The Dragon Ball franchise is stuck in a weird spot with its continuity right now. Akira Toriyama created two main sequels for Dragon Ball Z before he passed away: Dragon Ball DAIMA and Dragon Ball Super. Even though Dragon Ball DAIMA takes place earlier than Dragon Ball Super in the timeline, there are so many contradictions between both series, that there’s no way they can both be canon in their current state. That’s where Dragon Ball Super: Beerus comes in.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus has been marketed as the enhanced and true version of Akira Toriyama’s vision for Dragon Ball, combining elements of the anime and manga together into the ultimate DBS. Many fans were hoping that the remake would canonize Dragon Ball DAIMA‘s oddities, like Super Saiyan 4 Goku or Ultra Vegeta 1. Unfortunately, if Dragon Ball Super: Beerus and Dragon Ball DAIMA are supposed to exist in the same timeline, the series now has a major plot hole.
Goku Doesn’t Even Acknowledge Super Saiyan 4 While Fighting Beerus
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 2 remade Super Saiyan 3 Goku’s battle with Beerus, and while the animation and fight choreography are an enormous improvement over the original version, the fact remains that Goku does not turn Super Saiyan 4. Unlike the Dragon Ball Super manga, however, Goku does not refer to Super Saiyan 3 as his stronger form, so it’s possible that Dragon Ball DAIMA happened, especially since it’s been confirmed that Goku only triggered Super Saiyan 4 with Neva’s help.
That said, it’s still strange that Goku doesn’t so much as reference Super Saiyan 4 or his adventures in the Demon Realm in Dragon Ball DAIMA. The absence of evidence could be indicative of the fact that both Dragon Ball DAIMA and Dragon Ball Super take place in alternate timelines. The fact that Kibito Kai still exists and hasn’t defused unfortunately suggests Shin never went back home. This begs the question, though: why would Akira Toriyama write two entirely separate sequels to DBZ?
The Dragon Ball franchise is no stranger to retcons, especially in its later years, so it’s still possible for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus to connect itself to Dragon Ball DAIMA. Things aren’t looking good, however, and it’s more than likely the remake will be sticking much closer to the original anime as anyone expected – at least as far as dialogue and the actual plot go.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Has One Last Chance to Make Dragon Ball DAIMA Non-Canon
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus‘ final opportunity to make Dragon Ball DAIMA canon will come in the next episode. As Beerus heads to Earth, Vegeta will temporarily take over as the main character. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Episode 3 is expected to cover Vegeta’s battle with Beerus, including his legendary rage boost when Beerus slaps Bulma. The problem is that Vegeta unlocked Super Saiyan 3 in Dragon Ball DAIMA, so if he still uses Super Saiyan 2 like in Battle of Gods, then DAIMA is officially non-canon.
The fact of the matter is that a rage boost brings out the user’s full power and potential. If Vegeta has access to Super Saiyan 3, he will trigger it instinctively in order to attack Beerus. Sadly, trailers for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus have already shown Vegeta powering up to Super Saiyan 2 against Beerus. That said, it’s possible Toei decided to hold the big reveal for the episode itself. Making Vegeta Super Saiyan 3 is a visual change that would require no major narrative changes, so hopefully Dragon Ball Super: Beerus will make the connection and officially canonize Dragon Ball DAIMA.
