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Dragon Ball DAIMAhas contributed an incredible amount of lore on top of its eye-catching visuals and charming characters within just one episode. The series promises to be an adventure for all fans and newcomers alike to enjoy in the franchise while expanding viewers' understanding of the Demon Realm as it reacts to the conclusion ofDragon Ball Z. Still, perhaps the most crucial species keeping much of the plot alive going intoDragon Ball DAIMAisthe Namekians, whose origins get an exciting new retconin episode #1, confirming their Demon Realm origins.
Namekians were first introduced inDragon Ball, unbeknownst to fans that they were an alien race, as the series had yet to introduce interplanetary threats like the Saiyans and so forth. But as the series progressed, with a trip to planet Namek, it seemed at first to be logical that this was their point of origin, only forDragon Ball Superto add further mystery to the species.InDragon Ball DAIMA,though, the Namekians get exciting new exposure, thanks to Gomah’s knowledge of the race and the Demon Realm resident, Neva.
Namekian Demon Realm Origins Confirms Dragon Ball Super Lore
Another Realm Altogether Indeed
InDragon Ball DAIMAepisode #1, while Gomah and Degesu view footage retelling the events ofDragon Ball Z, they spot Piccolo and Dende, shocked at the presence of Namekians (henceforth called Nameks.) They understood that this meantnearly all Nameks escaped the Demon Realm, an important reference toDragon Ball Superchapter #69, where Moori explains that the Nameks moved to Universe 7 from “another realm altogether.” Not only does this solidify Namek’s origins, it also indicates that Neva is the oldest known resident, with his joy seeing Dende speaking volumes.
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Upon seeing Dende, Neva remarks that he hasn’t seen a Namek for thousands of years, which lines up with Gomah’s shock at spotting them and Degesu’s remarks that they couldn’t find others after searching. The Nameks likely conducted a mass exodus without Demon Realm royalty like Gomah knowing,allowing them to colonize planets along Universes 6 and 7. But another intriguing element is Neva himself, who obliterates a record previously set by the Grand Elder Guru inDragon Ball DAIMA.
Neva Is the Oldest Namek Yet in Dragon Ball
The Last Remnant of Namek’s Demon Realm Origins
As Neva’s moment with Dende confirms, he proclaims to be old enough to recall “thousands of years,” indicating that Neva is the oldest Namek yet,far surpassing Grand Guru Elder’s approximate 500 years of life. Unlike Guru, who died of natural causes, Neva remains surprisingly active, if old and “senile” as remarked by Gomah; whether the Demon Realm enhances his longevity, or if time passes differently there, is undetermined.But with Neva having created the Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls, other questions may arise about them or his other creations, the Tamagamis.
The Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls' introduction also paves the way for mentioning black wishes, as opposed to white wishes, the term for non-harmful wishes traditionally used throughout theDragon Ballcanon so far.
Neva’s Dragon Balls are distinctive for being massive and for only three instead of the typical seven. With only episode #1 ofDragon Ball DAIMAout so far, it remains unconfirmed whether these are the firstDragon Balls in the timeline. Still,their existence and the premise of black wishes likely only being available for themmakes Neva a uniquely fascinating character, with these Dragon Balls likely being exceedingly powerful enough to necessitate being guarded by the Tamagamis.
Namekian Demon Origins Call Back to Original Dragon Ball
For the Old School Toriyama Fans
For those still unaware, the originalDragon Ballintroduced Nameks as King Piccolo and Kami, as introduced in chapter #135, who is reincarnated asthe Piccolo beloved by fans and Akira Toriyama through the present. It’s a remnant of a simpler time, when existential threats were sealed in rice cookers instead of threatening Earth with its imminent demise. Due to his counterpart, Kami, representing the good side of his people, this dichotomy indicates one instance of the Nameks splintering from their Demon Realm origins. Still,in all likelihood, it’s just an utterly rewritten origin.
WithDragon Ball Superchapter #69 confirming Namekian origins, it’s important to recognize how it relates toDAIMAregarding the Dragon Balls. Moori discusses how they can vary in size depending on the creator, with other sets existing onother settled planets like Namek, Cereal, and Earth, and their original purpose. The chapter clarifies that the Dragon Balls were originally intended “as rewards for bold warriors who seek them out in times of great suffering.” Neva’s Dragon Balls, guarded by powerful Tamagamis, indicate that only warriors would be worthy of collecting them.
However, the Namekian Demon Realm origins fundamentally function as a nod to how they were introduced to theDragon Ballcanon, andthanks toDAIMA, they can technically be considered demons. It’s an exciting development that likely means Piccolo could have an expanded role in the anime, along with the update making the Team Four Star jokes about Piccolo’s retcon even more amusing now. But importantly, Namekian lore seems to have found its missing link inDragon Ball DAIMAepisode #1.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
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Dragon Ball Daima sees Goku and his allies inexplicably shrunk into miniature forms, prompting a journey to the Demon Realm. This animated adventure, part of the Dragon Ball franchise, explores their mission to solve the mystery and restore their original statures. Released in October 2024.
