Ki

Ki (気, "Ki", lit. "Air, Breath"), also known as chi/qi, Youki (妖気, Yōki, lit. "Bewitching energy")^[1] or simply energy (エネルギー, enerugī), is the life force energy used by Dragon Ball characters.

Overview[]

Origin[]

Ki is also known as "latent energy" or "fighting power," which directly translates as "life force." This force is a tangible energy inside every living being, with its major focus being in the center of the body. By drawing it out, an individual is able to manipulate it and use it outside the body. Ki can be used for many different techniques. Because there are physical limits to the strength of the body itself, it is necessary to increase one's ki to overcome this barrier and become stronger.^[2] Usually, the more concentrated the masses are, the more time the user requires to draw it out by powering up. When fighters gather ki, they are able to gain enhanced strength, speed, endurance, and can increase the power of their attacks to inflict greater damage to opponents. Normally, the more the ki is increased, the harder it is to control, so ki control is also important.^[2] Energy can be lost when the user sustains injuries, as exclaimed by Gohan when he loses over half of his maximum energy supply when hit by Cell's Time to Die. Maintaining proper balance between the body and spirit is important in utilizing energy, and the more properly balanced they are, the more energy you can project.^[3]

Name[]

In the English version of the anime, the term ki is rarely used, usually referred to as "Spirit Energy" or "Energy" instead. However, it is referred to by name in video games, even in the English versions. It is called W in Dragon Ball 3: Gokuden. In the English version of the manga, it is referred to as "chi", which is modeled after the Chinese pinyin reading of the term, "qi" (which is pronounced as "chi" like so).

When using Super Saiyan Goku (Naruto Sage Mode Costume) in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, he refers to it as Chakra instead of ki or energy.

Composition[]

According to Akira Toriyama, ki includes at least three parts:^[4]

• Genki (元気, Genki lit. "Vigor")
• Yūki (勇気, Yūki lit. "Courage")
• Shōki (正気, Shōki lit. "Right-mindedness")

He implies yūki is literally the emotion of courage and the energy rush that comes from that, which would mean ki is as much an emotional concept as it is a physical energy to use in battle.

Types[]

There are at least four types of ki. They are:

• Normal ki (通常の気, Tsūjō no Ki): A type of ki that is used by anyone that holds no evil intentions. It is also called Genki (the same as the component listed before). Some techniques need Normal ki to work, as the Spirit Bomb. The appearance of this type of ki is usually a white aura around the user. Some techniques and transformations such as Super Saiyan or Kaio-ken can change the appearance of this type of ki. According to Grand Supreme Kai in Dokkan Battle, this specific type of ki is required to revive Majin Buu and free him from the Sealed Ball.
• Evil ki (邪悪な気, 悪の気, 邪気 , Ja'akuna Ki, Aku no Ki, Jaki): A particular type of ki that is manifested by beings with evil hearts. Usually, the villains have this type of ki. This nature of ki can be changed if the user holds no evil intentions, as the case of Vegeta who eventually became a good person. The appearance of this type of ki is usually a purple or pink aura around the user, like Vegeta (during the Vegeta, Namek, and Frieza Sagas) and Frieza. However, users like Cumber who have such a dark and intense, evil ki can corrupt other beings into becoming evil as well. The demon Janemba is the physical manifestation of this type of energy.
• Godly ki (神の気, Kami no Ki, lit. "Spirit of a God"): A special type of ki used by godly beings. Godly ki is far superior to regular ki, however, a regular ki user can still outmatch a Godly ki user as in the case of Jiren and Golden Frieza. The appearance is different depending on the user.
  • Energy of Destruction: Gods of Destruction have a special type of Godly ki fueled by their own Power of Destruction. The appearance is that of purple aura outlining the user.
  • Dark ki (闇の気, Yami no Ki, lit. "Spirit of Darkness"): A type of ki that combines the properties of Evil and Godly ki. The only known users of this type of ki are Goku Black, Fused Zamasu, and Infinite Zamasu. The appearance of this type of ki is a black aura around the user in Goku Black's case. The Demon Gods of the Dark Empire also use this type of ki.^[5]
• Trio of Danger's ki: In the anime, the members of the Trio of Danger have a special type of ki that cannot be detected by other ki users.^[6]

Amount[]

The amount of ki varies depending on the individual. Usually, non-trained beings have very little ki. Training can increase the amount of ki greatly. The amount of ki is generally related to the power level, the greater the amount of ki, the greater the power level of the user.

Although godly ki is clearly superior to regular ki, potent and large enough regular ki can rival it, as in the case of Jiren, a mortal so unfathomably strong that not even a God of Destruction can defeat, mostly because of his monstrously humongous amount of ki, as Goku, Top, Belmod, and Vegeta are unable to match up to Jiren while using their own transformations (Super Saiyan Blue for Goku and Vegeta, Aura of a God for Top, and God of Destruction ki for Belmod)  that uses godly ki. There are also Supreme Kais, who possess both regular and godly ki, but have been surpassed by Universe 7 characters like Goku, Vegeta, Majin Buu, and Frieza.

