Dragon Ball Daima Brings Back Goku’s Rarely Used Transformation, Clarifying a Plot Hole

Fans of Dragon Ball Daima were filled with anticipation when Goku first transformed into Super Saiyan, a pivotal moment in the anime’s long-standing history. This transformation has stood the test of time, resonating with audiences across different generations of the Dragon Ball franchise. Initially, it appeared as though Super Saiyan would be Goku’s distinguishing feature in the Daima storyline, with early encounters in the Demon Realm not presenting significant challenges to him. The series has taken a more straightforward, adventure-oriented direction, hinting at a potential reduction in the frequency of transformations and power-ups.

To the surprise of many, however, Dragon Ball Daima quickly showcases Goku’s use of a different form, much earlier than fans had anticipated. This fleeting moment occurs during Goku’s intense battle against the Tamagami, serving a dual purpose. The Tamagami were indicated to possess greater strength than Dabura, a formidable antagonist from the Dragon Ball Z Majin Buu saga. Therefore, witnessing Goku defeat one of the Demon Realm’s dragon ball guardians in his most basic Super Saiyan form raised eyebrows, as it suggested an unexpected level of power.

Goku Utilizes Super Saiyan 2 in Dragon Ball Daima

Goku Briefly Adopts This Form in the Tamagami Battle

Goku in Super Saiyan 2 guarding against Tamagami

As Goku nears the climax of his battle against the Tamagami of the Third Demon World, just before unleashing his Kamehameha, a unique transformation occurs. Goku exhibits blue lightning coursing through his aura, and his hair stands even more upright than usual. These distinct characteristics mark the transition into Super Saiyan 2, setting it apart from previous forms due to the significant power boost involved. The transformation becomes most apparent after Goku lands the decisive blow on the Tamagami, positioning himself for a potential counterattack.

While Goku’s utilization of Super Saiyan 2 is somewhat rare, having only been employed briefly during the Majin Buu saga in his confrontation with Majin Vegeta, its reappearance in Daima is noteworthy. Goku originally reached this form while training in the Other World following his demise against Cell, ultimately surpassing it with Super Saiyan 3, which he utilized significantly against Majin Buu. His decision to use Super Saiyan 2 during his duel with Vegeta stemmed from a desire to avoid humiliating him, at least from the standpoint of the Saiyan Prince.

The timeline of Daima, occurring after the Buu saga, allows Goku to access Super Saiyan 2 freely. Although the third form poses challenges in his child-like state due to its substantial energy demands, Super Saiyan 2 remains a viable option. Despite the potential for Goku to employ Super Saiyan 2 frequently, he seems to prefer his base Super Saiyan state more often, at least in the early stages.

Goku Does Not Use the Classic Super Saiyan Form in Daima

At first glance, it may appear that Goku transitions directly from the basic Super Saiyan form to Super Saiyan 2; however, the transformation process consists of several incremental stages explored during the Cell saga. A pivotal stage, known as Super Saiyan Full Power (or Super Saiyan Stage 4), represents the refined version of the Super Saiyan form. Goku and Gohan achieved this mastery while training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber prior to the Cell Games.

This transformation essentially allows Super Saiyan to become a “basic”state for its users. Goku and Gohan trained to maintain Super Saiyan for extended periods, even during routine daily tasks. In contrast, the “classic”Super Saiyan state is marked by an explosive release of energy and a chaotic mental state, often accompanying intense battles.

The primary goal of Super Saiyan Full Power is to minimize the energy drain inherent to this transformation. This ongoing issue recurs throughout the franchise, notably in Dragon Ball Super as Goku and Vegeta strive to perfect their Blue forms. Subsequently, Super Saiyan 3 earned its reputation as the least efficient transformation due to its exorbitant energy costs.

When Goku transforms into Super Saiyan in Daima, his appearance reflects the mastered form. He emanates a calm demeanor and lacks the exaggerated aura typically associated with a Super Saiyan transformation. This meticulous attention to detail acknowledges the evolution of the Dragon Ball Z power system and illustrates Goku’s ability to harness Super Saiyan with minimal effort, resorting to Super Saiyan 2 for crucial confrontations—mirroring the approach that Vegeta later adopts in Dragon Ball Super with his Super Saiyan Blue form.

Goku’s Super Saiyan 2 Clarifies a Plot Hole in Daima

The Tamagami’s True Strength

Dabura and the Tamagamis together — Image By Joshua Fox

The introduction of the demon realm’s dragon balls added an intriguing twist to the overarching narrative of the franchise. Instead of being dispersed across different demon worlds, these mystical orbs were safeguarded by a trio of formidable warriors created by Neva, the same Namek who crafted the dragon balls. To have the opportunity to make a wish, one must triumph over these guardians—a challenge that has reportedly never been achieved before, even by the most powerful rulers of the demon realm.

This premise elevated the perceived strength of the Tamagami significantly. Dabura, the demon realm’s former monarch, is noted to be comparable to Cell during the Buu saga, yet he never managed to acquire the dragon balls. Although Dabura’s might was augmented by Babidi’s magic, it seems implausible that Goku could defeat a Tamagami using only his basic Super Saiyan form when Dabura had failed to do so. Goku’s transition to Super Saiyan 2 during the confrontation elucidates this discrepancy and clarifies why Dabura was unable to collect the dragon balls in the first place.

As Dragon Ball Daima unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate the series’ future explorations of transformations and power-ups. Super Saiyan 2, an often undervalued form cherished by fans, was too quickly overshadowed in the original series. Many hope to see Goku, and potentially Vegeta, utilize Super Saiyan 2 more prominently in Dragon Ball Daima, or even advance beyond it to confront new, formidable foes awaiting them in the storyline.

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