Dragon Ball DAIMA used Goku’s skills both physically and mentally to remind fans he isn’t just a goofy Saiyan.
SUMMARY
Goku vs Tamagami Number 3 was visually stunning.
Dr. Arinsu’s goals become more clear and Majin Buu’s origins get revealed.
Spoiler Alert !!!
This article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 8.
Every week I tell myself that this week’s episode of Dragon Ball DAIMA is the best so far and this week was no different. However, for once, I do not think my claim would be countered. To my amusement, King Gomah is taking his time to watch much of Dragon Ball instead of acting like the ruler of the Demon Realm, and to be fair, so are we. While he takes his time watching the anime like such a dedicated fan, Goku and his team alongside Vegeta and his own would strike in a way he would never see coming.
Goku | Credit: Toei Animation
The episode was balanced rather well, taking the first half to concentrate on the fight and the second half to drop bomb after bomb about information that impacts the story and that which is already known by fans. The episode takes an opportunity to establish a character that would otherwise be unlikely to play a role in the bigger picture. The Tamagami had no reason to be as charismatic as they made him yet it made the fight so much more meaningful.
Dragon Ball DAIMA Wins the Animation Game
In a time where both Dandadan and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War are airing at the same time, Dragon Ball DAIMA doesn’t take this moment to slack off. Instead, what Toei Animation has done with the anime is perhaps deserving of much praise. The vibrancy that consists of each panel is something that many would remember. Moreover, the contrast of making a place as gloomily named as the Demon Realm bright pink was an artistic choice I am all here for.
Tamagami | Credit: Toei Animation
The highlight of the episode was definitely the fight between the Tamagami of the Third Demon World and Goku. The Tamagami is nothing to be messed with. Regarded as someone who is stronger than Dabura, it is the protector of the Dragon Balls and the harm they could pose in the wrong hands. It makes me eager to see just how fascinating Goku, and perhaps Vegeta’s fight against the other Tamagami would be.
Toei spared no expense in making this the best fight sequence of the series. The animation, the choreography, and the attention to detail; all make the win of Goku holding the Dragon Ball in his hands exponentially better. From Kakarot using the staff to him transforming into Super Saiyan, everything was on point from start to finish. There wasn’t a moment during the fight sequence where I felt like looking away from the screen. too captivated by where the fight was going even if I already knew the outcome.
Goku | Credit: Toei Animation
The pacing of the fight felt great, taking away from my prior criticism of how slow the anime had been. The final blow with the Kamehameha was brilliant with its execution. What I liked even more was how just because Goku had defeated the Tamagami in a physical battle, that wasn’t enough for him to be granted the Dragon Ball. It showcased his wit and how speed and agility don’t just favor him in a fight.
The True Origins of Majin Buu
The second half of the episode gives insight into just why Dr. Arinsu is pulling Glorio’s strings. She wants the Dragon Balls for herself in order to defeat King Gomah if her own strength is not enough. She is using Goku through Glorio to get the balls but that isn’t what caught my attention. The mad scientist seemed to have been planning something since the Buu Saga, taking a part of Majin Buu to create her own version, one that would listen to her every command. In such a way, it could be assumed that this new Majin Buu would act as one of the biggest foes of the series.
A scene from Dragon Ball DAIMA | Credit: Toei Animation
Much like every episode, there was another big revelation, one that consisted of Buu. Marba, who seems to be working for Dr. Arinsu was actually the one who created Majin Buu and not Bibidi. Although that information came out of nowhere, I am not necessarily aversed by it because of how little we know about Majin Buu’s origins. In a way, the anime is using this gap to fill in their own version that looks just as acceptable.
What I do not like and will not like until it is resolved is how Vegeta, Piccolo, and Bulma are treated. They only appear in the episodes after the actual main episode is over, acting like a post-credit scene rather than anything. At the same time, it was fun to watch Hybis humble his pride, making him speak politely in order to reap information. If the anime is able to keep up this pace then it would undoubtedly gain much more popularity.
