A Return to Form | Dragon Ball Daima
James Blinken ‘24 / Entertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Spoilers Ahead
I have been a big fan of the Dragon Ball Franchise since it aired on Nicktoons in the early 2010s. Now, in 2024, with the recent passing of creator Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball Daima is the final project the original creator has worked on. Not since the original Dragon Ball series has Toriyama worked so closely on a Dragon Ball show… until Daima! Unlike 2015’s Dragon Ball Super, Daima has been in production for years before it started airing, compared to just a few months like Super. The result is stunning visuals and a more clearly defined style in each episode. This is undoubtedly the most cinematic Dragon Ball has ever felt, especially for the show (not counting the movies)!
The plot probably sounds similar to Dragon Ball Fans: Goku and his friends are turned into kids because of a conspiracy and must travel to the Demon world to save themselves and the greater world! Previously, in Dragon Ball GT (a show in which Toriyama was barely involved in) Goku is also turned into a kid from an accidental wish from the Dragon Balls (which are seven magical orbs that when gathered together, summon a Dragon and grant a wish.).
The first two episodes are mostly set up and exposition for the show. The first episode is an extended 32 minutes long! I do feel this is one of the best first episodes of Dragon Ball, and although it’s a lot of scenes from the previous show (Dragon Ball Z) re-animated, there is also a plot reason for the recap. The main villains are watching and learning about their enemy, Goku, and the rest of his friends so they can take them down. In the main villain’s case, Gohma, the resolution is to turn Goku and friends into kids! Although we didn’t see much action until the third episode, the visuals and set-up were enough to keep a fan like me engaged. Thanks to a healthy production schedule and Toriyama’s involvement, Dragon Ball now looks better than it ever has before!
Very much like Dragon Ball GT, Goku goes on an adventure to a distant new world, the Demon Realm, and meets many new characters. What I find most interesting is that Daima continues plot threads from Dragon Ball Z, as the characters in the Demon Realm are reacting based on Goku and Co. killing the last villains, Majuin Buu and Dabura (the late king of Demon Realm). This continuation of the Dragon Ball story feels like the series’ most natural progression and a logical next step in a long time.
Dragon Ball Daima seems like Toriyama’s attempt to re-do Dragon Ball GT on his terms. Many people don’t consider GT a ‘cannon’ show because Toriyama did not make it (since Dragon Ball Super retcon, many plot elements of the show). I’m all for this GT 2.0, and I am so excited to continue watching it weekly! The visuals are great, I am intrigued into this new original story by the original author as well as the new setting of the Demon Realm! The pacing is just right; the story has a balance of comedy and adventure, making it feel like the original Dragon Ball series. I have nothing bad to say about Daima other than I want more!
The first four episodes were amazing, and I cannot wait for new episodes every Friday!
Dragon Ball Daima airs on Fridays on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu at 1 PM ET. with English subtitles; the English world premiere, featuring episodes 1 through 3, is planned for November 10-12 in theatres!