Super Saiyan 2 debuted in Dragon Ball Z during the Cell Saga, when Gohan unlocks the form against Cell after Android 16's destruction. Created by Akira Toriyama, the form is distinguished in the anime by a sharper aura crackling with lightning. The transformation scene became one of the most rewatched moments from the Toonami era and a defining anime power-up. Clips of the scream and energy surge spread through AMVs, gaming montages and later TikTok edits, where it now signals any dramatic level-up moment even for viewers who never watched the original broadcast.