The Super Saiyan transformation is one of the most iconic reasons why Dragon Ball remains one of the most popular anime series of all time. Very few shōnen series lack a transformative form like the Super Saiyan, and Dragon Ball has made these powerful transformations symbolic and profound. Fans have come to understand fairly well what takes place during the transformation process, yet Toriyama wants everyone to interpret this form in a completely different way.
Super Saiyan 2 and 3: Just Upgrades of Super Saiyan 1
Super Saiyan 2, 3, and even 4 have always been seen by fans as natural evolutionary steps in the Super Saiyan transformation process. Goku is the first character in Dragon Ball to achieve the Super Saiyan state, and shortly after him, Gohan becomes the first individual to take this form even further with Super Saiyan 2.
Super Saiyan 2 emerges as a completely new power level, featuring Gohan with spikier hair and bolts of lightning crackling around him, showcasing an extraordinary level of strength.
In fact, Goku later surpasses this form during the Buu Saga when he reveals the legendary Super Saiyan 3 form, complete with long flowing hair, an intensely focused face, and an overwhelming increase in power previously unseen in Dragon Ball Z.
Super Saiyan 4, one of the most symbolic transformations in anime, debuted in Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball DAIMA. In both series, Super Saiyan 4 is portrayed as the ultimate pinnacle of the Super Saiyan transformation, with Goku’s hair turning black (in GT) or red (in DAIMA), muscular physique, and a furred tail. Every “upgrade” of the original Super Saiyan form is treated as entirely new, but Toriyama clarifies that there may be more nuances than what we observe.
Toriyama “clarifies” the misconceptions regarding Super Saiyan transformations
In a recent interview with Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball series, it has been revealed that Super Saiyan 2, 3, and 4 are simply enhanced power versions of the original Super Saiyan form.
Toriyama explained: “Super Saiyan 2 and 3 are nothing more than power variations of the original Super Saiyan. After the battle with Beerus, Goku realizes that maintaining a regular state and Super Saiyan form consumes much more energy than his higher-level forms, which is why I think he won’t revert to Super Saiyan 2 or 3 anymore.”
For a long time, fans believed that Super Saiyan 2, 3, and 4 were entirely new transformations, but that isn’t the case. They are merely advanced states of the regular Super Saiyan form that require more energy than normal. However, these forms greatly assisted Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan when they needed a temporary boost of power, but with the new forms brought into Dragon Ball Super, it seems they may no longer need to rely on these forms.
Will Goku ever stop using Super Saiyan 2, 3, or 4?
With the introduction of Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct, the “base” forms have become obsolete. Whether good or bad, Super Saiyan 2, 3, and 4 likely won’t make a return in Dragon Ball Super. All characters have unlocked higher forms that are significantly more powerful, effectively rendering any “upgrades” of Super Saiyan inefficient in terms of energy use.
Goku and Vegeta have unlocked the Super Saiyan God form, a transformation that is even stronger than Super Saiyan 4. Goku wields Ultra Instinct, while Vegeta possesses Ultra Ego, and even Gohan has unlocked the Gohan Beast form.
With these new formidable powers, the Super Saiyan transformations might fade into obscurity. The fact is that if Dragon Ball wishes to elevate itself to new heights, it must bring back some unique aspects, and it has done just that. Characters like Tien and Yamcha were once among the strongest in Dragon Ball’s original series, but now in Dragon Ball Super, they seem to have little chance of shining again.
Source: Screenrant
