In a recent interview, series producer Akio Iyoku admitted thatDragon Ball Daimawas made for fans who grew up in theGTgeneration, and from the jump, the similarities between the two series were clear. Goku was turned back into a child,and had to embark on a journey to new worlds in search of the Dragon Balls. The series' enormous global fan base was shocked, however, whenDaimaintroduced one ofGT’s greatest contributions to the franchise,the fan-favorite Super Saiyan 4.
After a long period of inactivity,Dragon Ballresumed production with two films in the early 2010s, which eventually steered the series towards theDragon Ball Supercanon timeline of events. The introduction of Super Saiyan God effectively droveDragon Ball GTinto non-canon status,and along with it, went its most beloved Saiyan transformation. Now, nearly three decades after Super Saiyan 4 was introduced, the form has returned better than ever before.
Dragon Ball Daima Has Returned Super Saiyan 4 to Canon Status
The Long-Time Fan-Favorite Form Is Finally Back
Newer fans of theDragon Ballfranchise might have a difficult time believing that, long before battles between gods and extinct warrior races were even a thought in Akira Toriyama’s mind, Super Saiyan 4 was the pinnacle ofDragon Ball. Goku and Vegeta had reached their peaks, and the culmination of Saiyan pride and power was represented in a form whichcalled back to the Giant Apes that once terrorized planets throughout the universe. For years, whenDragon Ballwent dormant, fans around the world passed their time by researching Super Saiyan forms that might follow.
WhenDragon Ball Z: Battle of Godsreleased in 2013, dreams of mythical Super Saiyan 5s, which often involved huge hair and color swaps with Super Saiyan 4, were crushed. Now, in a development so few saw coming, Super Saiyan 4 has returned, likely scratching an itch fans ofGTcould never quite reach.Daima’s take on the form isn’t exactly identical to the original design, however, and is more of a modern reimagining that pays respect toGT’s Super Saiyan 4, while offering something new.
Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 Is a New Take on the Classic Transformation
The New Super Saiyan 4 Comes With a Sleek Redesign
The original Super Saiyan 4 design was created by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, a longtime character designer and animator for many ofDragon Ball’s anime adaptations.Akira Toriyama once claimedthat he often had trouble differentiating Nakatsuru’s drawings from his own, and only once realizing that a character’s muscles were drawn better than he was capable of drawing them, would he be able to tell the difference. That’s high praise to receive from a manga master.
Nearly 30 years later,Nakatsuru once again designed Super Saiyan 4 forDragon Ball Daima, and created a form that respected his original design, while adding some new flavor. Goku’s hair, fur, and tail are near identical toGT’s version of the transformation, with major differences coming in the colors of the form. The Saiyan’s hair now takes on a red color, similar to Gogeta orDragon Ball Heroes' Super Full Power Saiyan 4 Limit Breaker. His pupils are also red, while his entire body is enveloped in a white glow.
The most notable difference in the new-look Super Saiyan 4 comes with Goku’s enlarged hands and forearms, similar to those of an ape. Though the fight with Gomah was short-lived, Goku took on a sort of ape-like fighting style, most evident in the way he charged towards the ruler of the Demon Realm. Nakatsuru’s original goal with the form was to express a primal power, andhis new Super Saiyan 4 design incorporates even more of the Saiyans' Giant Ape roots.
Daima’s Finale Might Come With a Super Saiyan 4 Surprise
Another Member of the Group Deserves to Use the Transformation
ThoughDaimahas already done Vegeta a service by giving him Super Saiyan 3,the prince has fallen behind his rival once more. If the anime truly wants to revisit its Grand Tour roots, the proudest Saiyan warrior might very welljoin Goku in unlocking the new transformation. Gomah overpoweredDragon Ball’s protagonist even after his large power-up, and there is no better candidate to offer some help than Vegeta.
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.
If two Super Saiyan 4 fighters still aren’t enough to take down the evil king, fans might just be treated to thefirst fusion to wear the formsince Gogeta.Dragon Ball Daima’s finale is just around the corner, and before fans can celebrate the return ofGT’s iconic transformation, Gomah needs to be dealt with.Dragon Ball Super’s manga has just resumed withan all-new one-shot chapter, and with the return of Super Saiyan 4, fans will want to be on the look-out for the form in future installments.
Source: Dragon Ball Z TV Anime Guide, Akira Toriyama x Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru (translations by Kanzenshuu)
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.
