Author: Roderick J "Jay" Friz

Things are About to Get Harder in Daima!

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Dragon Ball Daima Ep 9 Review

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Now that Goku has beaten one of the Tamagami, his name is spreading like wildfire throughout the Demon Realm. This next episode of Daima has us dealing with the aftermath of Gokuโ€™s victory and the unwanted attention it provides. And while the episode largely focused on the comedy, we got a hint about something Gomah is looking for, and see the birth of a potential threat to Goku.

Don’t Steal From Goku

Having won the first of the Demon Realmโ€™s Dragon Balls, the gang decides to spend the night in a hotel instead of camping out again. That means that Goku has to put on a disguise to avoid attracting attention thanks to his newfound notoriety. Since itโ€™s Goku, thoughโ€ฆit doesnโ€™t last very long. And, just as the others fear, thieves attempt to steal their Dragon Ball. They do succeed for a short time, but thanks to Panzy putting a tracking device on it, and Gokuโ€™s intimidation, they get it back pretty quickly.

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The fact that they almost lose the Dragon Ball isnโ€™t the point, though. The point the series is trying to make is that, from here on out, theyโ€™re going to need to be a little more careful about their prize. To the best of my knowledge, they didnโ€™t bring a dragon radar, so if they lose it again, it could hard to get it back. And speaking of losing things, guess who lost their own plane due to it getting stolen by bandits.

In a rather hilarious echo of the first group, Vegetaโ€™s group lost their own plane after he beat up a group of bandits. Whatโ€™s worse is that when Gokuโ€™s team catches up to where Vegetaโ€™s team is stuck, they donโ€™t have the room to hold all of them. Thus, any chance of the parties merging gets put on the back burner.

To be fair, it seems like keeping the entire party in two separate groups is a deliberate handicap on the storyโ€™s part. If they all joined up into a single group, they would be strong enough to handle everything thrown their ways. Goku, Vegeta, Glorio, Shin, and Piccolo would mow down every enemy in sight, while Bulma and Panzy would invent something capable of getting them straight to King Gomah. No Mr. Warp needed. As for Hybis, he might be more important than he realizes. Hereโ€™s why.

Just a Theory. A Dragon Ball Theory!

During this episode, word reaches Gomah that not only have Goku and the others followed him to the Demon Realm, but Goku already beat one of the Tamagami. With his plans to neutralize the potential threat having backfired, the king once again laments being unable to obtain the Evil Third Eye. Described as a powerful artifact lost during the reign of one of Daburaโ€™s predecessors, the Evil Eye is said to grant immense power to anyone who puts in on their forehead. However, I donโ€™t think itโ€™s actually lost. During this episode, itโ€™s revealed that Hybis has this weird, living he found attached to his belt. The fact that this came up right as we heard about the Evil Eye again canโ€™t be a mere coincidence. Itโ€™s subtle foreshadowing that this potentially powerful MacGuffin is already in the heroโ€™s hands and they donโ€™t even realize it. If Iโ€™m right, then all those years reading One Piece and learning about foreshadowing were worth it!

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Majin…Kuu?

While Vegetaโ€™s party ends the episode with them poised to recover their plane from the bandits, the episode ends by shifting back to Marba and Dr. Arinsuโ€™s attempts to make a clone of Majin Buu. They manage to succeed, combining the Buu fragment with a Saibaman seed. I never thought weโ€™d see the Saibamen again, so this was a big surprise. Unfortunately, then we learn the name that Arinsu gives her new minion: Majinโ€ฆKuu.

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Iโ€™m sorry, but what? Iโ€™m aware that Toriyama liked to name his characters based on puns. However, for the life of me, I canโ€™t figure out if Kuu is meant to be a pun, or just a lame reuse of Buu. Iโ€™m really hoping that thereโ€™s a pun in there, or that Kuu is just as strong as Buu. Otherwise, the tension of having someone compete for the Dragon Balls will seem a bit pointless.

