Super Saiyan 4 is now canon in Dragon Ball lore
Since October of last year, a new series known as Dragon Ball DAIMA has been airing. Sadly, this was the final project worked on by Akira Toriyama before his sudden passing.
As it turns out, Dragon Ball DAIMA takes plenty of inspiration from Dragon Ball GT, which was rendered noncanonical due to the existence of Dragon Ball Super. In the very first episode, a wish made of Shenron results in Goku (and everyone else) being “de-aged.” Indeed, Goku has once again turned into a kid during events that feel familiar to the first episode of Dragon Ball GT.
To make up for his stubby reach, Goku even decides to utilize his Power Pole. This serves as yet another reference to Dragon Ball GT.
However, the most impactful element that was seemingly borrowed from Dragon Ball GT appeared in the latest episode. During a battle that featured a massive team up against the big baddie of Dragon Ball DAIMA, Gomah, Goku appears to be down for the count as Gomah is preparing to finish everyone off with one final blast.
Before this can happen, Neba, a Namekian that still resides in the Demon Realm, approaches a paralyzed Goku. By this point, Goku had already attempted to fight Gomah using his Super Saiyan 3 form, which is regarded as Goku’s most powerful transformation by this point in the lore.
Although the scene appears to depict Neba seemingly attacking Goku, what he actually does has now changed Dragon Ball lore forever. Once Neba’s energy is absorbed by Goku, a new transformation emerges.
While the form is never actually named within Dragon Ball DAIMA, this is basically Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 form, now made canon. Of course, there are some notable differences between Dragon Ball DAIMA and Dragon Ball GT’s take on the Super Saiyan 4 powerup.
In Dragon Ball GT, transforming into his Super Saiyan 4 form allowed Goku to temporarily return to his adult body, extending his overall height and the reach of his limbs. It was a unique form as he retained his black hair, though his body and tail were now coated in red fur.
The depiction of Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball DAIMA apparently doesn’t have the almost magical ability of reverting Goku back to adult proportions. Additionally, Goku can be observed to be sporting red hair instead of black hair, similar to his Super Saiyan God form in Dragon Ball Super (or Gogeta’s version of Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball GT).
Present in both versions of the form, Goku’s body and tail are coated in red fur. Even with his childlike body in Dragon Ball DAIMA, Goku appears to be muscular to an extreme degree.
Since the transformation was accessed through Neba’s intervention, we have the explanation as to why Goku wouldn’t use his new Super Saiyan 4 transformation against his fight against Beerus a little later in the story. This appears to be a one-time deal.
All of this implies that Goku’s Super Saiyan God form is more powerful than the Super Saiyan 4 transformation. Of course, it goes without saying that this also means that the Super Saiyan Blue form is even more impressive by comparison.
Regardless, the Super Saiyan 4 transformation has now been made canon. As a result, we’ll probably be seeing it in more games going forward.
In terms of fighting games, this likely means that Super Saiyan 4 Goku will appear in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero at some point. Should there ever be a Dragon Ball FighterZ sequel, we could see it show up there as well.
Source: Event Hubs
