Pacing is a common source of discussion among Dragon Ball fans. From arguments over filler to jokes about the infamous final 5 minutes in Goku and Frieza's fight on Namek, the anime has never been perfect in this area. Dragon Ball DAIMA is now raising a new cause for concern with its extremely fast pacing, making some fear the series is speeding towards its finale.
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Goku's journey through the Demon Realm in Dragon Ball DAIMA has been a slow one, but the series is rushing through its plot points. Despite how little action and drama there is in each individual episode, mysteries are being given no time to breathe before they're given answers, conflicts are being swiftly resolved, and Goku is already about to fight the first of the three Tamagami.DAIMA was never said to be running indefinitely, so the anime could be reaching Goku's battle against Gomah sooner than most fans expect.
Dragon Ball DAIMA Episodes Are Deliberately Slow-Paced
Goku's Adventure in the Demon Realm Has Been a Leisurly One
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One of the best parts of Dragon Ball DAIMA is the way it allows fans to soak in its atmosphere and spend downtime with its heroes. The first two-and-a-half episodes of the anime take their time establishing a ton of new lore and characters, and setting up the main conflicts of the series. Since Goku, Glorio, and Shin arrived in the Third Demon World in Episode 3, each episode has largely focused on them slowly traveling from place to place, talking to each other, and engaging with a new part of the Demon Realm, with a fight always somehow breaking out.
DAIMA has been compared to the original Dragon Ball in a lot of ways, and its focus on character-driven, episodic storytelling is certainly a similarity between the two anime. The anime's heavy focus on comedy is another thing in common. The series may have Super Saiyans, villains stronger than Super Perfect Cell, and far more social commentary than is typical for the franchise, but it also has Goku at his absolute silliest, with him going out of his way to annoy Glorio and constantly needing to use the bathroom. No matter how serious things ever get, or what shocking twists occur, there's a constant sense of levity that prevents the pace from ever picking up too much.
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While a slow pace may not be what everyone is looking for from the definitive action-packed Shōnen, every episode of DAIMA has been a delight. It's because Episode 1 takes its time explaining the basics of the Demon Realm, focusing on the villainous quartet of Gomah, Degesu, Arinsu, and Neva that viewers already have a connection to these new elements before Goku ever interacts with them, and it's because of how much downtime Goku has spent with his new team that there are already clear dynamics between every member. Glorio and Panzy have quickly become lovable characters in their own right, their respective frustrations with Goku are hilarious, and the building tension between Shin and Glorio has been the most engaging part of DAIMA. Most importantly, the slower pacing has allowed the Demon Realm to continue to be fleshed out bit by bit, to the point it's already by far the most well-developed location in the world of Dragon Ball.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA is Rushing its Larger Plot
DAIMA's Conflicts Are Resolved as Quickly as They're Introduced
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The first seven episodes of Dragon Ball DAIMA have introduced enough concepts and set-up enough conflicts to last 100 episodes. Yet while Goku hasn't been in any rush to save Dende and defeat King Gomah, the plot itself has been moving at a breakneck pace. Not only does this feel disjointed, it sabotages the potential for what could have been longer, genuinely interesting storylines. Conflicts and mysteries don't last long in DAIMA. Goku struggled to fight properly after being de-aged, but not only did he get over this issue by the end of Episode 2, he'd fully gotten control of Super Saiyan and Instant Transmission by Episode 6.
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Glorio was introduced as a mysterious rogue with uncertain loyalties and, even though there are still things fans haven't learned about him, Episode 6 revealed he works for Dr. Arinsu. Panzy has spent her entire life wearing an obedience collar and, two episodes after befriending him, Shin removes it from her with no effort. Bulma failed to bring Vegeta and Piccolo to the Demon Realm herself at the end of Episode 6 but, right away in Episode 7, Hybis arrives on Earth to act as their chauffeur. Most recently, Goku made his plan to fight the Tamagami in Episode 4. By the end of Episode 7, he's alright fighting one of the Demon Realm's Dragon Balls, of which there are only three.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA is doing a better job than almost any other Dragon Ball anime handling its characters and setting, but it's completely dropping the ball when it comes to building investment in its story. All the conflicts that are already resolved could, and should have been stretched out so that the resolutions actually feel satisfying. As things stand, none of the story's major recent beats have landed. The only exception to this is the reveal of Glorio's true loyalties, as it's obvious there's still a lot yet to be revealed about him, and the twist builds intrigue around Arinsu. Piccolo's interest in meeting Neva, Degesu's hatred for Shin, and Gomah's interest in raising Dende to be loyal to him are all also technically exceptions, but these plots have received so little attention that they're easily forgettable.
Dragon Ball Z is famous for its extended fights, but all of DAIMA's battles have lasted mere minutes. Even if Goku's battle against Tamagami 3 lasts all of Episode 8, it will definitely be over by Episode 9. Goku will then have one of the Demon Realm's Dragon Balls, and he'll only need to win two more fights in order to restore himself and the rest of the Dragon Team to their normal ages, undoing Dragon Ball DAIMA's main premise in the process. DAIMA isn't just speeding through minor plot points like it's checking off a list; it's dashing toward its climax and conclusion at an alarming rate. At its current pace, DAIMA won't even last as long as Dragon Ball GT.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA Was Never Supposed to Be a Long-Running Anime
DAIMA Was a Very Different Anime When it First Began Development
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Dragon Ball DAIMA is one of the biggest hits of the Fall 2024 anime season, but it wasn't originally intended to even air on television. Prior to the late Akira Toriyama becoming involved with the series, DAIMA was set to be a single-season, web-exclusive series, akin to Super Dragon Ball Heroes. If plans for DAIMA's story haven't changed since it was decided it would broadcast as a traditional anime, this could be the answer to why it's rushing through its plot.
Dragon Ball DAIMA was never supposed to be the next major Dragon Ball anime, just a way of celebrating the franchise's 40-year anniversary. Although the series has exceeded all expectations, and filled the void for fans who miss the Dragon Ball Super manga, it may very well still be just a single-season anime. DAIMA isn't pacing its conflicts the way it should because it simply doesn't have time to, and it only has time for the central dynamics between its main characters.
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While this reasoning makes sense, it doesn't make the state of things any less disappointing. DAIMA is brimming with imagination, fresh ideas, and fascinating characters and conflicts, but it's never going to achieve its full potential if it's stuck rushing to stuff it all into a set episode count. If the anime really does only last a single season, then hopefully Super will be able to give its unique elements a second shot.
Dragon Ball fans are loving DAIMA, and it would be a shame to see it wind up the shortest series in the franchise. With how quickly it's speeding through its plot points, it seems like the only hope for the anime to avoid this fate is to have additional arcs after Gomah and Arinsu are defeated. If the current story is the only one DAIMA plans to tell, it may not even last through 2025.
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Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.
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