Now that the dust has settled onDragon Ball Daima’s somewhat divisive finale, fans of the iconic franchise have been left to wonder what the future will have in store for Goku and friends.Dragon Ballwithout Akira Toriyamahas a bit of a rocky history, but those left in charge of the series have proven time again to have a good grasp on its spirit,and were able to seeDaimato its completion after its creator passed away.
The climactic final showdown between Goku and the evil ruler Gomah included just about everything fans have come to expect and love about the franchise,from flashy transformations to explosive, over-the-top action. Capping the sequence off with one of the morevisually impressive Kamehamehas ever fired, Goku once again saved the day and the franchise’s latest anime adventure came to a close. However, the ending was not all that definitive and certain plot threads remained untied, leaving the door wide open for a potential sequel.
Dragon Ball Daima Has What It Needs For a Return
The Series' Open-Ended Finale Leaves Room For a Sequel
Dragon Ball Daima’s final act got underway rather abruptly after the series spent a small amount of time meandering in its middle section, and quickly brought its main cast of heroes together for the final showdown. After Gomah acquired and made use of the mysteriously powerful Evil Third Eye, it took everything Earth’s heroes had and more,includingDaima’s most controversial addition, to put the ruler down.
After ascending to a Super Saiyan 4with the help of the Namekian elder, Neva, the full-powered adult Goku was able to hang in with Gomah, until Majin Kuu, the unlikeliest of heroes, dislodged the Third Eye from the ruler’s forehead to secure the win.Without the Eye, no threat would be enough to stand in the way of Earth’s fighters, and Glorio made sure to destroy the artifact before it could fall into the hands of anyone else. With that, the day was won, and Majin Kuu ascended to the throne as the Realm’s new king.
However, not all was as safe as it seemed. When the gang stopped for some last-minute shopping before heading home,they found a jar with not one, but two more Evil Third Eyes. The development leaves the door wide open for further Demon Realm adventures, as any unknown number of the Eyes might exist in the possession of fiendish Demons hungry for power. While Kuu might have been the right choice for ruler, he doesn’t exactly have what it takes to defend the land on his own, and would require the assistance of Saiyans to get the job done.
The final credits rolled before Goku and company were seen leaving the Demon Realm, and there’s more than enough time before Beerus' arrival for the gang to further explore the vast setting. Another season ofDragon Ball Daimawould help to further build the lore of the Demon Realm,and also award the series a much-needed opportunity to answer questions.
Dragon Ball Daima Still Needs to Explain a Few Things
Plot Points Need Further Explanation Before the Latest Chapter of the Franchise Ends
While the re-introduction of Super Saiyan 4 went over well withDragon Ball’s fan base,it wasn’t really explained in any way. The series takes place after the Majin Buu Saga, but beforeDragon Ball Superin the timeline, meaning there are some glaring inconsistencies caused by the transformation’s reveal.Not once is it ever used or mentioned throughoutDragon Ball Super, and Goku tells Beerus he has no transformations past Super Saiyan 3 during their first meeting on King Kai’s planet.
The series nor its creators owe any sort of explanation,but one would certainly help to keep the continuity between the different entries in the franchise. Another glaring omission from the final act was fusion,whichDaimateased several times throughout its run. Early on, Goku bought Join Bugs from the same little shop that had the extra Third Eyes, yet never actually got the chance to use them. Given Vegeta’s newly unveiled form, the series could have introduced a Super Saiyan 3 fusion for the first time since Gotenks.
There was also an opportunity to introduce an all-new fusion for the first time in decades, as the Join Bugs likely wouldn’t have led to Vegito or Gogeta appearing. Their omission from the finale wouldn’t have been an issue had the anime not hinted at fusion repeatedly. There is still more to be done in the Demon Realm,and it would be tough to find a fan who wouldn’t want the series to return.Dragon Ball Daimawas a tight, miniature exploration of unexplored lore, and another season could be the start of something new for the franchise.
Dragon Ball Might Find Success in the Daima Format
A Change From Ongoing Anime Might Benefit the Series
Dragon Ball Daima, being a concise 20-episode season,was uncharted territory for the franchise. Until its most recent outing, each ofDragon Ball’s previous TV anime series were all ongoing weekly shows that often lasted near or well beyond 100 episodes in length. In taking on a set single-season format,Daimawas able to offer fans the most visually impressiveDragon Ballanime series yet, and a sequel season is likely to look even better.
A change towards multiple set seasonal releases would benefit the series,considering its history of struggling to maintain quality from week to week. Rather thanfilling its downtime with filleror dead air, limited runs would help to keep the action visually pleasing and relatively consistent, reducing the burden placed on Toei’s production staff.
With how far the story has progressed, fans will likely want to seeDragon Ball Superreturn to screens in some way beforeDragon Ball Daimareturns for a second season. Unfortunately,rights disputes and disagreementsbetween Shueisha andDragon Ball’s anime team have halted the series to a standstill, placing it into a hiatus that is still ongoing to this day. It’s uncertain whetherDragon Ball Superwill ever return, though until then, fans can enjoyDaima,and begin to speculate what a potential follow-up might look like.
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.
