The latest installment in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball DAIMA, concluded at the end of February with a total of 20 episodes, bringing Goku and the Z Warriors' adventure through the Demon World to a close. The central premise was straightforward: the Supreme Demon King, Gomah, fearing their power, transformed the Z Warriors into children. Their journey revolved around reclaiming their original forms. However, DAIMA continually surprised fans with unexpected twists and compelling elements.

DAIMA keeps fans interested in the narrative by incorporating familiar lore with a twist that continues to force them to rethink some aspects of the previous saga. While these retcons sparked discussion and excitement, DAIMA also introduced transformations fans never expected to see again. Overall, Dragon Ball DAIMA delivered an entertaining experience, preserving the franchise's signature charm while generating plenty of buzz as this unique adventure unfolded.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Builds Upon the Creator’s Original Work

DAIMA Is Special Because of Akira Toriyama’s Heavy Involvement

Dragon Ball DAIMA entered production around the same time as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, with the intent of offering a narrative distinct from the Super series. During its early development, the installment's executive producer sought input from Akira Toriyama, initially expecting minimal involvement. However, Toriyama played a major role in shaping the story, deg characters for the Demon World, and crafting much of the lore. His deep involvement solidifies Dragon Ball DAIMA as a canon entry in the franchise.

However, what makes DAIMA truly special extends beyond Toriyama’s influence: it lies in how the series constructs its narrative and deeply engages fans. Rather than introducing new elements at random, DAIMA builds upon the final saga of Dragon Ball Z. Drawing inspiration from the demon lore introduced in the Buu Saga, the series fully explores the Demon World, the very realm that produced one of the franchise’s most powerful villains.

The decision to transform Goku and the other Z Warriors into children is a clear nod to Dragon Ball GT, adding a nostalgic charm for longtime fans. While this alone is enough to captivate veteran viewers, DAIMA introduces unexpected twists, such as revealing the original creator of Majin Buu and delving into the origins of Shin and Piccolo in ways no one anticipated. With its mix of surprises, fresh lore, and thrilling transformations, Dragon Ball Daima delivers not only an engaging story but also some of the franchise’s most thrilling action sequences and Saiyan transformations.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Fullfills Long Life Dreams of Fans

Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta to Super Saiyan 4, DAIMA Features These Transformations With Clever and Enhanced Elements

One of the most captivating aspects of the Dragon Ball franchise has always been the transformations its protagonists undergo. While DAIMA doesn’t introduce the divine power-ups seen in Super, it cleverly brings to life transformations that fans had only dreamed of witnessing. The most unexpected and narratively fitting of these is Vegeta’s Super Saiyan 3. For decades, fans had longed to see Vegeta achieve this form, but many had given up hope due to his progression into Super Saiyan 4 in GT and Super Saiyan God in Super.

However, DAIMA seamlessly integrates Vegeta’s Super Saiyan 3 transformation during his battle with Tamagami from the Second Demon World, ensuring it aligns with the story. Through Bulma, it is implied that Vegeta attained this form after years of rigorous training following the Majin Buu saga. Not only does this transformation reinforce Vegeta’s relentless pursuit of strength, but it also recontextualizes Super Saiyan 3’s most iconic trait, its long, flowing hair.

While Vegeta’s hair does grow longer in this form, he retains his signature spiky look, suggesting that Super Saiyan 3 adapts to a warrior’s unique design rather than following a fixed template. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball DAIMA also delivers another long-awaited transformation: Super Saiyan 4 Goku. By incorporating this form into its narrative, DAIMA finally canonizes a transformation that fans had long hoped would be recognized, especially given the series’ evident GT influences.

However, DAIMA doesn’t just reintroduce Super Saiyan 4, it elevates the concept by making it more lore-accurate. The transformation further embraces the primal nature of the Saiyan race, emphasizing their ape-like heritage with its fur-covered body and tail. DAIMA expands on this idea, refining elements such as the hand structure and fur distribution to create a more cohesive, primal design. While its transformations stand out as Daima’s most thrilling aspect, the series as a whole successfully captures the franchise’s signature charm, even if it presents some continuity inconsistencies with Super.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Presents A Continuity Issue With Super, And That's Okay

DAIMA Perfectly Embodies What Dragon Ball Has Always Been: Lighthearted and Action-Packed

As DAIMA approached its conclusion, fans eagerly anticipated an explanation for Dragon Ball Super. Many speculated that the transformation might be a one-time phenomenon, possibly tied to Neva’s magical aid in unlocking it. However, no explanation was provided, and with no official statement from the franchise, DAIMA's connection to Super remains ambiguous and somewhat problematic. Yet, this lack of resolution also reinforces the franchise’s signature lightheartedness.

The Dragon Ball series is known for its high-energy transformations and action-packed battles rather than deeply intricate storytelling, and DAIMA reinforces this multiple times. A prime example is how the series repeatedly hints at a fusion, leading fans to believe they might finally see Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta become canon, only to leave them hanging with more lighthearted moments instead. In fact, even the series finale ends on a comedic note, revealing that the most powerful artifact of the Demon World is casually being sold at a local shop.

This slapstick humor has been a defining trait of the franchise since its earliest days, reminiscent of the first installment where Bulma and Goku embark on a hilariously chaotic quest for the Dragon Balls. With DAIMA making no direct connection to Super, the series may be subtly introducing different timelines or steering the franchise in a completely new direction after all. Thus, despite its continuity flaws, Dragon Ball DAIMA remains an incredibly entertaining experience, fulfilling the lifelong dreams of fans, capturing the charm of the franchise, and even suring some past anime installments, while serving as a final showcase of Akira Toriyama’s storytelling quality.