Let’s be honest: Dragon Ball fans love to argue. Whether it’s power-level debates or screaming matches over filler episodes, the community thrives on chaos. But after watching Dragon Ball Daima—Akira Toriyama’s final gift to the franchise before his passing in 2024—it’s clear some fans never truly understood what made this iconic series great.

Let’s unpack why.

Dragon Ball Daima Canon Drama: Why Fans Are Missing the Forest for the Trees

Yes, Daima ruffled feathers. The 20-episode arc, set before Dragon Ball Super, introduced Super Saiyan 4 (a form never mentioned in later sagas) and tweaked lore around Kais and demons. Cue the outrage: “This breaks canon!” “Why wasn’t this referenced in Super?!” Fans even dragged producer Akio Iyoku into the fray after he confirmed Daima’s canonical status.

But here’s the thing: Dragon Ball was never about airtight continuity.

Think back. Did anyone bat an eye when Goku magically “accessed his friends’ memories” on Namek? Or when he sent a literal rabbit to the moon? Toriyama himself famously shrugged off plot holes with a cheeky “I dunno.” The series has always prioritized adventure, humor, and over-the-top battles over rigid storytelling.

Daima isn’t breaking rules—it’s honoring Dragon Ball’s roots.

Was Daima Actually Good? Let’s Talk

Forget canon debates. The real question is: Was Dragon Ball Daima a fun ride?

Absolutely. Here’s why:

1. It Brought Back the Adventure
   • Daima ditched universe-ending stakes for something simpler: exploring the Demon Realm. Remember when Dragon Ball was about trekking through weird worlds and meeting quirky villains? This felt like a love letter to those early arcs.
2. Deep Dives Into Forgotten Lore
   • Piccolo’s Namekian heritage? The history of Kais? Daima fleshed out concepts Z and Super glossed over. Plus, the Demon Realm’s eerie landscapes and magic-based battles were a fresh twist.
3. That Super Saiyan 4 Smackdown
   • Say what you will about “canon,” but the SSJ4 reveal was pure hype. The animation? Stunning. The fight choreography? A nostalgic punch to the gut.

Why “Canon” Doesn’t Matter in Dragon Ball

Let’s get real: Dragon Ball’s timeline has always been a mess. Z retconned OG Dragon Ball. Super ignored GT. Toriyama himself admitted he forgot major plot points mid-writing.

The magic of Dragon Ball isn’t in its consistency—it’s in the journey.

Goku’s goofy charm. Vegeta’s endless redemption arc. The sheer absurdity of a fight lasting 10 episodes. Daima captured that spirit perfectly. By focusing on smaller-scale adventures and character moments, it reminded us why we fell in love with this series: It’s fun.

---

The Bottom Line: Let Dragon Ball Be Dragon Ball

Fans demanding Daima fit neatly into a timeline are missing the point. This isn’t Lord of the Rings; it’s a story where a monkey-tailed hero eats magical beans and punches gods.

Daima gave us:

• Nostalgic callbacks (hello, Demon Realm!)
• Gorgeous animation
• A focus on exploration over power-ups

If future Dragon Ball entries embrace this playful, adventurous tone, the franchise could thrive for another 40 years. Let’s stop dissecting canon and enjoy the ride. After all, isn’t that what Toriyama would’ve wanted?

Check Out: How Vegeta Rescued Dragon Ball Z When Goku Story Hit a Wall

Check Out: Dragon Ball Super New Threat: Why Black Frieza Could Outshine Every Villain Yet