Ultimate Moments: Goku finally achieves Ultra Instinct
The journey to Goku’s greatest form in Dragon Ball SUPER.
by Scott Rayner
*Spoiler Warning! This article contains significant spoilers for the entire Dragon Ball SUPER anime*
One of the most crucial factors in continuing the Dragon Ball story over several decades (both in its manga and anime form) has been the execution of its grandest moments. After franchise hero Goku became a ‘Super Saiyan’ in the Frieza Saga, his following transformations (at least to the casual fan) are upgraded variations of the iconic yellow-haired original. To keep fans invested, these often-familiar moments required compelling delivery, to ensure Goku’s journey continued in Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece. Undoubtedly, one of these moments is during Dragon Ball Super’s final arc: the “Tournament of Power” saga. And, yes, it involves Goku – the lead protagonist for over 30 years of Dragon Ball - again transforming into a more powerful form.
So, if Goku’s main-event moment at the end of DBS is such a reused idea (with yet another new hair colour), what makes it so special, and spectacularly realised?
After laying low for a few years, Dragon Ball returned in 2015 with a new series - Dragon Ball Super. It’s helped keep Goku & friends working more than they have since the 1990s. (Toei Animation/Funimation)
Back to training
Uncommon to most DB sagas, both Goku and (BFF) Vegeta start the 131-episode-long DBS series already at their (supposed) peak power level. A development which the duo achieved off-screen; it’s first shown during the (prelude to DBS) movie Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. Here, as the Saiyan’s face off against the newly revived Frieza, they immediately put their cards on the table and the (Super Saiyan) Blue hair cometh. As DBS follows these events (or retells them), the show isn’t necessarily about Goku and Vegeta striving for a new power level. At least, not in the same way that earlier DBZ sagas like the “Cell” sagas focused on. In DBS, Goku and Vegeta’s status quo of desiring to become stronger is maintained, but with no clear direction.
Unless…you are paying close attention to a piece of dialogue Whis has in episode 18. Here, the godly figure informs Goku and Vegeta that essentially, they think too much when fighting. He briefly instructs them to hone their abilities to a point where they can simply react and, therefore not waste time in their movements. It’s relatively casual advice and isn’t focused on for very long. Certainly not enough to make you wonder if this is hinting towards the show's big reveal. Amazingly, the call back to this won’t happen for over 100 episodes.
“The end goal for you both should be to master the ability to have each part of your body think and move independently from all other parts.” - Whis, imparting martial arts advice, on a divine level. (Toei Animation/Funimation)
The seed is planted, though it’s deeply buried. Goku continues his path in the show, eventually leading him to the omnipotent character Zeno. Here, during a demonstration between fighters from across various universes, we see Goku unexpectedly revive a classic part of his arsenal: Kaioken. It’s a surprising, yet welcomed call back to the early days of Dragon Ball Z. While battling Hit (the galactic assassin) already at Super Saiyan Blue level, Goku declares that he’s been working on something, and suddenly uses the Kaioken technique. The result is a drastic amplification of his power level, as his body erupts in a red hue surrounding his SSB one. Goku, once again in the story of Dragon Ball, appears to have found his limit with this display.
While these moments in the show don’t seem to be leading to a specific destination, they were asking a question: after three decades of one-upping himself, do Goku’s abilities even have a ceiling? And if they do, could he break through it?
Goku is aware the Kaioken on top of SSB is a bad idea. He’s gambling with it. He rationalises that the “calming focus of the Kaioken” will positively combine with the “power through extreme control” of SSB, bringing untold heights to his abilities. It’s a theory that he will take the rest of the show to perfect, and then put into practice. (Toei Animation/Funimation)
Divine challenges
The question of Goku’s limits is decisively answered in the “Tournament of Power”. A grand, multi-character battle royale which spans 35 episodes, before delivering the Ultimate Moment in question.
During this contest, Goku, and his allies (including long-time nemesis Frieza), represent ‘Universe Seven’. Their participation in the tournament will decide which of the seven universes will exist, leaving the rest to be obliterated by cosmic-overseer Zeno. No pressure then. As the battle begins, it’s made clearer what the show must be heading toward, a confrontation between Goku and the mysterious newcomer, Jiren. A stoic, ominous character intended to be the most powerful fighter present at the tournament.
Getting to that point isn’t easy for Goku, but it certainly is interesting. Challengers of varying threat levels fill the episodes before the endgame comes into sight: Goku and Jiren finally come face to face. It feels like this will be the climax of the show, except it’s more of a prologue to it. After Goku throws everything he has at Jiren - unsuccessfully - he makes his final attempt to defeat the powerhouse: a spirit bomb. The grandest move Goku has, the move which – notably – requires Goku not to be in an anger-fuelled Super Saiyan form, doesn’t just fail, it backfires. In an unprecedented turn of events, Jiren pushes the spirit bomb back into Goku, creating an explosion of power. Instead of destroying him, this turns out to be the catalyst needed by Goku to start breaking through his ceiling. A spirit bomb, Super Saiyan Blue, Kaioken x20, and desperation are seemingly the ingredients required for this cocktail of Dragon Ball crazy.