If the ki is great enough it can affect the surrounding, like generating powerful gusts of wind, shaking the ground (even the planet) or even destroying it. Jiren's ki is so intense that it can spontaneously generate fire when Jiren unleashes his true power.

In order for someone to be able to take attacks from a foe without taking any damage, they must possess at least twice as much power as their foe.^[7]

Appearances[]

Ki is described by Toriyama as invisible but can be visible in high concentrations or other ways. When visible, it comes in a variety of colors. The most common color in the series is white; other colors include yellow, red, purple, orange, blue, green, pink, and black. These colors vary on the race, a technique being used, species that the character is, and/or the purity of the user's heart. It can also resemble electrical sparks or even sparkles of light.

Auras[]

Auras of ki radiate from the user when increasing the concentration of it inside their body. Warriors (excluding Androids) have a limit to the ki that their bodies can withstand, but the capacity for ki can be increased through mental and physical training. Some techniques (such as the Kaio-ken) rapidly increase the concentration of ki in the body, enabling the user to fight at a strength level that far exceeds their regular limits for a limited period of time. Auras can displace solid matter.

In the anime, auras are sometimes used for comical effect; for example, during the Garlic Jr. Saga, Goku's wife Chi-Chi angrily produces a red-colored aura (similar to the aura produced by the Kaio-ken) after being angered by Maron (Krillin's then girlfriend); though it appeared similar to the Kaio-ken, its red color was likely intended to comically represent Chi-Chi's anger.

In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, there are several Aura Charge Z-items that change the default color of a character's aura to a different one (for example, Aura Charge Red gives the character a red Kaio-ken-like aura) or grants an aura effect on characters (like Androids) who do not possess an aura. There is also the bio-electric aura produced by the Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3 levels (and Cell as well). In the anime, lightning auras are sometimes placed randomly on various characters, regardless of their transformation or power level. Auras are even capable of being used defensively to repel attacks as demonstrated by Bojack's Power Guard and Gogeta's Vanisher Guard techniques, which their users defend themselves by generating and surrounding themselves with a powerful aura. Gohan uses a similar technique where he makes his Super Saiyan aura (while in base form) explode around him destroying objects. This is seen when Gohan is attacked by one of Bojack's henchmen who throws the hands of a huge clock.

The color and general appearance of a person's ki can vary (especially in the anime) depending on the race of the said being (as it happens with mortals whose ki auras are plain, and most of them even transparent; contrary to gods, whose ki auras are more complex and detailed as with Beerus and Champa having a spiral pattern aside from the standard transparent aura or the Super Saiyan God/Blue transformations whose auras are opaque with light particles flowing inside) or the kind of personality and soul the person has (as seen with Zamasu, his ki has a sort of black aura, however when he switched minds and soul with Goku, the black ki he possessed still remained, even though Goku never showed any signs of using black ki, indicating that the ki color and power of one's strength depends more on the kind of personality they have, instead of the body of a person themself).

Auras also give an indication of when a person's ki has reached a new level of power. An example is the Plasma Aura in forms such as the advanced Super Saiyan forms or Cell's Super Perfect Form. Other examples include the full, vibrant auras of advanced Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan forms, as well as Vegeta's Super Saiyan God SS Evolved form, Goku's Ultra Instinct forms, and Jiren's Super Full Power state in which their auras bare sparkles and particles of ki when they each broke their limits.

Cumber has such a dark and evil aura, that it can corrupt other beings into becoming evil. As shown, when Goku tried to punch the evil Saiyan but was corrupted and went berserk. However, the effect was only temporary.

It is later revealed that his dark evil aura is due to his Evil Saiyan state as Turles gains the same aura upon achieving his Evil Saiyan state. Bojack can also utilize his own version of the Evil Saiyan state which gives the non-Saiyan an Evil Saiyan-like aura. In Cumber's case, he retains the Evil Saiyan aura when he transforms into his Super Saiyan 3 and Super Saiyan 3 Full Power forms.

History[]

The term ki was first introduced by Master Mutaito in a Dragon Ball episode where Goku travels back in time and learns about ki.^[8] The first usage of it is seen when Master Roshi performs an energy blast called the Kamehameha in order to extinguish the fire on Fire Mountain: by drawing his ki energy into the palms of his hands, Roshi is able to expel an explosive mass of visible ki energy.^[9][10] This was the birth of the energy attacks in Dragon Ball.

Usage[]

Ki attacks[]

Ki can be used to enhance the combat abilities of the user, usually, to increase their strength. Advanced ki users can also emit plasma from their bodies in the form of beams, blades, discs, rings, spheres, or explosions.

In World Mission, the ki used to form the golden dragon for EX Dragon Fist is called Dragon Ki which the user must charge up before performing EX Dragon Fist (this applies to all EX Dragon Fist variants), thus ki can also be used to create more elaborate constructs.

