Super Kamehameha

The Super Kamehameha follows the same fundamental mechanics as its predecessor: cup the hands, gather ki, and release. The difference is raw output. The energy buildup is so intense that it visibly pushes the user's hands apart during charging, and the beam itself often dwarfs the user by two or three times their body size. The bulbous energy mass near the hands is noticeably larger, and the beam carries substantially more destructive force than a standard Kamehameha.

Goku invented this upgrade specifically for the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, where he needed something powerful enough to challenge Piccolo Jr. Master Roshi initially feared the attack would kill Kami (who was linked to Piccolo), but Krillin reminded him the Dragon Balls could fix that. So Goku went full throttle and fired, overpowering Piccolo's Makosen and injuring the evil Namekian badly.

The Super Kamehameha appears in virtually every major conflict from the 23rd Tournament onward. On Namek, Super Saiyan Goku uses it to counter Frieza's Nova Strike, though Frieza's superior maneuverability lets him break off and ram Goku into the ground. Against Android 19, Goku fires one that the android absorbs entirely. Cell uses the Super Kamehameha against Goku during the Cell Games, while SS2 Gohan counters Cell's upgraded versions with the Ultimate Kamehameha and the Father-Son Kamehameha.

Every Buu, Every Kamehameha

The Buu Saga is practically a Super Kamehameha showcase. SS3 Goku uses it against Innocent Buu. Good Buu and Evil Buu fire dueling Super Kamehamehas at each other, with Evil Buu overpowering his counterpart. SS3 Gotenks tries one against Super Buu but defuses right before he can fire. Goku and Kid Buu trade Super Kamehamehas at point-blank range, creating a massive energy collision. Even in Dragon Ball Super, Gohan disguises one as the "Super Great Saiyaman Beam" to save Barry Kahn from Watagash.

The Super Kamehameha also features prominently in Dragon Ball films. Goku uses it to push back Cooler's Supernova in Cooler's Revenge, sending both the attack and Cooler himself into the sun. Against the original Broly, it lands at point-blank range but does absolutely nothing. SS2 Gohan fires one against Bojack in Bojack Unbound as his finishing move. In Dragon Ball Daima, Mini Goku in Super Saiyan 2 uses it to overpower Tamagami Number Three's Ki Blast.

What makes the Super Kamehameha endure is its accessibility. Goku, Gohan, Cell, all forms of Buu, Goku Black, Goten, Trunks, and countless video game characters have used it. It is the default "serious" Kamehameha, the version you fire when a regular one simply will not cut it.