BATTLE POWERS

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SUMMARY

PHYSICAL STRENGTH

In the Dragon Ball manga, Physical Strength (Tairyoku, 体力) represents Vital Energy or Life Force, independently of the life expectancy. (Moreover, any notion related to "Strength," whether physical or spiritual, is necessarily included within an energy system like Ki and replaces it depending on the context.) It characterizes a consumable energy during combat that can be restored by Senzu Beans as well as healing techniques.

Physical Strength refers to the power derived from the body, which anyone can develop through training. In other words, it indicates an individual's physical condition through their body, without any connection to the mind. This term is often mentioned when a person’s bodily energy impacts their Vitality (Kiryoku, 気力). As such, it naturally integrates into the concept of "Ki" in Dragon Ball but is more closely related to an individual’s condition or health.

Cell

← "It seems your Physical Strength (体力) has decreased significantly [...] Go ahead and eat a Senzu, Son Gokū [...] The fight should be even more spectacular."

__________________

"What's wrong? Is your pride stopping you from eating a Senzu? [...] Right now, my Physical Strength has decreased a lot, and if you're at Full Power (Furu Pawā, フルパワー), your chances of winning will increase, just a little..." →

- Senzu (Majic Bean) -

Injuries, just like Physical Strength (体力), are restored!

"If a single grain of these magic beans is eaten, it instantly restores Vitality (気力), i.e. Physical Strength (体力), and heals all injuries.

Once eaten, the effect is immediate. It is an essential item for Goku, who takes part in many intense battles!"

Super Exciting Guide

Gokū

"Ah! Wait, Gohan! There are still 2 senzu left, take one. You used up quite a bit of your Physical Strength (体力) earlier, didn't you?"

Piccolo

"That one had really lost most of his Physical Strength (体力)... just to check if the artificial humans absorbed energy through their palms [...] If he had fought this No. 20 right then, he would definitely have lost... And yet, he spoke as if he still had something left... After all, Vegeta is a battle genius..."

No. 20 / Dr. Gero

"These are the senzu, which restore Physical Strength (体力) and even heal severe injuries..."

Vegeta

"Despite everything, that damn Kakarotto is using a really strange remedy [...] Not only does it heal all wounds, but it also completely restores Physical Strength (体力)..."

Daizenshū-Vol.4

- Dende -

He can restore Physical Strength (体力) and heal the injuries of others.

"Dende, the prodigious child of the Dragon Clan, has the ability to heal injured individuals who are collapsed. He can not only restore their Physical Strength (体力), but he is also capable of completely healing their injuries. In other words, Dende's ability is to restore the health condition (健康状態) of his allies."

Chōzenshū-Vol.4

Power Recovery

"Appearance: Chapter 299 / Category: Ability / Users: Kibito, Dende / Description: It restores power (パワー) by infusing Ki (気) into an injured body whose Battle Power (戦闘力) has been weakened by combat. Dende, having had his Latent Potential unlocked by the Grand Elder, emits Ki in the form of an electric current, concentrating it in his hands from his entire body. Kibito uses the innate ability of the Celestial Realm’s inhabitants, allowing him to restore energy through a Kiai (気合い) transfer."

Kibito

"Hm...!? I haven't even reached his full power (Furu Pawā, フルパワー) yet... He has a strength with no limits... Still, for a human to be driven by such immense and pure energy... It's no wonder they covet it..."

In this example, Kibito restores Gohan's full power (including the potential of Super Saiyan 2) while he is still in his normal state.

The total power contained within an individual determines their Physical Strength in terms of Ki consumption. Unlike Battle Power (戦闘力), which only reflects the Ki emitted, Physical Strength also includes the Ki stored within the body. Thus, a warrior taps into their entire Ki reserve when unleashing their "Full Power."

Vegeta

"In that case, we have no choice but to heal Kakarotto and restore his full power (Furu Pawā, フルパワー) [...] Take him inside the spaceship."