Transformation[]

Depending on their genetic inheritance, some beings are able to transform. However, not all beings are able to transform at will; in some instances, there must be certain environmental conditions required for their transformation (i.e. moonlight for Great Ape transformation, or emotional upheaval for first time Super Saiyans). By transforming, a person can change the limits of their regular body. Effects of transformations usually include alterations in strength and ki capacity. Some other effects may include differences in speed and durability. The most common transformation is the Super Saiyan transformation, which is only accessible to certain Saiyans and Saiyan/Human hybrids. The negative aspect of most transformations is that the process itself consumes energy. The effect of energy loss when dealing with Super Saiyan transformations can be limited or even nullified through training.

Transformation is not always intended for increasing abilities. Some beings are known to transform in order to limit their abilities rather than increasing them. An example of this is Frieza, who was first seen in a suppressed state, being that his fourth form was his original state, and the form that he is first seen in was actually a transformed one. Cell demonstrated a similar ability when he reverted to a larval state in order to fit in Future Trunks' Time Machine and save energy during the time that he had to wait for the Androids.

Ki control[]

Most beings cannot freely control their ki, but many who can manipulate it also learn to control the flow of ki within their bodies, allowing them to channel larger or smaller amounts of their ki reserves. In essence, they can adjust their strength to match the situation, and generate attacks which contain larger concentrations of ki than they are normally capable of. This ability is noted by Raditz when fighting Goku and Piccolo; whilst they had power levels of 416 and 408 respectively, their special attacks channeled such high levels of ki that they measured at 924 and 1,480. Despite being common amongst Earth's martial artists, this ability seems to be exceedingly rare in general, as the Frieza Force are continually surprised by the ability of Gohan, Krillin and the others to raise and suppress their power levels at will. 

By gaining perfect control over their ki as it is channeled, and thus stopping any of it from leaking out of their body, a fighter is shown to be able to become exponentially more powerful. When Vegeta attained perfect ki control by training with Whis he caught up to Goku's power - who had merged with the power of Super Saiyan God - and managed to move when inside a field of godly ki when he was unable to when not perfectly controlling his ki. Through training in the Forest of Terror, Krillin also managed to attain ki control and "rose above himself", gaining greater strength.

The Super Saiyan form Super Saiyan Blue, while mostly consisting of godly ki, relies heavily on ki control to achieve. Goku and Vegeta are able to freely lower or increase their power in their Blue forms as long as they are relaxed, and forms such as the Kaio-ken are able to be combined with the form with no trouble.

Even the Golden Frieza form needed proper ki control to safely maintain it and perfectly manipulate his energy-based attacks with extreme efficiency, otherwise, its stamina will grossly and gradually drop, to the point that the unmastered version of the form loses its efficiency in combat, this can be achieved through either physical or mental training, as shown with Frieza, while trapped in his cocoon during his time in Hell, who realized the mistake of his unmastered golden form, by focusing his mental stimulation on exacting revenge on Goku, finally advanced and mastered his Golden Frieza form, after being resurrected temporarily, granted him perfect ki manipulation, as shown when he kills the Universe 9's Assassins without much effort, and later, after a double fist clash with Super Saiyan Blue Goku (also at full power), when he was knocked out with him, he still remains in his Golden Frieza form, without reverting to his final form, signifying the form's negation of the stamina drawback, while Goku went out of his Super Saiyan Blue form when knocked out.

Ki Sense[]

A user with enough ki control eventually learns how to sense it, being able to sense the location, amount and type, the stronger and closer the enemy, the more powerful the sensation. Also, if a ki is very powerful, it can be sensed from afar by people who are trained to sense energy.

With enough training the user can also hide their ki so others cannot sense it.

Duplication[]

There are some beings that have the capability of replicating their ki and distributing them in different areas. So far, the only fighter that is capable of doing so is Hit, as seen when he tricks Goku with his identical ki in several different areas, distracting Goku with this abundance of different energy levels. Obuni was also shown with a less powerful version of this ability, in which he is able to extend his energy and fool fighters with the multiple energy levels, and his multiple illusions.

Defense/Guard[]

Ki, once mastered at a basic level, carries more than just offensive and tactical power. While the durability of one's flesh and bones carry an obvious limit (even for races such as Saiyans, Namekians and deities) the extent of a fighter's ki does not carry these limits. As a result, fighters can increase their endurance by raising their guard to deflect ki attacks, although this obviously does drain energy. Lowering one's guard can result in much higher damage taken from attacks, even comparatively weak attacks such as scrapes, cuts, and bullets.^[11]

Raising one's guard can be used to block attacks even more powerful than the user, although this can be extremely dangerous and often fatal.^[12] This is seen in both the Saiyan saga when Piccolo takes Nappa's Bomber DX attack and dies from exhaustion and the Future Trunks saga in which Vegeta deflects Future Zamasu's Absolute Lightning to the chest to save Trunks.

Powerful fighters can also take genuine damage from lowering their guard. Vegeta deliberately lowers his guard to take an attack to the stomach from Krillin during the Namek saga to obtain Saiyan Power. During Goku's rematch with Frieza, Goku lets his guard down and lowers his defences, allowing Frieza's underling Sorbet to aim a ray gun at his heart, gravely injuring him and rendering him completely helpless. Despite previously possessing the strength to match blows with Golden Frieza, Goku is only able to move again after consuming a Senzu Bean, restoring his body and his ki.

In Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, Beat demonstrates the ability to subconsciously use his ki while guarding to cancel out a weak Ki Blast from the SDBH game world Cooler that had escaped to Hero Town in the real world, despite having had no formal training. As it is later revealed that Beat is a Earthling Saiyan hybrid descendant of Goku, his ability to subconsciously utilize his ki in this manner is likely due to his hybrid status, as both Gohan and Pan have demonstrated the ability to utilize ki subconsciously and/or without formal training (Pan learned to fly on her own as a baby, while Gohan as a child could tap into his hidden power during periods of emotional distress).

Ki Harvesting[]

Ki can be harvested from other beings and used by others in a variety of ways. The first is Energy Absorption in which one drains another being's ki to increase their own. Another is to gather ki from others to accomplish a task that requires a lot of energy such as freeing Majin Buu from his Sealed Ball which lead the Organization of Babidi to search for beings will high Kili levels to acquire their energy to free Majin Buu. However, only certain types of ki can be used for that purpose as neither Shin nor Kibito's ki could be used presumably due to them being Core People. Members of the Demon Realm race like Towa can become stronger by gathering large amounts of ki, as she does this to acquire her Darkness form and Demigra did it to acquire his Demon God form. Towa also collects ki for Mira to increase his power and as part of her plan to connect the Demon Realm with the rest of the Universe which requires a massive amount of energy. Fu and Dabura (after being rescued from death by Towa) can also absorb damage energy from historical alterations they make to increase their power, though Fu seeks to use said energy to create good futures while Dabura wishes to use it avenge his sister and complete her dream of reviving the Demon Realm.

Dr. Myuu was created by Baby to gather ki for him. Dr. Myuu created the Machine Mutants including General Rilldo, Sigma Force, and Luud to assist him. Luud and Cardinal Mutchy Mutchy used the Luud Cult to gather energy for Baby by fooling them to believe Luud was a God of Destruction whom they fervently worshipped.

Ki users[]

Saiyans[]

Saiyans and their hybrid counterparts are naturally adept at using ki. They generally have no difficulty manipulating their energy and have even evolved to have the ability to increase it numerous times in battle without much effort. This is much unlike Earthlings who usually spend themselves after the first increase. However, unlike Namekians, Saiyans don't seem to have a natural ability to detect ki by sensing ki signatures which Jaco confirms is a technique unknown to Saiyan culture entirely in Dragon Ball Legends, though the amnesic righteous Ancient Saiyan Shallot is shown to possess a heightened olfactory sense that allows him to determine one's power level via their scent alone and this ability seems to make it easier for Shallot to learn Ki Sense after only some brief instruction from Kid Gohan. The ability to sense ki must be acquired through learning. Based on Raditz also not knowing how to increase an attack's power by focusing ki into singular points, it also seems likely that Saiyans generally do not know how to create amplified blasts, and need additional training in order to learn how to do so (as the Kamehameha is a technique can be amplified into a single point and make it stronger or varying, so Goku, being a Saiyan, had to learn how to do that during his youth training with Master Roshi and Kami, making him more experienced in using ki than his brother, despite Raditz being stronger than Goku at the time).

Powerful Saiyans like Goku and Broly have been shown to leave behind residual traces of their ki in places they've been to recently which can be tracked via Ki Sense allowing them to be tracked to their current location as demonstrated by Goku tracking Broly in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan and by Future Trunks tracking Goku the main story of Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle

Namekians[]

Although Namekians are generally not considered as strong as Saiyans, their ability to use ki is seen in some ways to be better than that of Saiyans. Namekians are seen to be able to freely suppress and amplify their ki more efficiently than Saiyans, although this does not count as perfectly controlling their ki, they need additional training to do so. Namekians also use ki in more mystical ways than Saiyans do but use it in the same manner when fighting. Namekians also are able to naturally detect ki energy by sensing the concentration of it. Namekians also are able to sense the "evil" in a being's ki, only Namekians with a higher/special rank/status than a Grand Elder (such as Dende and Kami, being Guardians of Earth, thus they are considered low-level deities) can sense the ki of deities.

Earthlings[]

It is very uncommon to see an Earthling who uses ki energy, though several humans have been shown to acquire full mastery of the art. Master Mutaito is one of the first humans who seem to have developed an understanding of the use and nature of ki, knowledge which he passed onto his students, Master Roshi and Master Shen, which they, in turn, passed on to their students such Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Chiaotzu. Another, lesser-adept human is Videl, who was taught basic flight from Gohan (she can fly, but she is no match for the Dragon Team). Other users include Spopovich, Yamu, and Olibu (although Spopovich and Yamu were Majins and do not really count, and Olibu may have learned the art in the Other World). Master Shen's brother, Mercenary Tao, also acquire mastery of the art, becoming the Earth's top assassin. General Blue of the Red Ribbon Army also displayed the ability to charge up his power and had an aura, but he did seemingly not know how to use traditional ki blasts.

