Dragon Ball DAIMA revealed the Episode 19 preview following its broadcast in Japan, and it shows an adult version of Goku as a Super Saiyan 4. He achieved the form last week with the help from Neva, and we’ll see today how he’ll do it again. The synopsis for the episode titled “Betrayal” is described:
The battlefield is in chaos, and Goku and his allies find themselves in a dire situation. After much hesitation, Glorio ultimately carries out Arinsu’s cleverly orchestrated scheme! As his comrades are thrown into turmoil, what will happen as a result of Glorio’s betrayal?
Goku had recently also debuted his Super Saiyan 3 form, following Vegeta’s own breakthrough earlier in the series. You can see the preview images from today’s episode below.
Is Super Saiyan 4 Goku Canon in Dragon Ball?
Super Saiyan 4 originally appeared in Dragon Ball GT, an anime-exclusive sequel that was not written by late Akira Toriyama, making it a non-canon story. The official timeline instead followed Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super and the following movies, none of which include Super Saiyan 4. Instead, Dragon Ball Super introduced new transformations such as Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, and Ultra Instinct.
However, with the release of Dragon Ball DAIMA, a new twist emerged. Since Akira Toriyama himself wrote the story, the events are considered canon. The series is set after the Majin Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z but before Dragon Ball Super, specifically in Age 775—one year after Kid Buu’s defeat and three years before the start of Dragon Ball Super. Given this timeline, Super Saiyan 4’s presence raises questions about why it never appeared in later sagas like the Tournament of Power.
There will most likely be an in-universe reason for its absence. The form could be temporary, requiring unique conditions to activate, such as a connection to the Demon Realm. In Dragon Ball DAIMA, Neva, the Namekian who safeguards the Demon Realm Dragon Balls, enabled Goku’s transformation. This suggests that Super Saiyan 4 will not be a form Goku can access under normal circumstances, making it unlikely to appear beyond DAIMA.
That said, Super Saiyan 4 is now officially canon, as it has officially debuted in a Dragon Ball story created by Toriyama himself. Whether it remains relevant beyond DAIMA is uncertain, but its presence in a canon installment reaffirms its place in Dragon Ball history.
About Dragon Ball DAIMA
Toei Animation is animating Dragon Ball DAIMA, which is set to end on February 28. The anime is directed by Yoshitaka Yashima and Aya Komaki, with series composition and scenario by Yuko Kakihara and animation character design by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru. The late Akira Toriyama was in charge for the Dragon Ball DAIMA anime’s story. You can watch the recently-revealed climax trailer below.
The voice cast for the anime includes:
- Masako Nozawa as Son Goku
- Yudai Mino as Vegeta
- Tomohiro Yamaguchi as Piccolo
- Mai Nakahara as Bulma
- Aki Kanada as Krillin
- Yumiko Kobayashi as Supreme Kai
- Fairouz Ai as Panzy
- Koki Uchiyama as Glorio
- Showtaro Morikubo as Gomah
- Junya Enoki as Degesu
- Yoko Hikasa as Dr. Arinsu
- Tomokazu Seki as Majin Kuu
- Fukushi Ochiai as Majin Duu
Crunchyroll describes the story for Dragon Ball DAIMA:
Due to a conspiracy, Goku and his friends are turned small. What sort of adventure awaits Goku, Supreme Kai, and the new characters Glorio and Panzy in this unknown world, the “Demon Realm”?
Source: Dragon Ball DAIMA Official Website
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