Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2 hasn’t moved the needle too much since the anime’s premiere, but the series has finally showed off what the series’ two main characters – Goku and Beerus – are actually capable of. For the first time since Dragon Ball DAIMA, fans get to see Goku in action, and it’s one of the greatest fights in the series. Beerus comes off as a genuine threat as the two duke it out, while Super Saiyan 3 finally gets the justice it always deserved.
Since not many characters appear in Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2, we won’t be ranking the likes of Vegeta, Gohan, or Vegito. For all intents and purposes, their placements on the leader board are exactly where they were last week. Instead, we’re adding a few new faces to the tier and finally breaking down what Goku is capable of after Dragon Ball Z, but before he obtains God Ki. With Episode 2 including a hint to Ultra Instinct, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is quickly becoming one of the strongest timelines in the franchise.
6
King Kai is One of the Weakest Gods Nowadays
It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when King Kai was one of the most powerful characters in Dragon Ball, but even in the Saiyan Saga, it didn’t take long for Goku and Vegeta to surpass him. King Kai is a genuine martial arts master, but he’s more of a teacher than a proper fighter. This is abundantly clear based on just how utterly terrified he is of Beerus.
King Kai fully understands just how deadly Beerus is, and the fact that Goku might very well be putting all of humanity in danger. Power-wise, King Kai only has a Power Level of 3,500, making him weaker than Nappa and the entire Frieza Force. Given that King Kai doesn’t train (unlike Roshi), he’s realistically still in the low thousands as of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus.
5
Old Kai is One of the Most Powerful Sorcerers in the Multiverse
Old Kai isn’t much of a fighter or martial artist, but the fact he fused with a Witch as a young man granted him amazing magical abilities while still allowing him to keep all of his Kai powers. The Old Kai won’t be defeating anyone in a fight, but he can at least tank a punch head-on from Goku without dying (though Goku was holding back to test out his strength).
Old Kai’s real draw is being able to assess any foe’s full strength and draw out anyone’s latent potential, just as he did for Gohan in the Fusion Saga. In Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, Old Kai immediately recognizes Beerus as a universe-ending threat if handled inappropriately. Beyond that, he won’t be fighting anytime soon and his relevance as a character is about to fade away more or less entirely.
4
Kibito Kai Was Outclassed Before the End of the Buu Saga
Kibito Kai’s presence in the first two episodes of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is really just rubbing in the fact that Dragon Ball DAIMA isn’t canon and that we won’t be seeing Super Saiyan 4 Goku in the new remake. As a character, Kibito Kai doesn’t have much going on in Dragon Ball Super. He won’t appear in the next arc, and will defuse back into Shin and Kibito for the Universe 6 Tournament.
Power-wise, Kibito Kai actually was one of the strongest characters by the end of Dragon Ball Z, but he was outclassed by fighters like Vegeta, Gotenks, Gohan, Goku, and all versions of Majin Buu. The fact that Kibito Kai is weaker than Fat Buu is frankly embarrassing for a Potara Fusion. It’s for the best he ultimately defuses back into two weaker, but more useful, beings.
3
Super Saiyan 3 Goku Earned Beerus’ Praise
Remake Goku is quickly becoming one of the strongest versions of Goku in the multiverse. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2 gives him a huge upgrade in his battle against Beerus. Super Saiyan 3 Goku ends up earning Beerus’ praise, and generally putting up a better fight than in other timelines. Not only that, Goku ends up tapping into Ultra Instinct early, as his body instinctively reacts to an incoming attack from Beerus.
Interestingly, Goku’s hair even briefly resembles Ultra Instinct when he first turns Super Saiyan. At the rate the anime is going, Remake Goku is going to be a genuine powerhouse by the end of the Universe 6 Tournament – especially since trailers have already shown him using Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken. Without any filler, this would also mean Goku will be able to endure the form without experiencing any Ki instability.
2
Beerus Destroyed Goku Like He Was Nothing
Although Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2 lets Super Saiyan 3 Goku go out with more dignity than any other version of Battle of Gods, Beerus still makes very short work of him during their first battle. The best Goku can do is whiff attack after attack against the God of Destruction. Beerus doesn’t defeat Goku as humiliatingly as in previous adaptations, but he makes it clear that the Saiyan never stood a chance.
From here, Beerus is going to get a better fight out of Vegeta in Episode 3. Whether or not he’ll use the version of Super Saiyan 3 he unlocked in Dragon Ball DAIMA remains to be seen. With Goku showing off early proficiency of Ultra Instinct and only two episodes away from unlocking Super Saiyan God, Beerus will soon meet his match . . . until he reveals that he’s been holding back almost all of his power since the very beginning.
1
Whis’ Full Power Remains a Secret
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2 ends up being a much quieter and less menacing half-hour for Beerus. Where Episode 1 utilized dark lighting and striking visuals to convey just how powerful Whis is, Episode 2 puts him in the background, so the audience starts to put him out of mind and focus more on Beerus’ goal to awaken the Super Saiyan God within Goku.
As Beerus’ master, Whis is far stronger than the God of Destruction. He’s implied to be the strongest Angel among his brethren, but by Angelic law, is not allowed to use his powers other than to train others (and even then, he has to be careful with his intentions and how far he pushes his students). As Beerus and Goku are two of the only non-Angels to learn Ultra Instinct, Whis is clearly an extremely talented martial artist.
