The brilliant creator of Dragon Ball had a unique vision for the state of Super Saiyan 3. Instead of the character sporting long, golden hair and a lack of eyebrows, the artist envisioned a different form that was more striking and distinctive. Ultimately, Akira Toriyama sought to create a more impressive design to highlight the transformative power of this new state.
Clearly, this change was a brilliant decision as the final design encapsulated the essence of a significant evolution in strength and aesthetics. Very few characters have utilized Super Saiyan 3, specifically Goku and Gotenks, which has elevated this form to a legendary status within the Dragon Ball universe. It serves as a reminder of the glorious days of the series, where each new Super Saiyan transformation was a thrilling and creative experience.
Upon examining Toriyama’s early sketches, one can clearly see how similar Super Saiyan 3 appears to Gohan’s appearance during the Cell saga, except for the front hair and the longer tail. If Super Saiyan 3 were to appear in the anime, it would look like this.
The reinterpretation of the Super Saiyan 3 design by artist Nicolas Rivas presents a more mature Goku visually, resembling a more grown-up version of Gohan. Toriyama sought to give Goku a more imposing and extraordinary appearance, hence the design was not chosen for this new form.
In Dragon Ball Super, the role of Super Saiyan 3 became less prominent as new transformations and characters emerged. While this transformation still holds significance, the changes have introduced many exciting developments in character growth and design, making the appearances of Super Saiyan 3 increasingly rare.
The decision to modify Toriyama’s original design may have been influenced by a number of factors, but ultimately it contributed to creating some of the most memorable moments in the series.
