Dragon Ball Daima has already made an extremely significant impact on series lore, introducing several new characters, rewriting the history of Namekians, Demons, and Kais, as well as taking characters on journeys to unexplored locations. Since its beginning, Dragon Ball has existed in a world of wonder. Creatures like dragons and dinosaurs roam the Earth alongside humans, intergalactic threats occasionally pop in and make themselves at home, and time travel is a relatively common occurrence.
This world, created by the late genius, Akira Toriyama, has become iconic throughout the anime and manga sphere. And though Dragon Ball heavily shifted its focus toward wide-scale, earth-shattering battles during the Saiyan Saga, early portions of the story were centered around the wondrous world that Goku and company inhabited. Now, Daima's newly introduced Demon Realm showcases Dragon Ball's consistent and incredible world building, proving that few in the industry could do it like the one and only Akira Toriyama.
Earth, Namek, the Otherworld, King Kai's miniature planet, and now the Demon Realm are masterfully built settings that add to the series' overall identity while helping to build the characters that live in them. For as expansive of a universe that Dragon Ball provides, new locations keep the series fresh. And as Goku and Supreme Kai venture further into the Demon Realm, Toriyama's final vision for the series will undoubtedly offer all the excitement and immersion that Dragon Ball has become known for.
Daima's Demon Realm Is a Distinctly Toriyama Creation
The Demon Realm Makes Use of All of Akira Toriyama's Trademarks
Though referenced throughout Dragon Ball, the Demon Realm was never a setting that the series explored in detail. It was established during the Majin Buu Saga that Dabura ruled over the realm, though any meaningful mention of it died along with its king. In a series that spans 40 years of activity, to have major parts of its world still be ripe for exploration is only a testament to the quality of that world. And Dragon Ball Daima is now taking the opportunity to open the door to the Demon Realm, putting Toriyama's writing ability on full display.
Thus far, the new world is living up to the reputation of the man behind its creation. Vast open desert wastelands, floating islands with their own spewing volcanoes, bandits running amok, flying planes which resemble spaceships more than anything else; the Demon Realm checks all of Toriyama's boxes. Packed with wonder and a grand sense of adventure, Daima recalls the awe-inspiring elements of Dragon Ball's earliest moments, in which the world surrounding the characters was every bit as interesting as the events unfolding in it. And its greatness doesn't stop there.
Within the Demon Realm there lie three demon worlds. The first was seen only briefly, during the introductions of Gomah, Degesu, Dr. Arinsu, and Neva. Though this world was awarded little screen time, it already helps to build the realm when contrasted with the Third World, explored during Daima's third episode. The first, featuring a palace housing the royalty, is wildly different from the desert landscape the main trio is currently exploring, setting up a sort of caste system in the Demon Realm, a territory Dragon Ball has never ventured into before.
The Demon Realm Offers Something Entirely New to Dragon Ball
New Elements Are Already Being Introduced Through the Demon Realm
Though Dragon Ball's many settings are distinctly unique to one another, they all share a major similarity that has helped to define the series. Its fights are always grandiose presentations of overwhelming power, tearing the world around the characters to shreds as they pummel one another into oblivion. And what makes this possible are the large, open settings in which the battles take place. Daima, in only its third episode, breaks this trend with a fight sequence in a small, enclosed pub.
The Third Demon World, which houses a rougher, less fortunate crowd, allows for this scene to take place, as Goku and Glorio are approached by a surly crowd that ends up picking a fight. What follows is a battle so well choreographed that it seems almost out of place for the series. In terms of character fluidity, not much can compare outside the smaller fights of Goku's childhood. The two make use of their surroundings, Goku using dishes to his advantage, while Glorio throws his drink at one of his challengers.
Small-scale battles aren't the only new element that Daima introduces in this episode either, as the social hierarchy of the Demon Realm also makes this fight possible. Dragon Ball has never quite been the kind of series to provide social commentary, but Daima already seems willing to incorporate such themes into its story. Its Third Demon World being a less desirable, rougher setting than its First Demon World may be a little on the nose, but the prospect of Dragon Ball expanding its storytelling is exciting nonetheless.
The Possibilities Are Endless in Daima's Demon Realm
The Demon Realm Has Opened Countless Doors For the Franchise
Dragon Ball Daima's Demon Realm has already rewritten previously established lore, introduced new and mysterious characters, and provided the franchise with an incredibly choreographed and animated fight scene. And the series has only just begun. In another creative direction that the series has never traveled, Daima's third episode resembles more of a Space Western than anything Dragon Ball has done in the past, complete with its own version of Han Solo.
While the series introduces a strong variety of new elements to the series, it also hasn't strayed too far from its roots. In fact, Daima seems keen on returning to them. Its biggest challenge lies in balancing its action with the adventure that Dragon Ball strayed from when shifting into Goku's adult years. So far, the series seems to have found that balance, though it must maintain it in order to avoid the monotony which plagued GT's earlier sections.
The introduction of the Demon Realm is only the first step into the world of Dragon Ball Daima, but it's a strong and assertive one. If the first few episodes are anything to go by, it's certain that the series' masterful world building will continue, and Akira Toriyama's genius will beam through his work as Goku and his crew continue on their adventure.
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) ·