Dragon Ball Daima (Japanese: ドラゴンボールDAIMA, Hepburn: Doragon Bōru Daima), stylized as Dragon Ball DAIMA, is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the sixth televised animated installment in the Dragon Ball media franchise, and the second and last to have been written by franchise creator Akira Toriyama, who died in March 2024. The series premiered on Fuji TV in October 2024.

Dragon Ball Daima
Main visual
ドラゴンボールDAIMA
(Doragon Bōru Daima)
Genre
Created byAkira Toriyama
Anime television series
Directed by
  • Yoshitaka Yashima
  • Aya Komaki
Written by
  • Akira Toriyama (story)
  • Yūko Kakihara (series composition and scenario)
Music byKosuke Yamashita
StudioToei Animation
Licensed by
Original networkFuji TV
Original run October 11, 2024 – present
Episodes8

Cast

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Character Japanese English
Son Goku Masako Nozawa[1] Stephanie Nadolny (mini)[2]
Sean Schemmel (adult, episode 1 only)
Kaioshin Yumiko Kobayashi (mini)[1]
Shinichiro Ohta (adult, episode 1 only)
Nia Celeste (mini)
Kent Williams (adult, episode 1 only)
Glorio (グロリオ) Koki Uchiyama[1] Aaron Dismuke[2]
Panzy (パンジ) Fairouz Ai[1]
Gomah (ゴマー) Showtaro Morikubo[1] Tom Laflin
Degesu (デゲス) Junya Enoki[1] Landon McDonald
Dr. Arinsu (ドクター・アリンス) Yoko Hikasa[1] Morgan Garrett
Vegeta Yudai Mino (mini)[3]
Ryō Horikawa (adult, episode 1 only)
Paul Castro Jr. (mini)
Christopher Sabat (adult, episode 1 only)
Piccolo Tomohiro Yamaguchi[3] Nasim Benelkour (mini)
Bulma Mai Nakahara (mini)[3]
Aya Hisakawa (adult, episode 1 only)
Taylor Murphy (mini)
Monica Rial (adult, episode 1 only)[2]
Krillin Aki Kanada (mini)[3]
Mayumi Tanaka (adult, episode 1 only)
Lara Woodhull (mini)
Sonny Strait (adult, episode 1 only)
Chi-Chi Ai Kakuma[3] Brittany Lauda (mini)
Kame-Sennin Nobuaki Kanemitsu[3] Jordan Dash Cruz (mini)
Trunks Tsubasa Yonaga (mini)[3]
Takeshi Kusao (episode 1 only)
Celeste Perez (mini)
Alexis Tipton (episode 1 only)
Son Goten Masako Nozawa Kara Edwards
Dende Erina Goto (mini)[3]
Aya Hirano (episode 1 only)
Emi Lo (mini)
Justin Cook (episode 1 only)
Mr. Satan Toru Sakurai[3] Cory J. Phillips (mini)
Mr. Popo Kimiko Saitō (mini)[3]
Yasuhiko Kawazu (episode 1 only)
Trisha Mellon (mini)
Chris Cason (episode 1 only)
Kibito Yusuke Handa (mini)[3]
Shin Aomori (episode 1 only)
Aaron Michael (mini)
Chuck Huber (episode 1 only)
Majin Buu Shiho Amuro (mini)[3]
Kōzō Shioya (episode 1 only)
Dusty Feeney (mini)
Josh Martin (episode 1 only)
Yamcha Ryōta Suzuki[4]
Neva (ネバ, Neba) Hiroshi Naka[5] Garrett Schenck
Korin Ken Uo Christopher Sabat

Production

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Toei Animation announced at their New York Comic Con panel on October 12, 2023, that a new anime titled Dragon Ball Daima would be released in fall 2024.[6] Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama was said to be "deeply involved beyond his usual capacity" and is credited in the accompanying teaser trailer with the original work, story, and character designs.[6] A press release also credited him with creating the designs for many of the vehicles, monsters, and background characters, and coining the title.[7] Toriyama provided a message to the Comic Con panel explaining that although "DAIMA" is a made-up term, it is written in Japanese as "大魔".[6] Akio Iyoku, executive producer of the Dragon Ball franchise, said that the series had been in the works for the last five years, but the title was decided less than a month ago.[8] He would also later state that Toriyama "crafted the entire story", which Iyoku described as having a "strong sense of adventure and lots of action".[9]

