The latest installment in the beloved Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball DAIMA, has proven to be an incredible addition to this universe. Not only is the story of Goku’s adventure through the Demon Realm outstandingly entertaining, but the show has also helped greatly expand the lore of the series. From the Namekians’ true origin to the creation of the multiverse, DAIMA has taken the time to explore the vast cosmos that Kakarot lives in.
Since the first episode, the many shocking revelations that this new anime has brought with it completely changed how fans see the world created by Akira Toriyama. A show this heavily focused on lore had not been seen in quite some time, making DAIMA a unique and refreshing take for the franchise.
DAIMA’s Revelations Keep The Series Interesting
Fans Do Not Know What New Information Will Be Divulged
During episode #1 of the Dragon Ball DAIMA series, the introduction of the Demon Realm as part of Toriyama’s universe caused much hype among fans. While the idea of a world full of demons had already been approached in the past, seeing characters like the Demon King Dabura existed, it was never officially depicted. Seeing it come to life was one of the great successes of this new entry in the franchise, as it allowed the show to explore an entirely new world without altering the timeline.
While this by itself would have been greatly received by fans, the series took it even further beyond by vastly expanding the universe of Dragon Ball. As soon as the show commenced, viewers learned about the retconned origin of the Namekian race, making them descendants of an ancient demon clan. Shortly after, the revelation of the species from which all Kais are born, the Glind, completely changed how fans perceived the deities of Universe 7. In episode #8, the true creator of Majin Buu made herself known, causing another major retcon to the story.
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Most recently, episode #10 casually revealed that the Demon Realm is the oldest dimension to have existed, with all other universes 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 single creature in the multiverse, outside his realm of origin. Each episode of DAIMA has attempted to introduce or explain at least one of the often-forgotten themes of the series, something that has 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 about Dragon Ball’s status as one of the most influential anime of all time, it has never been a series that explores its world often. The main appeal of the series tends to be its impressive battles, beloved transformation, and expertly crafted character designs. DAIMA is the first series in many decades that has dedicated itself to exploring the universe in depth, as proven by the many world-altering revelations it has already introduced. Even though not all these changes have been equally well received, they are nonetheless stimulating for fans.
Adding these discussions to the series has also helped explain many of the biggest mysteries of the franchise. Majin Buu was confirmed to have been a monster created by demons, a fact that had been put into question several times throughout the decades. Giving the Namekians a demonic origin is an excellent way to resolve the major difference between one of the best villains in the series, Demon King Piccolo, and the other members of his race. DAIMA has taken the franchise out of its comfort zone, and it has achieved great results so far.
The Demon Realm Helps Introduce These Changes Naturally
Having a Clean Slate Makes Introducing Lore Easier
One of the main factors that allows DAIMA to expand the lore of the Dragon Ball series is the newly revealed Demon Realm. While Super had already introduced the concept of a multiverse to the series, there was not much it could do with it besides all-out battles like the tournament of power, as the heroes were still tied to Universe 7. The Demon Realm does not have these limitations, as it is a completely original concept for the show. As such, the writers had a clean slate to work with, giving them ample opportunity to explore the universe.
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Dragon Ball Daima's Demon Realm Isn't Just Great, It Confirms What Makes Akira Toriyama A Once-In-A-Lifetime Master
Dragon Ball Daima is set to take place in the Demon Realm, a previously unexplored world that could've only been created by the great Akira Toriyama.
The viewers, like Goku, are new to the Demon Realm, knowing next to nothing about its history, customs, or the many races that inhabit it. While the writers must make sure that their decisions will not affect the overall story of the series, as DAIMA takes place before the events of Super, having an entirely new world to explore opens a lot of doors. The fact that they have been able to greatly expand the lore of the franchise while creating a delightful series proves how much care went into making this series as good as possible.
DAIMA Brought Back Goku’s Child-Like Wonder Back
The Protagonist Had Not Been this Curious About the World Since He Was A Child
When fans first met Goku in episode #1 of the original Dragon Ball anime, he was a small and secluded child who knew little about the world he inhabited. It was not until Bulma convinced him to go on an adventure with her that he began exploring 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 its 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 several times since its release, claiming that it managed to recapture the magic of the original series. The story and the overall adventure are some of the most contributing factors to this result. Nevertheless, having a Goku who is genuinely excited about exploring a new world and learning about it has done wonders for his character. By allowing Kakarot to explore the Demon Realm along with fans, the nostalgic feelings of the original anime have reawakened inside long-time followers.
The exciting and intriguing lore that has been introduced in Dragon Ball DAIMA will surely forever change how Toriyama’s beloved anime is perceived. Still, these changes have proven to be positive, and have the potential to become iconic parts of this amazing franchise.
Dragon Ball DAIMA is the fifth overall series in the action-adventure anime franchise. It features most of the classic cast members as de-aged versions of themselves, including Goku, Vegeta, and Bulma. The series was announced at NYCC 2023, with creator Akira Toriyama returning to handle DAIMA's run.
Seasons 1
Writers Akira Toriyama
English (US) ·