Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has come a long way since its inception in the ‘80s and it’s set to experience another radical reinvention before 2024 is through with Dragon Ball DAIMA. Dragon Ball DAIMA is a new original anime that’s set to disrupt the series’ status quo by turning the anime’s heroes into children. It’s unclear how this de-aging will push the heroes out of their comfort zones, but it’s entirely possible that Super Saiyan transformations will be off the table, since Goku will be returning to his classic Power Pole weapon.

Dragon Ball DAIMA looks like it will be a celebration of the original series and harken back to its more playful brand of storytelling. There’s a lot that’s still unknown about Dragon Ball DAIMA and fans are excited to see where this adventure is headed. This could be an exciting opportunity to bring back several forgotten figures from the original Dragon Ball who have slipped through the series’ cracks, but are still worthy of attention.

10 Launch’s Odd Condition Is The Perfect Problem For DAIMA

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 15, “Look Out For Launch”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 26, “Who’s That Girl?”

Launch is an original Dragon Ball player who instantly leaves an impression. This makes it all the more frustrating that Toriyama has admitted that her disappearance in Dragon Ball Z is because he straight-up forgot about her. Launch experiences a strange ailment where she undergoes a contrasting personality change whenever she sneezes. This transforms her from a mild-mannered wallflower into a bold and daring outlaw. Dragon Ball has gotten slightly better when it comes to its powerful female characters, but they’re still seriously outnumbered by men.

Launch deserves a comeback where she can properly contribute her skills and remind fans why she was so popular in the first place. The transformation that everyone experiences in DAIMA could bring Launch’s unique condition to mind and push the heroes to consult her for help. It’s also possible that Launch undergoes the same metamorphosis, in which case it’d just be entertaining to see how she functions as a child.

9 Upa & Bora Fulfill A Special & Sacred Role That’s Due For A Return

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 58, “The Land Of Korin”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 84, “The Karin Sanctuary”

Upa and his father, Bora, live in the Sacred Land of Korin as faithful guardians of Korin Tower. These characters are crucial in the original Dragon Ball, but the franchise doesn’t continue to follow them during its later chapters (although there is an appreciated cameo during Dragon Ball GT). Dragon Ball DAIMA has revealed that Korin will be present in the new series, as well as Korin Tower. This is a great opportunity to return to Upa and Bora.

It’s possible that Goku and company will need to scale Korin Tower the old-fashioned way after they’re hit with this de-aging magic, which means that they’ll have to enter the Sacred Land of Korin. It wouldn’t be difficult for Dragon Ball DAIMA to involve these two in its broader adventure. DAIMA could even conjure more nostalgia by also turning Upa back into a child, so that he resembles how he did back in the original series.

8 Master Shen Shares A History With Roshi That Takes A Tumultuous Turn

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, “The Rampage Of InoShikaCho”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, “Return To The Tournament”

The original Dragon Ball creates a captivating dichotomy between Master Roshi’s Turtle School of Martial Arts and Master Shen’s Crane School counterpart. Shen’s top students, Tien and Chiaotzu, are even introduced as dark versions of Goku and Krillin. Shen and Roshi trained together under Master Mutaito, only to head down different paths in life. Shen is one of the original Dragon Ball’s more interesting characters and it’s unfortunate that a reconciliation between him and Roshi never comes to pass.

Shen disappears after the original Dragon Ball and it’s indicated that he passes away off-screen. However, the character could have just as easily been revived by one of his past students. Dragon Ball DAIMA looks like it will make strong use of Roshi, which is why a Shen comeback would also make a lot of sense. Roshi’s advanced age also means that he hasn’t become as childish as the rest of Dragon Ball DAIMA’s cast. The same principle could apply to Master Shen. This unusual, magical situation could help these two estranged friends reunite.

7 Giran Is A Monstrous Martial Arts Rival Who Learns The Error Of His Ways

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 21, “Smells Like Trouble”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 35, “The Battle Is Set!!”

The original Dragon Ball really begins to come into its own with the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. There is an abundance of strange and surreal opponents for Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha to face. This includes Giran, a dinosaur-like creature, who experiences an oddly touching redemption arc. Some World Martial Arts Tournament opponents are never seen again, but Giran is touched by Goku’s mercy and he becomes an emotional casualty at the hands of Demon King Piccolo’s Tambourine.

Tambourine gets revived and the fact that he contributes energy to Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb during his battle against Kid Buu indicates that he’s still alive and well. Most fans have completely forgotten Giran, which is exactly why he’d make for a fun inclusion in Dragon Ball DAIMA. It looks like Goku and friends will need all the help that they can get in order to get back to normal. A friendly dinosaur who owes Goku a favor is a smart character to get out of retirement.

6 Fortuneteller Baba Has Centuries Of Insight That Could Prove To Be Useful

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 61, “Korin Tower”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 98, “The All-Seeing Crone”

Master Roshi is one of the first people who Goku meets in the original Dragon Ball. He’s later introduced to Roshi’s older sister, Fortuneteller Baba, who proves to be a useful seer and a valuable conduit to Other World. Fortuneteller Baba occasionally appears in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, but never with the same sense of purpose that she does in the original Dragon Ball.

