Dragon Ball Daima Really Is the Perfect Sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Here's Why

Dragon Ballis one of the few anime so great that it transcends the art form. Each of its entries does something unique, creating waves across the shōnen genre.Dragon Ball,the first entry in the franchise, was a fun and light-hearted adventure. It introduced Goku and the Dragon Balls to the world through humorous bouts of mischief and more.Dragon Ball Z,the next entry, put fights at the forefront. It was still a fun series, but it had a more mature theme than its predecessor.

Dragon Ball Daima,the latest entry in the franchise, has already cemented itself as another exceptional series starring Goku and the gang. EachDragon Ballseries has its own theme, and that’s exactly whereDaimaexcels. It’s as fun as the originalDragon Ball,decently mature likeDragon Ball Z,and filled with the same jaw-dropping transformations asDragon Ball Super.Through far shorter than any otherDragon Ballanime, it’s easy to see thatDragon Ball Daimawill hold its own in the legendaryDragon Ballcanon.

Feature header showing a shocked Goku and Vegeta against a Megath

7Great, Vibrant Character Designs

Even as Kids, Goku and the Gang Stand Out

Akira Toriyama, the famed creator of theDragon Ballfranchise, is known for his character designs. Whether Goku is in his base form, hisSuper Saiyan form, or even Kaioken, he stands out thanks to unique colors and hairstyles. The same can be said for Goku inDragon Ball Daima.He’s transformed into a kid by the Demon King Gomah, and while it might seem like a visual setback, it’s anything but.

Akira Toriyama had a far more active hand in shapingDaimathan he did with anime series likeDragon Ball Super.

Goku in his child form from DAIMA screaming in shock. Behind him, the Demon Realm can be seen.

Goku becoming a kid againactually provided a unique set of opportunities for Toriyamato create different designs for the character. Goku is most commonly seen in his Turtle School uniform as usual, but he also gets a few new outfits inDragon Ball Daima.He wears some pajamas when he’s in the Demon Realm, making Earth’s strongest defender look absolutely adorable.

There are plenty of other great character designs inDaima. Some of the best include Demon King Gomah himself, Majin Duu and his brother Majin Kuu, Goku’s suspicious guide Glorio, and his new friend Panzy. Each character’s design adds something to the story, making each moment feel as whimsical as the series tries to be.

6Exploring the Demon Realm

A Previously Unexplored Realm in Dragon Ball

The Demon Realm was never really mentioned in any other iteration ofDragon Ball.It wasn’t really a factor inDragon Ball,and was only briefly mentioned inDragon Ball Z.In the originalDragon Ball,demons are entirely different than they are inDaima.King Piccolo is often referred to as “Daimao”, or “Great Demon King”, even though he’s just a Namekian. InDragon Ball Z,Demon King Dabura is a supporting antagonist during the Buu Saga, confirming the existence of the Demon Realm but never really exploring it.

It Took Months, But Dragon Ball Daima Is Showing How Dangerous the Demon Realm Really Is

Dragon Ball Daima hasn’t been doing much of anything to challenge Goku and his friends, but that’s finally changed in a big way with episode #13.

Dragon Ball Daimatakes place almost entirely in the Demon Realmas the Z Fighters head there to use the Demon Dragon Balls to become adults again and rescue Dende. The fact thatDragon Ball Daimatakes place in an entirely different location is great for the franchise as a whole. There are so many places withinDragon Ballwhere the story has already taken place that it makes theDaimastand out for taking place somewhere brand new.

Dragon Ballhas shown plenty of Earth, a lot of the explorable universe, and even battles on a reality-spanning level. It’s also shown the afterlife, but it’s never shown the Demon Realm.Daimareveals it to be a complicated realm consisting of three different worlds, each with plenty to explore and even more story to tell.

5Interesting Interactions Between Characters

Glorio, Panzy, and the Supreme Kai

While the Z Fighters are front and center inDragon Ball Daima,characters like the Supreme Kai, Panzy, and Glorio bring a lot to the story. Glorio is the group’s enigmatic guide who’s true intentions are still not fully understood. He’s one of the few characters who hasn’t been transformed into a child and his experience in the Demon Realm has helped Goku and the gang on more than one occasion.

Dragon Ball Daima Confirms Huge Theory About Its Episodes, Teasing a Special Mystery

Dragon Ball DAIMA has used its title cards to hide a secret from fans since its beginnings, a mystery that might soon be solved.