Namekian Ability: Regenaration (再生)

As long as the head remains intact, they can return to normal

"Although it significantly drains Physical Strength (体力), they can regenerate the tissues of their body. According to a theory, as long as the head stays intact, all parts of the body, such as arms and legs, can be regenerated. There are even concrete examples where, in the middle of a fight, some of them deliberately severed their injured arm before regenerating it."

Daizenshū-Vol.4

Freeza

"That one is surprising! He can regenerate? [...] But even if he returns to his initial state, it doesn't change anything. Moreover, he doesn't even seem capable of recovering his Physical Strength (体力), since his Battle Power (戦闘力) has dropped compared to earlier..."

Ability to Regenerate the Body

"Although it significantly drains Physical Strength (体力), any part of the body can be regenerated as long as the head remains intact."

Super Exciting Guide

THE RELEASE OF KI

In order to understand the activation of internal power in detail, it is useful to examine Vital Energy (Genki) from another perspective and look into one of its synonyms: Seiki (生気).

Example of usage in the manga:

Gokū

"As I thought, this Spopovitch is weird [...] He remains completely indifferent even though he shouldn't be able to take so much damage; and then, I don't sense any trace of Seiki (生気) in him."

The Chinese derivative of Seiki (生気) is called Shēng Qì (生氣). It refers to active energy, the type that circulates within the body in connection with the environment. Shēng Qì is often associated with the quality of Vital Energy present in places, through the practice of "Feng Shui" (the traditional Chinese art of harmonizing spaces), or the aura surrounding an individual in any given location. In other words, it represents an energetic force in action, necessary to support life and its dynamism. In English, the term is typically translated as "Liveliness," referring to the "vivacity," the characteristic of what is "vivid" or has "intensity" within nature. The application of "Feng Shui" in a home promotes the flow of Shēng Qì to create harmony and a healthy environment (by arranging furniture in each living space). It is revealed that Shēng Qì is the positive manifestation of Qì, in contrast to the negative forms of Qì, such as Shā Qì (煞氣). In Japanese, Seiki is therefore the opposite of Sakki (殺気).

More precisely, Seiki is actually a way of referring to Ki in full expansion, which contributes to an individual’s growth of Vital Energy. When perfectly cultivated, it helps strengthen health, improving vitality or the "animation" of the living being within its natural environment. This completely reflects the literal meaning of the term 生気, composed of 生 (life) and 気 (energy).

But if individuals can control their internal energy and adjust its power within their bodies, what is the very source of this energy?

In the world of martial arts, the concept of the "Hara" (腹: meaning "abdomen") refers to the center of Vital Energy, located just around the navel (its exact position can vary depending on the source). It is a point where strength and balance are cultivated, and it is often considered the seat of physical power and inner stability. It is from this source that Ki spreads throughout the body through the meridians when released.

The "cinnabar field," where energy resides — i.e., the Hara — is essential for transitioning from a "normal state" to a "martial state." Before activating the Hara, the individual is calm, amiable, and in search of peace; but when faced with an opponent, they begin to mobilize the Hara, and a kind of tension begins to form, an energetic activation. As the Hara activates, the cinnabar field transforms the individual, shifting them from their usual state to that of a true warrior, like a samurai or martial arts practitioner.

When a fighter is in their 'normal state' (Futsū no Jōtai, ふつうの状態 or Tsūjō Jōtai, 通常状態), it doesn't mean that the power they can reach at their maximum level has disappeared. On the contrary, this power still resides within them, but it is not active. Transformations do not create power from nothing; they instead allow for the awakening and release of a potential that already exists within the individual.

Piccolo

"Remember this well: in battle, we are capable of amplifying what you call energy all at once and making it surge [...] Which means that the energy you stole from me earlier was insignificant..."