In November 2023, the January 2024 issue of V Jump announced the main staff members of Dragon Ball Daima and confirmed that Masako Nozawa would reprise her role as Goku.[10] Yoshitaka Yashima (animation director of Dragon Ball Super) and Aya Komaki (director of One Piece) both serve as directors of the anime, while Yūko Kakihara (Urusei Yatsura) is credited with series composition and scenario.[10] Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, who previously worked on Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT, adapted Toriyama's character designs for animation.[10]

A second trailer focusing on Goku was released as part of the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event on January 28, 2024.[11] Character illustrations that Toriyama created for the anime, including some new characters, were shown during a livestream of the event.[12] Toriyama died on March 1, 2024.[13] A week later, the message he sent to the 2024 Tokyo Anime Awards Festival in acceptance of their Lifetime Achievement Award was publicly displayed at the event. In it, he revealed that Dragon Ball Daima was originally planned to be an original anime series without his involvement, "but as I gave advice here and there, I ended up getting deeply involved with the project without realizing it."[14][15]

A key visual featuring multiple characters with the tagline "Welcome to the Great Adventure!" and a third trailer were both released on July 19 and revealed that the show would debut that October.[16] On September 2, Fuji TV announced the specific broadcast details, including the start date of October 10, and that all episodes of the show were completed.[17] Two days later, a fourth trailer and a second key visual, featuring two more characters than the first visual and changing the tagline to "Welcome to the Demon Realm!", were released. The former revealed cast members Yumiko Kobayashi as Kaioshin, Koki Uchiyama as Glorio, and Fairouz Ai as Panzy, and also teased the show's theme song.[18] The roles of Showtaro Morikubo as Gomah, Junya Enoki as Degesu, and Yoko Hikasa as Dr. Arinsu were announced by the franchise's official website on September 10.[1] Daima is the first production not to feature Tōru Furuya as Yamcha, as it was announced that he would be replaced by Ryōta Suzuki on October 4.[4]

Music

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The series opening theme is "Jaka Jaan" (ジャカ☆ジャ〜ン, Jaka Jān) by German record producer Zedd and Japanese vocal duo C&K. Zedd was offered the job of composing the song as he is an open fan of Dragon Ball, and the lyrics were written by Yukinojo Mori, who has written many songs for the franchise.[19] Mori commented that although he was worried about writing for the franchise yet again, Toriyama gave fresh excitement by changing its direction from "battle" to "adventure".[19] Keen of C&K is credited with co-composing the music.[20] The ending theme is "Nakama" by Zedd featuring Japanese-American singer Ai. Zedd again composed the music, while Ai wrote the lyrics.[1]

Release

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Dragon Ball Daima had its world premiere at Tokyo Big Sight on October 6, 2024, during the Dragon Ball Daimatsuri event, which commemorated the 40th anniversary of the original manga. The first episode was screened three times throughout the day, with cast members in attendance during the first two.[21] The series began its television broadcast on Fuji TV on October 11, 2024, with the series airing on Fridays at 11:40 p.m.[21] The first episode is ten minutes longer than normal.[21]

Crunchyroll began streaming the series worldwide outside of East Asia, Europe and Middle East on October 11, 2024.[22] Hulu also streamed it on the same day in the United States, while Netflix began streaming it in Asia on October 14, then globally on October 18.[23][24] Toei Animation and Fathom Events screened the English dub of the first three episodes in United States theaters from November 10–12, 2024.[25]

