In Dragon Ball Super, the arrival of the Super Saiyan God transformation was one of the most shocking moments in the series. We watched as Goku stood before Beerus, the God of Destruction, and unlocked this divine form through the power of a special ritual involving five other pure-hearted Saiyans. But what if things happened differently? What if Goku had unlocked this form by himself, without the help of Vegeta, Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Pan?
This single change would not only alter the outcome of Goku’s first battle with Beerus, but also reshape the entire story of Dragon Ball Super. Let’s dive deep into this “what if” scenario and explore how the world might have looked if Goku became the first Saiyan God through his own hidden power.
The Original Ritual: Why It Was Necessary
Before exploring the alternate timeline, let’s quickly understand why the ritual was used in the first place. Beerus’s dream of the “Super Saiyan God” pushed him to Earth, where Shenron explained that the transformation could be achieved only through the combined energy of six pure-hearted Saiyans. This ritual transferred divine ki into Goku, allowing him to match Beerus in battle, at least for a short time.
The ritual itself showed that Saiyans, for all their power, were not naturally capable of accessing godly energy on their own. It needed unity, teamwork, and shared ki — a beautiful but unusual concept for a warrior race that was known for pride and rivalry.
But if Goku had somehow unlocked this form alone, it would mean that the true potential of a Saiyan was far greater than anyone, even the gods, believed.
What If Goku Awakened It Naturally?
Imagine Goku standing on the battlefield, facing Beerus, his body beaten down but his spirit unbroken. Instead of relying on the ritual, Goku’s hidden potential awakens from within. His aura shifts from golden Super Saiyan energy to a fiery, divine red glow. His hair, eyes, and body change as godly ki floods his being, not through others’ power, but his own will and desire to protect Earth.
This moment would have redefined Goku character. Throughout Dragon Ball, Goku greatest strength has always been his ability to push past limits when it seems impossible. From Kaioken to Ultra Instinct, Goku thrives in desperate moments. A natural awakening of Super Saiyan God would have cemented him as the chosen warrior of destiny, proving that even without help, he could reach divine heights.
The Battle Against Beerus: A Different Outcome
If Goku had become a self-made Super Saiyan God, his fight with Beerus might have looked very different. In the original story, Beerus held back while Goku struggled to control his newly gained divine ki. But in this alternate version, Goku’s mastery might be deeper because the form was born from his own energy, not borrowed from others.
Beerus, instead of treating him like a temporary plaything, may have recognized Goku as a true rival — someone who broke the natural laws of Saiyan evolution. Their battle could have escalated into an even more destructive clash, shaking not just Earth, but the balance of the universe. Beerus may still have won, but his respect for Goku would have been far greater, possibly even changing the relationship between the two characters.
What Would This Mean for Vegeta?
One of the biggest effects of this change would fall on Vegeta. In the canon timeline, Vegeta trained under Whis and eventually unlocked Super Saiyan God and Blue forms after Goku had paved the way. But if Goku had achieved God form on his own, Vegeta’s pride would have taken an even bigger hit.
Vegeta might have grown more desperate, training harder than ever to catch up. Or, in another twist, Vegeta could have been the one to unlock a different divine transformation first, perhaps something closer to his later Ultra Ego form. The rivalry between Goku and Vegeta would have reached new heights, pushing both Saiyans to evolve faster than in the original story.
The Saiyan Legacy Rewritten
If Goku had become the first natural Super Saiyan God, the entire history of the Saiyan race would look different. Instead of needing unity and ritual, the Saiyan potential would be proven as a self-sustaining path to divinity. Goku would stand as the ultimate symbol of what Saiyans could become when pushed to their limits.
This revelation might even have caught the attention of the Grand Priest and Zeno much earlier in the story. The idea that a mortal could unlock divine energy on his own would be a shock to the gods. It could have changed the Tournament of Power, Universe 6 Saiyan arcs, and even how characters like Jiren viewed Goku.
The Road to Ultra Instinct
There’s also the question of how this early godhood would affect Goku path to Ultra Instinct. In the canon timeline, the Super Saiyan God ritual planted the seed of divine ki in Goku’s body, eventually leading to his training with Whis and the discovery of Ultra Instinct. But if Goku had unlocked God ki by himself, that seed would have been planted much earlier and more naturally.
Perhaps Goku would have reached Ultra Instinct sooner, maybe even during the fight with Golden Frieza or the Universe 6 tournament. His natural connection to divine energy would make him the ultimate threat to any rival, mortal or god.
Conclusion
The idea of Goku unlocking Super Saiyan God without the ritual is more than just an interesting “what if.” It’s a scenario that challenges the very limits of Saiyan potential. It paints Goku not just as a warrior blessed by the help of his friends, but as a fighter destined to break barriers through sheer willpower.
This version of events would have changed Dragon Ball Super in countless ways — from the battle with Beerus, to Vegeta’s growth, to the very perception of mortals by the gods themselves. One thing, however, would remain the same: Goku’s unshakable drive to protect his loved ones and to surpass every limit in front of him.
In the end, whether through ritual or raw determination, the message is clear — the Saiyan spirit is unstoppable, and Goku will always find a way to reach the impossible.
