For decades, Dragon Ball fans have yearned for a return to the magic of the series’ early days. That longing may finally be fulfilled with Dragon Ball Daima, the latest anime installment in the franchise. After a 35-year journey of ever-escalating power levels and galactic battles, Daima brings back the spirit of adventure that made the original series so beloved. But while it captures the essence of classic Dragon Ball, it isn’t without its missteps.
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What is Dragon Ball Daima?
As Dragon Ball celebrates its 40th anniversary, the franchise remains a cultural juggernaut with anime, manga, and video games still drawing millions of fans. Dragon Ball Daima, the latest TV series produced by Toei Animation, is particularly special—it is the last Dragon Ball project written by series creator Akira Toriyama before his passing. That alone gives it a unique aura within the franchise.
The series takes place after the Buu Saga of Dragon Ball Z and is set within the official Dragon Ball timeline, bridging the gap between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. Unlike Super, which focused on grand battles against gods and multiversal threats, Daima reintroduces a classic adventure-style narrative. Interestingly, its premise echoes elements of Dragon Ball GT, a divisive entry among fans.
The Story: A Mysterious Conspiracy
A shadowy force has transformed Goku and his friends back into children. In order to undo the effects and uncover the mastermind behind this scheme, they must journey into the Demon Realm, facing new adversaries along the way. Alongside familiar faces, two new allies—Glorio and Panzy—join them on this perilous quest.
The first episode aired on October 11, 2024, in France via Crunchyroll and ADN, with a Netflix release following on October 18.
A Return to “True” Dragon Ball
For lifelong fans, Daima may feel like a return to the franchise’s original spirit. Many of us grew up watching Dragon Ball Z, entranced by its legendary battles, only to later discover the more lighthearted, exploratory tone of the original Dragon Ball series. Over time, the franchise evolved into a relentless pursuit of power-ups, new transformations, and increasingly absurd cosmic threats.
Daima, however, strikes a balance between action and adventure, capturing the essence of what made the series special in the first place. The decision to de-age Goku and his allies might seem gimmicky at first, but it serves as a clever narrative device, resetting the stakes and forcing the characters to rely on strategy and teamwork rather than sheer power.
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Strong Visuals and Classic Storytelling—With Some Drawbacks
This first episode isn’t flawless. While visually stunning, with modern animation that stays true to Toriyama’s original art style, the pacing leaves something to be desired. A significant portion of the episode is spent summarizing the Buu Arc, likely to accommodate newer audiences. While understandable, this exposition-heavy opening delays the anime from truly hitting its stride.
However, when the episode finally gets into action, it shines. The brief but electrifying battle between Goku and Vegeta (post-meal, of course) was a highlight, offering just enough nostalgia and excitement to hook both longtime fans and newcomers.
The Future of Dragon Ball Daima
Despite a slightly slow start, Dragon Ball Daima feels like a love letter to longtime fans. It reintroduces the whimsical adventure element that was gradually lost over the years, while still promising high-stakes battles. Whether the series can maintain this balance remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising.
As we await Episode 2 on October 18, one thing is certain: Dragon Ball Daima has reignited the excitement that made us fall in love with the series in the first place. Now, it just needs to prove it can sustain that momentum.