WhenDragon Ball Superfirst aired, it was met with a whirlwind of excitement. After nearly two decades, the return of Goku, Vegeta, and other beloved characters sparked waves of nostalgia, particularly for fans who followed the originalDragon BallandDragon Ball Z. Of course, this excitement was also accompanied by a considerable amount of skepticism regarding the new series' ability to live up to, or surpass, the original.
These doubts only grew after the release of the first few chapters and episodes, which largely rehashed old stories. Additionally, its placement in theDragon Balltimeline raised more than a few eyebrows. However, as the series progressed, it began to improve. Arcs like the “Tournament of Power” provided a much-needed jolt that revitalized the fandom. Then came the “Super Hero Arc,” which served as a stark reminder of the series' shortcomings —it’s pacing, narrative choices, and overall purpose felt off. But with the debut ofDragon Ball DAIMAlast year, the “Super Hero Arc” suddenly didn’t seem so bad after all.
Dragon Ball Super’s Super Hero Saga Was Sluggish, But It Did As Best As a Prequel Could
Sticking Within Its Guidelines To Not Break Established Canon
It was never going to be easy for theDragon Ball Superseries. With theDragon Ballsaga officially concluding with Goku flying off to train Uub —the reincarnation of Kid Buu— in the final chapter and episode ofDragon Ball Z, the new series faced a significant challenge: maintaining harmony with the extensiveDragon Balllore that had accumulated over the decades since its debut in 1986. Indeed,Superhad to walk a fine line, serving as both a prequel and a supplemental series that aimed to add depth to the originalDragon Ball Zstory without contradicting or overwriting it.
Dragon Ball Supersucceeded on several levels, particularly in exploring the relationship between Goten and Trunks and providing a more complete introduction to Gohan’s daughter, Pan.
Considering the events inDragon Ball Z, the plot ofDragon Ball Super’s “Super Hero Arc” initially seemed rather suspect. It felt as though creator Akira Toriyama and artist Toyotarou were simply pandering to fans, especially given thepopularity of superhero-themed titles likeMy Hero Academia. However, despite understanding that it is a storyDragon Ball Zdid not tell — but was nonetheless worthy of being told — the premise felt like a retelling of a mash-up ofDragon Ball’s Red Ribbon Army Arc withDragon Ball Z’s Cell Arc, along with a dash of the “Great Saiyaman Arc”.
Despite the plot lacking narrative tension, it succeeded on several levels, particularly in exploring the relationship between Goten and Trunks and providing a more complete introduction to Gohan’s daughter, Pan.More importantly, as a prequel, it avoided introducing bizarre characters or events that could disrupt the officialDragon Ball Ztimeline. This is especially true of the manga’s “Super Hero Arc” adaptation prequel (Dragon Ball Super Chapters#88-90) and sequel (Dragon Ball SuperChapter #104), both of which align seamlessly with the events of theDragon Ball Super: Super Heromovie.
Dragon Ball Daima Is Breaking All the Rules of What a Prequel Should Be Able To Do
Introducing New Concepts, But Not Exploring Them Further
Dragon Ball Super’s successful integration of the “Super Hero Arc” into the official timeline, across both its film and manga adaptations, stands in stark contrast to the approach taken by the newDragon Ball DAIMAseries. Just as withSuper, the first episode ofDAIMAestablishes that it occurs immediately after Goku and Vegeta’svictory over Kid BuuinDragon Ball Z. Accordingly,DAIMAis set well before the events ofDragon Ball Super.In other words, while already limited by occurring within theDragon Ball Ztimeline, it also must take into account the events of theDragon Ball Superseries.
Beginning on a strong note,DAIMArespects the established future storylinefamiliar to fans. The concept of a previously unseen villain transforming Goku, Vegeta, and others into children, prompting a quest to uncover the reason behind this attack and find a cure, echoes the adventurous and fantastical spirit of earlierDragon Ballnarratives. This ensemble-driven approach, reminiscent of classicDragon Ball, is a refreshingly nostalgic depiction that diverges from the more focused, character-centric action stories of laterDragon Ball ZandDragon Ball Superseries. As a result,DAIMAshows greater promise than the “Super Hero Arc” from the outset.
Unfortunately,DAIMAfails to stay true to the course it initially sets for itself, introducing elements that conflict with later events inDragon Ball ZandDragon Ball Super. This is most evident when Goku attains a “power-up” he had never officially achieved before. In the final episode of its inaugural season, while battling Giant Gomah,Goku reaches Super Saiyan 4— a transformation he had previously only attained inDragon Ball GT, which is widely considered a separate continuity. However, afterDAIMA, not only does he experience this form within the official timeline, but he also achieves it much earlier than he would have ifDragon Ball GTwere part of the main canon.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Makes Dragon Ball Saga Better
Saving The Series From Continuity Errors And Unresolved Plots
So, despite initially believing that the “Super Hero Arc” was one of the more lackluster sagas of theDragon Ball Superstory—a series already constrained by its placement within theDragon Ball Ztimeline — the newDAIMAseries revealed just how thoughtfully crafted it truly was. Without significantly disrupting the broaderDragon Ball Znarrative, the arc accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: adding depth and complexity to a story whose ending fans already know. For instance, it helps explain why Goku feels so comfortable flying away with Uub, as he knows Earth’s defense is in capable hands.
On the other hand,Dragon Ball DAIMA—assuming it is a prequel, though that may not necessarily be the case— breaks a fundamental rule of prequels by introducing elements that do not exist in the primary narrative or are not referenced later in the story. Naturally, this disrupts continuity and raises numerous questions about what constitutes the official storyline. These are issues that will undoubtedly be debated as the franchise moves forward, especially with the potential return of theDragon Ball Superseries at some point in the future.
In relation to the “Super Hero Arc”,Dragon Ball DAIMAprovides a useful point of comparison. This comparison highlights why, despite criticism for being a somewhat dull story arc, the “Super Hero Arc” is actually well-structured and contributes meaningfully to the overarchingDragon Ballnarrative.
