Supernova

The Supernova is performed by raising a single finger and gathering energy into an enormous sphere that resembles a miniature sun, glowing yellow-orange and radiating intense heat. Once fully charged, the user launches it at the target. It is designed for one purpose above all others: planetary annihilation. The attack is a scaled-up version of the Death Ball, trading subtlety for overwhelming destructive power. King Kai described the Supernova that Mecha Frieza used against Future Trunks as ten times more powerful than the Death Ball that destroyed Planet Namek.

The Supernova's most significant use is also one of the most important events in Dragon Ball history. Having grown fearful of the Saiyans' rapidly increasing strength and the legend of the Super Saiyan, Frieza decided to wipe them out entirely. When Bardock made a desperate last stand, firing his Final Spirit Cannon at the tyrant, Frieza countered with the Supernova. The attack consumed Bardock and continued straight into Planet Vegeta, obliterating the world and virtually the entire Saiyan race. As the planet shattered, Frieza laughed and called the explosion "beautiful fireworks" to Dodoria and Zarbon.

Future Trunks Catches It

Years later, Mecha Frieza attempts to destroy Earth with the same technique. Future Trunks, having just revealed himself as a Super Saiyan, catches the Supernova in one hand without a scratch. An annoyed Frieza detonates it remotely, but Trunks dodges the blast, and while Frieza is distracted, Trunks kills him with his Shining Sword Attack. It is one of the most humiliating moments in Frieza's career.

The Supernova returns in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, where it once again destroys Planet Vegeta. This version shows Bardock firing his Final Spirit Cannon in a doomed attempt to save the planet, losing the resulting energy clash as the Supernova consumes him. Gine, Leek, and Taro all perish along with the rest of the population. Frieza also uses a smaller Petite Supernova in the same film simply to announce his arrival by clearing away clouds before landing on the Ice Continent.

Cooler and his Meta-Cooler form also use their own variations, making the Supernova something of a family specialty among Frieza's clan. The technique's legacy in Dragon Ball is defined by a single, horrifying moment: the casual destruction of an entire civilization by a tyrant who thought it looked pretty.