Fall 2024 Preview: Dragon Ball Daima

Key Takeaways

Dragon Ball DAIMA premieres on Crunchyroll October 11, 2024, attracting new and old fans alike.
The series coincides with the Dragon Ball 40th anniversary and is likely to be canon.
DAIMA emphasizes action over comedy, featuring de-aged characters in a new story without Toriyama’s involvement.

As a long-time aficionado of the Dragon Ball universe, I find myself utterly intrigued by this upcoming series, Dragon Ball DAIMA. Having grown up with Goku and his friends, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of revisiting their adventures on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball!

Among the numerous new anime airing this fall, one highly anticipated release is likely to be “Dragon Ball SUPREME“, the latest addition to the extended Dragon Ball series. In contrast to many other sequels based on established franchises, the plot of “Dragon Ball SUPREME” remains largely unknown, leaving fans guessing about its themes and storyline.

It’s great news for fans that certain insider details reveal reasons for them to look forward to the series’ premiere on Crunchyroll on October 11, 2024.

The Legacy of Dragon Ball

Initially airing in 1986, the original Dragon Ball anime traced Goku’s childhood journeys. Subsequently, Dragon Ball Z emerged, focusing on adult Goku’s life and his intense battles against formidable adversaries such as Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. New characters like Gohan and Vegeta were also introduced during this period. After the end of Dragon Ball Z, Toei Animation released Dragon Ball GT, a series with limited input from creator Akira Toriyama, which received mixed responses. Most recently, the franchise resumed with Dragon Ball Super, continuing Goku’s saga beyond the Z series.

Dragon Ball’s Newfound Popularity

Due to the success of Dragon Ball Super and some big-screen adaptations, Dragon Ball has seen a significant resurgence in popularity, comparable to Star Wars and Marvel. Fresh fans are joining the franchise at an impressive rate, and interest in merchandise like shirts, toys, and video games appears to be reaching unprecedented levels. It’s clear that the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA will likely fuel the revival of Dragon Ball that has been happening for several years now.

Death of the Author

Regrettably, the launch of Dragon Ball DAIMA carries a poignant note as its creator and author Akira Toriyama passed away from an acute subdural hematoma. Known for his active involvement in this series, many believe that this work serves as a fitting farewell to the Dragon Ball franchise from him. Though the news has increased excitement for the series, it is also tinged with sadness knowing that this is likely the last creation from the franchise’s founder. As future Dragon Ball projects will be produced without Toriyama’s participation, this release holds a unique significance for longtime fans.

What is Dragon Ball DAIMA About?

Information on exactly what the anime “Dragon Ball DAIMA” revolves around has been mostly concealed. However, some insights can be gathered from the teaser trailer. Among these hints are:

The story will coincide with the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball. As a result, you can bet there will be many throwbacks to previous adventures of Goku and his friends.
The story, character designs, and concept come from Akira Toriyama. This means that nothing in this will likely contradict other Dragon Ball projects, and the events in the series are likely to be canon.
While fans all know that the entire cast will be “de-aged,” judging from the trailer, this is an unexpected development for everyone involved.
The series will take place in a new world. Furthermore, there seems to be a command center where a figure is viewing events from past series. This likely means the antagonist will have been keeping an eye on our heroes for quite some time.
Unlike Dragon Ball GT, this series seems to be emphasizing the action above comedy. Also, Goku is seen using his staff again, suggesting that de-powerization will also come with de-aging.
Characters from Toriyama’s semi-Dragon Ball spin-off Jaco the Galactic appear to play a role in Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Ultimately, it appears that Toriyama himself may have hinted at the theme of his upcoming series. When questioned about the meaning of “DAIMA”, he provided the following response:

The term “DAIMA,” when written in Japanese, translates to “大魔” and can be roughly interpreted as “Great Evil” or simply “Evil” in English.

For the time being, this is what is known of the series.

Notable Dub News

It’s been mostly hush-hush, but it seems that Stephanie Nadolny is set to reprise her role as young Goku in the series. Previously, she voiced young Goku during the dub of Dragon Ball GT, and this marks her first return to the Dragon Ball franchise since that project concluded. As for other casting updates, they haven’t been shared yet, but there’s an exciting change in store: Crunchyroll will be releasing dubbed episodes shortly after their premiere, unlike previous instances where fans had to wait months for a TV broadcast.

The Takeaway

It’s expected that “Dragon Ball DAIMA” will make a significant impact, regardless of the direction it takes. The franchise remains as beloved as ever, and the fact that Toriyama was involved in it before his passing could attract even those who are less avid anime fans. Though specific details about the series are yet to be revealed, the trailer has generated enough excitement to keep fans engaged until its premiere on Crunchyroll in October. Moreover, the dubbed version won’t necessitate a lengthy wait, making this possibly the best global release of a “Dragon Ball” series so far.

2024-09-15 21:34