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For months, Dragon Ball Daima has sparked intense debate among fans regarding its place in the franchise’s storied continuity. Many skeptics have drawn parallels to Dragon Ball GT—the non-canon 1996 series that similarly transformed Goku into a child—while others have questioned how the anime-original Daima could fit alongside Dragon Ball Super, which already occupies the post-Z timeline.
The absence of a manga source, a first for a canon Dragon Ball project since GT, further fueled doubts. However, producer Akiyo Itou has now definitively settled the debate.
Akiyo Itou Confirms Daima’s Canon Status
In a recent interview with Mantan Web, Itou confirmed that Daima is not only canon but also a direct continuation of the Majin Buu arc, meticulously crafted by franchise creator Akira Toriyama himself.
“The creator was directly involved in shaping this story. It is factually tied to the Majin Buu arc—this is unequivocal,” Itou stated.
Set months after Buu’s defeat but before Beerus’ arrival in Super, the series bridges Z and Super by exploring foundational elements of the Dragon Ball universe, including the origins of the Kaioshin, Namekians, and Majin Buu.
These narrative threads, Itou explained, reflect Toriyama’s long-held vision.
“Even if we as staff weren’t fully aware, he had pre-existing concepts, like the idea that ‘pointed ears signify Demon Realm inhabitants,’ woven organically into the narrative,” he said.
Akira Toriyama’s Unexpectedly Deep Involvement
Toriyama’s involvement in Daima evolved unexpectedly during its six-year development process.
Initially approached to “lightly oversee” the project while working on Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, he grew increasingly invested, ultimately shaping Daima’s core premise—transforming the entire Z-Fighters into children, not just Goku—and expanding the Demon Realm’s mythology.
“It started about six years ago, while we were working on Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. I mentioned wanting to create a new series separate from the movies. Since we were already making films, I wanted to avoid overburdening Mr. Toriyama. Instead of asking him to fully commit, I suggested he lightly oversee the project and share his thoughts. As discussions progressed, he became incredibly enthusiastic. Though this diverged from our initial plan, we eventually decided to collaborate closely, with him crafting most of the story,” Itou said.
Over time, Toriyama ended up solidifying Daima‘s worldbuilding significantly, ensuring it adhered to his vision for the Dragon Ball universe.
Daima’s Role in the Future of Dragon Ball
The producer’s confirmation is significant not only because it clarifies Daima’s place in the Dragon Ball canon but also because it marks a shift in how the franchise will be positioned in the coming years.
According to Itou, Daima is designed to preserve the core identity of Dragon Ball while forging a fresh direction for the anime series.
However, the confirmation of Daima’s canonicity raises questions about Dragon Ball Super’s timeline placement. While Daima anchors itself in Age 775 (months after Buu’s defeat), Super’s Beerus arc begins in Age 778.
Timeline Conflicts and Fan Speculation
Some minor continuity conflicts have been pointed out by fans, such as the handling of the fusion between Kaioshin and Kibito. In Dragon Ball Super, the two are separated using the Dragon Balls, whereas in Daima, Kaioshin explains that the fusion was undone by a gas produced by Majin Buu.
Doubts also stemmed from Daima‘s anime-exclusive status and echoes of GT’s controversial premise.
While there is no explicit link between Super and Daima, many fans hope that the exploration of magic in Daima will eventually set the stage for Moro’s introduction in the Super anime.
Although Daima is canonically set before the events of Super, it does carry over familiar concepts—such as the existence of Universe 7, similar character designs, and even certain techniques—that help solidify its place within the established Dragon Ball universe.
Daima’s Impact on the Expanding Dragon Ball Franchise
As the Dragon Ball franchise continues to expand through games, merchandise, manga, and other media, Daima is poised to assume a central role in defining its future.
The confirmation by producer Akiyo Itou—supported by the direct involvement of Akira Toriyama—will settle the longstanding debate and likely set the stage for further discussions on how Dragon Ball Super will integrate with the established timeline.
