Primal Saiyan Appearance: Unlike other Super Saiyan forms, which rely on a golden aura and spiky hair, SSJ4 taps into a Saiyan's primal roots. This form restores a reddish-pink tail and a wild, black or dark-colored hairstyle, drawing a clear link back to the Great Ape transformation. The form is a perfect blend of a Saiyan's controlled power and their untamed, animalistic nature.

A Different Power Source: To achieve this form, a Saiyan must first transform into a Golden Great Ape—a form only possible after regaining their tail and being exposed to Blutz Waves (the source of the Great Ape transformation). By gaining control and mastering the Golden Great Ape form, the Saiyan can then transform into Super Saiyan 4. This is a much different and more complex path than the standard emotional triggers for other Super Saiyan forms.

Unique Canon Status: Super Saiyan 4 is exclusive to the Dragon Ball GT series and is not part of the main Dragon Ball manga or the more recent Dragon Ball Super series. This distinction makes it a unique and iconic part of the franchise's history and a symbol of its more experimental, spin-off story arcs.