From the outset, Akira Toriyama’sDragon Ballhas established that the strongest characters in the series have come from beyond the human realm. Saiyans, in particular, have consistently been portrayed as some of the most formidable warriors, with Goku and Vegeta embodying this strength at their very core. Their relentless drive to surpass limits and conquer challenges has repeatedly demonstrated the immense power of their race. With aliens playing such a central role in the series,Dragon Ballhas introduced many other powerful extraterrestrial beings.
Beyond the Saiyans, one of the most significant alien races in the series is the Namekians. TheDragon Ballstory begins with the Namekian Kami, who created Earth’s Dragon Balls and Shenron. As the series progressed, theimportance of Namekiansonly grew, with the latest installment further highlighting their unique abilities. In many aspects, they have proven to be even stronger than the Saiyans.
Dragon Ball DAIMA Elevates Namekians to a Whole New Level
Neva Exemplifies the True Potential of the Namekians
Dragon Ball DAIMA, the latest installment in the franchise, stands out as one of its best, embodying the late Akira Toriyama’s final vision. The series carefully reintroduces iconic elements fromDragon Ball, seamlessly weaving them into the narrative to highlight their significance. While Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 transformation is undoubtedly a thrilling moment,DAIMAshifts focus toward the presence of magic within the Demon Realm. With magic and demons playing a crucial role, none other than the oldest Namekian, Neva, serves as the perfect figure to emphasize the mysterious nature of these dark forces.
Neva’s capabilities extend even beyond this, solidifying their significance in the Dragon Ball universe.
Dragon Ball DAIMAsheds light on the tragic history of the Namekians, revealing how they were once enslaved by the Supreme Demon before colonizing Planet Namek. While this adds emotional depth to their existence, it also highlights their strength through Neva. As the creator of the Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls, Neva showcases the Namekians' magical prowess, proving their ability to craft wish-granting dragons as a testament to their extraordinary power.
Neva, however, goes even further, creating Tamagami, one of theDemon Realm’s strongest warriors, to protect the Dragon Balls from misuse. But his influence doesn’t stop there.DAIMAalso reveals that Neva was responsible for constructing the barriers around the Demon Realm’s second world, preventing chaos from erupting due to conflicts between the inhabitants of the First and Third Worlds. While this alone proves the immense potential of the Namekians, Neva’s capabilities extend even beyond this, solidifying their significance in theDragon Balluniverse.
Without the Namekians, Super Saiyan 4 Wouldn’t Have Become Canon
Neva Helps Goku Unlock His True Potential
One of the most exciting moments inDragon Ball DAIMA,Goku’s transformation into Super Saiyan 4, only becomes possible thanks to Neva, the legendary Namekian. Goku attains this iconic form after Neva helps awaken his hidden potential, fulfilling fans’ long-awaited dream of seeing Super Saiyan 4 become canon. This moment not onlysolidifies Neva’s significance but also highlights the dormant potential of Namekian magic, which proves powerful enough to help even the mighty Saiyans unlock abilities they were previously unable to tap into.
Looking deeper into Neva’s influence within the Demon Realm, it becomes clear that the entire realm operates under his guidance. He plays a crucial role in preventing the Demon Kings from running even more amok by creating guardians to protect the Dragon Balls from misuse. Additionally, Neva’s barriers regulating access between different sections of the Demon Realm, underscore that he is the reason that the Demon Realm remains in balance.
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With the ability to create powerful guardians, wield immense magic, and even help Goku unlock his latent potential, Neva proves that Namekians, in many ways, surpass the Saiyans in strength. The fact that he chose to remain on the sidelines, despite being capable of stopping Gomah with ease, further reinforces his role as a god-like figure in the Demon Realm, intervening only when absolutely necessary. WhileDragon Ball DAIMAelevates Namekians to one of the most powerful forces in the franchise, their strength has been evident throughout theDragon Ballsaga in many other ways.
The Namekians Are the Crucial Detail for Establishing the Lore of the Dragon Ball
Without the Namekians, It Is Impossible To Imagine the Dragon Ball Universe
Though Akira Toriyama’sDragon Ballfranchise begins with Goku and Bulma’s quest to find the Dragon Balls, their journey would not have been possible without the Namekian, Kami,who created the Dragon Balls and Shenron. This goes to show that Toriyama had always intended for the Namekians to serve a greater purpose. With the introduction of Piccolo, the series displays both the warrior spirit and the darker nature of the Namekians. As one of the strongest characters in the franchise, Piccolo’s potential could have been even further realized had the series fully explored his capabilities.
Piccolo, as a warrior, represents only the physical prowess of the Nameless Namekian, with limited access to magic. Had he been exposed to the mystical forces within the Demon Realm, he could have easily surpassed the Saiyans in every aspect.Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroreinforces this idea when Piccolo unlocks his hidden potential,transforming into Orange Piccolothrough Shenron’s power,accessing a strength stated to rival Goku and Vegeta’s then power levels.
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Another ability that positions the Namekians above the Saiyans is their remarkable regeneration. With their recovery powers and various magical abilities, Namekians possess an edge that Saiyans lack. Beyond physical prowess, Namekians have also been shown to be more intelligent, with Neva’s existence exemplifying their greater purpose,one that extends beyond mere combat to maintaining order and even control over warrior races like the Saiyansas exemplified by Neva helping Goku achieve the new transformation. Further solidifying the Namekians' significance is an example fromDragon Ball Superthat places them above Saiyans entirely.
The Dragon God Zalama, the creator of the Super Dragon Balls, represents an immeasurable feat that no Saiyan could ever achieve. Even if Zalama himself is not a Namekian, the fact that the Namekians were able to replicate his greatest creation speaks volumes about their reach and power. This proves that through their ability to create wish-granting dragons and Piccolo gaining a form capable of rivaling Goku and Vegeta, the Namekians inDragon Ballare far more capable, and ultimately stronger than the Saiyans will ever be.
