Goku's non-canon False Super Saiyan form, first seen in Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, returns in Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO!
Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO!, the spiritual successor to the Tenkaichi Budokai series, is set to feature Goku's "False Super Saiyan" transformation. This form, originating from the Dragon Ball Z movie Lord Slug, will be part of the upcoming "Super Limit-Breaking NEO" DLC. The fighting game aims to delve into the franchise's past, bringing back various character iterations, including this notorious power-up.
The "False Super Saiyan" form first appeared during the events of Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, where Goku accessed a unique level of power to confront a nefarious Namekian. This transformation never appeared outside of that specific film, which, like many Dragon Ball Z movies, exists outside the main continuity. Consequently, the "fake" Super Saiyan form has remained a point of contention among fans due to its non-canon status.
What makes the False Super Saiyan particularly controversial is its visual representation. Goku's hair does not turn blonde in this state, leading many fans to consider it an intermediate stage between his base form and the iconic Super Saiyan transformation. The form's existence is further complicated by historical context surrounding Akira Toriyama's initial designs for the Super Saiyan.
Intriguingly, Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug was released in Japan just ten days before the true Super Saiyan form debuted in the Dragon Ball Z anime. Akira Toriyama had previously shared a Super Saiyan design that did not feature blonde hair, suggesting Toei Animation initially believed this to be the definitive transformation. Toriyama later revised his design, establishing blonde hair as a hallmark of the Super Saiyan state.
Despite the False Super Saiyan never returning to the anime after its single appearance in the fourth film, its controversial legacy endures. Its inclusion in Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO! demonstrates that the franchise acknowledges this unique, albeit non-canon, power-up. It remains to be seen whether the form will be a standalone character or an accessible transformation for Goku within the game.
