Super Saiyan 4 Transformation - Dragon Ball

Super Saiyan 4 is a Saiyan transformation first introduced in Dragon Ball GT, an anime series and one of two sequels to Dragon Ball Z. In Dragon Ball Z, Saiyans are a warrior race of beings that are able to alter their physical strength, energy, and other capabilities by undergoing special transformations, Super Saiyan 4 being one of many of these transformations. The Super Saiyan 4 form shows up in a number of Dragon Ball video games, including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Dragon Ball Legends, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, and many more. Along with video games and anime, the Super Saiyan 4 form is featured in various other media and merchandise such as Dragon Ball action figures. Though seemingly related to Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2 and Super Saiyan 3, Super Saiyan 4 is actually part of a totally different branch of transformations.

Overview

The Super Saiyan 4 form was created by character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru while he was employed at Toei Animation, the Japanese animation studio responsible for the creation of the Dragon Ball anime series. Super Saiyan 4 can be considered a fusion between the great ape and Super Saiyan forms. The state is only accessible to Saiyan’s who have sufficient power and are capable of first becoming a golden great ape and then taking over control of the golden great ape form. In general, it is required that Saiyans undergo prolonged exposure to blutz waves in order to assume the form. However, Goku is an exception to this rule, able to assume Super Saiyan 4 virtually whenever he pleases. Super Saiyan 4 gifts the user with extreme primal strength, speed, and power.

Because the Super Saiyan 4 form is achieved after Saiyans first transform into the golden great ape form, Super Saiyan 4 is best understood if one first studies the golden great ape. One of many minor Dragon Ball Z characters, the golden great ape is a variation of the super ape that first appears in Dragon Ball Z. The golden great ape results when a Saiyan in great ape form evolves into Super Saiyan form, which can be achieved when a saiyan possessing a tail and capable of Super Saiyan form views a full moon or other planetary body.

Appearance

When a Saiyan undergoes transformation into the Super Saiyan 4 form, they undergo a number of drastic physical changes. Their hair becomes spikey and wild and reaches far down the back but does not turn gold like the other transformations and stays black. The saiyan’s tail extends to a greater length and changes color along with the hair and fur. A shadow appears around the Saiyan’s eyes which varies in color. The height and overall muscularity of the Saiyan is also greatly enhanced, easily seen when a Saiyan reverts to a normal form or evolves into Super Saiyan 4. Like in many other Super Saiyan forms, an aura surrounds the Saiyan in this Super Saiyan 4, though it lacks the electricity of Super Saiyan 2 and takes on the smoother appearance of Super Saiyan 1.

Usage, Power, and Characteristics

The power of Super Saiyan 4 can be considered a condensed version of the great apes' power. To showcase the power of Super Saiyan 4 consider the following example. When Goku was in Super Saiyan 3 form, he was hardly able to scratch Baby Vegeta. However, when he assumes Super Saiyan 4, the tables are entirely turned, and Baby Vegeta becomes entirely outclassed, a meaningless threat. At the time of its debut, Super Saiyan 4 was considered the strongest form, possibly only surpassed by the strength of Vegito. Super Saiyan 4 opens up a number of possibilities for the user. For example, Goku is able to perform a 10x Kamehameha, Gogeta is able to carry out the 100x Big Bang Kamehameha, and Broly can activate an attack called giant destruction with the help of the form. Similar to the Super Saiyan God form, Super Saiyan 4 allows Saiyans to absorb energy attacks, however, unlike the god form, it doesn’t consume the Saiyans power when it absorbs such attacks. In comparison to Super Saiyan 3, the form doesn’t require as much energy to maintain, however, Saiyans can still fall out of the form if they run low on energy.

Variants and Enhancements

Like many other Super Saiyan forms, Super Saiyan 4 can be enhanced and has a number of variations. In super full power Saiyan 4, one of three variations, the power and limits of Super Saiyan 4 are extended. This form is achieved when a Saiyan absorbs saiya power from other Saiyans. Broly creates a unique variant when he mixes the Super Saiyan 4 form with the power enhancing properties of the time breaker mask and seven-star dark dragon ball, creating what is called the dark corrupted form. Lastly, in Super Dragon Ball Heroes, Xeno Gogeta fuses the Super Saiyan 4 state with the kaio-ken in order to defeat the demon god Shroom.

Links

Dragon Ball Series
Dragon Ball Z Series
Dragon Ball Kai Series
Dragon Ball Super Series
Dragon Ball GT Series
Super Dragon Ball Heros
Akira Toriyama