Summary
Dragon Ball Daima, a brand-new anime, was announced at New York Comic-Con 2023, delivering something new from Akira Toriyama for Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary.
In the teaser trailer, Goku and the other characters undergo a transformation and become adorable chibi versions of themselves, reminiscent of Toriyama's original series.
Set before the events of Dragon Ball Super and after Goku and Vegeta's victory over Kid Buu, Dragon Ball Daima presents a fresh storyline that may not have a canonical impact on DBS's arcs.
During New York Comic-Con 2023, a brand-new Dragon Ball anime titled Dragon Ball Daima was announced. This announcement came as a pleasant surprise to fans who were eagerly awaiting the continuation of Dragon Ball Super's anime, which concluded in 2018. While the DBS manga has two exciting post-Tournament of Power story arcs ready for adaptation, the new anime aims to offer something fresh from Akira Toriyama himself and also serves as a tribute to Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary.
Akira Toriyama first published the original Dragon Ball manga in 1984, and the beloved anime series began in 1986. The sequel series, Dragon Ball Z, gained immense popularity worldwide due to its intense action scenes and mature sci-fi epic storyline. However, Toriyama's initial work on Dragon Ball had a more light-hearted approach with rounded character designs. The first glimpse of Dragon Ball Daima closely resembles Toriyama's original series, rather than the drastically different pulse-pounding battles of DBS's Tournament of Power.
Latest News on Dragon Ball Daima
Dragon Ball Daima Release Date
The announcement of the new Dragon Ball Daima anime was made by Toei Animation on October 12, 2023, during the 2023 New York Comic-Con. Akio Iyoku, the executive producer, unveiled a brief teaser trailer alongside Monica Rial (Bulma) and Ian Sinclair (Whis), two English voice actors from Dragon Ball Super. Iyoku revealed that the series creator, Toriyama, has taken on a more significant role in Daima's production, overseeing the original work, story, character design, and more, going beyond his usual involvement. Although specific details are scarce at the moment, it seems that Toriyama's participation in Daima will surpass his involvement in Dragon Ball Super.
Dragon Ball Daima is set to be released in Fall 2024, marking 40 years since the original Dragon Ball manga was published. Unlike its predecessor, Dragon Ball Daima will be an anime series and not a movie. However, the exact number of episodes and release date have not been disclosed yet. It remains uncertain whether the English dub of Daima will be available simultaneously with the Japanese release in Fall 2024. The English dub for Dragon Ball Super was released in the United States approximately one and a half years after its initial episode aired in Japan in 2015.
Dragon Ball Daima Story and Characters
A mysterious new threat has emerged after Goku and Vegeta's victory over Babidi and Majin Buu. The two new antagonists remain unidentified, with their powers yet to be revealed. Shenron is summoned, leading to a wish that transforms Goku, Vegeta, Bulma, Master Roshi, Piccolo, Supreme Kai Shin, and Kibito into child-like chibi versions of themselves. While Goku's transformation into a child was witnessed in Dragon Ball GT, Daima promises to bring a completely original story to the Dragon Ball universe. This implies that the new series will differentiate itself and offer a unique experience from Dragon Ball GT.
Where Dragon Ball Daima Fits Into Canon
Dragon Ball Daima, an anime set before the events of Dragon Ball Super but after Goku and Vegeta's triumph over Kid Buu in Dragon Ball Z, features Supreme Kai Shin and Kibito as separate entities rather than their fused form, Kibito Kai. However, throughout Dragon Ball Super, both characters revert to their original bodies. Notably, Goku and Vegeta are depicted wearing attire without the training symbol of the angel Whis from DBS, serving as the strongest evidence of the pre-Dragon Ball Super timeframe of Dragon Ball Daima.
It is uncertain whether the story of Dragon Ball Daima will have a canonical impact on the upcoming arcs of DBS. Nevertheless, the new series is expected to be a spin-off that remains separate from the overarching narrative of the franchise. This is parallel to the promotional web anime Super Dragon Ball Heroes, where its events do not influence the main storyline of the franchise.
Dragon Ball Daima Latest Trailer
Dragon Ball Daima's debut teaser trailer takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the history of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise. The trailer showcases the pivotal series of the franchise along with their respective release years. The trip down memory lane culminates with exciting snippets from the highly acclaimed Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film set to be released in 2022. As the teaser progresses, the year gradually changes to 2023 and suspense builds until the screen bursts into life with the impactful arrival of 2024, accompanied by dramatic sound effects. This captivating introduction is followed by a glimpse of new scenes from the long-awaited Dragon Ball anime, offering fans a refreshing view after a considerable hiatus.
The scene unfolds with two ominous figures in a celestial fiery fortress, engrossed in watching Goku and Vegeta's past on grand floating screens. The trailer swiftly transitions to the summoning of Shenron and the articulation of a wish. And then, an astonishing sight emerges - Goku and Vegeta, utterly taken aback, assume youthful forms reminiscent of Dragon Ball's iconic rounded character portrayals, diverging from the formidable and daunting designs that dominate DBZ and DBS. The initial teaser proceeds to captivate viewers with the myriad reactions of numerous characters from the series, who are visibly astonished by the sudden transformation, while unaffected individuals linger in the background of certain shots.
The first teaser for Dragon Ball Daima does not feature Beerus, Whis, or any Super Saiyan God forms. However, the trailer showcases the child-like transformations of several main characters from Dragon Ball Z and is not devoid of epic action. Goku and Vegeta, now adults, engage in a fierce spar in the sky, unleashing their traditional beam attacks with Daima's fresh art style. Additionally, a young Goku wields his iconic power pole and braces himself for battles against new adversaries.
Where To Watch Dragon Ball Daima
Toei Animation has recently announced Dragon Ball Daima, the upcoming anime which is expected to follow a similar release pattern as Dragon Ball Super. After its television airing, Dragon Ball Daima is anticipated to be accessible on streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation. Although the specifics regarding the English release of Dragon Ball Daima have yet to be confirmed, it is highly likely that the cherished voice actors from the franchise will reprise their roles. Considering the significant number of English-speaking fans of Dragon Ball, it would be quite surprising if the series were not dubbed and made available to this audience. Prior to its scheduled release in Fall 2024, more information about Dragon Ball Daima will be announced, and our website will keep fans updated accordingly.