Due to their unnatural occurrences and mainly stemming from Mr. Satan's claims, around Age 767-Age 774, Earthlings would come to believe that all ki-based techniques are just tricks, however around the time during and after Goku's battle against the evil Kid Buu, people are starting to realize the actual existence of ki through Mr. Satan convincing the Earthlings to "give" him energy to destroy Buu and save the planet, but, however, believing that they are giving their energy to Satan while actually, they were giving it to Goku, sometime after Goku's battle against the God of Destruction Beerus, people started to fanatically believe in supernatural powers mainly only in Mr. Satan, as Mr. Satan claimed that he alone had possessed supernatural powers, and became a "god" and "battled" "Beavis" (Mr. Satan's misinterpretation of Beerus). In the events leading up to Dragon Ball Online, in Age 804, Gohan wrote a book called "Groundbreaking Science" which reveals his studies on advanced martial arts and ki control. As of Age 1000, many Humans fight using ki attacks, including powering up and raising their ki, producing energy waves and spheres, discs, and self-destruction techniques. The Kikoukenjutsu Sword School, founded by Trunks and Goten to educate Earth's newer generation of warriors, focuses on the principle of channeling ki energy through swords. Tien's newly re-established New Crane School focuses on high spiritual damages; in some instances, techniques where the user must sacrifice health to produce the powerful attacks. All playable races, including Humans, can use the Kaio-ken technique, which constantly drains the user's HP (health) and EP (ki).

Androids[]

Androids generally have an unnatural source of ki, so sometimes their ki capacity is unlimited. Most of the time, because it is unnatural, it is unable to be detected by sensing. Conversely, most Androids are not able to detect other sources of ki by sensing. Instead, they must have special devices to do that. Some Androids can absorb other forms of ki, as well as energy from other life forms. Bio-Androids like Cell and Android 21 have odd mix of multiple ki signatures due to possessing cells from different individuals which can cause them to be mistaken for said individual by others sensing it. Some Androids like Dr. Wheelo do have ki that can be sensed though as do cyborgs like Mecha Frieza and Mercenary Tao, due to it having originated from a cybernetically modified living person.

The Infinity Energy produced by the Infinity Energy Reactors of Android 16, Android 17, Android 18 and their counterparts make them immune to Moro's Energy Absorption ability as it is unnatural and in the case of Android 17 and 18 their modified bodies no longer produce natural Earthling ki as it is effectively replaced by the energy produced by their Infinite Energy Reactors. Due to this giving them an advantage over Moro and the extraterrestrial Android Seven-Three who had copied Moro's abilities, the twins were deputized by the Galactic Patrol to counter their energy absorption with the Capsule Corporation agreeing to pay Android 18 for her services.

Hidden Potential[]

Every fighter contains an amount of latent strength, some hold more than others. This useless dormant energy found naturally within powerful fighters can become a great power up if brought out through some special technique not known to many. This energy is often depicted as clear silver, and the methods used to unlock it are usually found within much older and wiser beings, such as Old Kai and the Namekian Grand Elder Guru.

Additionally in Xenoverse 2, Pure Majin are depicted as having a clear silver aura identical to the aura produced by users of Ultimate, which makes sense as the Pure Majin form allows Majins to access the form and latent potential of Kid Buu, though their Ultimate state allows them to do so within changing form or the risk of losing their "heart" (original personality) and becoming another evil incarnation of Kid Buu.

Deities[]

Deities use a rare form of ki, known as Godly Ki (神の気, Kami no Ki), which is referenced as early as the Majin Buu Saga, but fully introduced in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. It has been shown to be far above the normal usage of ki. Despite this type of energy dwelling specifically within gods and other high-level deities, god ki can be obtained by mortals via various means, including special rituals passed down through legends, highly intense training under the supervision of a god or an angel, or by obtaining certain transformations such as Broly God or Demon God.

Godly ki is a more powerful version of ki. As seen during the God of Destruction Beerus Saga, Goku is unable to be on par with Beerus until he absorbs the power of Super Saiyan God. Goku is able to briefly fight on the same level after having lost his Super Saiyan God form when his mind was adjusted to Beerus' level of power and speed. However, it is implied to have been a temporary instance. During their training with Whis, Goku and Vegeta manage to learn how to use godlike power in their base forms by powering up while controlling their ki to stop it from leaking. During this time, Vegeta states that this must be what divine energy is, and that the pressure is "Incredible". ^[13] With this revelation, they were able to achieve a powerful transformation beyond a Super Saiyan God.

