Dragon Ball Daima proves he is the franchise’s best tribute with return to Goku’s most forgotten form

Warning: SPOILERS for episode 5 of Dragon Ball Daima

Dragon Ball fans are clamoring to see Goku becomes a Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball Daimaand episode 5, titled “Panzy”, finally provides this transformation. The newly introduced Princess of the Third Demon World follows Goku and company to the castle and before they can leave on their journey the King requests a demonstration of the Saiyan’s power. What follows is a fight that captures the original whimsical spirit of Dragon Ball what Daima appears to be intended to convey.

Unfortunately, for those eagerly waiting to catch Goku laying down a Super Saiyan screaming at his enemies, the transformation lasts just a fraction of a second. What follows, however, is a shouting match nonetheless, as Goku defeats a horde of Demon warriors with energizing acrobatics, making use of his new smaller body. And though her hair only flashes that iconic golden hue for a moment, the shape that follows may have reminded hardcore fans of a technique seen only once before in the franchise.

The Return of Goku’s False Super Saiyan

A foreshadowing of the Super Saiyan transformation that only appeared in a movie

After being surrounded by challengers, Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan to fend off his enemies with his energy. It’s an effective move and a unique use of the form, but when he returns to base, he strangely maintains the Super Saiyan’s golden outline around him. Form returns to Goku’s False Super Saiyan of the fourth Dragon Ball Z film, Lord Slug. During the film, Goku ascends slightly to Super Saiyan, taking on a similar form that includes the glow but does not change his hair.

The form comes and goes quickly in the film and acts as a moment of foreshadowing of Goku’s eventual true Super Saiyan during the Namek Saga. The fake Super Saiyan has not been seen since, and although it was not specified in episode 5 of Daima, Goku looked like his previously used form enough not to be completely incidental. Despite its brief and unique use, the False Super Saiyan has become a niche favorite over the years, and Daimathe nod to the transformation will certainly be appreciated by the hardcore Dragon Ball fans.

Daima has the opportunity to incorporate other forgotten forms

The series has only begun to scratch the surface

Although the callback to False Super Saiyan proves that Daima is a carefully crafted tribute to Dragon Ballthe series has the opportunity to incorporate some other forgotten tradition from the franchise. Given the series’ similarities to Dragon Ball GTthe most obvious candidate would be Super Saiyan 4. One of the most beloved transformations among fans has had no use since its source material, and Daimaplacing him on the timeline would make his return difficult.

However, there will always be a chance to revive the form if the series’ writers really want to include it. Dragon Ball Daima, in its early parts, it was nothing less than a love letter to Dragon Balland this continues with his latest callback to a niche format only seen once in the franchise. As the series progresses, fans can expect more callbacks and exciting new adventures in each episode.