Dragon Ball Daimais the latest animated entry in theDragon Ballfranchise, and it introduces a new twist on familiar faces. In it, Goku and his friends are reverted to their child forms aftera wish was made on the Dragon Balls to return them to their younger selves. With its adventurous and comedic storytelling, the series recaptures some of the charm that made the original so special.
The series is refreshingly lighthearted and fun. Paired with popping visuals and eye-catching action,Daimaoffers fans an undeniable sense of nostalgia with every episode. However, as exciting as this new addition is, it’s clear that there’s something missing. One specifictrope that is found in every otherDragon Ballseries is notably nowhere to be found, and it’s quite a drastic change.
Daima Is Fantastic, but One Element Feels Missing for Longtime Fans
Despite the Potential, Dragon Ball Daima Doesn’t Introduce a Martial Arts Tournament
WhileDragon BallDaimabrings back the charm of earlyDragon Ballwith its vibrant animation and quirky adventures, one major element is absent. There is no martial arts tournament in sight. Despite introducing new characters and revisiting familiar ones with fresh dynamics,Daimanever leans into the high-stakes excitement typical of a tournament arc. For a franchise that has relied on these competitions to showcase growth, rivalries, and intense moments, this absence is hard to overlook.
While the decision may have come down to practicality with a limited episode count, the lack of a tournament feels like a missed opportunity. Yet, they are far more than flashy fights. These fights serve as narrative catalysts that drive the characters to grow and engage with each other, friends or foes, in unpredictable ways. From theWorld Martial Arts Tournaments to the Tournament of Power, this trope was aDragon Ballstaple. In skipping over this trope,Daimalost some of the competitive magic that made earlier series so unforgettable.
The Martial Arts Tournaments Are A Dragon Ball Staple
Tournaments Allow For Character Development and Create Clear, High-Stakes
Martial arts competitions have been at the heart ofDragon Ballsince the very beginning. In the original series, the World Martial Arts Tournament served as an arena for Goku’s growth and introduced characters like Tien Shinhan and Piccolo. These tournaments werealways more than physical showdownsas they offered a chance to see the characters push themselves to reach their full potential and allowed for friendships and rivalries to develop. They also offered a fair dose of comedy, strategy, and, at times, unexpected twists in signature Toriyama fashion.
As the series progressed, these tournament arcs provided high-stakes drama. For example,the Cell Gamesturned them into a world-deciding battle, while the World Martial Arts Tournament in the Majin Buu saga combined humor and tension with some of the series' most memorable fights. EvenDragon Ball Superembraced the thrill of the fight with the Tournament of Power and the Universe 6 saga, where characters pitted themselves against other universes’ strongest warriors. These allowed the characters to push themselves to their limits, discover new team dynamics, andultimately are a familiar and integral part of the storytelling style ofDragon Ball.
Daima Has Some Tournament-Like Elements, but It’s Missing the Heart of a True Martial Arts Competition
Daima Could Have Elevated the Stakes and Offered New Characters a More Layered Development
WhileDragon Ball Daimaincludes some tournament-like elementsthrough the Tamagami battles, they fall short of capturing the full spirit of a trueDragon Balltournament. With powerful and compelling new characters like Glorio, Majin Kuu, and Majin Duu,a full-fledged brawl could’ve explored the character and relationship dynamics between new and returning faces. As it stands,Daimahas only scratched the surface of what is possible. New characters could have received more room to shine, new conflicts could have stirred, and it would have addedDragon Ball’ssignature blend of stakes and action.
In the end,Dragon Ball Daimaoffers a fresh, fun take on the franchise, butits lack of a martial arts tournament leaves a noticeable voidfor longtime fans. While the Tamagami battles offer a glimpse of that competitive spirit, they can’t quite replace the narrative possibilities that come with a full-fledged tournament arc. If the series continues into a second season, introducing this missing element could provide the perfect opportunity to deepen the development of new characters.Dragon Ball Daima’slimited run may be the reason there wasn’t enough time allotted for a competitive game, but the future holds endless possibilities.