It now looks like the race is on for the Dragon Balls, and while this episode was relatively slow, not every episode has to be an absolute banger. Comedy is just as much a part of Dragon Ball as action, and since Daima is returning the franchise to its roots, we should expect plenty more comedy.

I Give โ€œThievesโ€ a 3.5/5

Dragon Ball Daima Dub Coming in January

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It’s been two months now since the start of Dragon Ball Daima, there’s yet to be any dub of it on Crunchyroll. So far, the only dub for the new Dragon Ball series has been in the form of a compilation film that came out for a few days in November, and that only covered the first three episodes. With simuldubbing becoming more and more common in recent years, these two months could feel like years for those who insist on only watching dubbed anime. Granted, many anime still like to get a few episodes out before they start airing the dub to prevent it from being overtaken, but that’s not the point. But the wait for the dub of Daima will only be a few more weeks. In a recent post on their website, Crunchyroll announced that the dub for Dragon Ball Daima will begin January 10th, 2025.

Besides the obvious interest that stems from the dubbing of the new addition of a legendary anime, there’s another reason why people should pay attention to the dub of Daima. Because they’ll be spending most, if not all, of the series stuck in their kid forms, most of the returning characters won’t be voiced by their regular actors. The one exception will be Goku, once again voiced by Stephanie Nadolny. She’s famously provided the dub voice for Kid Goku in most Dragon Ball media. Most of the rest of the kid-ified cast will be voiced by relative newcomers. What makes this exciting (to me, at least) is that it’s giving a new generation of VA’s to leave their marks on the popular franchise. More importantly, if they do well enough, that could lead to them getting more work. With how tough the entertainment business can be, especially for newcomers, landing a potentially high-profile role can go a long way for job prospects.

As for me, I’m just happy to be able to watch the series in dub form come the new year. Having spent my teen years watching the original Dragon Ball in dub form online, it will be nice to get to hear Stephanie Nadolny’s voice again after all this time. And I wholeheartedly support letting my generation of VA’s try their hand at Dragon Ball.

Loch Ness Monster, Shrimp Aliens, and Teen Drama, Oh My!

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Dan Da Dan Ep 9 Review

Of all the times that the Serpo aliens could show up again, it had to be right when Momo was mad at Okarun. In the last episode, Aira began a love triangle between her, Momo, and Ken-Chan when she confessed her feelings to the boy. And, in typical comedic fashion, Momo showed up right as Okarun was in the most inopportune position possible with Aira. Now the three are trapped in a pocket dimension as the Serpos and their temp workers are trying to kill them while the entire school’s flooding.

Oh, and to make matters worse, Okarun doesn’t have any clothes to speak of. The aliens tore them to shreds. At least they now have another person who can go ghost in the form of Aira.

Momo, Just Say You’re Mad

So, after using the reveal that Aira can go ghost thanks to getting Acro Silky’s aura to their advantage, she and Okarun have to get over something just as bad: their embarassment. This is the first time that Aira’s seen a naked boy in real life, and her feelings get the better of her. Likewise, Ken wastes time trying to find clothes so he can fight. At some point, though, he decides to forget it and worry about it after they’re done fighting.

All things considered, the fights in this episode continue the series’ trend of making the action look as amazing as possible. Ken and Aira’s movements are fluid and don’t waste any time or energy unless needed. The show also doesn’t waste time making jokes over the facts that Okarun’s fighting this entire battle naked. A less mature story would make a bigger deal about it, but Dan Da Dan knows its better to wait. Though there is one moment when the girls decide to strip down to their underwear for the fight. The story justifies it beyond fanservice due to wet clothes hampering their movements. It’s not wrong. Unless they’re made of special material, wet clothes will become dead weight.

