Dragon Ball: Why Daima’s Pacing is a Huge Problem

Dragon Ball: Why Daima's Pacing is a Huge Problem

Key Takeaways

  • Dragon Ball Daima debuted in late 2024 as a new series set before Dragon Ball Super and right after the end of the Buu Saga.
  • Initial skepticism was dispelled by the first episode’s old-school Dragon Ball essence, hitting fans with nostalgia.
  • The show’s pacing issues are causing a drop in viewership, urging a need for faster progress and more of an emphasis on substantial story beats to happen at a much more frequent rate than what is currently being shown.

As a long-time Dragon Ball fan who’s seen every episode since the original series debuted back in the ’80s, I must say that I was initially skeptical about yet another spin-off in the franchise. But boy, did they surprise me with Daima! The first episode felt like a blast from the past, harkening back to the classic Dragon Ball days, and it’s been quite enjoyable so far.


When word leaked out about an upcoming Dragon Ball anime set to air toward the end of 2024, fans reacted with stunned delight at the possibility of watching their beloved characters return to the screen since Dragon Ball Super concluded in 2017. While many had anticipated and longed for a sequel, they were still pleasantly taken aback when they learned that this was an entirely new series instead.

Initially, some viewers were hesitant about the idea of Goku and his companions transforming back into children, but the initial episode won over many critics by emulating the classic feel of Dragon Ball, with its unique mix of action and humor that’s characteristic of Akira Toriyama. However, since then, there’s been a significant decrease in viewers for the new series, and one possible explanation is the slower pace.

Daima’s Pacing Problem

Daima Needs To Pick Up The Pace

Series BeginningDragon Ball Daima, Episode 1, “Conspiracy”
Debut DateOctober 11, 2024

The story titled “Daima” is set within the Dragon Ball universe, following the conclusion of the Buu Saga. Unlike the series “Super”, this tale does not incorporate any elements from it. The narrative centers around the Demon Realm, which finds itself in a power struggle after the demise of its ruler, King Dabura. This power vacuum has been filled by a new Majin named Gomah, who aspires to become the new Demon King.

To strengthen his authority and ward off potential threats, he journeys to Earth and utilizes the Dragon Balls to transform the Z-Fighters into children instead of eliminating them since killing wasn’t an option. This action kickstarts the series as Goku partners with Shin and fresh characters named Glorio and Panzy in the Demon Realm. Together, they search for baby Dende and employ the realm’s Dragon Balls to make a wish that restores everyone to their peak power levels.

The main issue fans find with the storyline is that it’s moving too slowly, making it difficult to engage with despite its apparent simplicity. While some might argue that the series is meticulously building up the world and lore of the universe, this deliberate pace seems to be stalling the progression of events, leaving many viewers frustrated as they feel little significant or valuable developments have taken place thus far.

The main thing is that Goku has to fight against each of the 3 Tamagami in order to acquire the Demon Realm Dragon Balls, which, as of Episode 6, he hasn’t done so far. It has been revealed that the total episode count for Daima is 20 episodes for the first season, so many think that it is going at a snail’s pace to do so, having 6 entire episodes with no substantial plot developments. If this continues, fans will have to wade through many episodes to get to the parts where something major happens.

How To Fix This Issue

How Daima Can Improve Its Pacing Issues

Regarding the series Daima, the world-building it offers is genuinely captivating and enriches the series’ future by delving deeply into its lore. However, the issue lies not in the quality of the material presented, as that is commendable, but rather in the pace at which it’s being presented. The creators might want to accelerate the occurrence of significant plot points more often than currently depicted. Given that a series of 20 episodes is quite challenging for any production, Daima should aim to minimize filler episodes and keep the narrative as tight and engaging as possible.

Hardly anyone comes to the Third Demon World aside from on business.

Additionally, enthusiasts of the series are eagerly waiting for the revival of the current storyline through the Dragon Ball Super manga and the second season of Super. Consequently, by subtly incorporating hints related to that universe or casually dropping some ideas, it will significantly impact the reception once Super eventually returns. At present, Daima is thriving, and with minor adjustments in various aspects, it has the potential to become truly extraordinary.

Dragon Ball Daima can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-11-24 21:33