The God of Destruction Beerus, his mentor Whis, their siblings, and Saiyans who obtain the power of a god are able to use this form of ki, all of them vastly surpassing almost everyone else. The Supreme Kais also possess both normal ki and godly ki as they are "Gods of Creation", the opposite of Gods of Destruction, and both Kibito Kai and Old Kai are able to sense Beerus as well. It is implied that, since they possess both normal and godly ki, they lack the strength of those with purely godly ki. Kibito also appears to have godly ki, as Dabura states that neither his or the East Supreme Kai's energy can be used to release Majin Buu from the Sealed Ball.^[14]

Several beings who are not confirmed to possess godly ki are capable of sensing it: Dende possesses the ability to sense godly ki due to the fact he is Guardian of Earth (which would imply that Kami and the other Guardians of Earth also possess the ability to sense it as well when they held the position) and is able to sense Beerus' ki.^[15] After greatly powering up to the level of the gods, both Goku and Vegeta also possess the ability to sense godly ki. Objects like scouters are unable to scan the power level of a user of godly ki. In Dragon Ball Super, Frieza gains the ability to sense godly ki after his four months of training as he can sense Super Saiyan Blue Goku's ki and feels that it is less powerful than the normal ki of his Golden Frieza form. Certain beings with power or strength that surpassed Super Saiyan God (such as Future Trunks' power increase after his transformation into Super Saiyan Rage, and Frieza's clan members' power increase after achieving their Golden forms) can sense Godly ki.

Due to Goku's body being taken over by the Supreme Kai apprentice of Universe 10, Zamasu, in the original, unaltered present timeline and then engraving Goku's fighting power into his own, Goku Black possesses godly ki. Every time Black transforms into his Super Saiyan Rosé form he covers himself with godly ki. As he is the fusion of both Super Saiyan Rosé Goku Black and Future Zamasu, Fused Zamasu also possesses godly ki due to him being an actual deity as well as his permanent Super Saiyan Rosé form as Goku Black was transformed at the time of the fusion, which would normally be dangerous were it not for Future Zamasu's immortality.

Being the apprentice for the next God of Destruction of Universe 11, Top is also shown to be able to utilize godly ki as shown during his fight with Goku in the manga which made him comparable to Super Saiyan Blue Goku in strength.

Godly Ki is known to enhance the user's ability to survive serious wounds and the ability of the user's body to naturally recover from such injuries. Additionally, during the Tournament of Power, Goku demonstrates it can be used in conjunction with Kiai Defibrillation to enhance its ability to resuscitate others as shown when Goku uses his Super Saiyan Blue form's Godly Ki to resuscitate Master Roshi after his use of The Greatest Kamehameha stopped his heart and Goku's initial usage of normal Kiai Defibrillation failed.

During the Universal Conflict Saga, Goku's Ultra Instinct Sign and Perfected Ultra Instinct forms are said to possess Godly Ki which is referred by Hearts as the "power of the gods". After training with the Grand Minister, Goku is able to focus the Godly Ki of Ultra Instinct Sign into his fists which he utilizes to force the Neo Machine Mutant Tuffle Oren out of Vegeta's body.

Demon God Demigra also possesses godly ki.^[16] In Dragon Ball Heroes, it is revealed that Demigra obtained the ability to use godly ki by obtaining his Demon God form which was the result of collecting a massive amount of Kili. Other Demon Gods such as Putine, Gravy, and Salsa also can use godly ki as a result of gaining the Demon God form. Mechikabura can grant the Demon God form to others as shown by Towa. The Death God Shroom was also granted his Demon God form by Mechikabura. Demon King Dabura also gained godly ki upon obtaining his Demon God form. Kid Buu gained the power of Dabura's Demon God form and its Godly ki via Absorption. Demigra gave some of his Demon God power to Xeno Omega Shenron allowing the Shadow Dragon to take on his own Transcended form. Additionally, it is revealed that Earthling-Saiyan hybrids can achieve Super Saiyan God through the Super Saiyan God ritual as shown by Xeno Trunks during the Dark King Mechikabura Saga. In the story mode of Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, the Earth-Saiyan hybrid Beat is able to achieve his natural Super Saiyan Blue form (as all Saiyan Avatars are pure Saiyans) as a Earthling-Saiyan hybrid in a manner reminiscent of the Super Saiyan God ritual though with seven Earthlings transferring their power to a Earthling-Saiyan hybrid which causes the Earthling-Saiyan hybrid to achieve their Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form instead of Super Saiyan God. Thus Saiyan-Earthling hybrids can utilize Godly Ki through the divine Saiyan forms, Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue.

Those who possess godly ki are also immune to the effects of Dark Magic.^[17] However they can mimic its effects as shown by Beerus. Some like Goku Black, Future Zamasu, and Fused Zamasu can obtain access to certain Dark Magic power-ups such as Supervillain, despite possessing godly ki.^[18] Users of the God Class-up in Dragon Ball Heroes also obtain godly ki.

In Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai, Broly's God form possesses godly ki.

In the Xenoverse series, the Future Warriors can have godly ki as they can obtain godly powers through difficult Parallel Quests or through training under divine beings like Beerus and Whis.