Episodes

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No.Title [26][27]Directed by [a]Storyboarded by [a]Animation directed by [a]Original air date [28]
1"Conspiracy"
Transliteration: "Inbō" (Japanese: インボウ)
Aya KomakiYoshitaka YashimaTakeo Ide
Chikashi Kubota (chief)
October 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)
After the death of Dabura,[b] Gomah becomes the new Supreme King of the Demon Realm. He and Degesu, Supreme Kai Shin's younger brother, watch what transpired against Majin Buu. Dr. Arinsu, Shin and Degesu's sister, joins them to ask Gomah if he will give supplies for her research just like Dabura did and gives them the idea to use the Dragon Balls to make the warriors who fought against Majin Buu young in order for them to not pose any threat to the Demon Realm. Due to the Demon Realm's Dragon Balls being protected by robot creatures called Tamagami, Gomah, Degesu, and Neva, creator of the Demon Realm's Dragon Balls, go to Kami's Lookout. When they leave the Demon Realm, they learn that Dr. Arinsu visited Earth at some point. On Kami's Lookout, Neva uses his power to collect Earth's Dragon Balls. Dende tries to stop them but is knocked unconscious by Degesu. Meanwhile, the Z-Warriors and their allies are celebrating Trunks' ninth birthday at Capsule Corporation. Degesu summons Shenron and Gomah wishes for the warriors who fought Majin Buu to be turned into children.
2"Glorio"
Transliteration: "Gurorio" (Japanese: グロリオ)
Kazuya KarasawaYoshitaka YashimaNaoko Yamaoka
Yūya Takahashi (chief)
October 18, 2024 (2024-10-18)
The Z-Warriors and their allies are turned into children by Gomah's wish, while those who are already children are turned into infants. Gomah takes an infant Dende as a hostage and returns with his group to the Demon Realm. Sensing a disturbance on Kami's Lookout, Shin and Kibito teleport there with Goku and Piccolo and find Mr. Popo, who explains what happened. Since mortals usually cannot enter the Demon Realm, Shin locates his long lost ship that brought him to Earth prior to Majin Buu's awakening, though its abandonment has made it unusable. Promising to complete the ship within ten days, Vegeta and Bulma are brought to the Lookout to begin repairs. A few days later, another ship arrives from the Demon Realm, though its occupant, a demon named Glorio, desires to stop Gomah at his leader's behalf and asks Goku to help him. Having recently retrieved his Power Pole to fight since he is not used to his smaller body, Goku accepts and is joined by Shin, while Vegeta and the rest of the Z-Warriors are left to wait until Bulma's repairs are complete.
3"Daima"
(Japanese: ダイマ)
Takao KiriyamaYoshitaka YashimaKozue Komatsu
Miyako Tsuji (chief)
October 25, 2024 (2024-10-25)
Glorio, Shin, and Goku fly to a nearby planet called Batapi. There, they encounter a Warp Lord, a massive fish-like entity that acts as the portal between the Demon Realm and the known universes. Glorio enters the password to travel, though Shin is not able to relay it telepathically to Kibito before being teleported. The group appears at the access gate to the Demon Realm, which is split into three worlds, and enter into World 3. Glorio explains that travel between worlds is only done through the Warp Lords, and while he lives in World 3, he works in World 1 where Gomah's kingdom is located. After landing the ship on the surface, Goku and Shin find it similar to that of Earth, though the air is heavy with fumes spouted from the local volcanoes. The trio also find the area is very hostile, as both tribal inhabitants and the local townsfolk provoke attacks without warning. After dispatching a group of thugs at a restaurant in a nearby town, the group rests at an inn. The next morning, however, Glorio's ship has been stolen by the thugs.
4"Chatty"
Transliteration: "Oshaberi" (Japanese: オシャベリ)
Kan MurakamiYoshitaka YashimaYuuichi Hamano
Naota Shintani (chief)
November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01)
Without a ship, Glorio, Shin, and Goku continue their journey on foot as the heavy atmosphere makes flying too strenuous. Their destination is the palace of the Third Demon World King, who sent Glorio to Earth for Goku. Fighting off monsters along the way, the group stops at a medicinal tea shop to rest. While there, the group obtain medicine similar to Senzu Beans, an herb that causes users to undergo Fusion, and a rocket-like seed for long distance travel. After riding on the seed, the group lands only half a day from the palace. However, upon realizing that each world in the Demon Realm has a Dragon Ball that can be earned after defeating their guardian Tamagami warrior, Goku convinces Glorio to change course to the direction of the nearest Dragon Ball protector after reaching the Third World King's castle, which is back near where they started. Needing a break, the group finds a nearby town, where Gomah's minions, the Gendarmerie, harshly tax its citizens for either gold or years of their lifespan. Goku steps in to defeat the minions after a young demon girl initially disrupts the oppression, who inquires about Goku's intentions.
