Goku’s Super Saiyan 4: GT vs Daima – Which is Stronger?

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Summary

  • Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 transformation from Daima is achieved through a spell by Neva, unlike GT’s natural trigger.
  • Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 doesn’t age Goku up like in GT, and his appearance slightly differs.
  • In Daima, Goku’s fighting style in his Super Saiyan 4 form is more primal and monkey-like, unlike in GT.

heads up: what follows discloses the plot twists from Dragon Ball Daima’s eighteenth episode titled ‘Awakening’, currently available for viewing on Crunchyroll.

In the span of two full decades, the Super Saiyan 4 transformation of Goku, as depicted in Dragon Ball GT, has officially become canon due to Dragon Ball Daima. Now that this is established, it’s fascinating to explore the contrasts between these seemingly identical transformations. While they may appear similar at first glance, there are noteworthy differences in their appearances, triggers, and how Goku employs them.

During the battle against Gomah, an unexpected transformation occurred in Daima. Since the debut of Daima in episode 1, there had been much talk about the Evil Third Eye, yet none could have foreseen its immense power making Gomah this formidable. Gomah, known to be weaker than Dabura and even the Tamagami, was now holding his own against the entire cast simultaneously, barely showing any signs of strain. Yet, his incredible power only fueled anticipation for the arrival of Super Saiyan 4, as Goku found himself matching Gomah’s speed.

The Triggers for the Super Saiyan 4 Transformation

From Natural to Magical

One major distinction between the two transformations lies in their activators or what Goku must accomplish or acquire to attain the form. In the GT series, Goku transformed into Super Saiyan 4 during episode 34 titled “Back in the Game.” This transformation occurred when he regained control over himself while in his Golden Great Ape form. The Golden Great Ape is essentially a result of a Saiyan who can transform into a Super Saiyan also becoming an Great Ape. If this Saiyan manages to suppress the aggressive instincts that come with the Great Ape transformation, they will revert back to their human size, but now adorned in magenta fur and possessing extraordinary power.

“”Light breaks the darkness! This form is my instrument – I have no limits.” – GT Goku

In Dragon Ball GT, Vegeta’s transformation method is significantly more mechanical compared to Goku’s. Because he didn’t possess a tail during that time, he utilized a device designed by Bulma, called the Blutz Wave Generator. This device simulates the energy of a celestial body reflecting starlight, which typically triggers the Great Ape transformation in tail-less Saiyans.

In the anime series “Dragon Ball Daima,” Neva, a character from the Demon Realm, invokes a special ability on Goku to transform him into a certain form for the first time in episode 18 titled “Awakening.” It remains unclear whether this transformation is a rare spell exclusive to the Demon Realm or if it shares similarities with the potential-unleashing abilities demonstrated by characters like the Namekian elder Guru and the Elder Supreme Kai. Since Goku only uses this form once, it’s plausible that Neva needs to recharge his energy each time Goku exhausts the form. Although Goku could potentially still use the form as an adult, more details about its usage are yet to be revealed. As Neva is expected to remain in the Demon Realm unless something untoward occurs, he has not appeared in “Dragon Ball Super.

Daima’s Super Saiyan 4 doesn’t Age Goku Up

In the storyline of GT, Goku transforms into Super Saiyan 4, which causes him to appear as an adult because this transformation brings out his peak form to fully harness the power it provides. However, in Daimao, even though Goku remains a child physically, he becomes more furry and incredibly stronger after transforming.

Other than the obvious difference of not aging, there are minor distinctions in their transformed appearances between Goku (GT) and Goku (Daima). For instance, his hair color has changed to a magenta shade that matches his fur now. Unlike in GT, where the fur extended up to his wrists, it only reaches his forearms in Daima’s version. Additionally, GT Goku’s eyes have red outlines and yellow pupils, while Daima Goku’s eyes are rimmed with black and have magenta pupils.

The Difference in Fighting Styles

Goku Goes Primal

One interesting modification to the Super Saiyan 4 transformation is that Goku’s combat style in this form resembles a nimble monkey’s during fights. For instance, in his battle against Third Eye Gomah, Goku utilizes his legs and tail for dodging and countering attacks. He also swings his arms when running, mimicking the movement of certain primates. Although ‘playful’ might not be the appropriate term, Goku’s fighting style in Super Saiyan 4 is noticeably more casual compared to his typical aggressive approach. Given that the Saiyan race shares characteristics with monkeys, as Goku himself draws inspiration from Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, this fighting style is a nod to their shared ancestry.

In Dragon Ball GT, the Super Saiyan 4 transformation felt like a throwback in some ways, yet it didn’t significantly alter Goku’s combat style beyond making him appear more simian-like. He displayed greater seriousness compared to his usual self, which might have been due to focusing harder or simply not wanting to underestimate the enemy. While he acquired some impressive new moves such as the 10x Kamehameha, these were the extent of his advancements. Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta briefly displayed an arms-folded stance, but this wasn’t a major shift in fighting style so much as a demonstration of showmanship.

Which Super Saiyan 4 Version Is Stronger?

It’s a Little Too Soon to Tell

In these two recently released episodes, Daima‘s interpretation of Super Saiyan 4 is still somewhat difficult to assess in terms of its strength. However, it did overpower Third Eye Gomah briefly, suggesting immense power. As the battle progressed, it appeared that Gomah was able to match and potentially surpass Goku’s latest form in strength.

In a situation where their energy levels are roughly the same, it might be contended that Goku’s adult form provides an edge due to his extended reach. On the other hand, one could also posit that Goku’s distinctive combat style is ideally adapted for engaging larger adversaries.

You can now stream Dragon Ball Daima on Crunchyroll and Netflix. The next episode, number 20 of Dragon Ball Daima, is scheduled to air on February 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

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2025-02-23 22:28