The Dragon Ball franchise continues to evolve, marked by the latest series, Dragon Ball Daima, which has introduced fans to new storylines and characters enriched with lore from the expansive multiverse. This development arrives on the heels of significant changes behind the scenes, stemming from the unfortunate passing of creator Akira Toriyama.
Dragon Ball Daima is noteworthy for its first deep exploration of the Demon Realm, presenting Goku and the Supreme Kai on new adventures. This latest chapter not only sheds light on the history and significance of the Demon Realm within the franchise but also hints at its pivotal role as the series transitions to Dragon Ball Super’s upcoming arcs. The introduction of Rymus, the 'god of creation,' has added another layer to the narrative, raising questions about power dynamics between deities.
Rymus, as revealed by the Supreme Kai, is tied to the creation of the multiverse itself, born from commands of the Supreme Demon King. This intriguing backstory implies the existence of complex relationships among the gods, contrasting Zeno, the God of Destruction, with Rymus's creating capabilities. The revelations from Dragon Ball Daima may serve as foreshadowing for future arcs where these relationships will become even more apparent.
While these story developments are exciting, the franchise is currently facing tumultuous waters due to legal disputes triggered by Toriyama's death. After the iconic mangaka passed away, discussions surrounding the ownership of the franchise emerged, particularly involving Shueisha and former Dragon Ball head Akio Iyoku. Iyoku, who had been trusted by Toriyama to oversee development, left Shueisha to establish his own venture, Capsule Corp, aiming to continue the legacy of Dragon Ball.
According to Weekly Tokyo Keizai, Iyoku's move followed dissatisfaction with Shueisha’s direction for the series. "Shueisha’s control of the series could be threatened," claimed Soichiro Morita, highlighting the potential for upheaval. This discontent hints at greater creative aspirations for the franchise, aspirations which might remain dormant under Shueisha’s control following Toriyama's departure.
Though Iyoku has expressed intentions to produce more content aligned with Toriyama’s original visions, Shueisha’s fear of losing the lucrative rights to Dragon Ball complicates this struggle. Citing the immense financial success of the franchise, Morita noted, "Dragon Ball is one of their most profitable franchises." The continued popularity of accompanying products, from mobile games like Dokkan Battle to blockbuster films, reinforces Shueisha's reluctance to concede any control over the series.
This power struggle has already led to noticeable impacts on content creation. Fans have begun to notice troubling gaps where new entries should emerge, with the most recent Dragon Ball Super manga chapter released back in March 2024—a troubling delay for such a beloved series. Morita concluded, "The lack of Dragon Ball content... is due to Shueisha preventing it from being approved," indicating the real cost of this legal tussle could be seen by the audience waiting for their beloved characters to return.
Even with these internal conflicts, the excitement surrounding Dragon Ball Daima showcases the franchise's enduring relevance. Fans are eager to follow Goku and his crew as they navigate through the rich lore of the Demon Realm. Simultaneously, the legal battles signal caution—until clarity is regained, the release of new content may continue to hang by a thread.
While there seems to be serendipitous energy fueling the current narrative of Dragon Ball Daima, the looming threats from ownership disputes cannot be overlooked. It is with some trepidation fans regard the road ahead, knowing how much the legacy of Dragon Ball is at stake. Fans can only hold out hope for positive resolutions and the continued growth of this iconic series. With the combination of fresh storylines and the legacy of Toriyama hanging precariously, the future of Dragon Ball remains tantalizing yet uncertain.
