Overview
The Great Ape, also known as Oozaru, is the original Saiyan transformation and the foundation from which all other Saiyan transformations evolved. This primal transformation occurs when a Saiyan with an intact tail gazes upon a full moon or any other source of Blutz Waves, triggering a dramatic physical change into a giant ape-like creature. The Great Ape is the oldest and most fundamental Saiyan transformation, deeply connected to the Saiyan warrior heritage and their origins as a barbaric warrior race.
The transformation causes the Saiyan to grow to approximately 10 times their normal height, with corresponding increases in strength, durability, and destructive capability. The power level of the Saiyan multiplies by 10 during this transformation, making it a significant combat enhancement despite its drawbacks. The Great Ape form is characterized by black or brown fur covering the enlarged body, glowing red eyes, and the loss of rational thought in most users.
Historically, the Great Ape transformation was central to Saiyan military strategy. Saiyans would use their tails to transform during planetary invasions, using the Great Ape power to overwhelm primitive civilizations and destroy planetary defenses. The transformation was so central to Saiyan combat doctrine that having a tail was considered essential for any warrior, and Saiyans born without tails were considered defective or disabled.
The Great Ape holds a special place in Dragon Ball history as the first transformation ever shown in the series. Goku transformation during his battle with Piccolo Jr. at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament was a major plot point, and the form has appeared throughout Dragon Ball from the original series through Dragon Ball GT. Its enduring presence in the franchise speaks to its importance as the foundational Saiyan transformation.
Mechanics & Rules
The Great Ape transformation is triggered by exposure to Blutz Waves, a specific wavelength of light emitted by full moons and capable of being artificially generated. When these waves enter the Saiyan eyes, they interact with the Saiyan tail to trigger a cellular transformation that expands the body to massive proportions. The tail serves as an antenna or receptor for these waves, which is why Saiyans without tails cannot transform, regardless of their power level or emotional state.
The power multiplier for the Great Ape form is exactly 10 times the user base power level. This multiplier is fixed regardless of the user individual strength, meaning that a stronger Saiyan becomes proportionally stronger in Great Ape form. However, this fixed multiplier became less impressive as Saiyans developed the Super Saiyan transformation, which provides a 50 times multiplier without the drawbacks of size increase and loss of control.
The loss of rational thought in Great Ape form is a critical mechanical limitation. Most Saiyans lose their reasoning abilities during transformation, becoming mindless berserkers who attack anything in sight, including allies and innocent civilians. This loss of control makes the Great Ape a dangerous weapon that can easily backfire on the user. Only Saiyans with exceptional willpower or special training can maintain their consciousness in this form.
The tail itself is both the source of the transformation and its greatest weakness. Any damage to the tail, or simply the removal of the tail, will immediately revert the Saiyan to their base form. Additionally, cutting off the Blutz Wave source, such as destroying the moon, will also trigger reversion. These weaknesses provide tactical countermeasures for opponents facing a transformed Great Ape, making the form less reliable in battle against prepared enemies.
Types & Classifications
The Great Ape transformation can be classified into several distinct types based on the user characteristics and control level. The standard Great Ape is the uncontrolled form that most Saiyans experience, characterized by loss of rational thought and berserker behavior. This form is powerful but unpredictable, making it as dangerous to allies as to enemies, and requires significant training to control effectively.
The controlled Great Ape is a state achieved by Saiyans with exceptional willpower, such as Vegeta, who can maintain their consciousness during transformation. These users can direct their destructive power with precision, making controlled Great Ape vastly more effective in combat than the standard version. Vegeta demonstrated this during his first appearance on Earth, maintaining his tactical thinking while transformed.
The artificial Great Ape is a variation created through scientific means rather than natural transformation. The Saiyan Saga featured Saiyans from Planet Vegeta who transformed through artificially generated Blutz Waves. These artificial transformations function identically to natural ones but can be triggered in controlled environments, making them more tactically useful for coordinated military operations.
The Golden Great Ape, which appears in Dragon Ball GT, represents an advanced variation that combines the Great Ape form with Super Saiyan power. This form serves as a bridge between standard Saiyan transformations and the ultimate Super Saiyan 4 form. Golden Great Ape retains the massive size of the standard Great Ape but adds golden fur and significantly greater power, making it a distinct and more powerful classification.
