Is Dragon Ball DAIMA Canon? Everything Fans Should Know
Dragon Ball DAIMA emerges as a significant addition to the Dragon Ball franchise. With its Episode 1's direct references to the broader Dragon Ball universe, confirms its place in the main timeline. It integrates smoothly with existing continuity while maintaining Super's status as the official sequel series.
The announcement of Dragon Ball DAIMA raised stakes within the community about where this new series fits in the franchise’s timeline. Being the first new Dragon Ball anime in six years, DAIMA has generated excitement and confusion among fans. The confusion is regarding its canonical status. Let’s find out if and how Dragon Ball Daima is canon.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA’s Timeline Placement
Dragon Ball DAIMA takes place during a very specific period in the Dragon Ball timeline: immediately after the Buu Saga in DBZ, but before the events of Dragon Ball Super. This timeline placement shows the villains Degesu and Gomah watching the Z-Fighters’ battle against Majin Buu in real-time. The series occurs during a narrow six-month window between Buu’s defeat and the beginning of Dragon Ball Super’s God of Destruction Beerus Saga.
Several Key details confirm this precise timing. The story begins during Kid Trunks’ eighth birthday celebration, placing it roughly after the Buu Saga when Trunks was eight. Additionally, the Dragon Balls are still turned to stone from their recent use following the battle with Kid Buu. Also, Gohan is notably absent from the celebrations due to catching up on missed studies.
Toriyama’s Involvement in Dragon Ball DAIMA
Although Akira Toriyama contributed significantly to Dragon Ball DAIMA by creating its original story and writing, this alone does not definitively make it canon. A similar situation occurred with Dragon Ball Online, where he was deeply involved for 5 years before its 2008 release, providing character designs and reviewing story elements.
However, despite his participation, the game remained non-canonical. DAIMA’s difference is in the extent of Toriyama’s creative control. Rather than just providing designs or suggestions, he crafted the core narrative and wrote the series himself.
Dragon Ball DAIMA’s Relationship With Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball DAIMA’s relationship with Dragon Ball Super is constructed in such a way as to avoid contradictions all the while maintaining connections to the established canon. The series is set in a specific timeline that allows it to exist alongside both series without disrupting their events.
Episode 1 of DAIMA explicitly acknowledges Super’s canon by referencing Universe 7, confirming it exists within the same multiverse framework. It also indicates that DAIMA will not impact the ongoing Super’s storyline. This suggests that DAIMA is being positioned as a complementary story that fills in a gap in the timeline instead of attempting to override or replace existing canon.
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Official Confirmations Within Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball DAIMA brings a distinctive process to continuity compared to previous spin-offs like Dragon Ball GT. Even though GT was explicitly arranged as a non-canonical alternate timeline, DAIMA has been braided carefully into the official Dragon Ball annals.
The introduction of Dragon Ball DAIMA doesn’t disrupt the ongoing narrative of Dragon Ball Super. Instead, it serves as a complementary story that enriches the existing universe. By exploring an uncharted period within the established timeline, DAIMA expands the Dragon Ball series while preserving the continuity of Super.
Therefore, it’s safe to say Dragon Ball DAIMA is being integrated as a legitimate chapter in the Dragon Ball saga. The creators have knowingly placed it within a typical timeframe that allows it to coexist harmoniously with Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super’s narratives. DAIMA enhances its storyline rather than bringing in more conflicts with the franchise’s storyline. Hence, the new series Dragon Ball Daima is canon.
