Introduction to Dragon Ball DAIMA

The highly anticipated new series of the beloved anime franchise,Dragon Ball, titledDragon Ball DAIMA, was officially announced at the New York Comic Con on October 13, 2023. This new installment celebrates the 40th anniversary of the original manga created by Akira Toriyama, which began serialization in 1984. With a legacy that has captivated audiences worldwide, the excitement surroundingDragon Ball DAIMAis palpable. Fans are eager to see what new adventures await Goku and his friends, especially since this series is said to be the last work by Toriyama before his passing in March 2024.

Broadcast Details

Dragon Ball DAIMAis set to air onOctober 11, 2024, every Friday at 23:40 on the Fuji TV network. The first episode will be a special 10-minute extended version. Additionally, starting October 31, 2024, the series will also be available on Animax.

Streaming Availability

• Prime Video and FOD: Saturdays at 0:30 (starting October 12, 2024)
• Other platforms (including ABEMA, Hulu, Netflix, etc.): Various release dates starting from October 15, 2024

ABEMA will offer the first episode for free, with subsequent episodes likely following the same pattern.

Plot Overview

While specific plot details were initially scarce, Toriyama’s comments suggest that the titleDAIMAis a coined term, meaning “Great Demon” in Japanese and “Evil” in English. The story revolves around Goku and his friends who find themselves shrunk due to a mysterious plot, leading them to embark on a new adventure in an unfamiliar world. Teaser visuals hint at familiar characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Bulma appearing in their child forms, although characters fromDragon Ball Superlike Beerus and Whis are notably absent.

Timeline and Series Context

According to the first episode, the events ofDragon Ball DAIMAtake place shortly after the Majin Buu saga, suggesting a timeline that positions it directly afterDragon Ball Zand separate fromDragon Ball GTandDragon Ball Super. This indicates thatDAIMAmay exist in a parallel universe or timeline, adding an intriguing layer to the series’ lore.

Cast and Staff

The voice cast forDragon Ball DAIMAincludes:

• Goku: Masako Nozawa
• Bulma: Aya Hisakawa
• Vegeta: Ryo Horikawa
• Yamcha: Ryota Suzuki (new voice actor)

New characters will also be introduced, with additional cast members announced closer to the release date. The opening theme will be a new song by Grammy-winning artist Zedd, featuring the musical unit C&K, while the ending theme will be performed by AI.

Previous Series Overview

TheDragon Ballfranchise has a rich history, with several series that have captivated fans for decades:

• Dragon Ball(1986-1989): The original series introducing Goku’s early adventures.
• Dragon Ball Z(1989-1996): The continuation featuring epic battles against powerful foes.
• Dragon Ball GT(1996-1997): A sequel set five years after Z, exploring new adventures.
• Dragon Ball Kai(2009-2015): A remastered version of Z with a focus on the original manga storyline.
• Dragon Ball Super(2015-2018): A series that expands the universe with new characters and arcs.

Conclusion

With the upcoming release ofDragon Ball DAIMA, fans can look forward to a fresh chapter in the iconic franchise, filled with nostalgia and new adventures. Be sure to tune in on October 11, 2024, to witness the next evolution of Goku’s journey!