Dragon Ball Daima Officially Confirms It's Canon with Super in Subtle Moment

Warning: SPOILERS for Dragon Ball DAIMA episode #1

Dragon Ball DAIMA typically doesn’t need to convince longtime fans that it’s canon thanks to Akira Toriyama’s involvement, but its connection to the other official sequel of the original series,Dragon Ball Super, remained ambiguous. The series fleshes out a new chapter between the events ofDragon Ball Z, its epilogue, andDragon Ball Superwith loving attention to detail while never abandoning the feel of the franchise. InDragon Ball Daimaepisode #1,its connection toDragon BallSuperis made clearin a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment when Gomah travels to Universe 7.

Toriyama dabbled with theDragon Ballfranchise’s multiverse and general universes as early as the 1990s but didn’t get more in-depth exploration untilDragon Ball Super. Aside from alternate timelines,such as during the Androids/Cell Saga, the franchise was fairly straightforward until the various sequel series introduced exciting new elements for readers and viewers alike. ButDragon Ball Daimaacknowledges these changes with one subtle moment,confirming the characters' awareness of Universe 7 in episode #1.

Degesu requesting to go to Universe 7 in Dragon Ball Daima

Dragon Ball DAIMA References Universe 7 in Episode #1

Acknowledging the Concepts from Dragon Ball Super

Beyond the halfway point ofDragon Ball Daimaepisode #1, Gomah, Neva, and Degesu travel outside the Demon Realm and are asked by the fish-like creature managing the portal where they wish to go. Here,Degesu requests Universe 7 while gazing at notes, asa nod toDragon Ball Superchapter #5, where Whis explains to Goku and Vegeta about the twelve different universes. While subtle,Dragon Ball DAIMAepisode #1 is where the series acknowledges the canonical contributions ofDragon Ball Super, yet seemingly not lingering on the other universes at play.

Dragon Ball Daima Episode #1 Review: Toriyama’s Last Goku Adventure Starts Strong

The highly anticipated Dragon Ball Daima anime has begun, and its charming and visually stunning debut brilliantly expands Toriyama’s universe.

WhetherDragon Ball DAIMAuses more multiverse references connecting toSuperis uncertain.The story seems to guide Goku and his friends to the Demon Realm, not even its complementing universe, #6. What’s interesting is that Babidi and Dabura would have had to request to go the same way, with Earth being referred to as Number 3 instead of “Planet 4032-877”, its official designation in theSupercanon. Akira Toriyama appears to have contributed thisDragon Ball Daimastory as a loving tribute,looking back onDragon Ball ZandDragon Ball Super,intending to engage all fans with their concepts.

Image from Dragon Ball Daima anime Episode 1 shows part of Flashback with Super Saiyan Goku charging a Kamehameha Wave while his hair is yellow and the backround is blue as waves of light shine from his hands.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Connects and Clarifies Dragon Ball Z Events Too

The Timeline Is Complicated Yet Increasingly Clear

In addition toconfirmingDragon Ball DAIMA’s placement on the timelinein episode #1,the show addresses plot holes and inconsistencies fromDragon Ball ZandDragon Ball Superbriskly while pushing forward into a new story. An ancient Namekian is confirmed to have taken up residence in the Demon Realm, Majin Buu’s physiology and inner gases are confirmed to separate Potara Fusions, including Kibito Kai, and Gohan goes absent to once again resume his studies. The episode clearly states when Saiyans encounter their growth spurts at fifteen, an unsurprising yet illuminating bit of lore inDragon Ball Daima.

While concepts fromDragon Ball Superappear subtly,Dragon BallDAIMAseems to more clearly addressDragon Ball Zconcepts in episode #1, teasing more reveals as the series continues.