Dragon Ball Daima Is Finished, But Did the Anime Live Up to Expectations?

Dragon Ball Daima, the franchise’s first TV anime series since the conclusion ofDragon Ball Superin 2018, has come to an end. The spiritual successor tothe incredibly divisiveDragon Ball GT,Daimaborrowed elements from each of the franchise’s anime series that came before it to offer an all-new vision packed to the brim with adventure and action. In exploring the previously unseen Demon Realm,the anime built upon the Majin Buu Saga’s half-baked ideas, adding to the already expansive lore of theDragon Balluniverse.

As the dust has settled onDragon Ball Daima’s finale, arguments among the fan base concerningwhat is or isn’t canonhave taken focus away from more critical discussions,like whether or not the series was able to live up to expectations. Sadly, the legendary Akira Toriyama passed away months before his newest vision for the series began airing, and viewers by the thousands turned their attention toDaimain order to experience his final contributions to his iconic franchise.

akira toriyama and goku over the aichi prefecture

Expectations Were Sky-High for Dragon Ball Daima

Unfortunate Circumstances Drew All Eyes on Dragon Ball’s Latest Anime

The passing of Akira Toriyama in March 2024 came as a shock to the worldwide anime and manga community. Both fans of the artist’s work and others who might not have lovedDragon Ballshowed their respect and admiration for Toriyama’s talent and the influence he had on media across different art forms.The tragic news spread and all eyes fell onDragon Ball Daima, the artist’s final work on the beloved franchise, ballooning expectations for the upcoming anime series.

Living up to the expectation of embodying the very essence of a franchise that spans over four decades of incredible success is a Herculean task, andDragon Ball Daimahad the odds stacked against it. Originally planned to be a short web anime released in celebration of the series' 40-year anniversary, the nature ofDaimachanged during its early stages when Toriyama became increasingly involved. The final product began airing in October 2024, and despite sky-high expectations,was largely successful in portrayingDragon Ball’s best qualities.

goku surrounded by feathers dragon ball daima

Daima Contained a Blend of Dragon Ball’s Best Qualities

Daima Mixes Action and Adventure in a Near-Perfect Blend

There was no better, and also more difficult, way forDragon Ball Daimato live up to expectationsthan to create a blend of the franchise’s defining qualities. However, the anime was largely successful in finding the sweet spot between action and adventure, a spot that 1996’sDragon Ball GTarguably failed to locate. The early stages ofDaimafeatured the trio of Goku, Glorio, and Shin traveling throughthe awe-inspiring Demon Realm, which included characters and technology only Toriyama could have been responsible for.

Dragon Ball Daima Is Officially Over, So What’s Next For the Hit Anime?

Dragon Ball Daima’s finale has been released, bringing Akira Toriyama’s final vision of the series to an end. What’s next for the iconic franchise?

The later stages of the anime delivered on its high-energy action sequences with visualsthat rivaled any ofDragon Ball’s best-looking moments. From bar fights to intimate, hand-to-hand combat, to large-scale battles,Daimamixed excellent art and animation with the flashy choreography Toriyama was known for in his original manga. However, this blend of action and adventure wasn’t perfect, and the series did struggle somewhat to keep its balance in its middle stages.

Goku looking surprised in front of the Tamagami.

Daima Stumbled, But Never Fell Flat

The Anime’s Middle Portion Could Have Spent More Productively

Dragon Ball Daimawas progressing smoothly, transitioning from its early adventure-focused episodes into intense actionwhen the series stumbled over itself. The main cast was initially split into two separate groups, one led by Goku and the other led by Vegeta. When both teams merged, the series' action ramped up andVegeta’s Super Saiyan 3 formwas introduced to overwhelmingly positive reception. From that point, however, rather than keep its momentum going over the remaining nine episodes,Daimareturned to slow-paced adventure.

Episodes #13 to #15 were a bit of a slog, featuring antics on other worlds and plane troubles, similar to the slower sections that nearly sankDragon Ball GT. However, the downtime did not last long, and the eventual arrival at the First Demon Worldimmediately restored the show’s intensity. The final battle with Gomah offered all the flash, style, and fan service fans could ever dream of, and even included the controversial but excitingreturn of Super Saiyan 4.

Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta attacking with a ki blast.

Dragon Ball Daima Was A Fitting Goodbye to Akira Toriyama

Dragon Ball Daima’s Finale Came Suddenly, but Was Fitting

The series' finale arrived somewhat suddenly, an issue that could have been avoided hadDaimabeen more productive in its middle stages. Nevertheless, the anime’s final climactic showdown featured Super Saiyan 4 action andone of the greatest Kamehamehasever fired inDragon Ball. Though Goku’s new but familiar form proved far more powerful than the evil ruler of the Demon Realm, he was not able to land the final, decisive blow,eventually giving way to the rise of an unexpected hero.

Just as Gomah regenerated from Goku’s iconic ki blast, the fan-favorite Majin Kuu whacked him on the back of the head with Arinsu’s book of spells, dislodging the Evil Third Eye and stripping away the king’s power. The final episode’s light-hearted and humorous tone took a large portion of the fan base by surprise, but there couldn’t have been a more fitting send-off for the series' creator than ending on one final gag.Akira Toriyama’s gag manga roots were evident throughout the series, and moments likeVegeta’s bath-time revelationmade for some of the funniest in franchise history.

Goku and his friends in shock

Dragon Ball Daima Ending Explained: What Happens In the Anime’s Finale?

Dragon Ball Daima has finally concluded its legendary run, and here’s everything to know about how the latest chapter in Dragon Ball ended.

Dragon Ball Daimahad quite a task ahead of it in attempting to meet the expectations of its ever-growing fan base. Though with a near-perfect blend of action, adventure, and incredibly high-quality visuals,it would be unfair to label Goku’s latest anime adventure as anything other than a success. The future of the franchise remains unclear, though there is reason for optimism as fans await news about what might come next. Series' producer Akio Iyoku hinted at amajor announcement to come some time in 2025, and said he expectsDragon Ballto continue for another few decades at least.