Dragon Ball DAIMA revealed the Episode 18 preview following its broadcast in Japan, teasing Goku turning into Super Saiyan 4 in his fight againt Gomah. The synopsis for the episode titled “Awakening” is described:
The all-out battle against King Gomah, who stormed onto the battlefield, has begun! Goku and his allies struggle against the overwhelming power of Third Eye. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Goku undergoes a shocking awakening through the emergence of a new power!
Goku had recently 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 Now Canon in Dragon Ball?
Super Saiyan 4 debuted in Dragon Ball GT, an anime-original sequel that was not written by Akira Toriyama, so is therefore considered a non-canon side story. The current canon timeline follows Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and the Dragon Ball Super movies, none of which reference Super Saiyan 4. Instead of SSJ4, Dragon Ball Super introduced Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, and Ultra Instinct.
Dragon Ball DAIMA was written by Akira Toriyama himself, and the story is set chronologically after the events of Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga and before the beginning of Dragon Ball Super. More specifically, it takes place in Age 775, which is one year after the defeat of Kid Buu (Age 774) and three years before the events of Dragon Ball Super (Age 778). Under normal circumstances, this would suggest that the form should have appeared in later events, particularly in the Tournament of Power.
However, there may be an in-universe explanation for its absence. It could be a temporary power-up that Goku loses, or it may require specific conditions to activate, such as being exclusive to the Demon Realm. The episode didn’t reveal anything explicitly, but Neva (the Namekian from the Demon Realm’s Namek who is the creator and guardian of the Demon Realm Dragon Balls) made it possible for Goku to transform. It’s most likely that they will be back to normal from next week and there won’t even be a need to transform again.
In any case: Yes, Super Saiyan 4 Goku can now be considered canon as the form appeared in a Dragon Ball story written by the original creator Akira Toriyama.
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
©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
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