Amidst all the action, though, Momo (who manages to catch up to the two) can’t let go of her anger towards Okarun and Aira for their perceived wrongdoings behind her back. This is the second time that we’ve seen how Momo and Ken’s failures to communicate can negatively affect them. Momo won’t even hear Ken out when he tries to explain. The best that he can do is promise to provide context as soon as they’re safe, but the teamwork remains teeth-clenched.

The Serpo’s are Bad bosses

Thankfully, the same could be said for their alien assailants. The Serpo’s prove to be terrible bosses, constantly berating the Shrimp alien and the Nessy alien. It gets to the point where Nessy kills two of them, forcing the remaining one to fuse with all three to corner our trio. And since they’re fighting underwater, they’re in real danger of drowning. The fact that the show used such dark colors for the seemingly bottomless water gave the entire fight a very unsettling appearance. As someone who doesn’t like swimming in places where I can’t see the bottom, I was genuinely unnerving to watch.

It takes some effort, and an awesome combo move from the trio, but eventually, our heroes manage to kick the alien’s butt, complete with a finishing move straight out of a video game. However, that fight pales in comparison to what they go through next. Once the alien’s Domain Expansion wears off, they return to reality. In the middle of the crowded hallway. With two girls in their underwear and Ken naked.

They’re Gonna Have to Go to a Different School Now

I won’t lie, this scene would be absolutely hysterical to look at. Though, given how it’s pretty much the most embarrassing thing a teenager could experience in high school, my pity outweighs my sense of humor. They’re either going to need a very good excuse…or find a way to erase everyone’s memories. Either way, the next episode is going to be hard for them.

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Once again, we had a fun episode of Dan Da Dan. With the year almost over, I’m getting ready to come up with my picks for my favorite anime of the year. Needless to say, this show is going to be in the running.

I Give “Merge! Serpo Dover Demon Nessie!” a 4/5

Everyone Wants Okarunโ€™s Banana Now

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Dan Da Dan Ep 8 Review

Ken-Chan (thatโ€™s what I call Okarun) has not had it easy since the start of the series, has he? First, he got possessed by a ghost that took his manhood. Then, when he got it back, he lost his balls in the process. After a lengthy fight with Acrobatic Silky (ending in a HEARTBREAKING FLASHBACK), he finally got one of his balls back. Thereโ€™s just one problem: heโ€™s got an unwanted admirer named Aira.

Aira Still a Chuuni…

After processing what they just went through, Aira joins Momo, Okarun, and Turbo Granny at the Ayase house for dinner where Momo tries to bury the hatchet. You would think that Aira would drop her delusions about Momo being a demon, but instead, the pink-haired girl doubles down on it and says her grandma and Okarun are also demons. To be fair, she does bring up some fine points. Seiko Ayase looks too impossibly young and attractive to be considered a grandmother. And seeing Ken-Chan go ghost could be mistaken for demonic possession. But it seems like the misunderstanding wonโ€™t get cleared up anytime. In fact, it gets even worse when it becomes clear that Aira has fallen for Okarun.

After the absolute emotional rollercoaster that was episode seven, itโ€™s adorable to see that Dan Da Dan can effortlessly return to its comedic side. This episode was filled with plenty of hilarious moments. From Turbo Granny and the Ayases returning Kenโ€™s ball with baseball to Aira calling Seiko hot, itโ€™s all pretty funny. This is a series that knows how to effectively balance the comedy and profound moments, and I love that. Even the moment where Aira tries to kiss Okarun is pretty funny to watch.

โ€ฆWait, what?

…But Now She’s Fallen for Okarun

Yes, after seeing him save her life, Aira has fallen head over heels for Okarun. And despite being one of the more popular girls in school, itโ€™s revealed that her concept of romance is laughably poor. And influenced by her fatherโ€™s 18+ content. Thus, seeing her awkwardly try to kiss Ken, despite still thinking heโ€™s a demon, is pretty funny to watch. Until the moment when they fall on the ground right as Momo comes by. Then it becomes awkward.

