Webtoons are everywhere now. But back when S.I.U. first started sketching the climb of Twenty-Fifth Bam, nobody really knew it would turn into this massive, sprawling epic that basically redefined what a "shonen" journey looks like. If you're holding Tower of God Vol 4 in your hands—or considering adding the physical hardcover to your shelf—you're looking at the specific point where the series stops being a quirky test-room drama and starts becoming a high-stakes war.
It's heavy. Honestly, the shift in tone here is wild.
The fourth volume of the physical release, typically covering the climax of the Submerged Fish test and the beginning of the end for the Floor of Tests arc, is where the "found family" vibes get hit with a cold dose of reality. You've got Bam, Khun, and Rak finally starting to gel as a team. Then the Tower does what it does best: it breaks things. This isn't just about passing a grade anymore. It’s about the politics of Great Families and the terrifying realization that being "chosen" by the Tower is often a death sentence.
The Physical Appeal of Tower of God Vol 4
Let's talk about the book itself. WEBTOON Unscrolled has been doing these high-quality hardcovers, and seeing S.I.U.’s art on paper is a totally different experience than scrolling on a cracked smartphone screen. In the early chapters, the art was a bit rough. Kind of scratchy. But by the time we hit the events in Tower of God Vol 4, you can see the creator finding his groove. The scale of the Shinsu becomes more fluid. The character designs for the Rankers—especially when Ren shows up—feel genuinely intimidating.
Physical collectors often worry about the "gutters" cutting off the art. Since this was originally a vertical scroll, the panel reconfiguration for a book format is a massive undertaking. In this volume, the layouts manage to keep the kinetic energy of the battles without feeling cramped. You get to see the detail in the Ignition Weapons and the subtle expressions on Khun’s face that you might have zipped past while scrolling.
Why the Crown Game was just the beginning
Most people think the Crown Game is the peak of the first season. They're wrong. Vol 4 proves that the real tension lies in the quiet betrayals. This is where we see the Jahad Empire's shadow starting to loom over the regulars.
The introduction of the RED (Royal Enforcement Division) changes the math. Suddenly, it’s not just students taking an exam; it’s a black-ops hit squad entering a playground. The stakes move from "will they pass?" to "will they survive the night?" It’s a subtle shift that S.I.U. handles brilliantly. He sprinkles in lore about the 13 Month Series weapons—specifically the Black March and Green April—that makes the world feel ancient. Like it existed thousands of years before Bam ever opened that door.
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Rachel: The Most Polarizing Figure in Manga History?
You can't talk about this part of the story without talking about Rachel. Honestly, she's a masterpiece of character writing, even if you want to throw the book across the room because of her. In Tower of God Vol 4, the mystery surrounding her "disability" and her relationship with Bam reaches a boiling point.
Bam’s devotion is pathological. We see it clearly here. He isn't climbing for power or greed; he’s climbing for a person who clearly doesn't want to be found by him. This volume sets up the psychological foundation for the series' biggest twists. It forces the reader to ask: is Bam the hero because he’s nice, or is he a monster because he’s obsessed? The line is thin. Very thin.
The supporting cast shines here too. We get more into Endorsi’s headspace. Being a Princess of Jahad isn't a fairy tale; it’s a gilded cage where you have to step on everyone else to stay alive. Her dynamic with Bam—the boy who doesn't fit the rules—is the first crack in her armor. It’s great writing. Simple as that.
The Mechanics of Shinsu in the Early Days
Remember when Shinsu was simple? In the later chapters of the webtoon (we're talking years into the run), the powers become almost DBZ-level explosive. But in Tower of God Vol 4, Shinsu is still mysterious and suffocating. The "Shinsu Resistance" tests and the way characters have to move through it like it's water adds a physical weight to the setting.
- The contract with the Administrator: This is a crucial plot point.
- The different positions: Wave Controller, Light Bearer, Scout, Spear Bearer, and Fisherman.
- The realization that some people are just born with more "flow" than others.
It’s inherently unfair. The Tower is a meritocracy built on a foundation of genetic luck and ancient bloodlines. Bam being an Irregular throws a wrench into that entire machine, and Vol 4 is when the machine starts trying to crush that wrench.
Breaking Down the Submerged Fish Test
The Bull. That thing is terrifying.
