Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has established a remarkable legacy over the past forty years, which Dragon Ball DAIMA continues to impressively build upon. Dragon Ball, as a franchise, has evolved through the incorporation of new characters, techniques, transformations, and concepts, but one constant throughout everything is Goku’s presence, front and center. Dragon Ball remains Goku’s incredible adventure and audiences have had the pleasure of watching him mature from a precocious child into a godly warrior. There’s a compulsion in Dragon Ball to consistently raise the stakes and immerse Goku in grander problems against stronger villains. However, this formula can reach a breaking point where fans are asked to suspend too much disbelief.
There’s an understandable urge to bring Dragon Ball back to its roots, especially on its 40th anniversary, which was part of the impetus for Dragon Ball DAIMA’s creation. Dragon Ball DAIMA boldly looks forward to the franchise’s future when it comes to the vast Demon Realm, revised Namekian origins, and new Dragon Ball sets. However, an exciting development in Dragon Ball DAIMA is Goku’s transformation into a child and the Demon Realm’s efforts to continually nerf his strength to weaker levels than what audiences are used to in modern Dragon Ball. Not only is this an entertaining aspect of Dragon Ball DAIMA, but it’s arguably the new anime’s secret weapon.
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It Pushes Goku To Better Appreciate His Martial Arts Skills Over Transformations
Goku’s Weakened Nature Means That Top Tier Transformations Are Off The Table
The original Dragon Ball sets up Goku as a naturally strong individual, but he’s also a proficient martial artist who holds incredible respect for this craft. Goku’s Grandpa Gohan was a revered martial artist and Goku proceeds to pick up crucial combat lessons and a deeper understanding of his body and mind through his training under Master Roshi. Goku has been fortunate enough to train under many diverse martial arts masters through the years, whether it’s Korin, Kami, King Kai, Beerus, Whis, and Merus. Goku occasionally masters new skills from these training sessions, but they usually boil down to a greater mastery over martial arts. Dragon Ball fans who preferred the original series’ more grounded martial arts over the energy beam struggles and transformation showcases that have taken over the series have been disappointed in the anime’s trajectory. Goku never turns his back on martial arts, but there’s less of a necessity for skilled hand-to-hand combat when he can deliver Spirit Bombs, Instant Kamehamehas, or cycle through a wide range of transformations, including the godly Ultra Instinct. Dragon Ball DAIMA wisely scales back, when all the other Dragon Ball media tries to figure out believable ways to get even bigger.
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Goku’s Mini transformation in Dragon Ball DAIMA is the biggest contributing cause to his weaker strength. DAIMA has already highlighted that these smaller versions of the heroes – not just Goku – have struggled with even basic ki maneuvers like flight, since they now have different centers of gravity that are harder to balance. This would conceivably be enough to hinder Goku’s strength, but DAIMA goes several steps further. Goku’s smaller body means that his limbs have less of a reach and can’t connect with targets in the way that used to. Additionally, Goku’s arrival in the Demon Realm comes with the alarming revelation that this new destination has an atmosphere that’s rich in heavy gas, the likes of which slows down Goku’s movements. It’s almost like he’s moving underwater and facing constant resistance. Even weapons that are fired through the air suffer from this slowdown. Goku has previously handled increased gravity with ease, but the Demon Realm’s atmosphere appears to be more debilitating than this and a believable way to further inhibit the full extent of his power.
Dragon Ball DAIMA’s obstacles naturally facilitate a more compelling and creative style of combat that forces Goku to develop new strategies and return to the basics, rather than relying upon what’s most recently aided him in battle. DAIMA is eager to recapture the original Dragon Ball’s energy, which is certainly more achievable with a weaker version of Goku who is less prone to transformations and overwhelming energy attacks. This is also likely a major factor in why DAIMA is set before Dragon Ball Super, otherwise Goku could just trigger Ultra Instinct at will to overcome his new size-based problems. It’s easier to buy into all of this and that Goku actually is disadvantaged and out of his depth if DAIMA takes place before he meets any Gods of Destruction and Angels. Finally, all this also leads to more believable battles against DAIMA’s new Demon threats. Glorio offhandedly mentions that Supreme Demon King Gomah is weaker than Majin Buu. In this case and under normal circumstances, Goku wouldn’t struggle in the slightest against Gomah or any of his powerful Demon cohorts. The Demon Realm’s unique conditions lessen Goku’s odds without having to turn Gomah, Degesu, and Neva into world-ending threats that are somehow superior to Buu.
It Facilitates A Return To Unique Weapons Like The Power Pole
Super-Era Goku Rarely Relies On Weapons
Dragon Ball DAIMA doesn’t shy away from the fact that a smaller body makes it significantly more difficult for Goku to fight at peak condition. Not only is Goku inherently weaker, but his body doesn’t work the way that it usually does. This pushes Goku to turn to additional reinforcements for help. Dragon Ball DAIMA’s second episode sees Goku collect his trusted Power Pole weapon to help him extend his reach and be able to deliver long-range attacks that are now hindered by his stubbier physique. Goku’s Power Pole was one of his staples in the original Dragon Ball and his earliest Dragon Ball Z adventures – particularly the movies, Dead Zone and The World’s Strongest – but it’s become a lost relic over time. Goku’s growing strength and apocalyptic powers have reduced his need to use weapons in battle. It may be gratifying for Goku to know that he doesn’t need to rely on weapons to survive, but it does ultimately limit the type of combat that’s possible in the series. A whole new style of combat is possible in weapon-based battles, which Dragon Ball DAIMA is now able to explore.
