Overview
- Goku is the only character to successfully combine the Kaioken and Super Saiyan techniques into one powerful ability known as Super Kaioken.
- This potent hybrid technique is notably absent from the Dragon Ball Super manga, casting doubt on its potential future inclusion.
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The Kaioken technique represents one of the earliest power-boosting methods within the Dragon Ball franchise. Despite its initial significance, the advent of the Super Saiyan transformation overshadowed Kaioken, primarily because of the inherent risks associated with its use.
During the Dragon Ball Z saga, Goku ingeniously fuses Kaioken with Super Saiyan abilities, creating the formidable Super Kaioken. Nevertheless, this augmented technique does not hold a place within the canon of the manga. What precisely is Super Kaioken, and why is it considered non-canon?
How Does Super Kaioken Function?
The Kaioken, created by North Kai, serves as a technique that multiplies the user’s ki, thereby amplifying their abilities significantly. However, this power-up comes with considerable risks; without refined ki management, prolonged use can lead to severe exhaustion and even incapacitation.
In his various forms, including Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 2, Goku employs this technique, pushing his limits in combat.
Who Has Mastered Super Kaioken?
Originally developed by North Kai, Kaioken is a technique exclusively mastered by Goku. Despite other fighters training in the Other World, none have successfully harnessed its potential. While it is plausible that human characters may lack the necessary capacity for this technique, the series has not explored this aspect in-depth.
Is Super Kaioken Part of Dragon Ball Canon?
Super Kaioken remains an anime-exclusive creation and lacks representation in the manga narrative. Goku’s first instance of combining Super Saiyan with Kaioken occurs during the Other World Tournament against Pikkon (Paikuhan). Therefore, the hybrid technique is considered canon primarily for those who regard anime events as valid.
In the Dragon Ball Super anime, Goku also employs Super Kaioken but, once again, it is omitted from the manga—suggesting that Akira Toriyama likely did not envision this pairing as part of the official story. In the manga, the only acknowledged instance of a combination is when Goku employs Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken.
According to Old Kai, mixing Kaioken with Super Saiyan is perilous. The emotional strain and intensity of Super Saiyan make precise ki control exceedingly difficult, thus heightening the risk of severe consequences. In contrast, Super Saiyan Blue offers a calmer ki state, allowing for a safer fusion with Kaioken.
While Kaioken itself is a technique rather than a transformation, theoretically combining it with Super Saiyan is feasible. However, the chaotic nature of SSJ would likely lead to disastrous results if attempted.
Will It Ever Appear in the Manga?
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The absence of Kaioken and Super Saiyan from the Dragon Ball Super manga suggests that the concept of Super Kaioken is unlikely to find its place in forthcoming story arcs. The existing narrative indicates that combining these two techniques is extraordinarily hazardous, which diminishes the likelihood of their coexistence in future illustrations.
Nonetheless, the potential still exists for a daring scenario where Goku or another Saiyan might be compelled to attempt this dangerous fusion in an extreme moment. Such a dramatic narrative twist could provide thrilling content for fans to engage with.
For those interested, Dragon Ball Super is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.