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The climax of the Deep-Sea Fish test is a masterclass in tension. You have multiple teams working toward different goals, some trying to help Bam, others trying to sabotage the whole operation. It’s a cluster of moving parts. When the Rankers get involved, specifically the intervention of the Lo Po Bia family, the power scale gets reset. You realize that as strong as Anak or Ran might seem, they are ants compared to the people running the show.
This volume highlights the "cruelty of the climb." It’s not just about being strong; it’s about who is willing to sacrifice their humanity to reach the next floor. Khun Aguero Agnis is the perfect foil to Bam here. He’s willing to be the "bad guy" so Bam can stay "good." It’s a tragic dynamic that defines their friendship for the next several hundred chapters.
Technical Details for Collectors
If you're looking to buy, make sure you're getting the official English translation. Some older fan translations used different names (like "Androssi" instead of "Endorsi" or "Ship Leesoo" instead of "Shibisu"). The official Tower of God Vol 4 hardcover uses the standardized WEBTOON names, which helps if you're planning on following the anime or the continuing digital series.
The page count is generous, and the paper quality is thick enough that there's no bleed-through from the vibrant colors. S.I.U. uses a lot of deep blues and teals in this arc, representing the "underwater" theme of the test, and it looks stunning in print.
Misconceptions About the Floor of Tests Arc
A lot of people think the "Season 1" content is just a prologue that you can skip or skim. That’s a mistake. Everything that happens in the later "Hell Train" or "Nest" arcs is rooted in the betrayals of these early volumes.
- Misconception: Bam is a "Mary Sue" character who is just naturally perfect.
- Reality: Vol 4 shows he is incredibly vulnerable and easily manipulated. His power is a burden he doesn't know how to carry yet.
- Misconception: The side characters don't matter.
- Reality: Characters like Rak and Shibisu provide the emotional stakes that make the later battles actually meaningful. Without them, it's just pretty lights and shouting.
The lore drops regarding the "Great Families" are also essential. If you don't pay attention to the Lo Po Bia name-drop in this volume, you're going to be very confused a few hundred chapters later when they become the primary antagonists. S.I.U. plays the long game. He’s a gardener who plants a seed in Vol 4 and doesn't harvest the fruit for five years.
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The Cultural Impact of the Series
Tower of God was one of the first manhwa to really break into the Western mainstream. It paved the way for Solo Leveling, The God of High School, and Noblesse. Vol 4 represents the era where the series was transitioning from a cult hit to a global phenomenon.
There's a reason fans call it the "One Piece of Webtoons." The world-building is just that dense. Every floor is a different country, a different culture, and a different set of laws. In this volume, we're still in the "nursery," but the doors are starting to open to the wider, uglier world outside.
Actionable Steps for New and Returning Readers
If you've only seen the anime, you need to read this volume. The anime cut out a significant amount of dialogue and world-building that explains why characters are making certain choices. The nuance of Khun’s plan in the final tests is much clearer in the text.
- Check the ISBN: Ensure you're buying the 2024/2025/2026 editions from WEBTOON Unscrolled for the best translation and print quality.
- Look at the background art: S.I.U. hides a lot of "Easter eggs" in the backgrounds—posters, symbols, and cameos from other characters—that hint at the broader Talse Uzer Story (T.U.S.) universe.
- Note the Shinsu colors: Every character's Shinsu has a specific hue. This isn't just for aesthetics; it often relates to their lineage or the type of contract they have.
What happens next is what cemented Tower of God in the halls of legendary storytelling. The conclusion of this arc is famous for a reason. If you think you know where the story is going, you probably don't. Vol 4 is the setup for the "push" that changed everything.
Go get the volume. Read it slowly. Pay attention to the shadows and the things characters say when they think no one is listening. The Tower is a liar, and this is the book where you start to see the cracks in the facade. You'll want to have Volume 5 ready the second you finish this one, because the cliffhanger isn't just a plot point—it's an emotional wrecking ball.
To get the most out of your reading, compare the character interactions in the "Position Classes" to how they fight together in the final battle. It shows the growth of the team better than any training montage could. Once you're done, look back at the very first page of Volume 1. The contrast in Bam’s eyes is staggering. That's the power of long-form storytelling. Don't rush it. The climb is the whole point.