contend with an Oozaru.
- Physical Strength: In their Great Ape form, Saiyans gain immense physical strength, capable of toppling buildings, mountains, and even wiping out entire cities with ease.
- Durability: The Oozaru’s massive size and enhanced toughness make them extremely difficult to injure. Even energy blasts that would normally hurt a Saiyan in their base form have little effect.
Weaknesses:
- Loss of Control: Most Saiyans lose control of themselves when they transform, succumbing to their primal instincts. This makes them unpredictable and dangerous to both allies and enemies.
- Tail Vulnerability: The tail is the key to the transformation, and if it is cut off, the Saiyan reverts to their base form immediately. This has been a key strategy used by opponents to defeat Oozaru transformations in battle.
- Moonlight Dependency: Without access to Blutz Waves from a full moon or an artificial source, the transformation cannot occur. This limitation can be used strategically by opponents to prevent the transformation.
Iconic Moments Involving Oozaru
The Oozaru transformation has been featured in some of the most memorable moments in Dragon Ball history:
- Goku’s First Transformation: As a child, Goku unknowingly transformed into Oozaru during a full moon, wreaking havoc and ultimately causing the accidental death of his adoptive grandfather. This event is a major part of Goku’s backstory and explains why his tail was removed.
- Vegeta’s Oozaru in the Saiyan Saga: Vegeta’s transformation into Oozaru during his battle with Goku is one of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball Z. With the Power Ball technique, Vegeta transforms and gains a decisive upper hand over Goku. It was only through teamwork and cutting off his tail that the Z Fighters were able to defeat him.
- Bardock and King Vegeta: Goku’s father, Bardock, and the Saiyan king, King Vegeta, are both known to have used the Oozaru transformation during their time as warriors. In flashbacks, they are seen leading their forces as Great Apes, conquering planets for Frieza.
Key Relationships with the Oozaru Transformation
- Goku and Gohan: Both Goku and his son Gohan have transformed into Oozaru at various points in the series. Gohan’s transformation, like his father’s, was uncontrolled, highlighting the dangers of the Great Ape form. Piccolo famously destroyed the moon to prevent Gohan from transforming again.
- Vegeta: Vegeta’s mastery over the Oozaru transformation showcases his elite status among Saiyans. Unlike other Saiyans, Vegeta retained full control over his actions, using this form strategically in battle.
Memorable Quotes about Oozaru
- “This is it, Kakarot! Behold the true power of the Saiyan race!” — Vegeta, before transforming into Oozaru.
- “I don’t remember what happened that night, but I do know that something very bad happened when I looked at the full moon…” — Goku, reflecting on his transformation.
- “You fool, the Great Ape is a true Saiyan’s weapon of choice!” — Vegeta, after transforming into Oozaru during the Saiyan Saga.
Legacy of the Oozaru Transformation
The Oozaru transformation is a symbol of the Saiyan race’s primal and destructive power. It represents the untamed nature of the Saiyans, reflecting their origins as planet-conquering warriors. Though later forms such as Super Saiyan eclipsed the Oozaru in power, the Great Ape transformation remains a key part of Saiyan heritage and history.
Even in later arcs like Dragon Ball GT, the Oozaru form was revisited through the Golden Great Ape, showing that its legacy continues to influence the Dragon Ball universe.
Conclusion
The Oozaru transformation, while not as prominently featured in later Dragon Ball arcs, remains an iconic and fearsome power in the Saiyan arsenal. Its representation of the Saiyans’ untamed strength and destructive nature adds depth to their history as a warrior race. Though it’s not often used, the Great Ape form serves as a reminder of the Saiyans’ roots and the raw power that still lurks within them.