Context: No. 20 (Dr. Gero) thought he had recovered the entire power of Piccolo based on the energy he was emitting (his Battle Power) at the moment his power was absorbed. Piccolo then explains that he had actually captured only a tiny fraction of his energy, and that it in no way reflected his true level.

Shin

"So these 3 still have some margin (余裕)... They can unleash (出せる) an enormous power (とてつもないパワー) if needed, as Son Gokū briefly showed..."

TRAINING

Weekly Shōnen Jump - Special Dragon Ball - 50th anniversary

- Kame Sennin (Turtle Hermit) -

He teaches the fundamentals of martial arts and mental preparation!

"He not only developed Gokū’s foundation as a martial artist but also his intellectual skills, Mental Strength (精神力), and, of course, his Physical Strength (体力, i.e., endurance), while teaching him the true meaning of martial arts.

The "Secret of the Turtle Hermit Style" (亀仙流の極意) does not lie in techniques like punches or the Kamehameha, but rather in refining the fundamentals of Physical Strength (体力) and Mental Strength (精神力) through simple yet rigorous training like this!"

A repetitive and constant training to be continuously renewed!

"The foundation of Gokū's training primarily focuses on developing his Physical Strength (体力) by enduring heavy loads. The most important aspect is to be diligent and persistent in this type of training!"

Kame Sennin

"Hey! Even if you're a beginner, what makes you so bold as to act so arrogantly!? If you can't develop your Physical Strength (体力), then how am I supposed to teach you martial arts!!?"

Super Exciting Guide

Offensive Support Type (攻撃サポート型)

Transforming the Power of "Ki" in Different Ways!!

"Offensive support techniques can be classified into different categories based on how the energy known as 'Ki' is used!!

Ki (気)

→ Increase Physical Strength (体力) and Muscle Strength (筋力) / Example technique: Kaiō-ken

→ Form a Ki barrier / Example technique: Barrier

→ Emit a blinding light / Example technique: Taiyō-ken"

WAY TO READ A GRAPH (SUPER EXCITING GUIDE)

Gokū's growth

"The white part indicates the value before training, while the black part indicates the value after training!

*These are Gokū's values in his normal state, not as a Super Saiyan.

The growth points of each training program are classified into four categories: "Power (パワー)"; "Speed (スピード)"; "Stamina (スタミナ)"; "Ki (気)". For each program, we have quantified the extent of the results achieved!"

KAIŌ-KEN

The Kaiō-ken (Master Kaiō's technique) is a technique that allows a person to harness the whole power of their body in order to temporarily amplify it. The user can multiply their Battle Power, speed, attack power, and resistance. Since the level of the Kaiō-Ken is determined by the individual's Physical Strength, the accumulated power is limited by the amount of Ki available in their body.

Dragon Ball FOREVER (Thanks to Daniel Cashmar for sharing this photo)

Kaiō-ken (Gokū)

"By using the Power of Ki (気の力), he increases the Battle Power (戦闘力) and Speed (スピード) of the user, but it places a heavy strain on the body."

He learns the Kaiō-ken and the Genki Dama

"He increases his base Physical Strength (基礎体力), thus strengthening his body to withstand his ultimate techniques. Moreover, by learning to control his Ki, he is now capable of temporarily intensifying his power (the Kaiō-ken) and gathering a large amount of Ki (the Genki Dama)!"

Vegeta - Normal Form: 18 000

Vegeta - Ōzaru: 180 000

18 000 x10

Kaiō-ken

"By mastering all the Ki in their body, this technique doubles their entire strength (すべての力)! Due to the heavy strain on the body, it is not recommended to use it excessively."

Daizenshū-Vol.7

Chapters 229-240: Son Gokū VS. Vegeta

Son Gokū - Normal Form (max.): 8 000

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken: 16 000

8 000 x2

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken x3: 24 000

8 000 x3

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken x4: 32 000

8 000 x4

Through intense training, Gokū is able to develop his Vital Energy to tap into higher levels of the Kaiō-ken. His body can now withstand a higher accumulation of Ki than before.

