Dragon Ball Daimahas established itself as the best replacement forDragon Ball GTby bringing back Super Saiyan 4 and making it canon. With the late Akira Toriyama himself involved inDaima’s production, there is little reason to dismiss it as non-canon. This effectively solidifies Goku’s latest transformation,Super Saiyan 4, as canon, an expectation fans have long awaited. Furthermore, just asDaimadebunked the long-standing theory surrounding Super Saiyan 3with Vegeta’s debut in this form, it also introduces changes to Super Saiyan 4.
WhileDaimamakes several modifications to Super Saiyan 4, these adjustments appear to be carefully considered, aligning the transformation more closely with its intended representation. From its visual design to the way Goku achieves the transformation, the differences highlight howGTandDaimatake distinctly different approaches to Super Saiyan 4.
Goku Experiences the Super Saiyan 4 Transformation in a Completely Different Way in Daima
Daima Omits Goku’s Transformation into the Golden Ape Form to Achieve Super Saiyan 4
For Goku and Vegeta to achieve the Super Saiyan 4 transformation for the first time,they first had to transform into the Golden Apeform inGT. Once in this state, they needed to gain control over their beastly form, channeling its raw power into a calm and stable state, acquiring the iconic Super Saiyan 4 transformation. Whereas, even reaching the Golden Ape form was a major task, requiring specific conditions to be met.
First, Goku and Vegeta needed to have their Saiyan tails intact, as the tail played a crucial role in triggering a special biochemical reaction in their bodies. This reaction occurred when their retinas absorbed 17 million zenoes of Blutz Waves, a unique energy emitted by celestial bodies such as the moon, or, in Goku’s case, Earth, when he first transformed into Super Saiyan 4. However, inDaima, the transformation unfolds very differently fromGT.
Super Saiyan 4 Is Now Canon, And Dragon Ball Needs to Do the Same for Goku’s Best Attack
Dragon Ball Daima episode #18 shocked the world by making Super Saiyan 4 Goku canon, and now Goku’s greatest attack needs to become canon, as well.
InDaima, Goku undergoes the transformation for the first timewith the help of Neva, the oldest living Namekian, who uses his magical powers to trigger the transformation, without the need for a tail. Instead, Goku grows a tail during the transformation process, which even disappears once he reverts to his normal state. This suggests that inDaima, a Saiyan’s tail is not a necessary requirement for achieving Super Saiyan 4. Further reinforcing this change, Goku is seen transforming into Super Saiyan 4 again in episode #19 ofDragon Ball Daimawithout needing his tail, effectively removing it from the equation.
If anything, the latest transformation implies thatSuper Saiyan 4 inDaimais magical in nature, given that Goku only attained it through Neva’s assistance. However, the most striking changes extend beyond just the disappearing and reappearing tail, significantly altering the transformation’s overall appearance.
Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 in Diama Features Several Notable Changes in His Appearance
From Hair Color to Physical Traits, Daima’s Changes to Super Saiyan 4 Better Align Its Appearance With the Transformation
The Super Saiyan 4 state in theDragon Ballfranchiseclearly represents the primal ape form, channeling its raw power into a Saiyan’s normal, human-sized appearance. InGT, Super Saiyan 4 featured a tail and fur covering the upper torso, emphasizing ape-like physical traits and subtly hinting at the transformation’s inspiration.Daimabuilds on this concept, introducing elements that further align Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 form with the primal ape. The first major change is evident in howGoku’s hair color now blends seamlessly with his overall body.
In the original version, Goku’s hair remained black and simply grew longer. However,Daimaunifies the color throughout his body, a subtle yet significant change that mirrors how apes naturally have uniform hair color. This idea extends to Goku’s eyebrows, which have also been altered in color, unlike the original. Additionally, Goku’s eyes now match the color scheme of his body, reinforcing the transformation’s cohesiveness. The change in eye color, however, may hint at something more.
Considering that Goku’s eyes inSuper Saiyan God share the same hue as his Super Saiyan 4form inDaima, this could subtly bridge the gap between these iconic transformations, making both officially canon. Lastly,Goku’s hands in the new Super Saiyan 4 form have grown larger, with his arms proportioned to closely match the physical traits of an ape. His bigger forearms and fists further enhance the transformation’s primal essence, accurately reflecting the strength and presence of an ape’s natural physique.
Another notable change inDaima’s Super Saiyan 4 is that it preserves Goku’s child-like appearance, unlikeGT, which reverts him to his adult form in this transformation. With these changes, it is clear thatDaimaaimed to present this transformation with greater accuracy and a sense of realism. While Goku’s latest transformation turned out to be great and provided the fans with the much-needed Super Saiyan 4 action that they have been waiting for since GT, its existence is now going to cause a continuity issue with Super.
Super Saiyan 4’s Canon Status Will Create Continuity Issues With Super
Daima Should Have Avoided Naming Goku’s Latest Transformation
Dragon Ball DaimaEpisode #19features Goku recreating one of his iconic moments, counting his Super Saiyan transformations to distract the enemy before unveiling his latest form. However,he never names this transformation, leaving its identity somewhat ambiguous. Daima should have kept this notion, rather than having Goku name the transformation abruptly in a final conversation with Vegeta. Officially naming it now makes the transformation canon, and since Daima is Toriyama’s creation, there’s no reason to dismiss Super Saiyan 4 as non-canon.
Dragon Ball Is Going All In on Super Saiyan 4, But It Makes a Huge Continuity Problem
Dragon Ball Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 is the center of discussion throughout the anime community, and though it’s exciting, it creates some problems.
With this transformation being the strongest yet,there’s no reason Goku wouldn’t have used it against Beerus. If Daima had avoided naming it and omitted Goku’s remark about not expecting to transform into this state again, it could have been explained as a one-time magical phenomenon. However, confirming that Goku’s latest transformation inDragon Ball Daimais truly Super Saiyan 4 creates a continuity issue with Super, despite Daima being a fantastic installment that did justice to Super Saiyan 4 by making necessary changes.
