Dragon Ball Daima is inspired by Akira Toriyama’s Blue Dragon and Dragon Quest video games, adopting a more youthful and simplified visual style. The series moves away from big epic battles, focusing on adventures and magic, giving a fresh and nostalgic feel to the franchise. This mix of influences promises to offer a different experience to Dragon Ball fans.
Dragon Ball Daima: Toriyama’s strong connection to video games
The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be a fundamental reference in the world of anime, and with the premiere of Dragon Ball Daima, the series offers us a renewed proposal that explores new facets of the universe created by Akira Toriyama. What many did not know is that this new series is strongly influenced by two of the great video games in which Toriyama left his mark: Blue Dragon and Dragon Quest.
In Blue Dragon, Toriyama was responsible for the design of the characters, and his characteristic visual style is noticeable in every corner of the game. The “chibi” aesthetics of the characters, the simplification of the forms and the liveliness of the designs are very reminiscent of what we will see in Dragon Ball Daima, where the characters will be represented in a more cartoonish and youthful way compared to the more detailed and muscular designs of previous Dragon Ball releases.
The relationship between Akira Toriyama and Dragon Quest is much better known. Since the beginning of the saga in 1986, Toriyama was responsible for the character design and many of the visual aspects of this successful RPG. Dragon Quest became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and one of the most iconic sagas in video games, with Toriyama being an integral part of its visual identity.
Dragon Quest’s influence on Dragon Ball Daima is evident in several aspects, both in the style of the characters and the overall atmosphere of the series. The Dragon Quest aesthetic, with its big-eyed characters, exaggerated expressions and overall sense of simplicity and approachability, is reflected in Dragon Ball Daima’s new approach. Also, as in Dragon Quest, the series will see a mix of magic, fantastic creatures and an environment full of mysteries to be discovered.
What unites Blue Dragon and Dragon Quest is Toriyama’s graphic style. Although both games are of the role-playing genre, the similarities in character designs and world creation are unmistakable. Toriyama has been recognized for his ability to create unique universes, full of life and character, where the simplicity of his lines and the expressiveness of the characters combine perfectly to create a captivating atmosphere.
With Dragon Ball Daima, Toriyama proves that he is still a versatile creator, able to look back for inspiration in his own creations and, at the same time, look to the future with new ideas. The mix of his previous works, such as Blue Dragon and Dragon Quest, along with his legacy in Dragon Ball, is a tribute to his career as a visual storyteller and writer of fantastic worlds.
The result is a new phase for Dragon Ball that not only revives old influences, but also introduces a new generation of fans to the worlds and adventures that Toriyama helped create. The series promises to be a bridge between the past and the present, giving fans a glimpse into the roots of the franchise while delving into a fresh and magic-filled approach.
Will Dragon Ball Daima be the beginning of a new era for the saga? Only time will tell, but what is certain is that Toriyama has managed to create a work that honors his legacy while offering something completely new.
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