Summary
When it comes to the power ups and transformations inDragon Ball Z, virtually every form that Akira Toriyama introduced went on to attain iconic status in theDragon Ballfandom as a whole. In fact, one of Goku’s most memorable power ups in the Saiyan Saga —which predated the subsequentlyintroduced series of Super Saiyan transformations— was the fabled Kaio-ken.
When Goku first used it against Nappa and Vegeta following his return from Other World, his power skyrocketed, catching his opponents off guard. Later on, in the Namek Saga ofDragon Ball Z, Goku was able to push the limits of the Kaio-ken power-multiplier to heights that were unseen before. Having been crucial to some of his most celebrated victories, the Kaio-kenis one of Goku’s most prized abilities, and here is why that is the case.
Story Arc
Saiyan Saga
As evident in how it bears his name, the Kaio-ken wasinvented by King Kai, the North Kai of Universe 7.Following Goku’s death during the fight against Raditz, he was told to journey along Snake Way and seek out King Kai in order to train with him before confronting theincoming Saiyan invasionled by Nappa and Vegeta.
Heeding this advice, Goku spent six months running on Snake Way, before finally arriving in Other World,where he was tested by King Kai, who accepted him as his student after he successfully passed. Subsequently, King Kai taught his new pupil thetwo signature techniques he had devised: the Kaio-ken and the Spirit Bomb.
In essence, the Kaio-ken serves as apower multiplier, amplifying the user’s base power level, speed, strength, and reflexes by boosting the flow of ki through their body beyond its maximum output when the technique is active. Originally, the high level of ki control required to maintain the Kaio-ken was so intense thatGoku was only able to use it in short bursts. Moreover, the toll it took on his body was immense, and hecould not maintain it for too long.
A Power Multiplier Like No Other
Beyond the rudimentary form of the Kaio-ken, which doubles a user’s power level, its greatest strength comes in how its multiplication of power can be compounded almostindefinitelyas long as the user can control it. This application is where thetrue potential of the Kaio-kencan be harnessed, as a user cantriple, quadruple, or even increase their power bytenfoldif executed properly.
So far, the most extreme usage of the technique in the mangawas Goku’s Kaio-ken x 20 against Frieza. When performing the technique, the user’s aura turns afiery shade of red, and the stress of the technique can swell their muscles, raise their blood pressure, or generate intense internal heat, which manifests assteam emanating from their body. Unlike Super Saiyan forms, the user’s aura is always visible as long as the technique is active.
Pushing Past One’s Limits
At first, Goku’s body was severely debilitated whenever he used the Kaio-ken, and he struggled to maintain anything more than aKaio-ken x 3 in his fight against Vegeta. Upon pushing himself to a Kaio-ken x 4 in the clashbetween his Kamehameha and Vegeta’sGalick Gun, Goku was left immobilized after the technique ravaged his entire body.
Even a small pat on the back from an overjoyed Yajirobe left Goku in agony, illustrating the consequences of his reckless use of the Kaio-ken against Vegeta. All this aligned with King Kai’s fear ofGoku losing his life from abusing the Kaio-ken’spower multiplication, even though he was able toavoid death by a small margin.
Fortunately, after undergoing intense training in a spaceship with enhanced gravity during his journey to Namek,Goku’s body was able to withstand usingthe technique for a prolonged period against Captain Ginyu. Not too long after, he could even handle the immense strain of usingKaio-ken x 10 and even Kaio-ken x 20 against Frieza, with the latter being the highest recorded usage of the technique in the anime.
If I pull off a Kaio-ken x 20, I at least stand a chance! - Goku
After Goku’s fight against Frieza, the Kaio-ken did not appear in the rest of the originalDragon Ballmanga, primarily due to the superior abilities of theSuper Saiyan line of transformations. WhileGoku did tap into it in the animeduring the Other World Tournament Saga, the technique’s relevance declined because of the intense ki control needed to maintain it, which was not always feasible when using Super Saiyan forms.
Enter Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken
Years later, after theend of the Majin Buu Saga, which concluded the originalDragon Ballmanga and theDragon Ball Zanime, a new entry into the franchise provided afresh lease of life for the Kaio-ken technique. In the Universe 6 Saga ofDragon Ball Super, Goku was unable to keep up with the evolving Time-Skip ability of the assassin Hitwhile using his Super Saiyan Blue form.
Choosing a risky move to overcome this difference in their power, Goku proceeded to stackthe Kaio-ken on top of Super Saiyan Blue, andmultiplied his power by a factor of 10. This new form, dubbedSuper Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken x 10, was made possible by the perfect ki control of Super Saiyan Blue. Unfortunately, he was not able to maintain the form for too long initially and suffered from Delayed Onset Ki Disorder.
All the power of Super Saiyan Blue intensified with a Kaio-ken technique - Goku
By the time of the Zeno Expo, Goku could harness this new form without too many drawbacks, and utilized it to great effect in his fightsagainst Bergamoand Top.In the Tournament of Power, Goku’s commandover Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken had reached such high levels, that he could use Kaio-ken x 20 effectively, which permitted him to momentarily fight on par with Jiren. With the introduction of his new Ultra Instinct forms, it remains to be seen whether Goku will still find any use for the Kaio-ken, even as it remains one of theDragon Ballfranchise’s most fondly remembered power ups.
Dragon Ball Zis available to stream onCrunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
