Dragon Ball Daima Subtly Confirms the REAL Reason It Turned Goku Into a Kid, & It's Heartwarming

I don’t think I was ready for how wonderfulDragon Ball DAIMAhas been as an anime, with its brilliant tribute to the worlds and characters of Akira Toriyama. Every episode is among my most anticipated event releases of the week, loaded to the brim with new details about a sprawling series of worlds to experience, with a distinctly humorous tone taken while turning its protagonist back into a child. Butshrinking Goku inDragon Ball DAIMAis more than just a way to de-power him; it’s a way for viewers to revisit the series with their inner child.

As a fan of the originalDragon Ballseries overDragon Ball Zand other iterations,I prefer the mixture of action, gag manga-style comedy, and adventureto the melodramatic, quasi-comedic spectacle of its future sagas. There’s nothing wrong with enjoyingDragon Ball Z, significantly since its popularity influenced the rest of the franchise’s chokehold on North American audiences with a legendary multimedia and merchandise presence. ButDragon Ball DAIMAexplores what made the original series so great while granting generous portions of references tothe broaderDragon Balltimeline, making it a special treatment worthy of the 40th Anniversary.

Dragon Ball DAIMA opening POV

The Dragon Ball DAIMA Opening Signals Jovial, Joyful Adventure

Jaka Jaan Perfectly Recaptures Toriyama’s Energy

Following an increasingly significant trend of anime premieres revealing their opening theme in the end credits,Jaka Jaan,a collaboration between composer Zedd, vocal duo C & K, and lyricist Yukinojo Mori, is nostalgic gold forDragon Ball DAIMA.In its lyrics, steady electronic beat, and cheerful delivery,there’s a sense of wonder and goofy, juvenile antics that tug on the heartstrings of adults like myself watching this series.It signals that the kid in me isn’t entirely gone and that I can feel a combined sense of joy and wonder inDragon Ball DAIMA.

But even the series' humor radiates with a childlike glee thanks to veteranDragon Ball Zlyricist Yukinojo Mori, who also penned the lyrics ofCha-La Head-Cha-La.Lyrics talking about thousands of jabs and silly jokes while tossing around “whoopsie daisy” and “hee hee hee” feel sufficiently reminiscent ofDragon Ball’strue gag manga origins while simultaneously inviting me as the viewer on a new grand adventure. Buteven the animation ofDragon Ball DAIMA’sopening feels tailor-made for the viewer in mindas fans of Toriyama’s creation.

Dragon Ball Daima Timeline episode 1

Dragon Ball DAIMAisn’t merely about bringing Goku to new worlds but also about taking us as the audience with him.

The opening title sequence ofJaka Jaanrevealed in episode #2 and onward, shows the first twenty-eight seconds seemingly in first-person POV, with what’s presumably Goku’s arms stretched outward, grasping at the Dragon Balls. What follows is a breezy interstellar trip through the gaping maw ofDAIMA’sWarp-sama, a new character who is the gateway to the Demon Realm, where we’re treated to a bird’s-eye view of the vast world beneath before joining Goku and his friends.Dragon Ball DAIMAisn’t merely about bringing Goku to new worlds but also about taking us as the audience with him.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Keeps the Humor Alive for Longtime Fans

The Gag Manga Energy Returns

As I said before, I was a bigger fan ofDragon Ballthan I ever was ofDragon Ball Zbecause I enjoyed the humor more than the rapid-fire fistfights of Goku’s adulthood.My favorite quote fromDragon Ballabout Krillin’s nonexistent noseperfectly exemplifies the series' grasp on its gag manga roots even as it pivots toward shōnen battle territoryin the Tournament Saga. WithDragon Ball DAIMA, this silliness comes in moments like Goku’s fart jokes aboard Glorio’s plane in episode #3, Roshi carelesslyusing Goku’s Nyoibo as a clothesline in episode #2, or the recurring retcons.

Dragon Ball Daima’s Timeline Placement Officially Confirmed In Episode #1

The Dragon Ball canon is already a contentious affair among fans, but Akira Toriyama’s world in Daima gets an important timeline update in episode #1.

Akira Toriyama is famous for his many retcons from the series, recognized byTV Tropesas the Hand Wave. This includes high-profile silliness inDAIMA,such as Shenron depriving Gomah of his second and third wishes under a previously nonexistent house rule that effectively resembles an “eternal dragon loyalty program.” Majin Buu is written to have hisinternal gases able to separate Potara Fusions, conveniently explaining Vegito’s separation and Kibito Kai’s in episode #1.These retcons made me laugh the first time they appearedbecause of how clever they are, even ifDragon Ballcanon thus remains a moving target.

Dragon Ball DAIMAdoesn’t take itself seriously in tone, but in honoring its creator, it couldn’t be more loyal.

But most of all, I appreciated how unserious the tone ofDragon Ball DAIMAis, as despite a Demon Realm would-be despot shutting down all threats to his dominance, the humor is still alive. Goku’s first proper fight in the series is where he defends his hamburgers from being flattened in a bar fracas over his lack of Demon Realm heritage, where he thrashes his opponents with improvised weapons and demon beef hanging from his mouth.Dragon Ball DAIMAdoesn’t take itself seriously in tone, but in honoring its creator, it couldn’t be more loyal.

Akira Toriyama’s Legacy Lives Beautifully in Dragon Ball DAIMA

Everything About It Shows Reverence for a Beloved Creator

I was shocked by how perfect the renditions of classicDragon Ball Zmoments were in the opening sequence ofDAIMAepisode #1.Cell, Gohan, and Buu never looked so jaw-dropping good. The renders of these characters feltthe closest they’ve ever been to lifting Toriyama’s fantastic artwork straight from the page, with respect to the hardworking animators who brought the new series to life. There’s a reason why Toriyama’s designs are upheld the way they are, with even fellow veteran manga artistsapologizing hilariously when they drawDragon Ballcharacters incorrectly.

But it still feels authentic to Akira Toriyama’s worlds and characters, thanks to so many bits of lore for viewers who pay attentionin every episode.It ties together the worlds and even universes of the variousDragon Ballmedia we grew up adoringas if to thank us for reading the manga, watching the anime, and more. The tasteful tribute at the end, though, with the bird shape forming a clear homage to Toriyama, with “Tori” meaning “Bird” and “Yama” meaning “Mountain,” is not lost to me or the viewers.

Viewers can quickly draw parallels betweenDragon Ball DAIMA’skid Goku plot andDragon Ball GT’s, down to the price-gouging hotel in episode #3 for both shows, butDAIMAhas been better-received by the fans.

Dragon Ball DAIMAmay be the lastDragon Ballanime project to which Toriyama was attached before passing away. Still, it bears his stories and character designs in a way few other franchises could emulate. My favorite game of all time,Chrono Trigger, bears his legacy in its character designs, as does theDragon Questfranchise. But as I look back at the lyrics ofJaka Jaan, specifically, “I wanna meet someone amazin' again tomorrow,” I can’t help feeling thatDragon Ball DAIMAlooks forward to a future brighter than the moon the moment Piccolo destroyed it.