Notable Users & Examples
Goku was the first Saiyan shown using the Great Ape transformation in Dragon Ball, though his early transformations were uncontrolled and resulted in tragedy. His first transformation caused the death of his adoptive grandfather, Gohan, who could not bring himself to harm the transformed child. Goku later learned to control the transformation during his training with Kami before the 23rd World Tournament, demonstrating the ability to transform and revert at will.
Vegeta is the most prominent user of the controlled Great Ape transformation, having demonstrated complete mastery over the form during his first appearance on Earth. Vegeta could transform at will, maintain his tactical thinking during transformation, and direct the form destructive power with precision. His control over the Great Ape reflected his elite Saiyan training and his royal heritage as the Prince of all Saiyans.
Gohan accidentally triggered the Great Ape transformation during his early childhood, which led to the injury of his father Goku and set in motion events that would define their relationship. Gohan tail was removed and regrew multiple times during his childhood, each time creating the potential for uncontrolled transformations that could endanger those around him.
Most Saiyans from Planet Vegeta, including Raditz, Nappa, and the Saiyan army, were capable of Great Ape transformation. The transformation was standard training for Saiyan warriors and was used extensively during planetary invasions to overwhelm primitive civilizations. The destruction of Planet Vegeta and the Saiyan race meant that this legacy of Great Ape warfare was largely lost, with only a handful of Saiyans surviving to carry on the tradition.
Strategic Analysis
The Great Ape transformation offers significant strategic advantages in combat, particularly against opponents who cannot counter its massive size and power. The 10 times power multiplier makes the user significantly stronger than their base form, capable of overwhelming enemies who were previously evenly matched. The increased size also provides greater reach and area control, allowing the user to dominate the battlefield and threaten multiple opponents simultaneously.
The strategic weaknesses of the Great Ape form are equally significant and must be carefully considered. The loss of rational thought in uncontrolled transformations makes the user vulnerable to tactical manipulation, as they can be baited into traps or made to waste energy attacking decoys. The tail vulnerability provides a single point of failure that can instantly end the transformation, and the reliance on external Blutz Waves means the transformation can be prevented by controlling the environment.
In the context of Saiyan military history, the Great Ape was used primarily as a weapon of last resort or for overwhelming primitive defenses. The transformation was considered too dangerous for routine use, as the risk of friendly fire and collateral damage was significant. Saiyan commanders would deploy Great Ape soldiers only when conventional tactics had failed and the situation required overwhelming destructive force.
The legacy of the Great Ape transformation extends throughout all of Saiyan evolution. Every subsequent Saiyan transformation from Super Saiyan through Ultra Instinct builds upon the foundation of power and transformation potential that the Great Ape represents. Understanding the Great Ape is essential for understanding the Saiyan race as a whole, as it represents their original path to power and their connection to their primal warrior heritage that continues to influence their combat philosophy.
FAQ
What is the Great Ape transformation?
The Great Ape, or Oozaru, is a primal Saiyan transformation triggered when a Saiyan with a tail views a full moon. It multiplies power by 10 and transforms the user into a giant ape-like creature.
Why do Saiyans lose control in Great Ape form?
The transformation overwhelms the Saiyan rational mind with primal instincts. Only Saiyans with exceptional willpower, like Vegeta, can maintain their consciousness during the transformation.
Can Saiyans without tails become Great Apes?
No, the tail is essential for receiving Blutz Waves. Saiyans born without tails or who have lost their tails cannot access the Great Ape transformation by any known means.
Is the Great Ape stronger than Super Saiyan?
The Great Ape provides a 10 times power multiplier while Super Saiyan provides 50 times. Super Saiyan is significantly stronger and does not have the drawbacks of size increase and control loss.
How does the Great Ape relate to Super Saiyan 4?
In Dragon Ball GT, the Golden Great Ape serves as a bridge between Super Saiyan 3 and Super Saiyan 4, combining the Great Ape size with Super Saiyan golden coloration.
