Dragon Ball DAIMA Launches into Space: Notable Similarities to Other Shows Emerge

Essential Insights

DAIMA shares striking similarities with Dragon Ball GT, suggesting a possible revival.
Glorio injects intrigue into the narrative with his enigmatic assistance and motives.
A humor-infused adventure unfolds in the Demon Realm, signaling future action-packed episodes.

This article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball DAIMA episode 3, titled “Daima,”which can be streamed on
Crunchyroll
and Netflix.

As we delve into episode three of Dragon Ball DAIMA, the trajectory of this series is becoming increasingly evident. The latest episode especially draws comparisons to another title in the Dragon Ball franchise (one in particular).

In fact, the resemblance is so pronounced that one could reasonably argue this might be an unannounced remake that has only just become apparent. Which series might that be? Let’s unpack this further.

Previously On…

Previously, our protagonists found themselves transformed into children by Gomah and his lackeys. Yet, due to a loophole, Gomah was granted only one of his wishes and chose to capture baby Dende, biding his time until he could summon the Dragon Balls for his remaining wishes. Goku and his companions are now tasked with re-adapting to their youthful forms, leading Goku to reclaim his Nimbus cloud and red staff (previously employed by Master Roshi as a laundry aid). The episode concluded with the group encountering a newcomer named Glorio, who disclosed Gomah’s intentions and offered his assistance.

Who is Glorio?

Upon the previous episode’s conclusion, Glorio remained a mysterious figure. We knew he had been eavesdropping on Gomah’s plotting (which explains his lack of surprise at the Z Fighters’ youthful transformation), but his true identity and motives were unclear. His offer to assist Goku and his friends now leaves us eager to find out his objectives in this episode.

A Journey Through Space

In what can be seen as an homage to Dragon Ball GT (and will likely fuel speculation about Akira Toriyama’s desire to rectify the series’ original concept), this episode kicks off with Goku, Kaioshin, and Glorio departing Earth to venture into the depths of the Demon Realm. Echoing the previous series, there’s a greater emphasis on humor than on epic adventures; our heroes first need to secure passage to the Demon Realm by appealing to Warp-sama (a guardian-like figure of the universe). Naturally, Goku stirs up trouble by likening the space deity to a goldfish, prompting Kaioshin to remind him to show more respect when soliciting aid from the gods.

A Comedic Solution

Staying true to Toriyama’s unique style, the resolution is unexpectedly absurd. Glorio has previously arranged travel with Warp-sama, and he secures his passage using a pin number. Yes, you read that correctly: in the realm of Dragon Ball, universal travel through warp gods is possible as long as you possess the right pin number.

Exploring the Vast Demon Realm

While Dragon Ball DAIMA leans heavily into humor, it still manages to evoke nostalgic Dragon Ball Z elements at various moments. Upon entering the Demon Realm, it becomes apparent that it consists of multiple worlds to explore. New creatures and challenges await them. Goku struggles with the altered gravity, putting him at a disadvantage against the not-so-friendly inhabitants, whereas Glorio swiftly navigates the unfamiliar terrain thanks to his experience. Nevertheless, the series is pacing itself in building up to action-packed sequences.

The majority of this episode showcases our trio journeying from one location to the next aboard Bulma’s flying capsule (a nod to Dragon Ball GT). As you may have noticed, this review frequently references Dragon Ball GT, emphasizing how the narrative beats, setups, and even some jokes closely mirror that series. It increasingly feels as though Dragon Ball DAIMA serves as an impromptu retelling of Dragon Ball GT. While the latter has not been entirely dismissed by this show (as it occurs before the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z, maintaining its canonical status), it indicates how promising that series could have been had Toriyama been more engaged. Fans of Dragon Ball Z might lament the slower action pace, but for those who have observed Dragon Ball Super, this feels like a fitting sequel.

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