Dragon Ball Daima has ended, establishing itself as one of the best recent entries in the beloved franchise created by Akira Toriyama. Its final episode gave the series the happy ending most fans were waiting to see, with the big villain defeated and the heroes regaining their adult bodies. Nonetheless, despite how heartwarming the finale was, it did cause some issues with the overarching story.

The use of Neva’s Namekian powers has proven to be one of the most troubling, as it not only created a massive plot hole relating to Super Saiyan 4, but effectively debunked a fan-favorite theory. By having the demon unlock Goku’s potential during the fight against Gomah, the show prevented this technique from being used in the future, as many viewers believed would happen.

Neva’s Power Prohibits Goku From Receiving a Power-Up

Namekians Can Only Unlock Potential Once

In episode #20 of the Dragon Ball Daima anime, Vegeta asks Goku how he was able to bring back the Super Saiyan 4 transformation. According to the protagonist, he had already learned about the form before traveling to the Demon Realm, but lacked the power to unlock it by himself. Once Neva used his powers on him, he obtained the strength needed to evolve. Unlike what most fans believed would be the explanation for the introduction of Super Saiyan 4, this implied that there was no magic or demonic energy involved in the process.

Following this logic, it makes sense to assume that Neva’s powers did not grant Goku the power he needed, they simply unlocked his latent potential. Instead of giving Kakarot a magical boost, the demonic Namekian used a technique well known by fans of the series, the same one Guru utilized to give Gohan a boost in power during the Frieza Saga. This decision means that, in the future, Goku will not be able to receive a power-up this way, even if it comes from a different Namekian.

While the series has never officially confirmed that this technique can only be used once, it has heavily implied it, as characters like Gohan or Krillin have never tried to receive another boost. The name of the technique, Potential Unlocking, also lends itself to the idea that it can only be used once, as a person’s potential can hardly change during their lifetime. While this by no means prohibits Goku from becoming more powerful, as proven by him becoming one of the multiverse’s strongest characters in Dragon Ball Super, it does mean that he won’t rely on another Namekian to increase his level.

Daima Has Disproven a Popular Fan Theory

Goku Cannot Have His Potential Unlocked in Super

One of the reasons why Goku’s potential being unlocked in Daima can become an issue for the series is the fact that many fans believed this would occur during the Super manga. Before going into its hiatus, with no news about its return that had been officially announced, the sequel series teased an battle between Goku and Frieza, who became the universe’s greatest threat after unlocking his Black form. The manga made it clear that Kakarot does not have the strength to defeat Frieza yet, as the tyrant knocked him down with a single punch during their previous battle.

Due to this, many fans were expecting the Saiyan to receive a major power boost before his final battle against the series’ best villain. A large portion of the fandom theorized that this power-up would be the result of Dende, or any other Namekian, unlocking his potential. Like what happened to Gohan during the Namek Saga, Goku would see a massive improvement in his power level, durability, and physical strength. With this power-up, as well as his training with Whis and Beerus, he would be strong enough to defeat Frieza in his new Black form.

Daima’s timeline completely removes this possibility from the story, as Neva has already unlocked Goku’s potential. This means that, during his latest battle against Frieza, he was already utilizing his entire potential, but it was not enough to sur the villain’s powerful technique. If Kakarot were to receive a power-up in time before the Z Warriors fight the Frost Demon again, it would have to come from another source, as the Namekian ability has already been used on his body.

Would Having His Potential Unlocked Have Been Enough?

This Technique Might Not Be as Significant as Fans Believe

Although it can be frustrating for some fans that Daima has eliminated the possibility of Goku unlocking his potential during the Super storyline, this might not be as relevant as they imagine. Kakarot is undoubtedly one of the strongest characters in the series, and his abilities are second to none. Nonetheless, he has never been one to rely on potential alone, seeing as he has never been known for being naturally powerful. Ever since he was born, Goku has been looked down upon for being a low-class warrior with an abysmally small power level.

Goku's power comes from hard work, not natural ability.

The impressive feats he has accomplished as the series has progressed have always been the result of his rigorous training and unbreakable determination. Having his potential unlocked before the battle against Frieza would have indeed been helpful, but it would not have been a major factor in the end. The main reason why Gohan’s power increased drastically after Guru used his technique on him is because he has always been a warrior with massive latent potential. Goku would not have seen the same results as his son, as his power comes from hard work, not natural ability.

Goku Will Surely Find a Way to Defeat Frieza

The Saiyan Will Not Give Up Until the Tyrant Is Defeated

Even though Kakarot’s latent potential is no longer an option, there is no doubt that the Saiyan will find a way to defeat Frieza and save Universe 7. Through the Dragon Ball story, Goku has never once allowed evil to flourish, and his best battles are proof of this trend. No matter how much training and effort he needs, he always finds a way to push past his limits and gain the strength needed to defeat his opponent. In the case he somehow fails, he is not alone, as he has powerful allies, like Vegeta, who is long-overdue a moment to shine during battle.

Daima is without a doubt one of the most entertaining and interesting anime in the Dragon Ball franchise. It might have caused some issues with the timeline, mostly due to the introduction of Super Saiyan 4, but its effects on the overarching story will not be too disruptive. Fans can be confident that once the Super manga returns, Goku will be ready to find new ways to become stronger.