Original ‘Dragon Ball’ Editor Slams ‘Daima’ as ‘Trash Anime’
Dragon Ball Daima has sparked heated debate among fans and critics, especially after former Dragon Ball editor Torishima weighed in on the series.
During a livestreamed interview with KosoKoso on September 15, 2025, Torishima didn’t hold back, stating, “It would be better to produce a Vegeta story than Dragon Ball Super. Dragon Ball Daima was a trash anime.”
Torishima is known for his blunt opinions, having previously criticized Dragon Ball for not ending with Frieza and even claiming that Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece “would not take off.”
His comments on Daima reflect his history of harsh assessments. While some agree that the anime has flaws, calling it “trash” has drawn criticism from fans who enjoyed certain aspects of the series.
Dragon Ball Daima aired between October 2024 and February of this year on Fuji TV and its affiliates. It is set between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, following a story where Gomah, the new Supreme King of the Demon Realm, kidnaps Dende and uses the Dragon Balls of Earth to revert Goku and his friends to younger versions of themselves. Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Bulma, and others team up with the demons Glorio and Panzy to recover the Dragon Balls and save Dende.
Critics have been divided on the show’s quality. Mariló Delgado of Espinof gave Daima a 4/5, praising the nostalgia factor but warning that the story takes time to fully develop. CBR reported mixed opinions, noting that some fans wanted a return to Dragon Ball Super’s manga-based Moro Saga but that others appreciated Daima as a fresh direction for the franchise.
Specific episodes, however, have received high praise. Screen Rant’s Joshua Fox called the eighth episode “what the anime fans had waited decades for,” highlighting both the fight choreography and comedy.
CBR’s Daniel Kurland described episode seventeen as “perfect” with “mind-blowing” animation, particularly praising the Goku versus Majin Duu battle. Episodes eighteen and nineteen, including the climactic “Betrayal,” were called “the best one-two punches in Dragon Ball history” and “groundwork for greatness.” According to CBR, episode nineteen broke records for the best-rated anime episode of 2025.
While the English dub was generally well received, fans criticized its delayed streaming release. Despite Torishima’s harsh words, Dragon Ball Daima clearly has its supporters who believe the series delivered some of the franchise’s most memorable battles and nostalgic moments.
Daima’s reception shows just how divided fans and critics can be over long-running franchises. While some may side with Torishima, others see it as a bold addition to the Dragon Ball legacy. What do you think, was Dragon Ball Daima a misstep or a triumph? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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