Dragon Ball Daimafinished its run earlier this year, and as anyone who watched it can tell you, it clearly borrowed heavily fromDragon Ball GT. But with all these similarities to consider, which series was ultimately the better executed?
Dragon Ball GTwas the anime-only continuation ofDragon Ball Zafter the original manga by Akira Toriyama ended. It ran for 64 episodes from 1996 to 1997 in Japan, and only reached the US and many other countries much later. It infamously featured Goku being turned into a kid again, forcing him to go on a new adventure in search of the Dragon Balls.
Dragon Ball Daima, on the other hand,was a project which Akira Toriyama had a hand in, despite it also being anime-original. It ran for 20 episodes from 2024 to 2025, airing just a few months after Toriyama passed away.Daima, too, opens with a wish on the Dragon Balls turning Goku into a kid again, prompting the quest that would make up the series.
The Similarities Between Dragon Ball Daima and GT
Daima and GT Share More Than Just a Premise
While that initial premise of Goku being wished small again is already a substantial commonality between the two series, there are far more. Both series require that Goku leave Earth to resolve their predicament, withGTseeing Goku head into space, whileDaimaexplored the Demon Realm, a little-explored portion of the cosmology ofDragon Ball.
In both series, Goku must head out with minimal support; inDaima, his companion is the Supreme Kai, while inGT, he’s accompanied by the now-teenage Pan and the older Trunks. As a result, both series rely heavily on new characters that are met along the way, Glorio and Panzy being the new faces inDaima, while inGTthey were joined by Giru.
BothDaimaandGTalso deal with the origins of the Dragon Balls, withthe Demon Realm Dragon Ballssaid to be the first set ever created (presumably excepting the Super Dragon Balls seen inDragon Ball Super). InGT, the Black Star Dragon Balls are introduced as a more powerful predecessor to the Dragon Balls fans are familiar with, although with consequences.
Ultimately,DaimaandGTalso share one very important thing: Super Saiyan 4.While Super Saiyan 4 was a major plot point ofGTand attaining it formed a significant part of its narrative, Super Saiyan 4 was mostly a surprise inDaima, and the form saw a redesign to help it fit in better withDaima’s style.
Dragon Ball Daima and GT Have Some Major Differences, Too
Despite Their Similarities, Both Series Stand Apart in Many Ways
Of course,Daimaisn’t a straight remake ofGT; it merely borrows some concepts. For starters, inDaima, Goku isn’t the only one who is reverted to being a kid; the entire cast of characters is made to be children again. This is also done by a new character, Gomah, whom Goku is unfamiliar with, while Goku’s de-aging inGTis due to Emperor Pilaf, an old enemy.
Daima’s setting of the Demon Realm is also substantially different fromGT.GTvisits many alien planets on the journey to regather the Black Star Dragon Balls, which essentially boils down to “planet of the week.“Daimainstead focused on the Demon Realm and explained how it was different, its origins which predate the universe, and showed its unique culture.
WhileDaimaremained consistent and focused on the main objective of returning everyone back to their proper age,GToften got distracted from restoring Goku’s age and appearance, and underwent several other story arcs, such as the Baby Saga, the Super 17 Saga, andthe Shadow Dragon Saga.
There’s also the timing of when the story is set;Daimais set mere months after Buu’s defeat, whileGTis set over 10 years later, after the Peaceful World Saga at the end ofDragon Ball Z. That means the characters are at very different places in their lives in each series, which changes the tone and feel ofGT.
Which Dragon Ball Series is Better: Daima or GT?
Ultimately, Daima is a Far More Coherent Story
With so much in common, it’s understandable that fans want to compareDaimaandGTso frequently. It’s impossible for both series to be canon as well, since both claim to depict Goku’s first time transforming into Super Saiyan 4. Given Toriyama’s involvement inDaima, many fans automatically lean towards that series, but which one is better?
Daimais, overall, a more tightly structured and written series thanGTis. It keeps its focus on Goku and his adventures in the Demon Realm, following him from the moment he’s turned small to the moment he’s returned to normal again. The Demon Realm setting allowed for a lot of new lore, and this lore is more canon-compatible thanGT’s.
The set-up and eventual ascension to Super Saiyan 4 is far better laid out inGT, while inDaimait seemingly comes out of nowhere, without even a hint at its arrival until it happens.
GTdoes do some things better thanDaima, however. The set-up andeventual ascension to Super Saiyan 4 is far better laid out inGT, while inDaimait seemingly comes out of nowhere, without even a hint at its arrival until it happens.GTalso did some interesting things, like exploring the dark side of the Dragon Balls, and how wishes can be dangerous.
In the end, though,Daimais just a more enjoyable watch thanGT.The characters are still in their prime, rather than having aged 10 years from their fighting shape. The Demon Realm is a fantastically interesting setting with some major implications for the history and lore of the franchise, andDaimais far better animated thanGTcould ever hope to be.
Between its superior animation, cool setting, interesting characters and Toriyama’s involvement,Dragon Ball Daimadefinitely wins out when placed head-to-head withGT. WhileDaimadoes have its flaws, the short-and-sweet nature of the series makes them far more tolerable thanGT’s flaws.Dragon Ball Daimais, in the end, the superior watch, butGTstill has some value for long-time fans.
