Warning: SPOILERS for Dragon Ball DAIMA episode #1

Dragon Ball DAIMA typically doesn't need to convince longtime fans that it's canon thanks to Akira Toriyama's involvement, but its connection to the other official sequel of the original series, Dragon Ball Super, remained ambiguous. The series fleshes out a new chapter between the events of Dragon Ball Z, its epilogue, and Dragon Ball Super with loving attention to detail while never abandoning the feel of the franchise. In Dragon Ball Daima episode #1, its connection to Dragon Ball Super is made clear in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment when Gomah travels to Universe 7.

Toriyama dabbled with the Dragon Ball franchise's multiverse and general universes as early as the 1990s but didn't get more in-depth exploration until Dragon Ball Super. Aside from alternate timelines, such as during the Androids/Cell Saga, the franchise was fairly straightforward until the various sequel series introduced exciting new elements for readers and viewers alike. But Dragon Ball Daima acknowledges these changes with one subtle moment, confirming the characters' awareness of Universe 7 in episode #1.

Dragon Ball DAIMA References Universe 7 in Episode #1

Acknowledging the Concepts from Dragon Ball Super

Beyond the halfway point of Dragon Ball Daima episode #1, Gomah, Neva, and Degesu travel outside the Demon Realm and are asked by the fish-like creature managing the portal where they wish to go. Here, Degesu requests Universe 7 while gazing at notes, as a nod to Dragon Ball Super chapter #5, where Whis explains to Goku and Vegeta about the twelve different universes. While subtle, Dragon Ball DAIMA episode #1 is where the series acknowledges the canonical contributions of Dragon Ball Super, yet seemingly not lingering on the other universes at play.

Whether Dragon Ball DAIMA uses more multiverse references connecting to Super is uncertain. The story seems to guide Goku and his friends to the Demon Realm, not even its complementing universe, #6. What's interesting is that Babidi and Dabura would have had to request to go the same way, with Earth being referred to as Number 3 instead of "Planet 4032-877", its official designation in the Super canon. Akira Toriyama appears to have contributed this Dragon Ball Daima story as a loving tribute, looking back on Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, intending to engage all fans with their concepts.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Connects and Clarifies Dragon Ball Z Events Too

The Timeline Is Complicated Yet Increasingly Clear

In addition to confirming Dragon Ball DAIMA's placement on the timeline in episode #1, the show addresses plot holes and inconsistencies from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super briskly while pushing forward into a new story. An ancient Namekian is confirmed to have taken up residence in the Demon Realm, Majin Buu's physiology and inner gases are confirmed to separate Potara Fusions, including Kibito Kai, and Gohan goes absent to once again resume his studies. The episode clearly states when Saiyans encounter their growth spurts at fifteen, an unsurprising yet illuminating bit of lore in Dragon Ball Daima.

While concepts from Dragon Ball Super appear subtly, Dragon Ball DAIMA seems to more clearly address Dragon Ball Z concepts in episode #1, teasing more reveals as the series continues.