5"Panzy"
Transliteration: "Panji" (Japanese: パンジ)
Yūichi TsuzukiYoshitaka YashimaNaoki Murakami & Koji Watanabe
Yuya Takahashi (chief)
November 8, 2024 (2024-11-08)
The demon girl, who identifies herself as Panzy, follows the group as they continue their journey, still wondering about who they are and their intentions. A self-described inventor, she demonstrates her knowledge of the Third World by assisting in their directions, as well as showing off her abilities using Magic, something she says many Majin Demons possess. Meanwhile, Gomah plans to raise Dende so he can make new Dragon Balls for him. The group arrives at the palace, Kadan Castle, where Panzy is revealed to be its princess. Goku and Shin are introduced to the king, Panzy's father Kadan, and relay the situation regarding their youthful appearance, Dende's kidnapping, and the desired defeat of Gomah using the Demon Realm's three Dragon Balls. To demonstrate his strength, Goku defeats the warriors of the palace, earning Kadan's trust. As they prepare to depart, Kadan tasks one of his attendants, Hybis, to retrieve the remaining Z-Warriors from Earth. Boarding a ship, Panzy convinces her father to let her go too while Shin warns Goku that Glorio may be hiding his true intentions. Shortly after they take off, however, the ship engine sputters and they crash into the ground.
6"Lightning"
Transliteration: "Inazuma" (Japanese: イナヅマ)
Gaku YanoGaku YanoTakumi YamamotoNovember 15, 2024 (2024-11-15)
Panzy admits that the ship engine quit because her luggage exceeded the weight limit. As she repairs the engine, Goku ducks behind a bush to defecate. Gendarmerie members who seek revenge on Goku come looking for him, but the others convince them that he is not there and they leave. The engine is repaired and they take off after leaving some of the luggage behind. Shin explains that Degasu and Dr. Arinsu are his siblings who stayed in the Demon Realm due to their ambitions. When they make camp and sleep, Glorio secretly contacts Dr. Arinsu, who he works for. A minotaur attacks the group intending to eat them. Goku and Glorio argue about who gets to fight it and decide to fight, ignoring the minotaur. Glorio is capable of matching Goku's strength and use magic to unleash electrical attacks. He ultimately surrenders, however, once Goku goes Super Saiyan. Frightened by Goku's power, the minotaur leaves. Meanwhile, Bulma finishes repairing Shin's ship. Vegeta, Piccolo, and Kibito attempt to go to the Demon Realm, but the ship powers down and crashes after only a few feet off the ground.
7"Collar"
Transliteration: "Kubiwa" (Japanese: クビワ)
Ryûta KawaharaRyûta KawaharaNaoko YamaokaNovember 22, 2024 (2024-11-22)
Bulma realizes the ship is out of a fuel only found in the Demon Realm. Lamenting their lack of options, Hybis suddenly arrives and takes Vegeta, Piccolo, and Bulma to the Demon Realm while Kibito stays to look after the Lookout. The Gendarmerie detain Goku's group and Panzy suspects they tracked her collar, which all the Third World citizens must wear. Goku uses Instant Transmission to avoid detection, but a guard suspects that Panzy is the initial tax disrupter, forcing the group to fight and defeat the Gendarmerie. Their ship is damaged in the fight, so they steal a Gendarmerie ship to blend in. Shin deduces Panzy's collar was designed by Dr. Arinsu and destroys it, freeing her, and reveals his birth name is Nahare. King Kadan instructs Hybis to bring his new guests over to Goku's group just as they arrive at the Tamagami encampment. One of the locals and Panzy try to dissuade Goku from fighting it, saying every challenger has lost, but he challenges it anyway to earn its Dragon Ball.
8"Tamagami"
(Japanese: タマガミ)
Kazuya KarasawaKazuya KarasawaKozue KomatsuNovember 29, 2024 (2024-11-29)
The crowd watches in stunned amazement as Goku and the Tamagami battle, evenly matched. Goku uses Super Saiyan and breaks the Tamagami's warhammer. After landing a Kamehameha and a strike as Super Saiyan 2, the Tamagami surrenders, but says to earn the Dragon Ball, Goku must find it in a shell game. Goku notices the Tamagami threw the Dragon Ball away instead of putting it in the cup, winning the challenge. As the crowd celebrates, Glorio contacts Dr. Arinsu and tells her what happened. Goku's group then starts traveling to the Second World. Elsewhere, Gomah and Degasu review footage of Vegeta's first battle with Majin Buu and notice Arinsu in the background collecting some of Buu's residue. Arinsu visits Marba, the witch who created Buu, who is working on a new creature using Buu's residue as an ingredient. Arinsu adds her saliva to make the creature loyal and gloats that she will soon overthrow Gomah and her pawns are collecting the Dragon Balls as a contingency. Kadan contacts Hybis, Bulma, Vegeta, and Piccolo to tell them of Goku's achievement and to meet them near the Warp Lord.
9"Thieves"
Transliteration: "Touzoku" (Japanese: トウゾク)
TBATBATBADecember 6, 2024 (2024-12-06)

