According to Iyoku, the creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama, was deeply invested in the development of Dragon Ball Daima, taking on a substantial amount of the creative workload himself. Although Iyoku positioned Daima in the timeline between the Buu arc of Dragon Ball Z and its concluding segment, he has not confirmed its integration into the Dragon Ball Super series, leaving the canonicity of Daima uncertain. This ambiguity has led fans to speculate about its relevance, but hints found in Volume 24 of the manga suggest that clarity may soon be upon us.
Growing Evidence Supports Daima’s Canonicity
Connections Among Dragon Ball Spin-Offs: Insufficient for Some Fans
In Dragon Ball Daima, it’s unveiled that Mr. Popo hails from a lineage of Demon Realm beings, characterized by small horns that become visible when he removes his turban for the first time. This intriguing detail resurfaces in Dragon Ball Super Volume 24, which features Mr. Popo sans turban, proudly showcasing his horns next to Dende and Korin. While this reference might appear subtle, it serves as a clear indication from Super artist Toyotaro that there exists a shared canon between Daima and Super, thereby reigniting discussions concerning their canonicity.
The reference from Toyotaro suggests an acknowledgment of Dragon Ball Daima as part of the canonical universe of Dragon Ball Super, despite ongoing debates among fans regarding continuity discrepancies. Considering both series were profoundly influenced by Toriyama prior to his passing, it is plausible that the two narratives may harmoniously coexist in the same canon going forward, despite some challenges in reconciling timelines.
Implications for the Future of the Dragon Ball Franchise
Potential for a More Coherent Timeline
Dragon Ball is notorious for its convoluted timeline, a puzzle that often confounds both new viewers and veteran fans. With numerous iterations and films, determining what is canon can be perplexing. None of the movies produced during the Dragon Ball Z era are recognized as canon, whereas the films associated with Dragon Ball Super are included. Furthermore, while video games often introduce beloved transformations, their stories generally fall outside the official narrative. The addition of alternate timelines, such as that of Future Trunks, along with creative reimagining of character designs, has only amplified the confusion surrounding continuity.
With the introduction of Dragon Ball Daima, another layer has been added to this tangled narrative web. Official confirmation identifies Daima as a direct sequel to the Majin Buu Saga, starting with its antagonists observing these crucial events. This chronological placement becomes problematic when considered alongside the events of Dragon Ball Super‘s Battle of Gods, where Goku is seen employing Super Saiyan 3 against Beerus despite supposedly attaining Super Saiyan 4 in Daima. Nevertheless, the acknowledgment of Dragon Ball Daima in Volume 24 of Super indicates that it will play a significant role in future developments. Fans can optimistically anticipate continuity resolutions that may alleviate some of the longstanding narrative confusion.