Dragon Ball Daima Proves it's the Ultimate Franchise Tribute With Callback to Goku's Most Forgotten Form

Warning: SPOILERS for Dragon Ball Daima episode #5

Dragon Ballfans have been clamoring to seeGoku become a Super SaiyaninDragon Ball Daima, andEpisode #5, titled, “Panzy”, finally delivers that transformation. The newly introduced Princess of the Third Demon World follows Goku and company to the castle, and before they can set off on their journey,the King asks for a demonstration of the Saiyan’s power. What follows is a fight that captures the original whimsical spirit ofDragon BallthatDaimaseems intent on conveying.

Unfortunately, for those waiting with bated breath to catch Goku lay down a Super Saiyan whooping on his foes,the transformation lasts only a split second. What follows, however, is a whooping all the same, as Goku takes out a horde of Demon warriors with energizing acrobatics, making use of his new, smaller body. And though his hair only flickers that iconic golden tint for a moment, the form that follows may have reminded hardcore fans of a technique seen only once before in the franchise.

Goku turns into a false Super Saiyan during the Lord Slug movie

The Return of Goku’s False Super Saiyan

A Foreshadowing of the Super Saiyan Transformation That Only Appeared in One Movie

After becoming surrounded by challengers, Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan in order to blow his enemies back with his energy. It’s an effective move and a unique use of the form, but when he reverts to base, he strangely keeps the golden outline of Super Saiyan around him.The form calls back to Goku’s False Super Saiyanfrom the fourthDragon Ball Zfilm,Lord Slug. During the film, Goku somewhat ascends into Super Saiyan, tapping into a similar form that includes the glow, but doesn’t change his hair.

The form comes and goes rather quickly in the film, and acts as a moment of foreshadowing to Goku’s eventual true Super Saiyan during the Namek Saga. False Super Saiyan hasn’t been seen since, and though it wasn’t specified in Episode #5 ofDaima,Goku resembled his once-used formenough to not be entirely incidental. Despite its brief, one-time use, False Super Saiyan became a bit of a niche favorite over the years, andDaima’s nod to the transformation will surely be appreciated by hardcoreDragon Ballfans.

Super Saiyan 4 Goku ready to face off

Daima Has the Opportunity to Incorporate Other Forgotten Forms

The Series Has Only Begun to Scratch the Surface

While the callback to False Super Saiyan proves thatDaimais a carefully crafted tribute toDragon Ball, the series has the opportunity to incorporate some other forgotten franchise lore.Given the series' similarities toDragon Ball GT, the most obvious candidate would be Super Saiyan 4. One of the most beloved transformations by fans hasn’t seen any use since its original source material, andDaima’s placement in the timeline would prove its return difficult.

However, there will always be a chance to revive the form if the series' writers truly want to include it.Dragon Ball Daima,through its earliest portions, has been nothing short of alove letter toDragon Ball, and that continues with its most recentcallback to a niche form seen only once in the franchise. As the series moves forward, fans can expect more callbacks and exciting new adventures in every episode.