Akira Toriyama's Swan Song Dragon Ball Daima Has Arrived

Key Takeaways

Dragon Ball DAIMA
is a direct sequel to Majin Buu Saga, set after Buu’s defeat and before
Dragon Ball Super
starts.
The series is timed for
Dragon Ball’s
40th anniversary and is Toriyama’s last major project with his personal touch.
The premiere sets up a new adventure where Goku, now a child, has to face new enemies with Dragon Balls involved.

As a lifelong Dragon Ball fan since I was but a wee Saiyan lad, I must say that the premiere of “Dragon Ball DAIMA” has left me absolutely thrilled! The series is a delightful surprise on its own, serving as a direct sequel to the Majin Buu Saga and marking Akira Toriyama’s last major project with his personal touch.

The following contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Daima episode 1, “Conspiracy” available to stream on
Crunchyroll
and Netflix

Among the fall anime releases this year, none have stirred as much excitement within the gaming community as the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA. With details scarce and the storyline largely shrouded in secrecy, what we do know is that it will feature our beloved characters reverting to their childhood forms. Yet, this revelation has only deepened the intrigue – is this a reboot? A spin-off? Does it align with the established canon? Is it a sequel to the controversial Dragon Ball GT? I can hardly wait to find out!

Who are the English voice actors portraying the younger versions of beloved characters in this upcoming series? For now, we’ll have to wait for the series premiere (which will only provide a subtitled version initially), but with our first episode available, some of these questions can now be answered, and new ones have been set up.

Happy 40th Anniversary Dragon Ball

It’s worth noting that the release of this series coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball franchise, making it a significant milestone. Unlike many anniversaries, this one stands out because it celebrates a rare anime that has not only been cherished by multiple generations of families but continues to produce fresh content. As fans watch this latest show, many will find themselves passing on the franchise to their own children, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

Akira Toriyama’s Swan Song

This series stands out because it marks the final Dragon Ball franchise where its creator, Akira Toriyama, left his personal imprint. He was instrumental in shaping the story, collaborating with Toei producers on the script, and creating new characters for this season. Regrettably, he passed away earlier this year, but before that, he had been deeply involved in the project, having completed all significant writing tasks. Although there may be a few unpublished manga manuscripts left, in essence, this is likely the last major Dragon Ball endeavor that reflects Toriyama’s vision, making it an emotional and poignant occasion.

The Majin’s Are Back

In the initial scene of Dragon Ball DAIMA, we don’t find our protagonists or a fresh theme song, instead, we delve into another realm where Majins are witnessing the climactic battle between the Z Fighters and Majin Buu. This alternate universe reveals that Babidi had turned against his own kind and seized power over Dabura, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming control over Buu to dominate the world. They’re observing this unfold through vintage animation from the original Dragon Ball Z series (so meticulously restored it appears brand new). From their perspective, they can see how things took a disastrous turn. Although the final outcome is startling, it does offer some unique benefits for them in this context.

Let’s Go Make a Wish

Now that Dabura is out of the scene, Majin Gomah ascends as the ruler of the Demon Realm. However, he harbors concerns about formidable beings in the cosmos who could potentially pose a threat to him. During battles he’s observed, he noticed Earth possesses Dragon Balls. Notably, his realm also has Dragon Balls, but they are guarded by massive robots to deter others from making wishes. Given that the Earth Dragon Balls grant three wishes, Gomah (accompanied by a few others) deems it necessary to travel to Earth, as these wishes could be used defensively and to bolster his power.

A New Adventure Begins

Essentially, the opening episode of Dragon Ball DAIMA serves more as a summary and prelude rather than an action-packed start. The main characters don’t make their appearance until halfway through, where they’re seen enjoying Trunk’s birthday celebration. Some fans might feel slightly disappointed due to the lack of immediate action, but considering that Dragon Ball Super has been managing a delicate balance for quite some time now, this might not be too much of an issue for most viewers. Nonetheless, the setup for the series is robust and we now have a clear understanding of its current state.

This new series isn’t a remake or spin-off; instead, it follows directly after the Majin Buu Saga. The narrative unfolds following Buu’s defeat but before the occurrences in Super. Most fans might not notice this timeline difference, but for dedicated Dragon Ball enthusiasts, here’s the clarification. Additionally, while our primary characters don’t make significant moves in this series, characters from the entire arc are expected to play essential roles, which should excite fans. Although the specifics of how everything will unfold are still unclear at present, Dragon Ball DAIMA is classic Dragon Ball and is anticipated to be a remarkable conclusion from one of the industry’s top storytellers.

2024-10-13 19:33

Akira Toriyama’s Swan Song Dragon Ball Daima Has Arrived