It’s a Small World

Dragon Ball: DAIMA is a show about Goku and friends on a mission to save their friends while inflicted with a childlike body, and in “Episode 2: Glorio,” directed by Dragon Ball: Super regular Kazuya Karasawa, we are finally getting into the meat and potatoes of this idea.

The episode spends nearly its entire runtime with the main cast, as they adapt to their new bodies and discuss what to do next. King Gomah has kidnapped Dende, the guardian of the earth, and they cannot use the Dragon Balls to undo the curse until they rescue him.

The episode is largely still set-up, though unlike the villain-centric exposition dump that was the first episode, we also spend a lot of time learning how the cast feels about their new bodies. Some consider it a blessing, and others a curse.  

Above all though, this is the start of a true adventure, adhering much closer to the tone of Dragon Ball than to the fighting gauntlets of Z and Super. It is a refreshing change of pace, even if the show is a bit sluggish on getting to that adventure.

“Episode 1: Conspiracy” was a fine first episode, but this was the one to hook me. We’ve not yet even made it to the Demon Realm, and I’m already thoroughly invested.

The following review contains spoilers for Episode 2 of Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Plot Summary

The episode picks up with a brief return to the perspective of King Gomah’s crew, in the aftermath of their wish to Shenron. Gomah tries for a second wish, and Shenron hilariously denies him, saying the extra wishes are “just a bonus for regulars” as if making a wish on the Dragon Balls is akin to frequenting a bar.

Frustrated at his inability to wish for the mysterious “evil eye,” King Gomah kidnaps Dende (who is now an infant) and bring him back to the Demon Realm to prevent the heroes from having access to the Dragon Balls. Degesu rips the infant Dende out of the adorable child Popo’s arms, and away they go.

Meanwhile Goku and his friends come to after their sudden transformation. Goku, Piccolo, and the two Kais teleport to visit Mr. Popo, who fills them in on the scenario. Goku wants to rescue Dende, and Supreme Kai wishes to follow, as he learns his brother Degesu is involved.  They set Bulma to work repairing the derelict spaceship Supreme Kai came to earth in, which can be completed in ten days.

The cast settle into their new bodies, Goku trains, although he is frustrated at his lack of reach. He decides to retrieve his beloved staff Nyoibō, most famous in the era of Dragon Ball, to accommodate for this change in stature.

Goku doesn’t wait a full ten days before departing for the Demon Realm however, as a similar spaceship approaches the Lookout, and out steps the demon Glorio, who we had caught mere glimpses of in prior episodes.

He is scheming on behalf of another demon king to bring Goku to the Demon Realm and aid in the defeat of King Gomah. While Supreme Kai has doubts about Glorio, they come with him to the Demon Realm. As the ship can only fit three, Vegeta and Piccolo are left behind, and will presumably follow once Bulma finishes repairs on the derelict ship.

Finally, the journey is about to begin.

Analysis

Many anime that hook you with the first episode and feel like a letdown afterward. Dragon Ball DAIMA does the opposite, with a slow first episode and a second that hooks you. I’ve identified as a somewhat diehard Dragon Ball fan most of my life, so I was able to appreciate that the first episode was doing.

Anecdotal evidence from a few friends with less attachment to the fandom though, suggests that they struggled with the exposition-heavy nature of the first episode, and how little the main cast was in it. One friend remarked, “I haven’t watched Goku since I was a kid, and I barely got to do it here either.”  

This episode offers everything needed to hook the viewer, and I can’t help but wonder if the structure of the first two episodes could have used some rearranging.

We spend significant time with Goku and his friends in their miniature stature, and it is a real highlight seeing the new childlike forms of all the characters. Of course there are a number of characters like Goku, Chichi, and Krillin who we’ve seen as children in Dragon Ball. But it is a delight to see the childlike forms of characters we’d never normally get to see, such as the mighty Ox King made petite, or Mr. Satan reduced to a more fitting form.

It is a ton of fun seeing how these characters feel about their transformation. Of course, powerful fighters like Vegeta and Piccolo are understandably angry about taking on the form of a child. Bulma, on the other hand, is pleased at how youthful she looks, and Master Roshi is absolutely jazzed at his much younger and more handsome (in his eyes anyways) appearance.

Then you have Goku. He’s a bit offput at first, but his diminutive form doesn’t seem to bother him after a few minutes. Even when it comes time to form a plan, he is primarily focused on rescuing Dende for the sake of saving his friend, as opposed to as a means to cure their situation. Goku carries a strong sense of whimsey and wonder even an adult, so a childlike form feels like a natural extension of that aspect of his personality.

I also really appreciate the tone-setting of the second episode. Goku and company are going on an adventure. This is not simply a training arc leading into a final battle with their next opponent, as is the case for the series since the end of the Frieza arc in Dragon Ball Z. Rather, they are traveling to a distant location and fighting through hostile territory, the Demon Realm, to save their friend Dende.

The second episode suggests the series will be much more Dragon Ball, complete with the return of Goku’s beloved Nyoibō, and much less Dragon Ball Z. Even small moments like Goku’s chat with Korin harkened back to the days of Dragon Ball, and it is done with a reverence and respect that I really appreciated.

Final Score (3.5 out of 5 Stars)

The few moments of action in this episode looked spectacular. Goku’s training has never looked so smooth, and it has me thrilled for the inevitable Z-esque fight we are sure to eventually get.  

DAIMA is taking its time setting the story into motion though, and it seems to be making clear that while battles are a foregone conclusion, we’re in for an adventure to get there. I hope we do get to see Goku and friends traveling and problem solving as they did in the days of Dragon Ball, and I think next episode is where we’ll get to see the adventure begin in earnest.

As another set-up episode, I ultimately really liked this episode. Spending time with the cast as they adapted to the situation was enjoyable, and I’ve always enjoyed the rare moments of Dragon Ball where the cast simply gets to relax and hang out for a moment, which is what much of this episode was. I appreciated how different every character handled their situation, and I look forward to seeing how a headstrong character like Vegeta deals with his miniature body in the long term.

I still don’t think DAIMA has had a truly great episode yet, but this is certainly getting warmer.

Have you seen episode 2 of Dragon Ball DAIMA? I’m keen to hear your thoughts on it if so! Let us know in the comments below.

Featured Image: Toei Animation

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