Newest Dragon Ball Anime Is ‘A New Dragon Ball’, According to Series Directors

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In a recent commentary featured in the Japanese DAIMA Blu-ray collection, the series’ director, Aya Komaki, has stated that Dragon Ball DAIMA is “a fresh take on Dragon Ball.”

With Dragon Ball Super currently paused and Dragon Ball DAIMA taking the story in a different direction, many fans have been speculating if DAIMA could be a fresh start for the series. Discussions have centered around whether the small changes to established lore and some plot holes in DAIMA suggest a brand new Dragon Ball timeline, separate from what happened in Dragon Ball Super. Recent comments from Komaki offer a glimpse into how the team viewed Dragon Ball DAIMA while creating the latest Dragon Ball anime, although they don’t explicitly confirm anything.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Staff Sought to Create ‘A New Dragon Ball’ in Style

A special feature included with the Dragon Ball DAIMA box set features a discussion with DAIMA co-directors Aya Komaki and Yoshitaka Yashima, and series producer Akio Iyoku. They talked about the series’ first episode, and while reviewing the opening flashback sequence, the directors shared the difficulties they faced recreating those memorable scenes in a fresh way.

Based on a fan translation of the original Japanese interview, Aya Komaki shared that their goal was to create a fresh DAIMA and a new Dragon Ball experience, while still honoring the series’ history. She emphasized that they didn’t want it to feel old-fashioned. She added that they approached these scenes with “painstaking care,” aiming to capture “that slight faded quality that brings back memories of the past.”

I have to say, the team really delivered. The sequence showcases so many memorable moments from the Buu Saga, like Vegeta’s brave sacrifice against Majin Buu and Goku’s ultimate Genkai Dama against Kid Buu. A lot of fans have called this opening to Dragon Ball DAIMA one of the best, and it’s easy to see why – the staff really elevated those classic DBZ battles with a smoother, more modern look.

Aya Komaki’s mention of a new Dragon Ball refers to the visual style the team aimed for in the anime. However, her comment also reflects what many Dragon Ball fans have felt about DAIMA since its announcement. The creators of DAIMA truly wanted to give this new series a more updated look, setting it apart from previous installments, including Dragon Ball Super.

This isn’t a confirmation of where DAIMA fits into the Dragon Ball timeline or how it relates to Dragon Ball Super. The directors of Dragon Ball DAIMA simply wanted to offer a new perspective on the series, something different than what we’ve seen before. They used a script written by Akira Toriyama himself, with surprisingly specific details, allowing DAIMA’s team to achieve something that not even DBS had.

I’ve been following the development of DAIMA closely, and it’s really interesting to hear how producer Akio Iyoku described the creation process – he likened it to working on a serialized manga, which suggests a really spontaneous and dynamic approach! It seems the team prioritized making a fresh Dragon Ball experience above all else, even if it meant not being totally locked into previous storylines. The best part? Akira Toriyama himself handled the story! That gives me a lot of confidence that DAIMA stayed true to his original vision, reboot or not. It’s exciting to know it’s as close to Toriyama’s intent as possible!

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2025-10-04 20:11