October 26, 2024

Goku’s long-awaited arrival in the Demon Kingdom does not disappoint. Review of Dragon Ball Daima 1×03

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The great premise of Dragon Ball Daima has been fully fulfilled: the intrepid Goku has become as small as we knew him 40 years ago and leaves his own world again to discover an even bigger one. Premises that have ties to the original journey imagined by Akira Toriyama and with several ideas in common with Dragon Ball GT. The interesting thing is that this new horizon to explore is nothing less than The kingdom of demons (the Daima-Kai) and with the third episode broadcast – and the first kicks and punches delivered – we can say that the little saiyan began his new adventure.

Under the title of “Daima” (in reference to the Demon Kingdom itself) Akira Toriyama himself introduces the viewer to the great setting in which it will take place. Dragon Ball Daima. In the process, the Toei Animation series heads into the main events while introducing us, already, to Glorio. A character who, seen as seen, increasingly resembles a certain smuggler from a galaxy far, far away. And not just because of the looks, mind you. Which does not prevent that small, restless and feisty Goku from once again being the driving force of the work. To the joy of the fans.

Because, as a series, Dragon Ball Daima has a handicap compared to other animation projects: Toei Animation is fully aware that it aspires to reach three viewer profiles separated by generations, including those who saw the Dragon Ball Z anime three decades ago and have vague memories of what what happened, those viewers who have followed the manga and the new productions very closely and those who come to discover Goku’s new adventures completely new.

In other words: the first two episodes of Dragon Ball Daima They were used to put all viewers and fans of Akira Toriyama’s work under the same premises. Of repositioning small loose pieces that had been proposed in the early 90s and the most essential of the manga and anime on a new board without any friction for those who simply want to watch an action and adventure anime. With all the elements perfectly aligned and three episodes broadcast, the message has become clear: the time has come to move forward and the first steps taken do not disappoint.

What happened so far…

Goku is a kid again! After being recruited by the sorcerer Bábidi, the great King Dábra was defeated during the battle against the Monster Bu on Earth and that left a power vacuum in the Demon Kingdom (the Dai Ma-Kai). Gomah, the new regent, took the initiative and traveled to Earth to use the Dragon Balls, spheres capable of granting any wish, to turn into children all those who participated in the battle against Dábra and Bu and put their new life at risk. reign. Why not strike them down? Basically, because the spheres of the Earth use white magic and it is impossible.

Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, the protective god of the universe Kaio-shin and the rest of the protagonists of Dragon Ball They start to look like a primary school kid, but inside they are still themselves. Well, sort of: their shrunken bodies greatly limit their exceptional fighting skills or flying technique. So they make the decision to head to the Demon World. The problem? You don’t get there by spaceship like other planets.

The Demon Realm belongs to a completely different plane and it is not possible to access it through teleportation powers. However, there are aircraft powered by magic and portals that enable the crossing between both worlds. Luckily, while the brilliant scientist and adventurer Bulma discovers a way to travel, a mysterious inhabitant of the Dai Ma-Kai named Glory appears out of nowhere and offers to take both Goku and Kaio-shin to this strange world in his ship first. More specifically to the Third Demon World. But is this someone trustworthy?

In the episode “Daima” the trip to the Demon Kingdom itself is much more than a procedure: it is the letter of introduction that Akira Toriyama has imagined for a new world that opens before the eyes of Goku and, by extension, before the spectators. . Of course, throughout the trip we meet again that curious, restless and mischievous little adventurer who soon finds his two greatest passions satisfied: martial arts and loosening his belt after a good meal. Being an ingenious reunion with the beginnings of Dragon Ball.

The arrival of the protagonists represents a small Tour through one of the three worlds of which the Kingdom itself is composed and in it you can already see two key characteristics: the environment is largely hostile and the locals are no less so: in addition to adversely we see the reception that the inhabitants of the kingdom of demons give to those who come from outside. Which will cause Goku to stretch his legs and deliver some punches as a reward.

All in all, and without going into details, the episode “Daima” also reveals a little more to us what kind of person the mysterious Glorio is. Or, rather, how much Akira Toriyama borrows from the legendary Han Solo from Star Wars. And we’re not just referring to the outfit, mind you. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic between Goku, this demonic host and the protective god of the universe (who also comes from strangis) evolves in the face of circumstances that, little by little, become entangled. And that makes them more promising.

The Demon Realm: what is it and where is it?

As we already mentioned, the title of “Daima” both in the series and in the chapter itself refers to the Dai ma -Kai, the demon kingdom. What is it and how is it different from the world known until now? Dragon Ball? To begin with, the most essential thing is that it is divided into three Worlds and all of them are located on a separate and opposite physical plane to which the Earth and the rest of the planets belong.

Precisely for this reason, even having a special ship capable of reaching high speeds, it is not possible to reach it and, in theory, not to leave. And that’s where the Warp-Same. Shaped like a gigantic pufferfish, Warp-Samas are enormous creatures that serve as portals to connect the two known dimensions.

However, these creatures are vain and distrustful, requiring a minimum of respect in addition to a secret password to pass. Once inside it is possible to find a huge number of gates that lead directly to another Warp-sama and in the case of the Demon Realm there are three gates. One for each Demon World.

The Warp-Sama who inhabits the First Demon World

We know that the demonic realm It is divided into three worlds called simply the First Demon World, the Second Demon World, and the Third Demon World. Each of them has their own species and, believe it or not, they have all been shown in the main image of Dragon Ball Daima right behind Goku, Kaio-shin and the enormous winged beast they ride.

The first demon world hosts the royalty of the Demon Realm, while the Third Demon World It has a very particular appearance and conditions: its skies are purple and its surface is rocky and irregular, with enormous floating islands with their own volcanoes. In the deep part is the Sea of Darkness and it is covered with a harmless, pestilent gas that makes the air heavier. Something that limits the mobility of living beings (including Goku) and reduces the speed of ships.

The three worlds of Dai Ma – Kai

We know that the three demonic worlds are connected through a huge tunnel that was sealed not too long ago, that there are races native to each world and that scattered throughout this dimension are enormous Dragon Balls created by the Namekians, whose species is native to the Demon Realm. However, unlike the Dragon Balls on Earth, it is not enough to find them: the ritual includes defeating three terrible beings called los Backwhich even intimidate the current Demon King.

In any case, the Daima, the setting in which the new anime will take place. Dragon Ballis full of mystery and new elements that manage to give an extra boost to this renewed sense of adventure. One that, we will not deny, those of us who grew up seeing little Son Goku with his cane missed.