It gets worse, though. The aliens are back, and they still want Okarunโ€™s banana.

Just like before, the aliens trap Momo and Okarun (and Aira) in a pocket dimension so they can capture them. Or rather, they simply want to capture Okarun, hoping to take his/Turbo Grannyโ€™s powers for themselves. And much like before, their insistence on bringing his โ€œbananaโ€ is both hilarious and disturbing. Considering how Aira was just expressing a desire to get intimate with him, this couldnโ€™t have happened to Okarun at a worse possible time. And theyโ€™re not alone, either. They brought an alien that looks like a mantis shrimp and something that resembles the Loch Ness Monster, the latter of which is hunting Momo! But just when it seems like Okarunโ€™s going to lose his manhood yet again, Aira comes in clutch.

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Guess Aira Was Chosen, After All

Airaโ€™s chuuni boastings of being chosen now have some merit to them. As it turns out, Silky transferring her aura to save her life also gave her her powers. In other words, now Aira can go ghost, as well, bringing our group of supernatural fighters up to three.

I said it already, but I will repeat it: Dan Da Dan knows how to handle sudden changes in mood. This episode might not have been able to top the magnum opus that was episode 7, it did bring the laughs. And it looks like next episode will only continue that. As for poor Okarun, he needs to clear things up with Momo and tell Aira that heโ€™s not interested. The longer he leaves her hanging, the worse it will be.

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I Give “I’ve Got this Funny Feeling” a 4/5

The Dan Da Dan Episode that Broke the Internet

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Dan Da Dan Ep 7 Review

One would think that a show as silly as Dan Da Dan would keep the sad moments few and far between. I knew there would be plenty of drama and angst, but that’s part of being a teenager. I wasn’t expecting the show to give us moments that would have people breaking down in tears.

Except they just did. And while my brain works in a way that makes it hard to process sadness, I’ve learned to let my mental self cry. And after the newest episode of Dan Da Dan, I was mentally bawling my eyes out.

The Heroes Triumph Once Again!

The episode picks up where we last left off as Okarun and Momo are facing Acrobatic Silky, a Yokai obsessed with having Aira call her “mommy.” Since Okarun can’t fully control his ghost powers and Momo’s hands are tied (thanks, Aira!), they’re left at a pretty big disadvantage. Especially since Silky can use her hair as a weapon, like Yukako from Part 4 of JoJo. She’s just as crazy as Yukako was at first, too, as she throws everything into making sure the two die. Worse, since they’re in a tight space, Okarun can’t go full speed.

It takes some trickery on their part, but the pair are able to ultimately overcome Silky, allowing them to recover one of Okarun’s balls. How he reattaches it to his body, though, is anyone’s guess. Despite everything seemingly being resolved, though, things take a very dark turn when Turbo Granny looks Aira over and tells the two that she’s dead.

As Turbo Granny reveals, when Silky tried eating Aira, she managed to absorb her Aura, AKA her life energy. Without it, her body’s going to start shutting down. The two teenagers rightfully start panicking as they try to keep her alive, performing CPR and trying to call 911. And as annoying as Aira was, I didn’t want to see her die.

That’s when Silky steps in, feeling guilty over what she did to Aira. So, to make amends, she offers to give the girl her own Aura, despite knowing that the process would kill her off for good. And while Momo is against this, they don’t have much of a choice.

What follows over the next ten or so minutes might be the best moment in the anime thus far. I daresay it, but I’d even consider it to be among the best anime moments of 2024 as we look into the memories of Acrobatic Silky.

Silky’s Tragic Backstory

The flashback is told with almost no dialogue, save for near the end. The only sounds we get are either from the weather, such as the rain falling from the sky, or from this beautiful, yet eerie, piano music. There are moments when a story can explain more visually than it ever could through words alone, and this definitely ranks as one of them.

