The Elusive Super Saiyan 5: Fact, Fiction, and Fanon
Goku did not canonically achieve Super Saiyan 5 (SSJ5) in any officially recognized Dragon Ball media. The transformation originated as fan art by David Montiel Franco in the late 1990s/early 2000s, gaining immense popularity online. It was never incorporated into the Dragon Ball manga, anime series (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, or Dragon Ball Super), or any official video games. Its existence is purely within the realm of fanfiction and fan-made content from platforms like the Games Learning Society.
The Origins of a Legend: Super Saiyan 5
The Fan-Made Phenomenon
The creation of Super Saiyan 5 predates the current era of expansive Dragon Ball content. With Dragon Ball GT being the latest installment at the time, fans were eager to imagine the next level of Saiyan power. Franco’s design for SSJ5, characterized by long, wild gray hair, gray fur covering the torso, and a fierce, primal appearance, resonated with the fanbase, quickly spreading across internet forums and image boards.
Dragon Ball AF: The Myth is Born
The popularity of SSJ5 fueled the creation of the Dragon Ball AF (After Future) fan manga and animation projects. These unofficial sequels explored the world of Dragon Ball beyond GT, often featuring Goku achieving SSJ5 and battling powerful new enemies. While never canon, Dragon Ball AF solidified SSJ5’s place in Dragon Ball lore, further blurring the lines between official content and fan creations.
Why No Official SSJ5?
Several factors contributed to the exclusion of SSJ5 from the official Dragon Ball canon.
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Akira Toriyama’s Involvement: While Toriyama was involved in Dragon Ball GT, he had less control over the story direction compared to Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball Super, however, saw Toriyama return in a more significant role, shaping the narrative and character designs. He chose to pursue different power-scaling paths, like Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, and ultimately, Ultra Instinct.
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Design Choices: Toriyama’s designs in Dragon Ball Super generally leaned towards simpler, more streamlined aesthetics. The intricate and somewhat chaotic design of SSJ5, while popular with some fans, may not have aligned with his artistic vision for the series’ future.
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Power Scaling: Dragon Ball is notorious for its fluctuating power levels. Introducing SSJ5 would have required a significant power jump, potentially making future transformations even more difficult to conceive and justify narratively. Dragon Ball Super addressed this with the concept of God Ki and the introduction of deities, altering the power-scaling system rather than simply adding more Super Saiyan forms.
FAQs: Untangling the Super Saiyan 5 Web
Here are some frequently asked questions about the elusive Super Saiyan 5 transformation, further clarifying its place in the Dragon Ball universe:
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Is Super Saiyan 5 Canon? No. Super Saiyan 5 is entirely a fan-made transformation and does not appear in any official Dragon Ball media created by Akira Toriyama or Toei Animation.
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Where Did Super Saiyan 5 Originate? Super Saiyan 5 originated as fan art created by artist David Montiel Franco.
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Did Goku Ever Achieve Super Saiyan 5 in Dragon Ball GT? No. Dragon Ball GT featured the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, but Goku never reached Super Saiyan 5 in that series.
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Is Super Saiyan 5 Stronger than Super Saiyan 4? In fan-made depictions, Super Saiyan 5 is generally portrayed as a stronger transformation than Super Saiyan 4. However, this is based solely on fan interpretations and has no bearing on the official Dragon Ball continuity.
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How Does Super Saiyan 5 Compare to Ultra Instinct? Ultra Instinct is a canonical transformation introduced in Dragon Ball Super. While fan-made versions of Super Saiyan 5 often depict it as incredibly powerful, Ultra Instinct, particularly Mastered Ultra Instinct, is considered Goku’s strongest form in the official storyline.
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What Does Super Saiyan 5 Look Like? The most common depiction of Super Saiyan 5 features long, wild gray hair, gray fur covering the upper body, and a more primal and aggressive appearance compared to previous Super Saiyan forms. Variations exist in different fan creations.
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What is Dragon Ball AF? Dragon Ball AF stands for “Dragon Ball After Future.” It is a fan-made continuation of the Dragon Ball story that explores events beyond Dragon Ball GT. It is primarily found in fan manga, fan animations, and fanfiction.
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Did Gohan Ever Turn Super Saiyan 5? In some Dragon Ball AF stories, Gohan achieves the Super Saiyan 5 form. However, this is not canon.
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Are There Other Super Saiyan Forms Beyond 5? Yes, the internet is filled with fan-made transformations like Super Saiyan 6, Super Saiyan 10, Super Saiyan 100, and even higher. None of these are official.
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Why Did Akira Toriyama Choose Not to Include Super Saiyan 5? The reasons are speculative, but likely include design preferences, a desire to explore different power-scaling methods (like God Ki), and a desire to maintain creative control over the series’ direction.
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Is Super Saiyan 4 a God Form? While Super Saiyan 4 draws upon the power of the Great Ape (Oozaru), which some fans associate with a primal deity, it is not officially considered a “God” form. The Super Saiyan God transformation in Dragon Ball Super is the first canonical form to explicitly involve divine energy.
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Who Was the First Super Saiyan God? According to Dragon Ball lore, Yamoshi was the first Saiyan to achieve a form of Super Saiyan God. His spirit is said to have influenced the creation of the Super Saiyan God ritual.
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Are Universe 6 Saiyans Stronger Than Universe 7 Saiyans? This is a complex question. On average, Universe 6 Saiyans may have had an easier time reaching Super Saiyan due to their relatively peaceful existence. However, Universe 7 Saiyans, particularly Goku and Vegeta, have achieved significantly higher levels of power due to their constant battles and rigorous training.
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Who Was the Youngest Saiyan to Achieve Super Saiyan? Goten is generally considered the youngest Saiyan to achieve Super Saiyan, transforming at around the age of seven (although some sources claim he did it even younger).
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How Powerful Is Super Saiyan 5 in Fan Depictions? The power level of Super Saiyan 5 varies greatly depending on the fan creation. Some depict it as powerful enough to destroy the universe, while others portray it as simply a significant upgrade over Super Saiyan 4.
Conclusion: A Testament to Fan Creativity
While Super Saiyan 5 remains a non-canon transformation, its enduring popularity speaks volumes about the Dragon Ball fanbase’s creativity and passion. It demonstrates how fan art, fanfiction, and collaborative projects like those you can find on the Games Learning Society website can shape and expand upon established narratives. The legacy of SSJ5 reminds us that even outside of official sources, the power of imagination can keep the Dragon Ball spirit alive and evolving, especially for gaming and game based projects.