Dragon Ball: 6 Characters Who Desperately Need a Potential Unleashed Form Like Gohan

Dragon Ball has never been shy about giving its strongest warriors new transformations, but Gohan’s Potential Unleashed form remains one of the franchise’s most interesting power-ups. Unlike Super Saiyan transformations, it allows him to draw out his natural strength without relying on a traditional transformation path.

Several other characters have enough untapped potential, unique abilities, or forgotten growth to make a similar awakening incredibly exciting. From veteran Earthlings to surprisingly powerful Saiyans and even an android, these six Dragon Ball characters desperately deserve their own moment to unleash everything they have been holding back.

TITLE	Dragon Ball
CREATOR	Akira Toriyama
IMDb RATINGS (as of August 25, 2026)	8.5/10
WHERE TO WATCH	Crunchyroll

1 Uub: His Dormant God Ki Could Create Something Truly Special

Uub may have the strongest case of all. He is the human reincarnation of Kid Buu, meaning an enormous amount of dormant power is already packed inside him. Dragon Ball Super adds an even bigger twist: Uub inherited the Grand Supreme Kai’s divine power and sent his godly energy to Goku during the battle with Moro.

That makes an unleashed form especially exciting. Rather than inventing a new source of strength, Dragon Ball could simply have Uub learn to control what is already inside him. His awakening could turn Goku’s young student into one of Earth’s most frighteningly gifted warriors.

2 Android 17: His Endless Energy Deserves a True Power Awakening

Android 17 already became one of Dragon Ball Super’s biggest surprises, going from a largely forgotten fighter to a key member of Universe 7’s Tournament of Power team. His seemingly limitless stamina, Barrier techniques, and years of training on Monster Island allowed him to hold his own against incredibly powerful opponents.

However, 17 has never received a dedicated transformation or potential-unleashing moment. A Potential Unleashed-style upgrade could finally show what happens when someone with his unusual android body reaches its absolute limits. Considering how far 17 has come without a transformation, his next breakthrough could be spectacular.

3 Goten: He Needs a New Form to Finally Escape Goku’s Shadow

Goten is one of Dragon Ball’s biggest examples of unrealized potential. He became the youngest known Super Saiyan at only seven years old and could transform without the emotional struggle that affected earlier Saiyans. Yet after the Buu Saga, he and Trunks largely stopped training seriously, leaving Goten’s natural talent mostly unexplored.

A Potential Unleashed-style form would address that forgotten strength without simply handing him another Super Saiyan level. More importantly, it could finally give Goten a personal moment where his own abilities matter, rather than making him part of Gotenks or leaving him in the next generation’s background.

4 Yamcha: A Potential Unleashed Form Could Redeem His Legacy

Yamcha is probably the character fans would have the most fun watching receive a serious power-up. He has taken plenty of losses, but that often overshadows how talented he actually is. Yamcha trained at Kami’s Lookout, later trained under King Kai in the anime, and was strong enough during the Android preparation period to surprise Dr. Gero’s calculations.

He is also still recognized as one of Earth’s strongest human fighters. A new unleashed state would not erase his history of defeats, but it could finally let Yamcha walk into a major fight without being treated as comic relief.

5 Tien Shinhan: His Hidden Power Deserves One Final Awakening

Tien has always been one of Dragon Ball’s most disciplined martial artists, yet his incredible growth has largely been left in the background. He pushed himself through brutal training and remained useful against enemies far above ordinary human fighters, most famously holding Cell back with repeated Tri-Beams.

A canon Potential Unleashed-style awakening could give Tien something beyond another technique: a chance to show just how far his own body and martial arts have come.

6 Krillin: An Unleashed Form Could Finally Honor His Potential

Krillin has already had his potential unlocked once, when Grand Elder Guru drew out his hidden power on Namek. That makes him an especially fitting candidate for another awakening. He has remained one of Earth’s strongest human fighters, and Dragon Ball Super even calls him the strongest Earthling in several profiles.

He also kept contributing against threats far beyond the old Dragon Ball scale, including Cell Max. Seeing Krillin finally tap into another level of dormant power would feel less like a random upgrade and more like a long-overdue reward for a fighter who has never stopped showing up.

What are your thoughts on our list of Dragon Ball characters who needed a massive glow-up like Gohan’s unleashed form? We’d love to know your opinions in the comments below.

Dragon Ball is available to watch on Crunchyroll, and you can also read the manga on Viz Media’s official website.