In Xenoverse 2, Future Zamasu senses the 2nd Future Warrior's godly ki during Zamasu's Initiation Test though notes it is very faint, yet it is enough to pique the rogue Supreme Kai's interest and he decides to train the warrior believing they will be a useful tool. After the 1.09.00 Update, when the Future Warrior has reached Level 90 and achieved maximum friendship with Whis they can talk to him, and he is surprised that the incredible power he was sensing was coming from them and states that their power may even surpass the gods. Happy that they have been continuing their training to reach this level of power he rewards them by teaching them the Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Awoken Skill which allows the Saiyan Future Warrior to utilize godly ki then transforming into a Super Saiyan to take on their Super Saiyan Blue form just like Goku and Vegeta. Additionally, the Future Warrior can also achieve the Super Saiyan God SS Evolved Awoken Skill from Whis as well.

In Dragon Ball FighterZ, it is revealed by Android 16 that his Power Radar cannot detect the power of Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta indicating that like Scouters used by the Frieza Force, it cannot read or detect Godly ki due to its divine nature.

Kais[]

A Kai's energy is mostly invisible. Two Kais have been seen using invisible blasts; the first one was King Kai, who used his invisible ki to assist his pupils in his training. The second was Shin, who thrust his hand forward and caused what appeared to be a gust of wind to blow at Majin Buu, having no effect whatsoever. Being deities, regular Kais possess godly ki, and the ability to sense it. Supreme Kais, being deities, also possess godly ki. According to Babidi and Dabura, their ki is unsuitable for harvesting to revive Majin Buu. In Dokkan Battle, Grand Supreme Kai explains this is due to mortal Good ki being required to revive Majin Buu and free him from the Sealed Ball.

Other[]

Extraterrestrials, monstrous creatures, and demons are also able to use ki.

Members of Frieza's Race are able to use ki though they are unable to sense it naturally and thus rely on the use of Scouters, though they can learn how to sense it. Some members like Frieza transform into weaker forms to camouflage or suppress their ki, while others like Cooler are shown to be able to learn how to control and suppress their ki without the need of transforming into weaker forms.

Members of the Majin race are able to use ki and some members are capable of sensing it. It is also mentioned that Majin Buu has an odd ki signature that makes it hard to tell how strong he actually is. It is unclear if other Majins possess the same odd ki signature or not. Additionally Kid Buu and Good Buu inherited the divine power of Grand Supreme Kai which was split between them, though Kid Buu inherited most of it, which was passed on to his reincarnation Uub. It is unknown if Majuub possesses the full extent of Grand Supreme Kai's divine power given that concept was introduced in Dragon Ball Super, though it's possible that he does possess it via retroactive continuity, but is unable to tap into it, due to Grand Supreme Kai's personality being dormant in Dragon Ball GT.

Members of the Demon Realm race seem to be adapted at the use of ki as well as magic much like Namekians, though most individuals are shown to be incredibly powerful presumably due to the hellish nature of Demon Realm itself. The evil sorcerer Babidi and members of the Demon Realm race use a unit of measurement called Kili to measure a being's power using devices such as Energy Meter to measure it in a manner not unlike Scouters, though Kili measurements are on a different scale. Babidi and Dabura as well as Towa and Mira have sought to collect large amounts of Kili or Damage Energy to accomplish certain tasks such as freeing Majin Buu from the Sealed Ball, powering up Mira and Fu, or remove the barrier that separates Demon Realm from the rest of the Universe. Demigra also gathered large amounts of Kili in the past to transform himself into a Demon God. One way to collect said energy is to have someone possessed by Babidi's magic fight another powerful fighter such as when Majin Vegeta fought Goku. Alternatively, an Energy-Suction Device can be used to drain it from a target such as what Yamu and Spopovich did to Super Saiyan 2 Gohan or when the Masked Saiyan collected Damage Energy for Towa to power-up Mira. However, the energy of Core Person cannot be collected or used for these purposes as Dabura and Babidi noted that Shin and Kibito's energy could not be used to revive Majin Buu presumably due to its divine nature making it unsuitable for reviving an ancient demonic Majin, though mortal ki is suitable for this purpose. In Dokkan Battle, Grand Supreme Kai explains that normal Good ki is required to revive Majin Buu thus explaining why Evil ki, demonic, and Shinjin ki is unusable and why Babidi couldn't use the energy of Dabura or his henchman as they possess Evil ki.

In Dokkan Battle, Future Trunks is able to sense that Melee, Gola, and Shula are not mortals indicating the demonic ki of the Demon Realm race is different from mortal ki, though unlike Godly ki it can be sensed using normal Ki Sense. Future Trunks also identifies Shula as a Demon due his ki being non-human like his fellow demons Melee and Gola.

Dark Energy is a special type of ki that exists in demonic worlds such as the Demon Realm and Makyo Star which can power up Serpents and members of the Demon Realm Race. While dark energy normally only exists naturally in the Demon Realm and Makyo Star, Demigra, Towa, and Dabura were able to create artificial Dark Energy that can exist outside these places which can be used to corrupt other worlds such as Earth in Age ??? and serves as the basis for Dark Magic which allows it to be utilized in conjunction with Magic to enchant, empower, and control others as long as they are not naturally divine, possess godly ki, and/or Saiyans who have absorbed the God's Crimson Radiance of the Super Saiyan God form. Though immune to being controlled by it, gods can pretend to be influenced by it like Beerus did when Demigra tried to control him and in certain cases can be utilized by deities to empower themselves such as the case with Goku Black, Future Zamasu, and Fused Zamasu despite their divine origins and godly ki. This artificial Dark Energy, however, can be dispelled by giving the corrupted person a sound beating.

