Goku is often considered to be the pivotal character on Dragon ball and is universally recognized as the star of the show, due to his devil-may-care persona and epic battle scenes. However, many fans of the show may not have realized that his journey to achieving Super Saiyan 4 was not exactly smooth sailing.

Dragon Ball Goku Super Saiyan God
Via thedaoofdragonball.com

Goku’s ascension to Super Saiyan 4 was thwart with many fearsome battles along the way that made Goku into the battle-scarred rogue warrior we all love.

What Is Super Saiyan 4?

The perfect starting point is to define what exactly Super Saiyan 4 is. People familiar with the show will already be aware of the term Super Saiyan – It was featured in several viral memes after all. Although, most importantly it is the name of a fearsome warrior race.

Goku in Super Saiyan 4 form
via - screenrant.com

The Saiyans are a race of extraterrestrials in the Dragon Ball universe who hail from Universe 7. They are a pack of naturally aggressive warriors who are striving to be the strongest in the universe. However, the Saiyans from Universe 6 are protectors, whereas the Saiyans from Universe 7 were obliterated by the evil lord Frieza before the start of the Dragon Ball series.

Related: Dragon Ball's Super Saiyan 4: What Makes Him So Powerful

So, How Does Goku Come Into It?

Well, it turns out that Goku is a Saiyan that Raditz and the others believe has been sent to destroy Earth. Although, Goku was actually sent to earth by Bardock and Gine to escape Frieza’s destruction of planet Vegeta.

This seemingly complex storyline is actually a condensed version of the history of the Saiyans, who have a detailed history and culture in the Dragon Ball universe and are the source of the epic Saiyan transformations.

So, How Do You Achieve Super Saiyan 4?

A Super Saiyan transformation is a legendary transformation that only a few select Saiyans have been able to achieve, and Goku is of course one of those select few.

According to the legend, a Super Saiyan is a warrior who is pure of heart and awakened by fury, and this could not be more fitting for Goku, who coincidently is the first Super Saiyan in centuries to achieve this form.

Via ComicBook.com

Super Saiyan 4 is a unique transformation as it is present only in Dragon Ball GT and has never even been mentioned in the Dragon Ball manga, and the fact that it is not a part of the “Super Saiyan” line of transformations despite the name, which can be confusing for some.

Related: Dragon Ball: The Mystery Behind Goku's Age Explained

The History Behind Goku Achieving Super Saiyan 4

When it comes to achieving Super Saiyan 4, it is a little more complex than the previous Super Saiyan forms. The only way a Saiyan can attain Super Saiyan 4 is if he is already a Saiyan and can transform into a Golden Great Ape and regain conscious control over the form.

This is what Goku had to do attain the level of Super Saiyan 4, and it took a while to reach this level, and there were many ferocious enemies along the way.

Goku first achieved the Super Saiyan 4 ability back in the 34th episode of Dragon Ball GT titled 'Back in the Game', originally aired in Japan on 22nd January 1997. With this iconic episode providing the first ever glimpse of Super Saiyan 4.

Related: Disney Reportedly Trying To Start A Dragon Ball Cinematic Universe

Goku in Dragon Ball GT
Via nintendoenthusiast.com

This incredible achievement started out with Goku transforming into a Golden Great Ape and gaining massive strength that surpasses Baby Vegeta. This does not go to plan however, as Goku begins to lose all control of himself and the only way to solve this was to either remove his tail or regain his memories.

To assist Goku, Kibito Kai attempts to transform into a pair of scissors to cut Goku’s tail, but Old Kai stops them to reveal that if Goku can regain his humanity, he will transform into the ultimate Super Saiyan level: Super Saiyan 4.

To achieve this, Goku looks at the picture of him and his family on a vacation, remembering the days at the beach when Pan was a little girl. Pan’s pleas eventually get through to Goku, and he begins to regain control of his body.

With the help of Pan, Goku regains full control of his body, and he begins to undergo another transformation, leading to the first ever glimpse of Super Saiyan 4.

So, there you have it, the story behind Goku's transformation was due to the help of Old Kai and Pan. What are friends for right?

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