Warning: Contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Daima episode #18Super Saiyan 4 has returned inDragon Ball Daimanearly 30 years after its initial reveal,shocking the anime’s worldwide fan base, and sparking debate about how the form could possibly exist in the establishedDragon BallSupertimeline. Questions regardingDaima’s status in the series' canonarose early in the anime’s weekly release schedule, and were effectively answered when the Gods of Destruction appeared on-screen during a lore dump in episode #10, “Ocean”.
Now that Goku has been given access to Super Saiyan 4 well before the introduction of Super Saiyan God,fans are scrambling to make sense of how the two forms can coexist, and why Goku never acknowledged the former at any time during the events ofSuper. An official explanation has yet to be given, though a few interesting theories have begun to form aroundDaima’s latest plot progression. If Goku achieved the transformation due to a potential unlock from Neva, it’s likely both normal Saiyan and god transformations play a role inDaima’s Super Saiyan 4.
Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 Has Created Confusion
The Anime Is Part of the Dragon Ball Super Timeline, In Which the Form Never Appears
There isn’t much else beside Super Saiyan 4 thatDragon Ball Daimacould have done to generate the sort of excitement episode #18, “Awakening”, has brought to the fan base.The transformation isDragon Ball GT’s greatest contribution to the franchise, and has been sorely missed since becoming non-canon with the premiere of 2013’sDragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.Dragon Ballhad been on an extended hiatus before the film’s release, and was steered into theDragon Ball Supertimeline a short time later.
Admit It, Dragon Ball’s New Take on Super Saiyan 4 Is the Perfect Blend of GT and Super
Dragon Ball Daima episode #18 finally made Super Saiyan 4 canon, and the new take is a perfect fusion between Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super.
Super Saiyan 4’s return, however, has now created confusion among the many dedicatedDragon Ballfans, who have long operated under the impression that Super Saiyan God had officially replaced it. The two forms can coexist, though, andDragon Ball Daimadropped some subtle and not-so-subtle hints at how. The most obvious comesin how Super Saiyan 4 has changed from its original design.
The New-Look Super Saiyan 4 May Take Elements From Super Saiyan God
Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 Might Be the Combination of Normal Super Saiyan and God Forms
Dragon Ball Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 designis not an identical recreation ofGT’s, and there may be a reason for that. Instead of its usual black, Goku’s hair and eyes change to red, much like his Super Saiyan God form. During the transformation sequence, the series dives into the Saiyan’s DNA, and gives a visual of two distinct paths, colored red and blue respectively.This may be a subtle nod to two paths Saiyans can take, one being towards the Super Saiyan God forms, and the other being normal Super Saiyan transformations.
When those paths converged, Goku emerged as a Super Saiyan 4.Daima’s version of the transformation may not be just another step-up in power, like the many variations of Super Saiyan that have come before. Instead,it may represent the pinnacle of a Saiyan’s power, or the combination of both traditional Saiyan and god forms, resulting in the highest point a Saiyan can reach. If Neva’s unlocking of this power isn’t permanent, Super Saiyan 4 could very well be the final transformation Goku and Vegeta are still working toward and haven’t reached inDragon Ball Super.
Super Saiyan 4 Still Isn’t Enough Power to Beat Gomah
Goku Was Not Able to Take Down Daima’s Main Villain In His New Form
Even after unlocking Super Saiyan 4,Goku still didn’t have the power he needed to take down Gomah. The evil ruler of the Demon Realm can take on one Super Saiyan 4, though two might give him trouble. There’s no better time for the series to give the form to Vegeta as well, and feature the first Super Saiyan 4 tag-team sinceGT’s battle with Omega Shenron. And if needed, the Saiyans can alwaysutilize the first Super Saiyan 4 fusion since Gogeta.
Dragon Ball Daima’s finale is quickly approaching, and the action to come is guaranteed to be highly energetic and incredibly exciting. Countless fans have had their wishes come true now that Super Saiyan 4 is once again officially canon, and they won’t want to miss out onhow the ultimate transformation is used in the climactic final battle.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Cast
Dragon Ball Daima sees Goku and his allies inexplicably shrunk into miniature forms, prompting a journey to the Demon Realm. This animated adventure, part of the Dragon Ball franchise, explores their mission to solve the mystery and restore their original statures. Released in October 2024.