He pushes himself to the brink of death!

"Saiyans significantly increase their strength after narrowly escaping death! Gokū, having instinctively understood this, would push himself to his absolute limits and recover all at once after the effort, further strengthening his Physical Strength (体力) and Vitality (気力)."

He eats a Senzu and immediately recovers!!!

"He eats a Senzu just before death. To use the Senzus effectively, given their limited number, it's crucial for him to determine the "threshold of death."

Gokū

"With this, I'm sure I can withstand a Kaio-ken that's about 10 times stronger!!"

Ginyū

"You're still hiding your true strength (真の力)! You thought I wouldn't notice?! [...] You're probably planning to save your strength for your fight against Freeza, but don't underestimate me!"

Gokū

"Alright. Then I'll show you my true strength (ほんとうの力)..."

He surpasses the Saiyan Limit! Is his power the greatest in the universe!?

"By overcoming gravity 100 times stronger, he surpasses the Saiyan Limit (サイヤ人の限界) in every point!! To limit energy consumption, he has also perfected his techniques, including one that temporarily amplifies his Battle Power for a short period!!"

Chapters 283-287: Son Gokū VS. Ginyū

Son Gokū - Normal Form (max.): 90 000

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken: 180 000

90 000 x2

Ginyū: 120 000

Gokū

"Try, and you'll understand [...] It's my body, after all... It's impossible for you to use my Ki (気) properly, let alone the Kaiō-ken (界王拳)! [...] If you don't align your body and mind, you'll never be able to unleash (だせねえ) great strength!!"

Note: Gokū's body, taken over by Ginyū, still retained a massive amount of Ki. However, Ginyū was unable to fully harness the power of this new body and only unleashed a tiny fraction of its potential.

Gokū

"Let me make things clear! The strength I can temporarily unleash is still far from being like this."

Freeza - 1st Form: 530 000

Freeza - 2nd Form: 1 200 000

Freeza - 3rd Form: 2 000 000

Chapters 306-329: Son Gokū VS. Freeza

Son Gokū - Normal Form: 3 000 000

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken x10: 30 000 000

3 000 000 x10

Son Gokū - Kaiō-ken x20: 60 000 000

3 000 000 x20

Freeza

"If I unleash (出せば) about 50% of my maximum power, that is, half, I can turn you into cosmic dust."

Weekly Shōnen Jump - Special Dragon Ball - 50th anniversary

"The battle between Gokū and Freeza started with a phase of observation. However, the power gap between them was evident. Gokū used the Kaiō-ken x20 to execute a Kamehameha, but he only managed to inflict slight scratches on Freeza. Due to the backlash from the Kaiō-ken x20, Gokū lost a lot of his Physical Strength (体力). On the other hand, Freeza, angry from being wounded, unleashed his hidden power to attack Gokū. Cornered, Gokū gathered the energy of the universe to launch an explosive Genkidama, but will it be enough!?

The Genkidama he created by gathering the Ki from the surroundings of Namek is much more imposing than the one used during his battle against Vegeta!"

Daizenshū-Vol.7

Freeza - Final Form (50%): 60 000 000

Freeza - Final Form (100%): 120 000 000 (time limited)

"He transforms and adopts his Final Form.
He had dominated Gokū with half of his power. However, after the appearance of the Super Saiyan, he released (解放した) all his strength."

SUPER SAIYAN

The transformation into Super Saiyan, the legendary warrior!!

"On Namek, Gokū awakened to the Super Saiyan form, which not only changed his appearance but also greatly increased his Battle Power (戦闘力)! However, his heart is dominated by anger, causing him to lose rationality."

A Saiyan with a peaceful heart awakens under the influence of intense rage

Son Gokū as a Super Saiyan

His Battle Power is 50 times higher than normal!

