The last installment of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball DAIMAhas proven to be an incredible addition to this universe. Not only is the story of Goku's adventure through the Demon Realm extremely entertaining, but the show also helped to greatly expand the series' lore. From the true origin of the Namekians to the creation of the multiverse, DAIMA took the time to explore the vast cosmos in which Kakarot lives.
From the first episode, the many shocking revelations this new anime brought with it completely changed the way fans see the world created by Akira Toriyama. A program so focused on tradition hadn't been seen in some time, making DAIMA a unique and refreshing take on the franchise.
DAIMA's revelations keep the series interesting
Fans don't know what new information will be released
During episode #1 of Dragon Ball DAIMA series, the introduction of the Demon Realm as part of Toriyama's universe caused a lot of excitement among fans. Although the idea of ​​a world full of demons has been touched on in the past, seeing the existence of characters like Demon King Dabura, it has never been officially portrayed. Seeing it come to life was one of the great successes of this new entry in the franchiseas it allowed the show to explore a whole new world without altering the timeline.
While this in itself was very well received by fans, the series went even further, greatly expanding the universe of Dragon Ball. As the show began, viewers learned about the retold origin of the Namekian race, making them descendants of an ancient demon clan. Shortly afterwards, the revelation of the species from which all Kais are born, the Glind, completely changed the way fans perceived the deities of Universe 7. In episode #8, the true creator of Majin Buu made herself knowncausing another major retcon to the story.
More recently, episode 10 casually revealed that the Demon Realm is the oldest dimension that has ever existed, with every other universe in the series being created by a Majin. Rymus, who seems to have become the most powerful character in the entire franchise, is responsible for giving life to every creature in the multiverse, outside of their home kingdom. Each episode of DAIMA attempted to introduce or explain at least one of the series' often forgotten themes, something that elevated this series into something unique and special.
Dragon Ball used to mostly ignore lore
Not even super expanded the universe as much as DAIMA
Although there is no doubt Dragon BallDespite its status as one of the most influential anime of all time, it was never a series that explored its world often. The series' main appeal tends to be its impressive battles, beloved transformation, and expertly crafted character designs. DAIMA is the first series in many decades that is dedicated to exploring the universe in depth, as proven by the many world-altering revelations it has already introduced. While not all of these changes have been equally well-received, they are encouraging for fans.
Adding these discussions to the series also helped explain many of the franchise's biggest mysteries. It was confirmed that Majin Buu was a monster created by demons, a fact that has been questioned several times over the decades. Giving the Namekians a demonic origin is an excellent way to resolve the main difference between one of the series' best villains, Demon King Piccolo, and the other members of his race. DAIMA took the franchise out of its comfort zone and has achieved great results so far.
The Demon Realm helps introduce these changes naturally
Having a blank slate makes introducing knowledge easier
One of the main factors that allows DAIMA to expand the tradition of Dragon Ball series is the recently revealed Demon Realm. Although Super had already introduced the concept of the multiverse into the series, there wasn't much it could do with it other than all-out battles like the tournament of power, as the heroes were still tied to Universe 7. The Demon Realm does not have these limitationsas it is a completely original concept for the show. As such, the writers had a blank slate to work with, giving them ample opportunity to explore the universe.
Viewers, like Goku, are new to the Demon Realm, knowing next to nothing about its history, customs, or the many races that inhabit it. Although writers must be sure that their decisions will not affect the overall story of the series, such as DAIMA takes place before the events of Super, having a whole new world to explore opens up a lot of doors. The fact that they were able to greatly expand the franchise's lore while creating a delightful series proves how much care went into making this series the best it could be.
DAIMA brought back Goku's childlike wonder
The protagonist hasn't been so curious about the world since he was a child
When fans met Goku in episode 1 of the original Dragon Ball anime, he was a small, isolated child who knew little about the world he inhabited. It wasn't until Bulma convinced him to go on an adventure with her that he began to explore his surroundings, learning about everything he had missed. It was his genuine curiosity and innocence that made Goku such a beloved character as a child. In your own way, DAIMA brought back this facet of Kakarot for a new generation to enjoy.
Fans have called this new entry a love letter to Toriyama's work multiple times since its release, claiming that it managed to recapture the magic of the original series. The story and adventure in general are some of the factors that most contribute to this result. However, having Goku genuinely excited about exploring a new world and learning about it did wonders for his character. By allowing Kakarot to explore the Demon Realm together with fans, the nostalgic feelings of the original anime have reawakened in longtime followers.
The exciting and intriguing story that was introduced in Dragon Ball DAIMA will certainly forever change the way Toriyama's beloved anime is viewed. Still, these changes have proven to be positive and have the potential to become iconic parts of this incredible franchise.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball DAIMA is the fifth series overall in the action-adventure anime franchise. It features most of the classic cast members as aged versions of themselves, including Goku, Vegeta, and Bulma. The series was announced at NYCC 2023, with creator Akira Toriyama returning to manage DAIMA.
- Seasons
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1
- Writers
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Akira Toriyama