Dragon Ball Daimahas finally delivered what fans have long anticipated, the legendary Super Saiyan 4 form. Given the series' clear inspiration fromDragon Ball GT, many expected this transformation to make an appearance, andDaimahas not disappointed. This installment continues to honor iconic elements from the franchise while refining them to better integrate into the story. Now, withDaima’s latest twist, Super Saiyan 4 is back, more profound and impactful than ever.
Goku achieves the Super Saiyan 4 transformation inDragon Ball DaimaEpisode #18, awakening his hidden potential after Neva’s demonic magic ignites his latent power. Unlike inGT, Goku retains his childlike appearance in this form, keeping it consistent with his current state. However,Daimadoesn’t just reintroduce the transformation. Instead, it subtly refines it to better embody its true essence.
Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 Emphasizes the Saiyan’s Primal Ape Form More Than Ever
The Super Saiyan 4 form is one of the most distinctive transformations in theDragon Ballfranchise. Its designclearly aims to embody the Saiyans' primal ape heritage, showcasing their raw, untamed power.Dragon Ball GTintroduces this transformation when Goku gains control over hisGolden Ape form, reinforcing the idea that Super Saiyan 4 is a return to the Saiyans' roots. The fur covering Goku’s body serves as a perfect visual cue, emphasizing the transformation’s true nature.
However,Dragon Ball Daimaelevates this concept even further, as seen in Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru’s sheet designs for the transformation. While preserving the legendary elements that make this form iconic,Daimaenhances Goku’s design with larger forearms and fists, echoing the defining physical traits of apes. This detail, absent from theoriginal Super Saiyan4, now feels essential, making the transformation’s primal nature even more apparent. However,Daimadoesn’t stop there, as it also introduces another key change that further aligns Super Saiyan 4 with its true representation of the Saiyans' primal ape form.
Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 Hair Has Been More Accurately Aligned
It May Also Be Hinting at Super Saiyan God as the Next True Evolution
InGT, Goku retains his original black hair color in Super Saiyan 4, adding a subtle human element to his otherwise ape-like appearance. However,Daimadiscards this in favor ofa maroon hair color, closely matching the fur covering his body. This change feels necessary, as it better aligns Goku with an ape-like form — real apes have uniform hair color across their entire body, rather than a distinct contrast between head and body. This idea is further reinforced by giving Goku maroon-colored eyebrows instead of the black ones seen in the original.
Dragon Ball: How the Return of Super Saiyan 4 Makes a Long-Awaited Fusion Possible
Dragon Ball Daima has finally returned Super Saiyan 4 to canon status, opening the door for a fusion fans have waited over 30 years to see.
Additionally, the eye color has also been altered in this new form, shifting to a reddish-maroon hue that complements Goku’s transformed state. This change now seems intentional, especially when considering thatSuper Saiyan God, Goku’s next major transformation, also features red hair and eyebrows. These subtle changes now suggest thatDragon Ball Daimais working to bridge the gap between Super Saiyan 4 and the divine transformations ofSuper, subtly aligning the form with a God-tier evolution.
