Quick Links
The new seriesDragon Ball DAIMAis offering a very different sort of continuation of theDragon Ballstory, and thanks to its placement in the series' chronology, it has an opportunity to avoid one of the biggest tropes in the other series: the need for new transformations. Instead,Dragon Ball DAIMAcan be more like the originalDragon Ball, offering a grand sense of adventure.
Transformations and new forms have become so commonplace forDragon Ballthat it’s expected of any new project to bring in a new transformation along with it, but that forgets that the originalDragon Ballanime didn’t introduce any new forms of its own. The first new form, Super Saiyan, didn’t get introduced until well afterDragon Ball Zstarted, and each enemy since then has required Goku and Vegeta to obtain newer, stronger forms in order to win. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s important to remember thatDragon Ballexisted well before the era of new forms, and it could again.
If DAIMA Takes Place Before Super, Then It Wouldn’t Make Sense For Goku To Get A New Form
Giving Goku a New Form in DAIMA Would Confuse Things
All indications currently point toDAIMAbeing set beforeSuper, or at least in an alternate continuity from it. The absence of any characters fromSuper, as well as certain developments, like the changes to Goku and Vegeta’s clothes, all go to reinforce the idea thatDAIMAtakes place beforeSuper.IfDAIMAis indeed meant to be beforeSuper, then it wouldn’t make much sense to give Goku a new transformation in this series. The question, of course, would become “why didn’t Goku use this new form inSuper?”
The only way such a new transformation would make sense is if Goku is only able to perform it in his Mini form, and wouldn’t be able to pull it off as an adult. That would automatically explain why it doesn’t show up inSuper(he can’t do it) and why it’s exclusive toDAIMA. One might be inclined to point out that the existence ofGTdidn’t preventDragon Ball Superfrom introducing new forms, which is true. However,Dragon Ballcontinuity is a bit more tightly maintained these days than it was whenSuperfirst debuted, so the powers that be may not want to cause further continuity issues.
The originalDragon Balldidn’t need to introduce new forms for each big villain, soDAIMAcan certainly get by with making use of the transformations that already exist(and it will, asMini Goku is seen going Super Saiyanin the trailer). With a massive new world to explore in the form of the Demon Realm, there’s plenty for Goku and the other characters to do and see inDAIMAwithout worrying about new transformations and power-ups. It can play up the traveling adventure element, much like the originalDragon Balldid, and focus on more than just action.
New Forms Worked Great For Z, GT, & Super (But DAIMA Should Still Avoid Them)
DAIMA Should Set Itself Apart By Avoiding New Forms
None of this is to say that there’s anything wrong with introducing new forms. The introduction of Super Saiyan inZis without a doubt one of the most iconic moments in anime history, andUltra Instinct inSuperwas nearly as impactful. However, new forms shouldn’t be created because they feel mandatory; they should be added when it makes sense to, in service of the story. These two transformations in particular stand out because of how essential they feel to the story, whereas other forms (like Super Saiyan 3) just didn’t quite pack the same punch.
With Goku already reduced back to child size, it would make sense to treat him in much the same way he was treated when his character was just a child, at the beginning ofDragon Ball. Goku also won’t be on his own in this adventure, just like he wasn’t in the original.It will be far more interesting to see Goku rely on his companions rather than power through confrontations with a new form or ability.These new characters deserve a chance to shine and receive development as much as the old fan favorite characters do, and having Goku do everything would subvert that.
DAIMAis meant to be a 40th anniversary celebration for the franchise, so it makes a lot of sense for it to hearken back to where it all started. It’s already doing that by making Goku a kid again, but it should also bring back some of the other elements which made fans fall in love withDragon Ballto start with.
All Signs Point To DAIMA Bringing More Love To The Original Dragon Ball Era Than Ever Before
Dragon Ball’s Original Era Deserves Acknowledgment
From what’s been seen ofDAIMAso far, it definitely looks like thisDragon Balladventure will be more in line with the original series thanZorSuper. That may be a bit different from what some fans are expecting, but as the origin of it all,it can’t get any more authenticallyDragon Ballthan a young Goku traveling the world with a group of friends.Dragon Ball Z, for example, visited new places like Namek, but it didn’t really get to explore those places due to the imminent threat they were under. WithDAIMA’s conspiracy to de-age the characters, Goku is on a mission more like acquiring the Dragon Balls.
It will certainly be interesting to find out just what kind of seriesDragon Ball DAIMAis going to be, especially since it was the last work that Akira Toriyama contributed heavily to before his passing earlier this year. Toriyama was always fond of the original tone ofDragon Ball, so it stands to reason that this anime series, as a tribute to the franchise’s origins, might reflect that fondness.Dragon Ball DAIMAcan set itself apart by being a throwback to the original, and avoiding the common trope of new transformations.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Cast
Dragon Ball Daima sees Goku and his allies inexplicably shrunk into miniature forms, prompting a journey to the Demon Realm. This animated adventure, part of the Dragon Ball franchise, explores their mission to solve the mystery and restore their original statures. Released in October 2024.
