Summary
Dragon Ball Daimadid not disappoint at all. After waiting almost forever, fans were treated to an episode that brought back the charm of classicDragon Ball.Of course, the series took no time shaking things up in the first episode, and while there were plenty of surprises, one particular piece ofinformation about Namekians and Piccolo stood out.
For those who don’t know, the events ofDaimapick up in the aftermath of Dabura’s death, the once-powerful Demon King who met his end during the Buu saga. With Dabura gone, King Gomah ascended to power in the Demon Realm, only to be convinced that Goku and his friends posed a threat to his reign. For years, fans believed the origins of Piccolo (and the Namekians in general) were settled. ButDaimaturned that understanding on its head with the introduction of the Demon Realm and a lore-drop about the Namekians’ past. It looks like Toriyama had a lot of twists planned withDaima, and this reimagining of the Namekian lore could be the most significant shift since their introduction.
Dragon Ball Daima Hits the Ground Running
From the opening moments,Daimacaptures that nostalgicDragon Ballmagic, combining humor, action, and lore in a way that feels true to the franchise’s roots. The show centers around the fallout ofevents after Kid Buu’s defeat, but with a fresh twist: the vacuum left by Dabura’s death inDragon Ball Z’s Majin Buu saga.
Enter King Gomah, the new ruler of the Demon Realm, who arrives on Earth with a mission. His goal seems simple enough; ensure that no one can threaten his reign. Since he can’t take any of the fighters head-on, and the Dragon Balls won’t grant his wish to kill them, his plan was to turn the strongest fighters in the universe into little children.
I want Goku and the others who helped beat Majin Buu to be turned into kids! – Gomah
While most of the episode was a recap, the series did end up establishing its position in the time-line well. The focus seemed to be on expanding lore. the biggest being that the Namekians, like Piccolo and Dende, didn’t originate from Planet Namek after all.
The Demon Realm Origins of Namekians
Long-time fans ofDragon Ballmay remember that Piccolo once proudlyreferred to himself as the “Demon King.“However, as the series progressed toZ, his true origins were revealed: he was part of the Namekian race, an alien species hailing from Planet Namek. That’s where the story stayed—until now. InDaima, King Gomah explained that Namekians originally came from the Demon Realm, not Namek.
This explains many of their physical traits, like their pointed ears, which Gomah mockingly points out to Dende as a clear sign of their demonic lineage. The episode also introduces Neva, an ancient Namekian from the Demon Realm, who, thousands of years ago, created their own set of Dragon Balls—ones that grant malevolent, “black wishes.”
Why This Matters for Dragon Ball Lore
This shift in the Namekian origin story completely rewrites what fans thought they knew. Up until now, Namekians were depicted as peace-loving beings, spiritually inclined, and keepers of the Dragon Balls. The revelation that they descend from the Demon Realm raises numerous questions about their true nature and how their journey from demons to guardians of the universe unfolded.
It also sheds new light on Piccolo’s story. Once believed to be a villain with delusions of grandeur, when he called himself the “Demon King,” it turns out he was, in fact, more right than anyone had previously believed. Even Dende’s role as Earth’s Kami is called into question—what does it mean for the protector of Earth to be part of a species with such dark origin?
The Multiverse and the Demon Realm
One of the most fascinating revelations inDaima’s first episode is the multiversal nature of the Demon Realm. Until now, it was assumed that the Demon Realm was part of Universe 7, like most of the locations inDragon Ball Z. However,Daimareveals that the Demon Realm is an entirely separateentity, disconnected from Universe 7, and potentially from all the universes seen so far. This idea introduces massive implications for theDragon Ballmultiverse, suggesting that there are planes of existencethat even gods like Beerusand the Supreme Kais might not fully understand.
The Demon Realm’s ability to interact with other universes could also explain some long-standing mysteries in the series. For instance, Dabura and Babidi might not have been from Universe 7 at all but rather invaders from this Demon Realm.
What This Means for Piccolo and Future Storylines
The revelation about the Namekians' true origin story sets the stage for Piccolo to take on a central role in the unfolding plot. As one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, Piccolo has often been relegated to the sidelines in recent arcs. However,Daimaoffers an opportunity to explore his characterin ways that haven’t been done sinceDragon Ball Z. Will Piccolo embrace his demonic heritage, or will he continue to fight for the greater good, despite his origins?
Plus, this new focus on the Demon Realm and multiversal travel provides endless opportunities for future storylines. From revisiting the Demon Realm to uncovering more about Namekian history,Dragon Ball Daimahas opened the door to a wealth of storytelling potential that could redefine the series for years to come.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball Daima is the latest anime in Akira Toriyama’s legendary franchise. After being transformed into a child, Goku must travel to a new world to try and turn things around.
