Dragon Ball DAIMA: Why Piccolo was sidelined despite namekian lore expansion

Dragon Ball DAIMA surprised fans with a deep dive into Namekian history, offering a fresh perspective on their origins. However, amidst this exciting new lore, one glaring oversight stood out: Piccolo, the franchise's most iconic Namekian, was barely involved. As the series explored the origins and true nature of the Namekian race, fans were left wondering why the character most closely connected to this lore was pushed to the background.
In Dragon Ball DAIMA, the history of the Namekians was reimagined in a bold new direction. It was revealed that they weren’t simply peaceful aliens from a distant planet they were demons who fled the Demon Realm to escape persecution. This revelation not only deepened the mystery surrounding their origin but also provided new context for their power and their ability to create Dragon Balls. Along with this twist, the introduction of Neva, a new Namekian character, further expanded the lore. While these new developments added a fresh layer to the Namekian story, Piccolo's connection to this discovery was strangely absent.
Despite the intriguing exploration of Namekian history, Piccolo's role in Dragon Ball DAIMA felt surprisingly limited. With so much focus on his people’s true origin, it was a missed opportunity not to explore Piccolo's personal reaction to these revelations. What did Piccolo think about his people being demons? How did he feel about his ties to the Demon Realm? These questions could have added emotional depth to his character, but unfortunately, they were left unanswered.
In the recent Dragon Ball series, Piccolo’s role has often been sidelined. In Dragon Ball Super, he became a mentor for Goten and Trunks, overshadowed by the bigger battles involving Goku and Vegeta. While his transformation into Orange Piccolo in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero gave him some much-needed attention, DAIMA didn’t make full use of his potential.
Piccolo has always been a fan favorite, known for his wisdom, power, and emotional depth. Dragon Ball DAIMA presented an opportunity to explore these traits in greater detail, but unfortunately, it was missed. The series introduced new Namekian lore that could have resonated deeply with Piccolo’s journey. Imagine how impactful it could have been to see him react to the truth about his demonic origins, or how he might have interacted with Neva regarding the history of the Namekian people.
Instead of remaining a background character, Piccolo’s presence in the narrative could have provided much-needed emotional weight. His long-standing struggle with self-improvement and his people’s complicated past made him the perfect character to explore the revelations about the Demon Realm. Sadly, DAIMA chose not to dive into these opportunities.
With DAIMA delving into Namekian lore, Piccolo should have been front and center in the exploration of these revelations. His connection to the Demon Realm could have led to powerful character moments. How would Piccolo reconcile his evolution from villain to hero with the shocking truths about his people’s demonic origins? The emotional conflict within Piccolo would have added a rich layer to the story.
A storyline where Piccolo confronts the true nature of his race could have been one of the most significant moments in the entire series. His internal struggle with these newfound truths would have provided not only personal growth but also a deeper connection to the Namekian lore.
While Dragon Ball DAIMA missed the chance to explore Piccolo’s character fully, the door remains open for future storylines. With Orange Piccolo’s debut in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, fans are hopeful that he will play a larger role in future installments. The revelations in DAIMA provide the perfect foundation for deeper exploration into Piccolo’s heritage and growth.
Future Dragon Ball series have the opportunity to take Piccolo’s character to new heights by addressing his heritage, power, and the implications of his people’s demonic origins. Fans are eager to see him take a more central role and, hopefully, regain the spotlight he so richly deserves.