Whis, Beerus and the other deity onlookers muse this could be Goku tapping into “an extremely elite level of power, difficult for even the highest gods to reach”. Whis is very excited by this prospect, confirming he was steering Goku toward this point, all those episodes ago. Beerus - The Universe 7 destroyer god whom the audience has become very familiar with by this point – appears agitated witnessing this, however. It leaves you to speculate this is the level of power that eludes him too. Whis himself all but confirms as much back in ep18 (note: the manga canon differs here).
This moment, however, quickly fades. Goku still can’t overcome Jiren - something isn’t quite right about this new power. (Toei Animation/Funimation)
As this cosmic battle royale endures, the two warriors are separated, with Goku now finding conflict in the Universe 6’s Saiyan Kefla. With her Broly-like appearance and power, we’re given a fun distraction from Jiren. And another important step towards Goku’s pinnacle. Kelfa presents such a challenge, that she too pushes Goku into reaching his new level once more. And yet, just as with Jiren before, it lacks substance. Goku is near something, putting together a puzzle but it’s incomplete, and he’s not sure what the final pieces are.
As Goku edges closer to new heights, he casually provides one of the coolest moments in Dragon Ball history. A stunning Kamehameha at point-blank range, while dodging deadly attacks from Kefla. During his “work-in-progress” form, no less. (Toei Animation/Funimation)
Autonomous Ultra Instinct
That is until the tournament reaches its climax. In the final moments, Jiren alone stands tall against Goku and – surprisingly – both Android 17 and Frieza. Always a step ahead of Goku, with the tournament’s deity-constructed stage all but annihilated, a ruthless Jiren looks to take out Goku, thus securing his universe’s survival. In a final moment of pure desperation (inspired by the heroism of Vegeta and his friends already eliminated from the tournament), Goku, at last, places together the pieces of his divine puzzle of power. He has broken through the ceiling of his limitations.
A final destructive blast from Jiren aimed at Goku fails. Revealed to have controlled the foe’s energy, Goku appears behind Jiren. Confused and taken aback Jiren lunges a punch at the now glowing, serene presence of Goku. Only to miss as if he’d struck through a ghost. This is what Whis had hinted at all those episodes ago. There is no anger in Goku here. No shouting, or over-the-top physicality – the clichéd trademarks of Dragon Ball transformations are absent. Goku has instead mastered himself in a uniquely calm form and the show starts to revel in the moment.
A rousing fanfare of violin and trumpet builds in the score, as we cut to the spectators, where the significance of the moment is sealed. Here the gods from all seven universes are watching. The powerful, arrogant personalities, who have judged the events of the entire battle from the stands, one by one, without speaking, begin to rise. In a standing ovation where awe and respect take over, the gods themselves recognise they are witnessing the impossible. Finally, Beerus stands. Without his full face in the shot, we aren’t immediately shown his reaction to this moment. His question to Whis - sitting behind him - comes first:
“…Whis…Goku’s done it hasn’t he? He’s finally achieved it…”
And without the giddy reaction from Goku’s first signs at achieving this new power from earlier in the tournament, Whis simply smiles and says “…yes”.
Slowly, Beerus’ reaction is now revealed. A mixture of excitement, surprise, and pride. These are all character traits Beerus has never truly shown us. With his divine arrogance dropped, Beerus delivers a voiceover with magnitude unlike any Dragon Ball has presented before. As the music builds to a crescendo, Beerus after 130 episodes declares: “Outstanding…this mortal truly is something else. Look at that brilliant form. In all its majesty. There can be no doubt: this is the true power; this is Autonomous Ultra Instinct!”
(Toei Animation/Funimation)
There is important depth contained within the design of UI Goku’s hair. Not so much the colour – that’s more for identification and branding. The shape, however, breaks franchise convention by applying a very story-based logic. Super Saiyan is a level reached through tapping into anger. But that’s not who Goku is, quite the opposite. By retaining Goku’s usual hair shape (and not the SS-style ones), the UI form suggests that this level is Goku’s true self, expressed at the highest power level.
From sowing the smallest of seeds 113 episodes ago, the long-form execution of this story is finally complete. It’s a moment that is never rushed, but methodically constructed. A blend of character detail and overall narrative, the journey towards Ultra Instinct always works within Dragon Ball’s in-universe logic. While, once again, accomplishing a challenging feat: providing another exciting moment for Dragon Ball fans to dine on (for the franchise’s next thirty years).
As the god-like glow encompassing his body breaks away, Goku looks into the camera with a divinely calm focus, and an undeniable presence. The matching stealth-grey colouring of his hair and eyes present the now iconic image of Goku - who at last, is in his ultimate form.