Akira Toriyama said: “The recent film Dragon Ball Super: Broly focused on intense battles. If we continue like this and make the next film a different fighting movie, we risk losing the joyful spirit of Dragon Ball. Therefore, this time, I think we should bring back the characters in a way that is a bit more homey, with daily life scenarios before plunging into a large-scale battle.”

The comments from the creator have perfectly illustrated the direction of the upcoming saga Dragon Ball Daima.

Dragon Ball has always prioritized character development over action sequences. From the very beginning, the narrative has revolved around the interactions and evolution of its characters. For instance, the Future Trunks arc has emphasized the importance of character growth in the storyline.

Toriyama clearly recognizes the need to focus on character-driven narratives.

The recent story arcs of Dragon Ball, especially in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, and now in Dragon Ball: Daima, reflect this shift towards character development, focusing more on the growth of characters like Piccolo and the Gammas, integrating humor and deeper emotional layers.

Similarly, in the Dragon Ball Super manga, sagas like “The Granolah the Survivor Arc” and “The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc” concentrate on character dynamics. In these, Goku explores his Saiyan lineage while Vegeta seeks redemption. These changes signify a deliberate effort to enrich the Dragon Ball universe with character-driven stories while maintaining the hope that the series will continue down this path.

As a result, many fans argue that simply adapting Dragon Ball without character development feels lacking; it’s not just about battles and visuals. However, Akira Toriyama emphasizes that overly focusing on intense fights can be detrimental. The creator consistently strives to develop his characters and their narratives to preserve the joyful essence of Dragon Ball.