Dragon Ball DAIMA

Aired Date:2024-10-11

Status:FINISHED

Ratings:76/100

Genres:Action, Adventure

Season:3

Total Episodes:20

Duration:24 min/ep

Studio:Fuji TV

Source:ORIGINAL

Format:TV

Director:Aya Komaki

Review:N/A/100

Watch Online: Twitter Official Site Crunchyroll Hulu Netflix iQ

Synopsis

Goku and company were living peaceful lives when they suddenly turned small due to a conspiracy! When they discover that the reason for this may lie in a world known as the "Demon Realm", a mysterious young Majin named Glorio appears before them. (Source: Crunchyroll)

Trailer

Characters

Gokuu Son MAIN

Higashi no Kaioushin MAIN

Glorio MAIN

Panzy MAIN

Majin Duu SUPPORTING

Mashim SUPPORTING

Vegeta SUPPORTING

Muten Roushi SUPPORTING

Kuririn SUPPORTING

Gomah SUPPORTING

Dragon Ball Daima: A Whimsical Adventure in the Demon Realm

In the ever-expansive universe of Dragon Ball, a franchise that has captivated audiences for four decades, Dragon Ball Daima emerges as a vibrant and nostalgic addition, blending the series’ signature action with a fresh, adventure-driven spirit. Premiering on October 11, 2024, and concluding its 20-episode run on February 28, 2025, this anime, produced by Toei Animation, marks the final contribution of the legendary Akira Toriyama, who passed away in March 2024. With Toriyama’s heavy involvement in the story, character designs, and world-building, Daima feels like a heartfelt love letter to fans, recapturing the playful essence of the original Dragon Ball while exploring uncharted territory in the Demon Realm.

Set in the timeline between the defeat of Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z and the cosmic escalations of Dragon Ball Super, Daima introduces a peculiar twist: a conspiracy orchestrated by Gomah, the new Supreme King of the Demon Realm, and his ally Degesu, who use Earth’s Dragon Balls to transform Goku, Vegeta, Bulma, and the rest of the Z-Fighters into pint-sized versions of themselves. This de-aging plot device, reminiscent of Dragon Ball GT’s Black Star Dragon Ball arc, sets the stage for a quest to reverse the curse and rescue the kidnapped Dende. However, unlike GT, which struggled to carve its own identity, Daima establishes itself as a canon adventure with Toriyama’s distinct touch, weaving humor, heart, and high-stakes action into a compact narrative.

The story kicks off with Goku and his companions—most notably Supreme Kai (also miniaturized)—venturing into the Demon Realm, a mysterious and visually striking dimension divided into three distinct worlds. Guided by Glorio, a new character voiced by Koki Uchiyama, and later joined by the enigmatic Masked Majin Panzy (voiced by Fairouz Ai), the team navigates a realm filled with bizarre creatures, advanced technology, and the looming threat of Gomah’s ambitions. The Demon Realm, with its goldfish-like Sir Warp transit points and oppressive Gendarmerie forces, bursts with Toriyama’s whimsical creativity, evoking the fantastical charm of his earlier works like Dr. Slump and the original Dragon Ball.

What sets Daima apart is its shift from the franchise’s recent focus on god-tier battles and transformations to a more grounded, adventure-centric narrative. Goku, stripped of his Ultra Instinct and Super Saiyan God forms, relies on his classic Power Pole and martial arts prowess, harkening back to his childhood antics in the original series. The trailers tease thrilling moments, like Goku’s Super Saiyan 2 showdown with Tamagami Number Three, a guardian of the Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls, blending fluid animation with nostalgic callbacks. Yet, the series doesn’t skimp on spectacle; the third act delivers a dazzling climax, with Goku achieving Super Saiyan 4—a fan-favorite form from GT—in a battle that critics have praised as some of the franchise’s finest choreography.

Visually, Daima is a triumph. Directed by Yoshitaka Yashima and Aya Komaki, with character designs adapted by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, the series boasts a polished, curvy art style that echoes Toriyama’s manga while incorporating minimal CGI to maintain a classic 2D aesthetic. The Demon Realm’s distinct environments—each world with its own visual signature—immerse viewers in a setting that feels both alien and quintessentially Dragon Ball. The soundtrack, composed by Kosuke Yamashita, is elevated by Zedd’s opening theme “Jaka Jaan” and ending theme “Nakama,” which pay tribute to Toriyama with lyrics that capture the series’ adventurous spirit.

However, Daima isn’t without its flaws. Some critics note that the pacing drags in the first two-thirds, with episodes occasionally veering into filler-like territory that doesn’t advance the main plot. The villain Gomah, while intriguing as a scheming observer of the Buu Saga, falls short of iconic Dragon Ball antagonists, with his reliance on the Evil Third Eye feeling like a convenient plot device rather than a fully realized threat. Additionally, new characters like Glorio and Panzy, while adding fresh dynamics, sometimes lack the depth of the franchise’s core cast, whose personalities remain as reliably entertaining as ever—Vegeta’s grumpy devotion, Goku’s food-and-fighting obsession, and all.

Despite these critiques, Daima shines as a celebration of Toriyama’s legacy. His deep involvement—crafting the story, designing characters, and even inventing the title “Daima” (written as “大魔,” hinting at “great demon” or “evil”)—infuses the series with his signature blend of humor, heart, and action. The premiere episode, “Conspiracy,” sets the tone with a clever recap of the Buu Saga from the Demon Realm’s perspective, making it accessible to newcomers while delighting longtime fans with easter eggs. The limited theatrical release of the first three episodes in the U.S. on November 10-12, 2024, grossed $661,204, a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal.

For fans, Daima is a bittersweet milestone. As Toriyama’s final contribution, it carries the weight of his absence, raising questions about the franchise’s future without its visionary creator. Yet, it also stands as a testament to his ability to reinvent Dragon Ball while staying true to its roots. Whether you’re a veteran fan or a newcomer, Dragon Ball Daima offers a charming, action-packed journey that proves the Z-Fighters’ adventures are far from over. Available on Crunchyroll and Netflix, this 20-episode saga is a fitting tribute to a franchise that continues to inspire across generations.