Essential Highlights
- Seeking to revert Z Fighters to their youth brings unexpected outcomes.
- Only a single wish is granted due to the protagonists’ unfamiliarity.
- The series effectively mixes humor, nostalgia, and innovative elements.
This article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball DAIMA episode 2, titled “Glorio,”now streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Dragon Ball DAIMA debuted last week and is being simultaneously streamed on Crunchyroll, with Netflix rolling out episodes shortly thereafter. The initial reviews, including our assessment, have largely been favorable, indicating that audiences are eager for more adventures in the Dragon Ball universe.
While the premiere episode laid the groundwork for the series, it left many questions unanswered. Episode 2 not only unveils additional plot details but also gives viewers a clearer sense of the show’s intended tone moving forward.
A New Wish Has Manifested
In the previous episode, the Dragon Balls were activated, and our new villain, Majin Gomah, planned to harness their power following the defeat of Goku and his allies. With three wishes available, his first attempt was to transform all the Z Fighters back into children, effectively reducing their power levels and minimizing threats to his ambitions. While the first wish was fulfilled, unfortunately, the second and third wishes were denied.
A Technicality Thwarts the Scheme
Despite Shenron traditionally granting three wishes, he only extends this courtesy to familiar individuals. Since Gomah is an outsider from another realm, he is limited to just one wish, leading to the scattering of the Dragon Balls once again. This poses a significant dilemma for Gomah, who learns from his Namekian ally that the Dragon Balls cannot be restored immediately after use. As a precaution, Gomah decides to abduct Dende, who has been reverted to infancy due to Shenron’s wish.
What’s the Status of Goku and His Allies?
In the wake of the wish, Goku and his companions have all been regressively aged to various younger forms, generating mixed reactions among the group. While Bulma and Chi-Chi are thrilled about their youthful appearances, Vegeta and Piccolo are notably displeased with their new states. Goku appears bewildered, and Trunks and Goten have reverted to being babies, though they oddly possess the ability to engage in telepathic communication, a mystery that may be explored later.
Powers Have Undoubtedly Been Affected
Although the plan’s success was questionable, the de-aging has had a tangible impact on the characters’ abilities. Instead of completely losing their powers, it’s been revealed that the characters are now “off balance,”resulting from their new physical states. This implies that, while they retain their powers, they will need to undergo training to fully utilize their abilities once more. This narrative choice conveniently paves the way for character development and training sequences as the plot progresses, likely culminating in a confrontation with the series’ new villains.
The Ideal Version of Dragon Ball GT
With two episodes now released, it’s evident that the creators have drawn inspiration from Dragon Ball GT, setting humor at the forefront of the storyline. However, unlike its predecessor, Dragon Ball DAIMA is successfully balancing these comedic elements. Since the release of Dragon Ball Super, the creators have maintained a similar approach, meaning dedicated fans are not entirely caught off guard. However, for those who have negative recollections of Dragon Ball GT, they may be pleasantly surprised that the much-criticized plot device of reverting Goku to a child is being revisited with greater success this time, largely thanks to Toriyama’s involvement in the writing process.
The opening and ending theme songs also reflect a more adventurous spirit rather than a typical high-octane action vibe, with music composer Hironobu Kageyama taking a step back. Instead, the dynamic duo Zedd/C&K performs the opening, while Zedd delivers the closing theme solo, providing a fresh auditory experience for the series. It will be intriguing to observe whether future Dragon Ball projects maintain this innovative musical direction. While embarking on this new journey, the series wisely acknowledges its roots, reintroducing characters and elements from its early days—some of which haven’t been seen in ages. It remains unclear how extensively Dragon Ball DAIMA will delve into its history, yet it’s obvious that the series has been a joyful experience thus far, likely satisfying the audience yearning for “the better version of Dragon Ball GT.”
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