Dragon Ball Daima, the final project crafted by the legendary Akira Toriyama, wrapped up its broadcast around the one-year mark of the mangaka’s passing this past February. Having poured his creative energy into the story, character designs, and overall production supervision, Toriyama ensured his parting gift to the fandom would resonate deeply. Even decades after the franchise first burst onto the scene, Dragon Ball continues to hold a cherished place in pop culture. In Fall 2024, that enduring legacy blended seamlessly with contemporary animation, treating viewers to an all-new adventure featuring Goku and his companions, set just six months after the harrowing conclusion of the Buu Saga.
The series breathed new energy into Super Saiyan 3 while also officially integrating Super Saiyan 4 into canon through Toriyama’s unique lens. For U.S. fans looking to own the journey, a Blu-ray release dropped on August 14th, packed with English-dubbed opening and closing themes alongside exclusive bonus features. The complete season is currently available for purchase through the official Crunchyroll store.
Dragon Ball Daima Was The Perfect Farewell From Akira Toriyama
Every facet of Daima—from its distinctive aesthetic to its overarching plot—sprang directly from Toriyama’s imagination as a totally original creation. Instead of leaning solely on relentless combat, the show recaptured the spirit of exploration and adventure, thrilling the audience at every turn. The seeds for the project were planted six years ago during the production of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, when Toei pitched the idea of trying something fresh and unexpected. Toriyama leaned into this collaboration more heavily than ever before, clearly relishing the chance to thrust his iconic characters into an unfamiliar realm.
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the original manga, the arrival of Daima gave fans a bittersweet opportunity to celebrate Toriyama’s enduring genius following his passing in March 2024. Beyond penning the narrative, he meticulously designed the characters, vehicles, and world-building elements, cementing Dragon Ball Daima as the final anime written by the creator himself.
What’s Next For The Dragon Ball Franchise?
While a direct television sequel to Daima hasn’t been locked in, its post-credits scene laid plenty of groundwork for future storytelling. In a surprising twist, the mystical third eye responsible for granting past Demon Kings immense strength isn’t a one-of-a-kind artifact; two additional eyes were spotted at a shady merchant shop alongside bizarre, status-altering items like sky seeds and medi-bugs. The true origin of these powerful eyes and their exact capabilities remain shrouded in mystery.
Meanwhile, the Dragon Ball Super manga remains on an indefinite hiatus despite a standalone chapter release in February 2025. Toyotaro—famed for illustrating Dragon Ball Super and penning Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission—is set to take complete creative control over both writing and artwork moving forward. An official return date for the manga’s regular serialization has yet to be announced. However, while readers wait for the page to turn again, Toei Animation has officially greenlit a new anime season titled Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, alongside a theatrical remake film highlighting Goku’s iconic clash with Beerus.