Story By: Akira Toriyama
Directed By: Yoshitaka Yashima & Aya Komaki
Release Date: October 11, 2024 – February 28, 2025
💿Recommended Physical Media: Dragon Ball DAMIA Blu-Ray
Editor’s Note: All images, stills, and promotional graphics featured in this review are courtesy of Toei Animation, Bird Studio, and Shueisha, used under fair use for critique and commentary.
Overview
Dragon Ball DAIMA is an all-new original series from Akira Toriyama that debuted on Oct 11, 2024. Shortly after the conclusion of the Buu Saga, King Gomah emerges from the Demon Realm as a new threat. After easily acquiring Earth’s Dragon Balls, he wishes that everyone who fought Majin Buu and their friends be turned into children and babies so that his rule of the Demon Realm remains uncontested.
Cinematography & Visuals
Overall, the animation style for Dragon Ball DAIMA is top-notch. Charm is abundant, with bright colors, and the best way to describe it is a unique blend of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. The fight scenes ranged from good to great, and as a whole package, there is a lot to like.
Direction & Pacing
The whole series is only about 500 minutes long, significantly shorter than the original Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Z Kai. However, some pacing issues in the form of filler episodes are present—not to the extent of Dragon Ball Z but worth acknowledging.
Screenplay & Story
Dragon Ball DAIMA has a solid story, but it isn’t quite on par with original Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z. Nonetheless, positive lore expansions for Namekians, the Supreme Kais, and the Demon Realm deepen the already existing Dragon Ball lore. Without spoiling anything, some major events in DAIMA are stellar. Unfortunately, these events are overshadowed in canonized films and Dragon Ball Super, which is disappointing. True to the franchise’s staple, the stakes are high, but this time around the villains are lackluster; some characters could have been developed further, which was a missed opportunity.
Audio & Score
The music is pleasant, and the opening theme song nails that Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z feeling. While the music itself is not as impactful as what is heard in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, it is still quite good and not bad by any means.
Characters & Performances
Kid Goku making a return with Stephanie Nadolny reprising the role for the English dub completely steals the show. While the main cast is solid, the voice acting as a whole, especially Nadolny’s performance, is top-notch. Some might think it is sacrilege to watch any form of Dragon Ball with the English dub, but if you grew up in the 1990s as I did, you would watch the English dub of both Dragon Ball Z and eventually Dragon Ball on Toonami. Some of the new characters are great, but some, such as the villains, are disappointing or underdeveloped.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Kid Goku Returns: This brings so much charm and nostalgia to the series that it is worth watching for this alone. Stephanie Nadolny’s reprisal of Kid Goku sets a remarkable high point.
Great Visuals: The animation and art style are of high quality. There is a lot of color and charm here.
Akira Toriyama Involvement: Always a stamp of approval, the involvement of Toriyama always brings a certain level of charm.
Peak Moments: There are some peak moments here that offer true emotional impact.
Good Music: While not as memorable as Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, it is still a welcome addition.
Expanded Lore: The story expansions to Namekians, the Supreme Kais, the Demon Realm, and others are welcome additions.
Cons
Lackluster Villains: One of the more disappointing aspects, which could have been a lot better.
Irrelevant Story Elements: Some new canonized story parts become irrelevant in later movies and in Dragon Ball Super.
Verdict & Paladin Index:
Dragon Ball DAIMA serves as a canon quasi-replacement and spiritual successor to Dragon Ball GT while taking place after the Majin Buu Saga and before the canonized Battle of Gods film. Overall, I really enjoyed Dragon Ball DAIMA, but there are some shortcomings. While it’s not entirely on the same level of greatness as Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z, it is a welcome addition to the franchise, and it is abundantly clear that the short series was a love letter to fans. Ultimately, it serves as Akira Toriyama’s swan song to a franchise many of us grew up with and have come to love. While not perfect because of minor plot issues and underdeveloped characters, the series is brimming with charm, nostalgia, and fan service. Kid Goku’s return, voiced by the legendary Stephanie Nadolny in the English dub and Masako Nozawa in the Japanese dub, makes it worthwhile. This makes Dragon Ball DAIMA a solid recommendation for any Dragon Ball fan!