Panzy is a princess of the Demon Realm and her spunky attitude makes her a joy to watch every time she’s on-screen. Before Vegeta arrives with Piccolo and Bulma, Goku’s interactions with Panzy, Glorio, and the Supreme Kai are awesome. They’re fun, nonchalant, and always surprised by how strong Goku truly is. When Vegeta arrives, his interactions with Goku are just as great as they’ve always been.

Thefriendships inDragon Ballhave always been a high point in the series.Dragon Ball Daimadoes a great job of giving audiences plenty of chances to see the characters interacting across a wide variety of circumstances. Whether it’s Goku watching Vegeta go Super Saiyan 3 for the first time,Vegeta getting jealous at Gokufor already fighting a Tamagami, or Panzy incredulous at the power the Saiyans bring to the table,Dragon Ball Daimais all the better for it.

4Daima Has Its Own Tone

Each Entry in the Dragon Ball Franchise is Unique

Each entry in theDragon Ballfranchise brings something different to the table in terms of tone. While it tookDragon Ball GT some timeto find its footing, its dark theme is a high point for itself and theDragon Ballfranchise as a whole.Dragon Ball Daimasets itself apart from other entries even though it shares a lot of similarities. Goku has been a kid before (twice countingDragon Ball GT),the series has put jokes first before (like in the originalDragon Ball),butDaimasomehow uses these elements to its advantage.

By recreating some events successfully,Dragon Ball Daimapays homage to theDragon Ballfranchise without feeling reused or overdone. It also sets itself apart from the other entries through its colorful animation, unique setting, and blasé tone.

The originalDragon Ballis theshow most likeDragon Ball Daima.They both prioritize humor above all else, butDaimais much more mature than the originalDragon Ballin a good way. It’s still fun and carefree, but it doesn’t rely on sexual jokes like the original series did.

3Majin Kuu and Majin Duu

Goodbye Majin Buu, Hello Duu and Kuu

Majin Duu and Majin Kuu aren’t just two great names for the latestvillains inDragon Ball, they’re great additions to the franchise that further giveDaimaits own voice. There hasn’t been too much shown of the new Majin inDragon Ball Daima,but whenever they are featured on-screen, they add a lot. They’re equal parts funny and powerful, making them great potential opponents for Goku and the gang to run into.

Majin Kuu was the first of the two to appear, and he’s the brains of the operation. His brother, Majin Duu, is the brawn. While Majin Duu was the one to defeat the Tamagami in their fight, it was Majin Kuu who was able to answer the absurdly hard math question that allowed Arinsu to get the Dragon Ball she was after.It’s rare forDragon Ballto feature two villains who compliment each other so well, and the series already feels better with their addition.

2The Tamagamis Are Great Opponents

Tamagamis One, Two, and Three

The Tamagamis are interesting opponents inDragon Ball Daimabecause they’re not villains - they’re guardians. They have no qualms with the Z Fighters or their entry into the Demon Realm, they’re simply there to protect the Dragon Balls and make sure that the only people who can use them are strong enough to earn the right to do so. Goku’s fight against Tamagami Number Three was the first time the series had a real fight, and it was awesome.

Goku used his Nyobi like he was back in theOriginal Dragon Ball.It was agreatDragon Ballfightthat reminded everyone of the franchise they were watching. Majin Duu’s fight against Tamagami Number One was excellent as well, showcasing the new character’s moves stylishly.Their best fight in all ofDaima,however, was Vegeta’s when he took on Tamagami Number Twofor one excellent reason:Super Saiyan 3.

1SSJ3 Vegeta

The Form Suits Vegeta Perfectly

Super Saiyan 3 Vegetais the most exciting moment ofDragon Ball Daimaand a perfect moment that will make the series memorable forever. Vegeta has always been a step behind Goku. He was second in the race to Super Saiyan, only achieved Super Saiyan 2 thanks to Babidi, and only got to Super Saiyan 4 inDragon Ball GTthanks to his genius wife, Bulma. Super Saiyan 3, however, was different.

Vegeta got the form thanks to nobody but himself, and it might be his best form. It’s not his strongest, but he acts so arrogantly while in the form it seems like it was created for him. Vegeta has always been known to be a prideful character, and his Super Saiyan 3 form exudes the righteous arrogance only Vegeta can bring to the table.

His fight against Tamagami Number Two showcases his skills incredibly.While in his Super Saiyan 3 form, he rarely uses his hands, placing them across his chest like he’s already tired of his opponent. He even ends the fight by blasting Tamagami Number Two away, catching him with one hand, hearing his surrender, anddropping him like a toyhe had just finished playing with.