Super Saiyan 4

[kaminsky98]

I have a theory on SSj4. When Goku becomes the golden monkey, (I believe/theorize/note/point out/something) that is considered the original form of a Super Sayian as stated by Vegeta. Well, if that's true, wouldn't the SSj4 be part of the original Super Sayian just in a smaller form?

[hleV]

It's GT. In-universe explanations don't seem to be important in it.

[Bussani]

The GT Perfect Guides themselves actually suggest something similar to this, although they can't make up their minds whether it's Super Saiyan 4 or Golden Oozaru that are the true Super Saiyan of legend (and even for them it only says they "may be", like they're purposely being vague about it). If Golden Oozaru is what the legend was talking about, then yeah, I suppose you can think of Super Saiyan 4 as a smaller version of it that's more suited for combat.

You should check out Herms's post on the subject. It's really cool.

[Avenged]

I always considered SSJ 3 the true Super Saiyan form, especially from the moments when we first saw Goku transform.

[Rocketman]

Super Saiyan 1 is the legendary Super Saiyan. There's really no need to overcomplicate things, or to assume that "legendary" means "best".

[DarkPrince_92]

Yeah, I think Super Saiyan in it's original form is the "legend" Vegeta wouldn't shut up about. It wasn't until later in the Android Arc/Saga where the idea of Transcending Super Saiyan was introduced.

[Bussani]

Super Saiyan 1 is the legendary Super Saiyan. There's really no need to overcomplicate things, or to assume that "legendary" means "best".

That's how I feel if I'm talking about the manga, but I find GT's approach (as vague as they were about it) interesting on its own.

[Herms]

For that matter, the idea that the different varieties of Super Saiyan are totally distinct things and that only one of them could be the "real" legendary Super Saiyan isn't an idea found in the main series itself. It mostly comes into play in DBZ movie 8 and the GT supplementary material. "Super Saiyan 2/3" are terms Goku makes up for convenience's sake, and the "Grades" and other sub-forms aren't given names in the series at all. Even in GT "Super Saiyan 4" just seems to be a phrase the Elder Kaioshin coins to describe whatever would be stronger than 3, just as Bulma throws around "Super Saiyan 5" for whatever hypothetical thing would be stronger than 4. All of these varieties of Super Saiyan are, well, varieties of Super Saiyan, and more like each other than they are other things. The legend could just as well be referring to this general category rather than one specific form, especially since the distinct names for the specific forms only came later. It's sort of like asking which type of dragon balls the Elder Kaioshin "really" warned the Namekians about. There's several different types of dragon balls, of varying size, power, and limitations, but they're all dragon balls, and the Elder Kaioshin seems concerned about them in general rather than a specific type.

[NeoKING]

The "Super Saiyan" described in legend was a Saiyan who had a ruthless thirst for battle and powers beyond expectation. According to the anime, Broly was/is that legendary SSJ. However, the Super Saiyan form itself, is legendary. The different forms are just upgrades of the SSJ. For instance, no matter what SSJ level or grade it is, the SSJ is still something of legend status. Even SSJ3 and SSJ4 are still Super Saiyans; just stronger than usual.

EDIT: Herms said it best.

[Toriyama-sama]

For that matter, the idea that the different varieties of Super Saiyan are totally distinct things and that only one of them could be the "real" legendary Super Saiyan isn't an idea found in the main series itself. It mostly comes into play in DBZ movie 8 and the GT supplementary material. "Super Saiyan 2/3" are terms Goku makes up for convenience's sake, and the "Grades" and other sub-forms aren't given names in the series at all. Even in GT "Super Saiyan 4" just seems to be a phrase the Elder Kaioshin coins to describe whatever would be stronger than 3, just as Bulma throws around "Super Saiyan 5" for whatever hypothetical thing would be stronger than 4. All of these varieties of Super Saiyan are, well, varieties of Super Saiyan, and more like each other than they are other things. The legend could just as well be referring to this general category rather than one specific form, especially since the distinct names for the specific forms only came later. It's sort of like asking which type of dragon balls the Elder Kaioshin "really" warned the Namekians about. There's several different types of dragon balls, of varying size, power, and limitations, but they're all dragon balls, and the Elder Kaioshin seems concerned about them in general rather than a specific type.

This is pretty much how I look at Saiyan levels as well.
I see SSJ/2/3/grades as particular stages of a continuum which can be reached and mastered through anger bursts and/or training, and with SSJ3 (likely) being the limit.
Then there is Oozaru and I think GT plays a very smart move recovering that long forgotten transformation and merging it with Super Saiyan into Golden Oozaru, subsequently introducing the ultimate Saiyan form, which Elder Kaioshin calls SSJ4 just for convenience.