If the fruit from the Tree of Might is exposed to the Demon Realm's environment, it is possible to grow a demonic variant infused with Dark Energy which can allow consumers to achieve Villainous Mode and with help from Towa's Dark Magic, imperfect Supervillain form. Lord Slug recognizes the energy flowing through his body as Dark Energy after consuming the demonic fruit. Fu developed Demon Realm Crystals to produce a similar effect, though Dark Energy and Dark Magic contained within these crystals is intense enough to grant either imperfect or perfected Supervillain form. Even Time Patrollers can use Demon Realm Crystals to achieve the imperfect Supervillain form as part of Fu's Crystal Raid experiments within the Crystal Raid Time Rift.

In Super Dragon Ball Heroes, Dark Factor is Mechikabura's life energy which can be used by other members of the Demon Realm Race to empower themselves. Dark Factor sometimes manifests as black, purple orbs or a ghostly visage of Mechikabura. Both Fu and Demigra use the Dark Factor to attain the Dark King form while Towa and Robelu used it to enhance their Demon Goddess forms.

Trivia[]

• Since Dragon Ball Super, only regular ki auras are traditionally animated in 2D, while non-regular ki auras are CGI generated.

Gallery[]

Bardock's aura radiating off his body Bardock charges ki in his hand for a Rush Ki Wave Master Roshi gathers ki to perform a MAX Power Kamehameha Roshi (as Jackie Chun) concentrating his ki Murasaki prepares his Copy Technique Master Roshi concentrating his ki at the seashore Tien showing his aura Tien meditating deeply King Piccolo concentrates ki in his hands Super Garlic Jr.'s yellow aura Gohan uses ki to light a log fire Nappa with an aura as he attacks Goku Vegeta charges ki in his hand Vegeta uses ki to protect himself from Zarbon's Possibility Cannon A Namekian Warrior concentrates ki into his fist Jeice gathers ki to form a Crusher Ball Vegeta charges his ki to threaten Gohan and Krillin Vegeta charges his ki angrily Vegeta with a white aura Krillin and Gohan channeling ki to Piccolo Frieza energizing his aura in dome form Frieza and Goku having an energy fight Frieza radiating his aura Gohan charges the ki in his fist Gohan attacks Garlic Jr. with a punch charged of ki Gohan's energy punch Garlic Jr. energizing his fist with ki Garlic Jr.'s ki punch blocked by Gohan Lord Slug tests out his newfound youth by charging ki in his hands Piccolo channeling his ki to Goku in Lord Slug Goku and Vegeta combine their ki while ramming towards a Meta-Cooler Broly releases his irate ki Broly and Goku emitting ki in a moment of psychological tension Piccolo transmitting his ki to Goku in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan Gohan transmitting his ki to Goku in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan Future Trunks transmitting his ki to Goku in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan Vegeta transmitting his ki to Goku in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan Gohan blocks the Goku's Kamehameha with a ki sphere Semi-Perfect Cell charges a ki sphere in his hands Vegeta prepares a Final Flash Vegeta gathers ki in his hands Vegeta with ki in his hands Vegeta charges up the Final Flash Vegeta about to fire the Final Flash Super Perfect Cell blasts Piccolo with his aura Tien and Yamcha with a white aura Vegeta releasing his energies Gohan shows Videl how to create energy Gohan charges ki in his hand to perform an attack Goku and Majin Vegeta's ki produces bioelectricity while fighting Majin Vegeta overcharging the power of his ki Bio-Broly charging his energy in the eyes and in the chest Bio-Broly releases his energy at one time Super Saiyan 3 Goku's bioelectricity Goku's punch given at Janemba generates ki electricity Goku charging two ki spheres in his hands Super Buu ki electricity Gotenks' ki sparking around him Gotenks' bioelectricity Gotetenks charges even more his ki Super Vegito charges ki in his hands Super Buu holding ki spheres in his hands Goku's first attempt to turn Super Saiyan God Goku's second attempt to turn Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan God Goku's aura Goku charges ki in his hand Baby Vegeta receives Saiyan energy to transform Super Baby Vegeta gathers energy to further transform Pan, Goten, Gohan and Trunks giving Goku energy SS4 Goku receives energy from his friends Piccolo channeling his ki to Goku perform the Instant Transmission Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta's aura Omega Shenron's negative aura Moro's Ki Aura in the Dragon Ball Super manga Granolah's Ki Aura in the Dragon Ball Super manga Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta and Goku charging their energy in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Goku's ki forming an "aura" in Burst Limit Yamcha's ki forming an aura in Burst Limit Vegeta's ki forming an aura in Burst Limit Nappa's ki forming an aura in Burst Limit

References[]