Dragon Ball Daima: Super Saiyan 4 Controversy Explained

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In simpler terms, the timeline of Dragon Ball is quite flexible, often following certain rules but also breaking them at times. The more recent installments in the series make an effort to adhere to the narrow timeframe between the end of the Buu Saga and the epilogue, leaving limited creative freedom for writers and animators. Since we already know how the story concludes, the new series strives not to contradict it. However, due to occasional power-ups, new characters, and additional lore that doesn’t align with continuity, the timeline continues to become increasingly complex.

As a devoted fan of Dragon Ball Daima, I’ve noticed some criticism regarding its handling of the main storyline. Some fans believe that the series has been rather casual with its own timeline, suggesting we shouldn’t worry too much about continuity issues. However, I firmly believe that even though it’s essential to appreciate the series for what it is, the timeline should be respected. If the storyline doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, why would viewers feel any tension or importance if nothing seems to have a lasting impact on the continuity? That being said, Dragon Ball Daima may not be the continuity-challenging series that some fans are concerned about, but it’s still crucial for the creators to maintain consistency and coherence in their storytelling.

Akira Toriyama Never Cared for Continuity, So Should Fans Care?

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the improvisational genius of the legendary Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind Dragon Ball. Contrary to popular belief, Toriyama didn’t meticulously plan out every detail of his manga in advance. Instead, he was known for his spontaneous storytelling, often dreaming up plot points as he went along. A prime example of this is the character Trunks, who initially appeared without a clear backstory. It wasn’t until later that we learned he was the future son of Bulma and Vegeta – a revelation that came after the fact and significantly deviated from the previously established narrative, as at that point in the story, Bulma was romantically involved with Yamcha.

Toriyama was flexible with his own Dragon Ball canon, adjusting characters and stories to suit his writing at the time. Some fans argue that this same carefree attitude is how they should approach the franchise, given its inherent silliness and lack of deep complexity. If the series doesn’t take itself too seriously, then why should fans?

The Main Canon Does Matter to Dragon Ball and Fans Should Care

As a devoted fan, I appreciate how Toriyama bends his own rules for the sake of storytelling. He deliberately split Bulma and Yamcha to pave the way for Trunks, one of our franchise’s most beloved characters. If a series chooses to bend the rules, it should enhance the narrative, not dilute it. When continuity is disregarded, there’s no sense of tension or urgency. There needs to be a stable foundation that characters are striving to preserve. However, if this foundation is perpetually changing into an amorphous concept that can be altered at will, then there’s nothing worth investing in.

Though Dragon Ball fans might be known for their meticulousness, they should still pay attention to the show’s continuity. Despite its outlandish nature, the series is intended to be taken seriously. The battles are excessively dramatic with significant moments. These significant scenes are meant to carry weight, making viewers believe in the importance of the conflicts. If the weight were absent, the action wouldn’t have as much impact, and fans wouldn’t care as deeply. The creators can’t constantly rely on the “rule of cool” to gloss over continuity issues; they must matter. It needs to be clear why Goku is striving for strength, why he needs to defeat his enemies. Every series requires a sense of importance and depth to prevent it from being shallow.

Dragon Ball Daima Doesn’t Break the Canon

Fans expressed displeasure over the emergence of Super Saiyan 4 Goku in Dragon Ball Daima. Super Saiyan 4 was a form utilized primarily for Dragon Ball GT, an anime continuation that followed Dragon Ball Z. This form is highly popular among fans, who hoped to see it again in genuinely canonical content. However, the way the form was employed in the series caused dissatisfaction among fans. Daima occurs before Dragon Ball Super, which has no indication that Goku can transform into Super Saiyan 4. As a result, the appearance of the form in Daima felt like an inconsistency or plot hole. Additionally, Daima was unclear about how exactly Goku obtained the form. Initially, it seemed that Goku could reach Super Saiyan 4 with Neva’s help, but later dialogue hinted that Goku may have trained himself to access it.

In contrast, one of the most thrilling scenes in the anime occurs when Goku transforms into Super Saiyan 4 in Daimao. Despite seeming to clash with Dragon Ball Super, particularly since it’s suggested that Goku can achieve this form without Neva’s aid, Super Saiyan 4 doesn’t disrupt the continuity of the Dragon Ball timeline. There are several explanations as to why Goku wouldn’t use the form in Dragon Ball Super, perhaps because it necessitates a specific circumstance. It’s plausible that Goku needs to undergo more steps to unlock Super Saiyan 4, rather than just a standard power-up. Even if it is just a typical power-up, having another Super Saiyan form at Goku’s disposal doesn’t alter the fundamental narrative of the series. Instead, Goku primarily relies on Super Saiyan God forms and Ultra Instinct in Dragon Ball Super, with or without the fourth Super Saiyan form in his arsenal; it has no impact on the franchise’s storyline.

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2025-04-16 03:10