As the mid-’80s approached, a new cornerstone of pop culture arrived in the form of Japan’s Dragon Ball, transpiring into an influential and much-loved phenomenon. The series chronicles the adventures of Goku and his peculiar pals as they embark on a quest to collect seven mystical orbs known as the Dragon Balls. When gathered, the balls process the power to grant wishes, setting the stage for escapades and challenges.
Created by manga master Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball blew doors wide open, inviting curious novices in the Western world to feel a part of the anime realm, debuting as a manga in 1984 and then transitioning to an anime two years later. The Dragon Ball community still stands as strong as ever to this day, with hundreds of episodes of the show readily available to satisfy fans old and new. Last October, a year after its announcement, Dragon Ball DAIMA hit our screens and has garnered perfect reviews. It begs the question: Does it deserve them?
Akira Toriyama: The Passing of a Visionary
Toriyama took his first steps into creating comics with Dr Slump – a story about the robot Arale and her creator in the early 80s. But it wasn’t until Dragon Ball that he found global success. On 1 March 2024, Akira Toriyama sadly died at the age of 68 from acute subdural hematoma – pressure from bleeding in the brain, leaving fans saddened. Following a quiet and humble funeral, the official Dragon Ball website posted: “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm.” Adding, “Also, he would have many more things to achieve.”
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Until 1995, Toriyama was the guiding light for Dragon Ball, although he remained involved in the franchise in various capacities until his death. From offering Toei Animation advice sporadically, Toriyama became heavily involved in the creation of Dragon Ball DAIM, getting stuck into the story, characterization and more, which excited those fans who preferred the essence of the early days. With emotions high, reviews were bound to hold nostalgia and possibly be more favorable than they might have been if circumstances were different.
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‘Dragon Ball DAIMA’ Seen in a Positive Light
Dragon Ball DAIMA harkens back to the early days of Dragon Ball and draws similarities to Dragon Ball GT. In an attack by Gomah the demon king, Goku and his friends find themselves shrunken in size. To return to form, they head off on an action-packed adventure to the Demon Realm. Goku compensates for his new stature by fighting with the Power Pole, a weapon that hasn’t been seen since the early Dragon Ball arcs.
So far, the show has achieved a perfect score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The beautiful esthetics have pleased reviewers, with Gizmode claiming, “DAIMA succeeds by being in fun-spirited dialog with GT’s logline while sprinkling in exciting new bits of lore the series hasn’t seen since Super, and some damn fine animation is thrown in the mix for good measure.” The show also seems to have hit a sweet spot where longtime devotees can sit down to share the show with their children. It works as a standalone series with lots of comedic moments and battles, albeit less intense than usual.
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The Strengths of ‘DAIMA’ Can Also Be Its Weaknesses
The watered-down elements with Guko coming across as ‘too silly’ appear to cater for a much younger audience and haven’t resonated with many mature viewers, and the lighter approach has left some wishing for a more profound narrative, with the new show conflicting with the lore that was established before. While it’s true that the connection to Toriyama and knowledge of his efforts with Dragon Ball DAIMA could taint people’s opinions, franchises and their continuity are always open to criticism. Knowing there will not be another Toriyama show is a robust reason that many viewers have gratefully accepted what they’ve been offered.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Release Date
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October 11, 2024
- Seasons
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1
- Studio
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Toei Animation
- Creator
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Akira Toriyama
- Story By
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Akira Toriyama
- Writers
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Akira Toriyama
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