Fortuneteller Baba’s relationship with the mystic arts would make her a smart character to involve in Dragon Ball DAIMA. She would be able to assist the heroes if their standard tools, like the Dragon Radar, prove to be insufficient. Furthermore, Dragon Ball DAIMA could have some fun by featuring a teenage version of Fortuneteller Baba. Baba is older than Roshi, so the age that he appears to be in DAIMA indicates that the 500-year-old witch would likely become a teen instead of a child.

5 Monster Carrot Is An Absurd Gag Character Who Seemingly Fits DAIMA’s Tone

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 9, “Boss Rabbit’s Magic Touch”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 17, “Carrot Top”

Action and combat gradually take over Dragon Ball’s storytelling. However, the original series is much more a reflection of Toriyama’s gag comedy roots. Dragon Ball’s introductory arc is especially silly, and it’s not afraid to indulge in ridiculous characters like Monster Carrot, a giant anthropomorphic rabbit who can magically turn people into carrots. Dragon Ball doesn’t scrutinize Monster Carrot too hard, and he’s just accepted to be another odd ingredient of this world.

Monster Carrot amounts to a playful one-off episode, but there’s no reason why DAIMA couldn’t double-down on him and turn him into a more vital character. It’s possible that Monster Carrot’s magic could be a solution to the magic that’s transformed everyone into children. He could become a reluctant ally through these plausible developments that would also leave the door open for future appearances. Monster Carrot and his Rabbit Mob also made a tongue-in-cheek cameo in Dragon Ball Super’s manga, which proves that Dragon Ball hasn’t completely forgotten about him.

4 Android 8 Is A Creepy Creation Who Proves To Have A Heart Of Gold

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 38, “Five Murasakis”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 62, “The Ninja Split!”

Every Dragon Ball series embraces the evil Android concept, especially Dragon Ball Z, but none of this would be possible without the foundation that’s established with Android 8. Android 8 is a Frankenstein’s Monster-like creation who was built by the Red Ribbon Army’s Dr. Flappe on General White’s orders. Biological experiments of this nature help Dragon Ball flex its science fiction muscles and one of the original series’ best surprises is that Android 8 rises above his evil programming and sets out to do good.

This purity leads to a sweet bond between the Android and Goku, which Dragon Ball Z later pays service to with Gohan and Android 16. Android 8 isn’t present for nearly as long as he should be. Dragon Ball DAIMA would be a touching opportunity to bring him back and remind audiences that Dragon Ball’s original Android is still the sweetest of them all. There’d also be some rewarding opportunities here regarding how Android 18 would interact with Android 8 and what sort of friendship would develop between these two.

3 Spike The Devil Man Is A Devious Demon Who Has Much More To Say

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 73, “The Devilmite Beam”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 103, “The Power Of Goku”

The Dragon Ball franchise goes on to feature genuine demons, like Dabura, Janemba, and Shula. However, Goku gets to face a genuine devil from Hell during Fortuneteller Baba’s Tournament. This tournament becomes a satisfying way for Goku and company to complete their Dragon Ball collection, as well as hone their skills for the upcoming 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. Baba’s warriors embrace the horror genre and include Fangs the Vampire, Bandages the Mummy, See-Through the Invisible Man, and Spike the Devil Man.

Spike is seen as the strongest because of his Devilmite Beam, which releases concentrated negativity and has seriously destructive results. Spike has so much potential as a character that it’s unfortunate that Fortuneteller Baba’s Tournament is essentially the beginning and the end of his story. Dragon Ball DAIMA could do a lot with this overlooked fringe figure, whether he’s on Earth or if the heroes need to travel to Hell on their journeys and require his help.

2 Arale Norimaki Is Dr. Slump’s Plucky Protagonist & A Perfect Friendly Foil For DAIMA

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 56, “Strange Visitor”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 81, “Chased To Penguin Village!”

Arale Norimaki is a supremely powerful robot girl who’s actually the main character in Toriyama’s Dragon Ball predecessor, Dr. Slump. However, multiple Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump crossovers have blurred the lines between these two worlds. Arale even gets her own showcase installment in Dragon Ball Super that basically turns the series into a Dr. Slump episode.

Dragon Ball DAIMA features heavy involvement from Toriyama and it’s meant to call back to the original series, all of which makes an Arale appearance seem possible. As a robot, it’s unclear if Arale would also experience the same de-aging magic that’s afflicted everyone else. Regardless, Arale is much stronger than she looks. Her chaotic presence always brightens Dragon Ball.

1 King Piccolo’s Intense Evil Would Be Fascinating To Examine In DAIMA’s Context

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 102, “Enter King Piccolo”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 135, “The Death Of Kuririn”

Dragon Ball has found many ways to revive its fallen foes, some of whom become allies after they’ve been given a second chance at life. That being said, Demon King Piccolo is a truly wicked soul, and it’s unlikely that he’ll become a hero any time soon. Fans have been eager to see King Piccolo make a return, especially with how much his son, Piccolo, has changed since birth.

The prospect of Demon King Piccolo seeing a de-aged version of a heroic Piccolo would be rewarding enough to justify the villain’s return. Demon King Piccolo could even be responsible for Dragon Ball DAIMA’s magical inciting incident. Perhaps another Dragon Ball wish to restore his youth goes awry and instead transforms everyone else into youthful kids.