The much-anticipated new Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball DAIMA, has finally begun. The first episode, a 30-minute special, feels more like a prologue to an entire journey.

We took note of several aspects upon the first watch that added to the overall lore of the Dragon Ball universe. There were also some retcons that overwrite elements from Z and Super, though they make sense in a way, as those series were often inconsistent (though I doubt this will stay consistent either).

Instead of our usual first impressions whenever a new show starts, this time we want to dive deeper into this new Dragon Ball world and explore what it has in store for us. Spoilers ahead so be warned.

Here’s what we discovered from Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 1:

1. The new Dragon Ball Daima anime shifts the focus back to Earth, a setting that has been somewhat neglected in recent years as the series introduced larger-scale threats. Now, we’re returning home for more exploration and adventure.
2. The story takes place after Majin Buu’s defeat, and the first episode begins with an exquisite recap of the Buu saga, reanimating key events. This recap takes up about half of the episode before we’re shown Trunks’ 9th birthday party, where the adventure kicks off.
3. This time, the plot centers around magic, demons, and Kaioshins. The exact intentions of the new villains remain unclear, but we learn that the Supreme Kai’s siblings are in cahoots with an evil Demon King. They’ve hatched a plan to remove the Z-Warriors from the equation by wishing to turn them into children.
4. The Demon Realm, introduced as existing on a separate plane from the 12 main universes, plays a significant role. Its denizens can travel to any universe or location, though only those with the right “password” have access.
5. The Demon Realm denizens are all with pointy ears that includes demons, Majins, Namekians, and Kaioshins, once lived there and possess powerful magic, though they lack the knowledge of ki, the energy system Dragon Ball is famous for. However, they do have advanced technology.
6. One fascinating revelation is about the Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls, which they can’t currently use. A Namekian who has lived for thousands of years, thanks to the Demon King’s magic that can extend lifespans, watches over these Dragon Balls. He is the most knowledgeable about Dragon Balls, even capable of summoning them instantly and restoring their power after they’ve been used and turned to stone. Such concepts were never tackled before.
7. The Dragon Balls can’t grant any evil wishes such as “kill someone” or “erasing someone from existence”. Which is why the conspirators had to resort to the that wish. Little do they know, Goku and his friends will still be more than they can handle.
8. The Supreme Kai and the Kibito Kai are seen defused even though it’s been said that the Potara Fusion can’t be undone. How they defused is completely retconned from what was revealed in Super, that a mysterious gas from Buu can undo Potara Fusion. It makes sense since Buu is a sort of magical being and can affect a lot of things. Vegito simply running out of Ki shouldn’t be the reason they unfuse. Which begs the question how the fight against Zamasu would go now with this revelation.
9. Akira Toriyama is said to be deeply involved in the story as well as the art, design, characters, vehicles, monsters, and the title, which is actually a made up term. He aimed to create an adventure-focused story with plenty of action. Judging from the art alone, it speaks the modern Toriyama, which is something only he can conjure up with.
10. The series had been in the works for the last five years, as confirmed by the the series director, Akio Iyoku. Although the title was decided less than a month before the announcement—hence the somewhat simplistic logo design.

Key Visuals

Conclusion

Dragon Ball is most beloved and influential series of all time, no doubt about it. It’s honestly nostalgic to see it taken in a direction that invokes the sense of adventure like the original series did. Getting it back to its root is something really heartfelt, even so more now that the author, Akira Toriyama has passed away. This is his last and the greatest gift to us all Dragon Ball lovers.

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