Finally real Dragon Ball after 35 years! Episode 1 of Dragon Ball Daima is a delight, but it’s not perfect

News culture Finally real Dragon Ball after 35 years! Episode 1 of Dragon Ball Daima is a delight, but it’s not perfect

Everything you need to know about Dragon Ball Daima

The most popular saga in contemporary culture will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. Over four decades, the universe created by the late sensei Akira Toriyama in the mid-80s has been enriched by several anime, manga, video games, etc. However, this month of October remains special with the simultaneous release of Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO and Dragon Ball Daima. The goal for the rights holders is simple: ensure the franchise has an even brighter future than it already has.

Dragon Ball Daima is a Japanese animated series produced by Toei with a somewhat special aura as it is the very last one written by the Japanese author. The story of this sixth anime takes place after the events of the Buu arc of Dragon Ball Z and connects to Dragon Ball Super.

Additionally, Daima is part of the official Dragon Ball timeline, with Akira Toriyama himself having worked on the project. The initial premise is reminiscent of the (too) maligned Dragon Ball GT, but also of the first hours of the original animated series, where adventure was the focus of the narrative.

The summary of Dragon Ball Daima: Unfortunately, as victims of a mysterious conspiracy, Son Goku and his friends become children again. To find the instigator of this conspiracy and regain their adult size, they embark on a dangerous adventure through the kingdom of demons, where formidable enemies await them… Luckily, they will meet two new allies, Glorio and Panzy, who they can accept part of their journey. – (ADN)

Dragon Ball Daima begins broadcasting in France on October 11, 2024 on Crunchyroll and ADN, then on October 18, 2024 on Netflix.

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The return of the “real” Dragon Ball

To say that I have been a fan of Dragon Ball since I was a child is obvious, as I was “babysat” by Club Dorothée and therefore Dragon Ball. I discovered the Dragon Ball Z saga, which I eagerly followed every Wednesday morning before I became completely seduced by the Dragon Ball anime. I enjoyed all the films and all the OAVs, then I slowly drifted away from this universe with the release of the first episodes of Dragon Ball GT. Even DB Super, which I cowardly gave up during the show, never quite convinced me, and the reason is ultimately quite logical for the child of the 80s that I am.

To me, Dragon Ball rhymes with “adventure.” Unfortunately, in my eyes, this essential element of the franchise has been replaced by an endless quest for power and clashes with increasingly powerful enemies. I don’t shy away from delighting in the martial and pyrotechnic prowess of the Z Warriors, but in the end I grew tired of this series of battles, crazy as they are, and of the transformations that once made sense. The first Super Saiyan versus Frieza remains one of pop culture’s most significant events, but the same can’t be said for Super Saiyan Blue and Rosé, which leave me completely unmoved.

This episode isn’t without its faults, but I clearly didn’t shy away from my enjoyment over the 32 minutes (including credits) that this first look at Dragon Ball Daima lasts. It’s very unfortunate that more than half of it is used to (too) succinctly summarize the Boo arc and provide exposition to introduce both the antagonists and themes of this new anime. The approach is understandable and logical, but frustrating. Toei is trying to attract a new generation of viewers who haven’t necessarily done their homework before Daima, but that’s preventing the animated series from really taking off.

Apart from this narrative observation, “Conplot” is a little treat for early fans, a warm and comforting animated Proustian Madeleine that captures the best of Dragon Ball but doesn’t just warm the hearts. The decision to rejuvenate Goku and the Z Warriors may seem simple at first, but they found a story justification that I personally like. Then the idea of ​​exploring the demon realm particularly enchants me, because Dragon Ball is an adventure before it’s a battle.

Episode 01 still rewards us with a high-level confrontation between Goku and Vegeta that’s just off the table. And it was epic as hell, but also way too short. I look forward to discovering our heroes’ future exploits against enemies who have perfectly executed their Machiavellian plan. What impressed me from the first minutes was the visual quality of Dragon Ball Daima’s entrance. This new anime is a little gem of a production that manages to modernize the line and staging of the saga while maintaining the typical patina of the Dragon Ball anime and the late Akira Toriyama.

This first episode of Dragon Ball Daima is a treat for fans and curious people who want to watch and rewatch it while waiting for the release of the second episode on October 18th.

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