Though the big comparison betweenDragon Ball DaimaandDragon Ball GTis frequently framed around howGoku reverted to a kid, the bigger topic of discussion should be about Super Saiyan 4’s potential return. Despite the focus on young Goku’s exploits, recent episodes ofDragon Ball’slattest anime are proving thatDaimais borrowing heavily fromGT’slore, and the result could well be the long-awaited canonization of Super Saiyan 4.
Regardless of just how possible Super Saiyan 4’s appearance inDaimamight be, one major caveat remains that could effectively derail any possibility - the timeline.Dragon Ball Daimatakes place beforeDragon Ball Super, which has lasted for quite some time in both the anime and most especially the manga. The problem is that if Goku and Vegeta somehow found a way to transform duringDaima, they would definitely have tapped into this power at some point duringSuper. But as of chapter #103 ofDragon Ball Super, Super Saiyan 4 hasn’t been referenced or alluded to.
Dragon Ball Daima’s Demon World Could Give Goku The Chance to Go Super Saiyan 4
The Demon World’s Unique Qualities Could Make the Beloved Transformation Possible
The key to making Super Saiyan 4 canon lies in the series' new setting.The Third Demon World has already introduced new environmental factorsthat haven’t existed in any of the other worlds that Goku and company have traveled to. The density of the air creates a unique phenomenon where Goku’s movements feel heavy and flying can drain a great deal of energy very quickly.
Therefore, this introduces the possibility that some other environmental variable inDragon Ball Daima’sthree Demon Worldscould create some new type of chemical reaction in Saiyans that could cause them to transform differently- Super Saiyan 4. In other words, the introduction of Super Saiyan 4 could be justified without appearing inSuperby the fact that Goku and companycan only achieve this transformation unless they are in the Demon Worldsbecause the required conditions necessary to transform can only be met there.
Dragon Ball Daima Proves it’s the Ultimate Franchise Tribute With Callback to Goku’s Most Forgotten Form
Dragon Ball Daima finally showcased Mini Goku’s Super Saiyan form, and what followed is a callback to one of his best, most forgotten transformations.
While not officially confirmed, there’s a theory that supports the claim that Super Saiyan forms can differ based on certain conditions. Super Saiyan 3 serves as the prime example since the only users who have achieved this transformation did so in extreme situations.Goku unlocked Super Saiyan 3 in the afterlifeand Trunks and Goten can only transform when they’re fused together as Gotenks. Meanwhile,GTintroduced the concept of Blutz Waves as a prerequisite for Super Saiyan 4despite Goku being the exception, and The Demon Worlds could emittheir own special type of wave similar to Blutz.
Dragon Ball Daima’s Following of GT Stories Makes Super Saiyan 4 Seem More Likely
Kid Goku is Only the Tip of the Iceberg in Terms of Daima’s GT References
Luckily,Dragon Ball Daimahas proven that it is willing to reimagine more than one aspect ofDragon Ball GT,namely, Goku reverting to a kid. InGT, the first planet he travels to is Imecka, where the population is forced to pay exorbitant prices for everything. InDaima, one of the first villages that Goku visits is subject to an increase in taxes from one to three gold coins. Moreover, both instances begin with Goku’s ship being stolen, forcing him to walk before stumbling across a character who joins their party.
The fact thatDaimais following very closely toGT’s basic story structure even beyond the canonization of kid Goku, giving fans more of a solid reason to hope that Super Saiyan 4 could make an appearance as well. Moreover, it shouldn’t be ignored that sinceDaimalargely takes place in a different realm, there’s an actual possibility that these worlds have their own versions of the Super Saiyan 4 creating Blutz Waves that don’t exist anywhere else, thus explaining why Super Saiyan 4 doesn’t appear inDragon Ball Super.
Limiting Super Saiyan 4 to the Demon World Comes With its Own Set of Problems for Super
The only downside to this theory being true is that fans would only get to enjoy the glory of Super Saiyan 4 whenever Goku is in the Demons Worlds. Though this would explain why the form hasn’t appeared inSuper, it would limit the form’s usefulness outside ofDaima, which would be dissapointing. Hopefully,Dragon Ball Super’s Bulma will create her own version ofDragon Ball GT’s Blutz Waves Generator, after hearing about Goku and Vegeta’s experiences inDragon Ball Daima,allowing Goku and Vegeta to reach Super Saiyan 4 anywhere.
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.