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Goku’s Power Pole is a valuable tool for him in DAIMA, but it’s also entirely possible for him to acquire new Demon technology and weapons that also aid him in unexpected ways. Glorio and Panzy both have Demon rayguns, so there is clearly a heightened form of technology in this realm that could be an asset to Goku in battle. Furthermore, the three Tamagami Dragon Ball guardians that have been teased all possess unique weapons. Goku could benefit from Demon weapons that he uses to counter against the Tamagamis’ tools or he could even acquire their weapons upon defeating them. There are a lot of appealing options to explore here and it’s not even ridiculous to imagine that Goku’s Flying Nimbus also returns to help Goku out, considering that it’s been featured in DAIMA’s opening and closing themes.
A Weakened Goku Is More Prone To Be Reliant On Others For Help
New Characters Like Glorio Can Prove Their Worth
Another concession that many modern Dragon Ball fans have accepted is that Goku is typically the one who takes down any major villain, the likes of which usually boils down to a strenuous one-on-one fight between the two of them. Goku’s accomplishments are incredible and shouldn’t be diminished. However, Dragon Ball’s ongoing showcase of his growing powers has led to repetitive and predictable battles. This situation has even become so formulaic that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero even intentionally benches Goku and Vegeta so that other characters get the chance to step into the spotlight. Goku is out of his depth in the Demon Realm, but the normal version of Goku would still likely be able to breeze through any Demon opponents that he faces. This sells this new environment short and ultimately diminishes the new, powerful Demon friends that Goku has made on his journeys, like Glorio. DAIMA’s decision to weaken Goku provides an opportunity for Glorio to play an important role where he’s as essential as Goku, but without putting him at the power level of a Super Saiyan 3 fighter. DAIMA has already allowed Glorio to do some of the heavy lifting, which has been genuinely exciting, and would likely not have happened if Goku is capable of just dominating every situation that he finds himself in. There’s so much appeal in a true tag-team fight where Goku and Glorio both take on powerful enemies. DAIMA has created a scenario where such a situation is possible without it feeling contrived.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA’s bar fight from its third episode is already an early highlight for the series, purely because it brings Goku back to his basics, doesn’t rely on transformations, and puts him in a situation where he’s not afraid to ask for help from Glorio. Goku’s biggest upcoming battles in Dragon Ball DAIMA are likely to be his encounters with the Tamagamis, Gomah, Degesu, and Neva, all of which have greater value if Goku is forced to think outside the box. There have been diminishing returns in Dragon Ball Z and Super when it comes to Goku’s battle tactics. In DAIMA, it’s unlikely that Goku’s reliable Spirit Bomb will be a viable battle strategy because he’s in a realm where he’s an outcast. Demons won’t want to lend him their strength. All these compelling villains can get their due by being put in creative combat scenarios instead of ones where they experience more of the same with Goku. DAIMA even has the opportunity to recreate Goku’s defeat over King Piccolo during his fight with Neva, in order to further stoke nostalgia.
It’s also important to recognize that Goku’s Mini transformation is an unfortunate curse that’s not just specific to him. All of Dragon Ball’s heroes have suffered the same surprising fate, but this hasn’t stopped Vegeta and Piccolo from also bravely forging forward into the Demon Realm. Goku is put in a position where he’s more inclined to require Vegeta and Piccolo’s help – and vice versa – when it comes to their Demon Realm duels. Vegeta usually contributes to Goku’s battles in some capacity, but it will be thrilling to see Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo fight as equals as they take on unknown threats. Goku will genuinely benefit from his peers’ help, but it’s also possible that Vegeta and Piccolo will discover new skills and sides of themselves through getting the opportunity to help Goku in battle. It’s entirely possible that there will be situations where Vegeta and Piccolo lead the charge, while Goku is more of a supporting player, depending on the circumstances of their enemies and battles. Any combination of this is still considerably more dynamic than the typical Goku-led victory.
Dragon Ball GT Previously Got Good Mileage Out Of A Weaker Goku
Goku’s Traditional Tactics Are Taken Off The Table
Dragon Ball DAIMA is only a few episodes in, but it’s already having a lot of fun with Goku’s child-like Mini form. Curiously, DAIMA isn’t the first Dragon Ball anime to put Goku through such an unusual transformation. Dragon Ball GT also begins with Goku not only getting turned into a child, but learning how to make the most out of his newly weak body. Goku’s weaker state isn’t as extreme in Dragon Ball GT and he doesn’t have to worry about heavy gas and other atmospheric conditions that get in his way. However, Dragon Ball GT still took strides to demonstrate new setbacks for Goku, such as his inability to maintain his Super Saiyan 3 form while in his child body. This added an interesting wrinkle to combat for Goku, albeit one that was quickly swept under the carpet after he achieved Super Saiyan 4 status.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA would be wise to adopt a similar philosophy when it comes to Goku’s transformations. DAIMA’s trailers and opening and closing sequences indicate that Goku will at least be able to transform into a standard Super Saiyan. However, DAIMA might make it so that Goku can’t maintain this form for prolonged periods or transform beyond the initial Super Saiyan state. Dragon Ball DAIMA has already given a lot of attention to the Demon Realm’s unique atmosphere and the unexpected properties of its gas. It wouldn’t be surprising if the atmosphere’s gas causes Goku to gradually regrow his tail and re-experience the classic Great Ape transformation, too. These are all creative angles that take advantage of DAIMA’s framework in order to do something different with Dragon Ball’s traditional transformations. In a series that’s continually looking how to make Goku and the rest of its heroes stronger, their smartest decision in years is to create a viable system that scales back their strength, skills, and specialties.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Due to a conspiracy, Goku and friends are transformed into children. They intend to travel to a mysterious new world to undo this change
- Seasons
- 1
- Story By
- Akira Toriyama
- Writers
- Akira Toriyama
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