After nearly 30 years, Super Saiyan 4 has made a shocking return in Dragon Ball Daima, sending waves of excitement and confusion through the global fan base. First introduced in the non-canon Dragon Ball GT, this powerful transformation was considered erased from official lore after the launch of Dragon Ball Super and the introduction of Super Saiyan God.
Now, Daima has thrown fans into a frenzy by reintroducing the fan-favorite form, leaving everyone wondering: How can Super Saiyan 4 exist in the official timeline? And more importantly, why hasn’t Goku mentioned it in Super?
Why Super Saiyan 4’s Return Is So Confusing
In the Dragon Ball Super timeline, Super Saiyan God and its subsequent forms, like Super Saiyan Blue and Ultra Instinct, were considered the new pinnacle of Saiyan power. Super Saiyan 4, despite being a major highlight in GT, had been erased from canon since the release of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods in 2013.
Now, with Goku unlocking Super Saiyan 4 in Daima before even discovering godly ki or transformations like Super Saiyan God, it has created timeline confusion among fans. If Goku had this level of power earlier, why was it never mentioned in Super?
How Super Saiyan 4 Might Fit Into Dragon Ball Super’s Timeline
While the show hasn’t officially explained the sudden return of Super Saiyan 4, Dragon Ball Daima has dropped a few subtle clues suggesting how this transformation could coexist with the newer god forms.
1. A Fusion of Saiyan and God Powers
In Daima, Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 transformation features notable differences from its GT counterpart:
- His hair and eyes turn red instead of black, resembling his Super Saiyan God form.
- During the transformation sequence, visuals show two distinct paths—one red and one blue—likely symbolizing the two different routes a Saiyan can take:
- Red Path: The god transformations like Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue
- Blue Path: The traditional Super Saiyan evolution from Super Saiyan 1 to Super Saiyan 3
This hints that Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 could be a fusion of Saiyan primal power and godly ki—potentially representing the pinnacle of Saiyan evolution.
2. A Temporary Unlock by Neva
Another theory suggests that Neva, a mysterious character in Daima, may have unlocked Goku’s hidden potential temporarily. If this power boost isn’t permanent, it could explain why Super Saiyan 4 doesn’t appear later in the Super timeline—it’s a transformation Goku hasn’t mastered or can no longer access without external help.
Is Super Saiyan 4 Stronger Than Super Saiyan God?
One major question on fans’ minds is whether Super Saiyan 4 is stronger than Super Saiyan God or Ultra Instinct. While the show hasn’t confirmed exact power levels, early hints suggest:
- Raw Strength: Super Saiyan 4 in Daima appears to be a blend of primal power and godly energy, possibly surpassing Super Saiyan God in sheer force.
- Limitations: Despite unlocking this new form, Goku still couldn’t defeat Gomah, Daima’s main villain. This hints that while incredibly powerful, Super Saiyan 4 isn’t the absolute peak of Saiyan power—at least not yet.
Will Vegeta Unlock Super Saiyan 4 Too?
In true Dragon Ball fashion, if Goku has unlocked a powerful new transformation, Vegeta probably isn’t far behind. Fans are already speculating:
- Vegeta’s Turn: A potential Super Saiyan 4 tag-team between Goku and Vegeta would mark their first team-up in this form since Dragon Ball GT’s battle against Omega Shenron.
- Fusion Possibilities: If things escalate, we might even see the return of Gogeta in Super Saiyan 4, combining both their strengths to take down Gomah.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Dragon Ball?
The return of Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball Daima raises a lot of questions about the franchise’s future:
- Canon Expansion: With the appearance of characters like the Gods of Destruction confirming Daima’s place in the Super timeline, Super Saiyan 4 might be considered canon once again.
- New Power Hierarchies: If Super Saiyan 4 is truly a fusion of godly and primal powers, it could become a major focus for future Dragon Ball Super arcs.
- Potential Retcons: Could future installments explain why Goku and Vegeta never used Super Saiyan 4 in Super? Or will it remain a form that only existed for a brief moment in time?
