Pilaf's Castle
While technically not Goku’s first transformation into the Oozaru (Great Ape), it is the first full transformation we see in the anime series. While Goku and his friends are being held prisoner in a chamber designed to use the sun’s rays to cook them alive, a full moon came first changing Goku into his Oozaru form. In an attempt to make him faint, Yamcha cuts off his tail to learn this is how he is reverted back to his normal state.
[Dragon Ball Episode 12]
[Dragon Ball Episode 13]
21st World Martial Arts Tournament
During the 21st WMAT, Goku’s tail grows back, and again he transforms into his Oozaru form. Yamcha knows in order to stop him, his tail must be removed. However, Jackie Chun (Master Roshi in disguise) steps up with a more permanent solution and decides to blast the moon with a Kamehameha wave. Goku later mentions he allowed Kami to remove his tail permanently in exchange for bringing the moon back. We do not see Goku transform again until the non-canon GT series is released.
[Dragon Ball Episode 27]
[Dragon Ball Episode 28]
In The Wilderness
After Raditz threatens the earth and is later killed with Goku, Piccolo takes Gohan under his wing to harness his strength in preparation for Vegeta and Nappa. During Piccolo’s training, a full moon brings out Gohan’s Oozaru transformation. Piccolo decides to destroy the moon and also cut off Gohan’s tail to prevent this from happening again. He is not aware that the tail can grow back.
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 8]
Goku's Space Pod
While still training with Piccolo, Goku’s old space pod becomes active and projects an image of the moon which causes Gohan (with his tail grown back) to again transform into the Oozaru. He carries on fighting with Gohan until he finds the source and promptly destroys it. After, he removes Gohan’s tail again.
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 18]
Vegeta’s Power Ball
Goku proves to have the upper hand with his battle against Vegeta. In a furious rage, Vegeta decides to transform into his Oozaru form to take back full control. Knowing there isn’t a moon, he uses a technique (Power Ball) he had acquired for planets that do not have them. This unfortunately drains his power a lot faster. While nearly killing Goku, Yajirobe uses his sword and cuts off Vegeta’s tail reverting him back to his normal state.
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 31]
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 32]
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 33]
Gohan’s Rage
With the Power Ball still in the sky, Gohan regains consciousness with his tail appearing to have grown back and gazed at the sky. He transforms into the Oozaru again and Goku guides his rage directly at Vegeta. Knowing he is outmatched, he uses an energy disc to cut off Gohan’s tail who topples on top of him and reverts back to normal.
[Dragon Ball Z Episode 35]
Golden Great Ape
When losing the fight to Baby Vegeta again after growing back his tail, Goku gazes on the earth and it acts as a full moon. This allows him to not only transform into his Oozaru form but become a Super Oozaru with golden fur. With the help of Pan’s compassion and love, he controls his anger and ascends even further, reaching Super Saiyan 4.
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 33]
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 34]
Blutz Wave Machine
Knowing he is no match and under his full control, Bulma uses the blutz wave machine to redirect the moon’s energy directly to Baby Vegeta helping him to become a Super Oozaru. The battle rages on but Goku manages to find a way to defeat Baby without sacrificing Vegeta’s life by cutting off the ape form’s tail. Baby splits from Vegeta’s body and quickly plans for his escape but fails. Goku puts an end to him.
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 35]
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 36]
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 39]
Vegeta’s Super Saiyan 4 Transformation
With the help of Bulma, Vegeta figures out why he couldn’t ascend to Super Saiyan 4 while Baby had control of his body. He was not a full-blooded Saiyan. Using the same technique as before, Vegeta is blasted with the blutz wave machine helping him to transform into his Oozaru form but he needs to become a Super Oozaru in order to reach his Super Saiyan 4 form. With the help of Goku, he is able to achieve this and control his rage to ascend to Super Saiyan 4.
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 55]
[Dragon Ball GT Episode 59]
What was your favorite Oozaru transformation from the series?