"When he becomes a Super Saiyan, his hair stands up and turns golden, and his personality becomes more aggressive."

Finally arrives... the AWAKENING!!!!

"He becomes the Legendary Super Saiyan during the decisive battle against Freeza!! An intense training is the origin of this transformation."

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan: 150 000 000

3 000 000 x50

"He has finally awakened as a legendary warrior, the Super Saiyan. His Battle Power reaches 50 times that of his normal state, even overwhelming Freeza's Full Power (フルパワー)."

Daizenshū-Vol.7

An additional Power-up through meditation

"Surpassing the "Wall" of the Super Saiyan represents an internal battle with oneself! He spends entire days visualizing the image of "Strength" and turning it into reality.

Even though Gokū has overcome many challenges, it's extremely difficult for him to break through this "Wall"...
Transformations that focus solely on power tend to restrict speed. Finding a balance between the two is therefore crucial."

Maintaining the Super Saiyan state

"After experiencing the limits of the transformation on his body, Gokū concludes that the normal Super Saiyan form is the best. He leads a peaceful daily life, subtly adjusting his Ki while in the Super Saiyan state."

/!\ The values indicated below are not official /!\

Chapters 375-420: The Saiyans face Cell

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan 2nd Grade: 1 000 000 000

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan Full Power: 3 000 000 000

150 000 000 x20

"Rather than relying on easy transformations, he prioritized adapting to the Super Saiyan state, which allowed him to achieve a significant Power-up (パワーアップ)."

He fulfills his duty by training Gohan like a master

Son Gohan - Normal Form: 50 000 000

Son Gohan - Super Saiyan Full Power: 2 500 000 000

Son Gohan - Super Saiyan 2 Full Power: 5 000 000 000

Cell - 1st Form: 400 000 000

Cell - 2nd Form: 800 000 000

Cell - Perfect Form: 4 000 000 000 (4 000 kilis)

"As a master, Gokū brought out Gohan's Latent Potential (潜在能力) to its limits! Gokū himself also experienced a huge Level-up (レベルアップ) by focusing on his Ki, but even so, he couldn't surpass Cell.

Gohan, who triggered his awakening, unleashes the full extent of the super power he shaped alongside Gokū and saves the Earth!!"

Shadow boxing with heavy weights attached

"During his training, he attaches 2-ton weights to his hands and feet while using the flight technique. The body endures a force greater than 100 times the normal gravity, but the effects are tremendous!

He relies on the power of his Ki (気の力) to support the weights in the air."

The new Super Saiyan transformations

"By overcoming this inner 'wall,' the Super Saiyan can transform even further! Goku managed to elevate himself to the 3rd form."

Super Saiyan 2

2 times stronger than Super Saiyan!

"His visual appearance remains similar to the first form, but he is enveloped in a Ki emitting sparks like lightning, and his hair stands up even more sharply."

Chapters 460-517: The Saiyans face Majin Buu

Son Gokū - Normal Form: 60 000 000

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan Full Power: 3 000 000 000 (3 000 kilis)

60 000 000 x50

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan 2 Full Power: 6 000 000 000

3 000 000 000 x2

He trains relentlessly without worrying about "Time"! The transformation into Super Saiyan 3!!

"In the Afterlife, where time doesn’t exist, the results of his repeated training have granted him an enormous global Build-up (ビルドアップ) compared to before his death. The increase in his Ki is especially remarkable, and his strength has become the greatest in the universe!!"

He also prevents Majin Buu's return by any means necessary!!

"He fought evenly against Majin Buu, the most feared enemy in history, and admirably protected peace on Earth and in the universe until the very end!!"

Super Saiyan 3

4 times stronger than Super Saiyan 2!

"His hair lengthens and his eyebrows disappear. Although his heart is calmer than in the second form, the Ki consumption is intense, and the transformation time is limited."

Son Gokū - Super Saiyan 3: 24 000 000 000