I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

As a long-time fan who missed out on the Buu saga and the wild adventures that followed, I can confidently say that Dragon Ball Daima has managed to reignite my love for Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece. The blend of humor, drama, horror, and action in this series is reminiscent of the original Dragon Ball Z, taking me back to the days when Goku would ham it up as an angel or devour enormous bowls of food while facing off against diabolical creatures capable of wiping out entire cities.


In the good old days of elementary and middle school, around the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Dragon Ball Z was my go-to show. To this day, I firmly believe it ranks among the greatest animated series ever produced. However, truth be told, it’s been over a quarter-century since I’ve regularly caught up with Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters in action. Guess you could say I’m a bit remiss in my fandom these days.

however, everything shifted when a coworker suggested “Dragon Ball Daima” not long after the first series produced since the demise of franchise architect Akira Toriyama hit the 2024 TV lineup. Upon viewing the initial episode (which are released weekly for those with a Netflix subscription), I can’t help but admit that I’m as energized as one of Goku’s Kamehameha bursts. Intriguingly enough, it feels like being a child captivated by ’90s anime once more!

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

Growing Up, I Was A Massive Dragon Ball Z Fan, But Fell Off During Those Extended Breaks Between Seasons

Back in the day, Toonami’s captivating programming block on Cartoon Network was my favorite afternoon escape. The moment the school bus hit our driveway, I’d sprint towards home, eagerly dumping my backpack upon arrival and settling down for a couple of hours of shows like Reboot, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z. Those initial seasons – the Saiyan Saga, the Frieza fight on Namek where Goku unleashed his Super Saiyan form for the first time, the chaotic war with the androids followed by Cell – are etched in my memory forever. However, it was all cut short before the Buu saga even began.

In those days, when I was using a dial-up modem and couldn’t get hold of Japanese VHS tapes, I had to endure long waits as each new saga was adapted for American television. Before the Buu saga began, I ceased watching Dragon Ball Z. I stopped sketching my favorite characters in my binder, stopped browsing images from later seasons and the subsequent series, Dragon Ball GT. And I never went back… until now.

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

After Years Of Not Knowing Where To Start With The New Series, Dragon Ball Daima Has Given Me An Entry Point

Even though I haven’t followed Dragon Ball Z for years, the series has expanded into numerous spin-offs, films, games, and more. But with so much content to digest – stories to follow and characters to understand – I never revisited it because I didn’t know how to jump back in without starting from scratch, which meant watching seasons I’d already seen multiple times.

As a gamer, when my colleague raved about Dragon Ball Daima and how entertaining it is for those returning to the franchise, I realized it was high time I reconnected with this series that held so much nostalgic value from my childhood. Jumping back in, I must confess, it’s like stepping into the shoes of that self-conscious 12-year-old me again, sporting an outfit I thought was cool – you know, the one with a short-sleeve shirt and a sweater vest!

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

The Daima Premiere Pretty Much Caught Me Up To Speed On What I Missed In Later Dragon Ball Z Episode Before Starting The Next Journey

Upon viewing the debut of “Dragon Ball Daima“, I was quickly drawn into the fray of “Dragon Ball Z“, specifically the Buu saga which I hadn’t witnessed in previous years. At long last, I was afforded a glimpse into the nature of Majin Buu and the various forms of this destructive, immensely powerful entity. The initial segment of the episode serves as a summary of what transpired during my absence, narrated from the perspective of Gomah, the newly crowned King of the Demon Realm, before he embarks on a journey that will unfold throughout the series.

Moreover, the debut episode of “Dragon Ball Daima” (currently the sole episode accessible) additionally delved into the activities of the Z-Fighters since then and demonstrated their adjustment to life post-battle against Buu.

However, at the end of the episode, Gomah, Degesu, and an old Namekian named Neva depart from the Demon Realm, subsequently invading Earth to seize the Dragon Balls. Their goal was to make a wish for everyone on Earth to be transformed into children, thus initiating a fresh adventure with similarities to Goku’s story in Dragon Ball GT.

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

The Blend Of Humor, Drama, Horror, And Action That Made Me Fall In Love With Akira Toriyama’s Series Is Better Than Ever

In the past, Dragon Ball Z captivated me with its unique blend of comedy, tension, terror, and action, resulting in some genuinely outrageous scenarios. On one side, you’d find Goku playing the part of an angel or binge-eating vast quantities of food, while on the other, there were sinister beings capable of annihilating entire cities without even reaching their ultimate form. I was thrilled to learn that Dragon Ball Daimao maintained this exhilarating mix of genres.

So far, I’ve only seen the initial episode, but it was fantastic and has me eager to follow the journey of those young Z-Fighters as they strive to rectify matters once more. The Demon Realm, with its intriguing blend of coolness and unease, is a place I hope we delve deeper into in future episodes, whether it’s showcasing Goku indulging in enormous bowls of demon rice or some other peculiar culinary creation.

I Am A Lapsed Dragon Ball Z Fan. Why Daima Is Getting Me Back Into The Anime Franchise

I Feel Like Dragon Ball Daima Was Made For Lapsed Fans Like Me, And That’s Great

It seems clear that many fans of Dragon Ball Z have continued to follow the series throughout the years, but I can’t help but feel as though Dragon Ball Daima was designed with fans like me in mind – those who may have drifted away from the franchise and could use a bit of assistance to jump back in before things get too fast-paced. The show feels tailored for viewers who need a gentle reminder about the world of Dragon Ball before they’re fully immersed again.

If it was indeed the goal of the late Akira Toriyama and all those working on its continuation to create a model that might serve as an inspiration for other long-standing franchises in the future, then they deserve applause. However, let’s hope there won’t be nearly as many episodes without substantial content as was found in “Dragon Ball Z”.

Every Friday, you can find new episodes of “Dragon Ball Daima” streaming on Netflix. As a dedicated fan, I’ll be tuning in to catch up with the series. While we don’t have all the details about the franchise’s future, there are some exciting Netflix movies and shows coming up that anime enthusiasts will surely enjoy.

Stream Dragon Ball Daima on Netflix.

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2024-10-28 23:07