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
  2. ^ As depicted in the Majin Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Loo, Egan (September 9, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime Unveils More Cast, Ending Song Artists". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Mateo, Alex (October 17, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime Confirms Stephanie Nadolny's Return as Young Goku in English, Aaron Dismuke as New Character Glorio". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l ドラゴンボールDAIMA:小さくなったキャラ12人の声優発表 野沢雅子は続投. Mantan Web (in Japanese). October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 4, 2024). "Ryōta Suzuki Replaces Tōru Furuya as Yamcha in Dragon Ball Daima TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  5. ^ <ドラゴンボール>"世界トレンド1位"ナメック人の出自で世界観広がりまくりの第1話「アニオリキャラにまで整合性やドラマが生まれた」. The Television [ja] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024. [ja]&rft.atitle=<ドラゴンボール>"世界トレンド1位"ナメック人の出自で世界観広がりまくりの第1話「アニオリキャラにまで整合性やドラマが生まれた」&rft.date=2024-10-17&rft_id=https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1222366/13636493/&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Dragon Ball Daima" class="Z3988">
  6. ^ a b c Mateo, Alex (October 12, 2023). "Toei Animation Announces New Dragon Ball Daima Anime (Updated With Comment)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Set for Fall 2024 Release: The All-new Anime Series "Dragon Ball DAIMA"". Anime News Network. October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  8. ^ ドラゴンボールのエグゼクティブプロデューサー伊能昭夫さん、新作に自信「想像を超えるアクションはちゃんと用意」. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  9. ^ 野沢雅子:新作「ドラゴンボールDAIMA」 悟空を演じ「うれしい」 鳥山明さんへ思いを込めたかめはめ波. Mantan Web (in Japanese). March 11, 2024. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Tai, Anita (November 20, 2023). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime Series Reveals Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 29, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime's Trailer Highlights Goku". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Chik, Kalai (January 30, 2024). "An Early Look at the Dragon Ball Daima Character Designs". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  13. ^ Speed, Jessica (March 8, 2024). "Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama dies at 68". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Garbutt, Emily (September 4, 2024). "Akira Toriyama's final Dragon Ball anime show, which he contributed to before his death, gets a new trailer". GamesRadar . Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  15. ^ Taniguchi, Riuichi (March 8, 2023). 【追悼・鳥山明さん】日本のカルチャーを世界的人気に導いた『ドラゴンボール』の功績. Real Sound (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 19, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime's Trailer Reveals October Premiere Date". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (September 2, 2024). "'Dragon Ball Daima' FINALLY Sets Release Date". Collider. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  18. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 3, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime's Trailer Reveals More Cast, Opening Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Dragon Ball DAIMA Unveiling the second main visual and main trailer! Announcing the voice casting for new characters!! Plus, the opening theme is a super collaboration!". Dragon Ball Official Site. Shueisha. September 4, 2024. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  20. ^ フジテレビ系「ドラゴンボールDAIMA」オープニング主題歌 作詞. Yukinojo Mori Official Site (in Japanese). Amuse Inc. September 5, 2024. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 2, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime Premieres on October 11". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  22. ^ Loo, Egan (September 12, 2024). "Crunchyroll to Stream Dragon Ball Daima Anime on October 11". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "October 2024". Hulu. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  24. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 4, 2024). "Netflix to Stream Dragon Ball Daima Anime in Asia on October 14, Globally on October 18". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  25. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 24, 2024). "Dragon Ball Daima Anime's Trailer Reveals U.S. Screening for English Dub on November 10-12, Previews Dub Voices". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  26. ^ "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime「Dragon Ball DAIMA」Koshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ「ドラゴンボールDAIMA」公式サイト [Story | TV Anime "Dragon Ball Daima" Official Site]. dragonballdaima.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "Watch Dragon Ball DAIMA - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  28. ^ "On'ea | Terebi Anime「Dragon Ball DAIMA」Koshiki Saito" ON AIR | TVアニメ「ドラゴンボールDAIMA」公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime "Dragon Ball Daima" Official Site]. dragonballdaima.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
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