A Devilishly Good Episode

Being a demon doesn’t make a person inherently evil.

You might think so after the third episode though, in which Goku and the gang spent the night in a demon town, and were harassed by malicious demons the entire time. This did a good job of conveying the hostility of the Demon Realm, but it also suggested the idea that demons are predisposed to violence and mischief.

The fourth episode, titled “Chatty” and directed by Kan Murakami, puts in the work to dissuade us from sweeping generalizations. Throughout the episode, Goku meets a number of different demons, and some are evil, but most are not.

There are the demons working for the brutal military police, but also the demon villagers they are brutalizing. There are the elderly and kindly teahouse owners. Even the young demon girl who risks her life to protect the villagers. This episode makes clear that demons are simply another race, that run the gamut of morality as does any other race. 

Along the way the episode does a ton more worldbuilding and finishes off with another great fight scene, while also introducing a new character. But it never loses the thread of the idea it wishes to convey, that demons are simply existing here, they are not inherently malicious.

This is an episode with a point to make, and I thought it was great. 

The following review contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Plot Summary

Absolutely clowning on the demons in the bar last episode was satisfying to watch, but maybe it wasn’t the smartest move.

“Chatty” picks up where “Daima” left off, our cast without a ship after the demons they humiliated made off with it. Nothing to do but continue on foot. Goku suggests flying, but rapidly realizes the funky air would quickly drain his strength. Flying must be saved for isolated moments, like crossing the Sea of Darkness.

Along the way, the group is ambushed a few more times, most notably by a bizarre dragon-fish hybrid, which Glorio dispatches in effortless and stylish fashion. I can’t wait to play as this guy in the Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO DLC. Goku claims Glorio is probably stronger than Supreme Kai, much to the latter’s consternation. 

Glorio and Goku admire one another’s strength, as the former learns of the latter’s ability to detect ki. Goku attests that Glorio is probably stronger than Supreme Kai, much to the latter’s consternation. 

The gang rest at a tea shop owned by a kindly elderly demon couple, who help the cast out by feeding them and providing them travel via a Sky Seed, which is a fancy term for riding a plant stem that is catapulted more than a hundred kilometers into the horizon. 

These demonfolk are kind and warm, and the talkativeness of the wife is where the episode title “Chatty,” comes from. Goku certainly doesn’t mind chatting as he happily tries all of the demon cuisine she places before him.

While at the tea house, they also learn about “Medi Bugs,” which are insects that can be consumed for different effects. The two most important are the “Revive Bug,” which function as a demonic Senzu Bean, and the “Join Bug,” which will allow two people to fuse together for a short period of time. 

After departing via Sky Seed, they crash-land about a half day’s walk from the castle of the King of the Third Demon World. It is a straight shot to their destination. Along the way they discuss the Demon Realm’s Dragon Balls, and reason that since there are only three of them with known locations, it is a viable strategy to test Goku’s might against the Tamagami guardians, and possibly collect the balls. Goku is, of course, thrilled by the possibility.

Upon reaching the next town, they discover a sort of inquisition underway. The town is under siege by the the Gendarmerie, a military police answerable directly to the Supreme King Gomah. The dastards are shaking down the villagers for taxes, and if they can’t pay with coin, up to nine years of their life is harvested instead via an energy-absorbing machine. 

Goku is unable to watch from the sidelines any longer when an old man pleads for his life, as reducing it by nine years is likely to kill him. Before he can act though, a masked and hooded vigilante appears, and… is basically immediately apprehended. Goku springs into action, coming to the vigilante’s defense and effortlessly beating the Gendarmerie.

As he flees the town with his allies, the vigilante appears before them, removing her mask to reveal the face of a young purple-eyed demon girl.

Who is she? Friend or foe? 

The credits proceed to show her journeying with the main cast so I can assume the answer, but for the sake of a good cliffhanger I will pretend I don’t! 

Analysis

This episode covered a lot of ground, shockingly effectively.

Upon reflection, it was heavy in exposition and worldbuilding, but it sure didn’t feel like it. That is a testament to how well the exposition was interwoven into the fabric of the episode. We learn more about the draining nature of the Demon Realm’s air by watching Goku struggle with it. We learn about the ruthlessness of the Gendarmerie by watching it in action. More about the Demon Realm Dragon Balls, how long distance travel is done in the Demon Realm, and more.

The episode is stuffed to the gills with lore dumps and worldbuilding, but strong writing and direction made it feel like a natural part of the flow of the episode, and showing rather than telling kept the information from feeling boring. 

I am so excited for the Join Bugs. Like most other Dragon Ball fans who grew up with Z, I love fusions, and I’m giddy at the thought of one in DAIMA. Who will it be? Vegeta will eventually join up with the party, will it be another Goku-Vegeta pairing? If so, will they turn into Vegito or Gogeta? Perhaps an entirely new third fusion?

Even more exciting is the prospect of Goku fusing with somebody else. My best guess is that it would be Goku and Supreme Kai, considering the emphasis they have both gotten thus far, but it would be fun to see a wild pairing like Goku and Piccolo, as crazy as that fusion would look. Regardless, I am thrilled to get any fusions.

What a climax this episode had! I loved everything about it. The battle against the Gendarmerie was absolutely fantastic. The animation of Dragon Ball: DAIMA continues to be a strong point, as is the choreography of the fights. A particular highlight was the gradual changing of Goku’s expression, softened from stern anger at the oppression of the villagers, to losing himself in the joy of fighting.

Not to mention that excellent one-take of Goku fluidly dispatching multiple guards. A pleasure to watch. It also served as a great introduction to the demon girl’s character. She’s not completely defenseless, but clearly is not a strong fighter like Goku. Yet she obviously has heart and courage to stand up to the Gendarmerie like that. She’ll fit right in.

Despite covering so much ground, the central theme of the episode was strong. The Demon Realm is not inherently evil. This is self-evident, considering the existence of demonic allies such as Piccolo and Supreme Kai, but the episode expertly reiterates it.

You’ll find evil demons like the Gendarmerie, yes. You’ll also find helpless villagers simply seeking to live their lives, and demons such as the young girl who will risk their own lives to help the helpless. We are repeatedly shown that just like earth, this is a realm full of people with a range of disposition. Some will attack Goku, and others need his protection. After the bad luck the gang had with demons last episode, this was a good reminder. 

Final Score

This was it. Dragon Ball: DAIMA’s first great episode. I loved it from start to finish. 

Dragon Ball is not a stranger to engaging with themes and ideas, but they are usually dealt with across an entire arc, individual episodes don’t tend to focus on imparting lessons. It worked well here, and it did a compelling job of delivering its lesson without feeling ham-fisted.

With the introduction of the Gendarmerie, things are heating up. Is their harvesting of life force related to a secondary objective of King Gomah, or is it a one-off plot device for this episode?

I’m really excited to see how things advance from here. Episode 4 is the new bar for greatness, and I hope many episodes exceed that threshold.

What do you think about episode 4? What about the new character? Who do you wish to see fuse? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Image: Toei Animation

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