When Silky was still alive, she was a single mother to a daughter who she loved very much. But raising a child can be hard on the wallet, especially when you’re doing it alone. So Silky has to work multiple jobs to make sure her daughter is fed and clothed. One of which I quickly realized was as a prostitute. This woman had to sell her body to help pay the bills; that’s how desperate she was to care for her daughter.

Quick sidebar, by the way: while I don’t necessarily approve of the decision, I cannot condemn someone for being a sex worker. There are plenty of people out there who do it because they need the money to survive. And the fact that Silky was willing to do so not for herself, but so that her daughter could do ballet in cute dresses and smile, shows how good a mom she is. She was a good mom.

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Which only made her and her daughter’s ultimate fate all the more heartbreaking.

If there’s one thing that I can’t stand, it’s watching adults attempting to do harm to a child. As I watched the two men who Silky owed money to kidnap her daughter, I was pratically screaming at my laptop scream for them to burn in damnation. And the first-person perspective of the cut and bleeding Silky as she tried to chase after her daughter was just the most heartbreaking thing to watch. No parent should ever see that happen to their kid.

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And the scene of her dancing afterward in sorrow as she commits suicide. I saw people talking about how it was one of the moments they wanted to see the most in Dan Da Dan, and I can understand why. Science Saru went all out to turn the moment into this beautiful, sorrowful scene.

Aira Had it Rough, too!

To add an even further gut-punch, we then see why Aira called Silky “mommy” as a kid. The reason she mistook her for her mom is because her birth mother is dead. She died when she was still too young to understand the concept of death.

This entire part of the episode had me wanting to bawl my eyes out. Silky’s life? Tragic. Her reasons for mistaking Aira for the daughter that she could no longer remember? Heart-breaking. The fact that Turbo Granny says that unless she found peace, she couldn’t even move on to the afterlife? Agonizing.

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Seeing a revived Aira call Silky “Mommy” one last time to give her peace? JUST PASS THE TISSUES! Even Momo is left in tears over everything!

I know it’s too soon to call it, but right now, I think that entire flashback with Acrobatic Silky was the best moment in Dan Da Dan. When it’s time to look back on the best anime moments for this year, it’s making the list. It’s moments like this that story-telling are all about! SCIENCE SARU, YOU JUST STRUCK GOLD!

I Give “To a Kinder World” a 5/5. GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN AWARD!!

The Fight We all Wanted to See in Daima!!!

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Dragon Ball Daima Ep 8 Review

Now this…this is more like it! We’ve been waiting eight episodes now for Dragon Ball Daima to give us a fight that’s truly worthy of the franchise’s name. We’ve gotten plenty of good action scenes and sparring matches, but we have yet to get the kind of fight where Goku shows us why he’s one of the GOATs of anime. However, all of that has changed with his fight with the first of the Tamagami as the entire Demon Realm watches. More importantly, though, this episode offers us some surprising lore regarding the Demon Realm, Majin Buu, and what it is that Dr. Arinsu could be after.

Goku vs the Tamagami

The long-awaited fight between Goku and the first of the Tamagami begins in earnest, and it was worth the wait. While not to the level of power that fans have grown used to in Dragon Ball, Daima is quick to remind us that, kid or not, Goku remains a formidable foe. As his fight against the Tamagami attracts the nearby villagers, they’re stunned to see him not only match the guardian of the Dragon Ball blow for blow, but begin to dominate him. For longtime fans of the franchise, though, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Goku is like that, after all.

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Since we know that Goku will inevitably win, the fans should be paying attention to how the fight plays out rather than the overall outcome. And Toei managed to do a good job of animating it. From Goku blocking a hammer with his Power Pole to going Super Saiyan and having a beam clash, the series makes this a fun watch. But what was even funnier was how Goku ultimately wins the Dragon Ball.

This Was Classic Toriyama!

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I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting Goku to have to win the Dragon Ball by playing a version of the Shell Game, but…it feels like something Toriyama would want to do. Remember, Akira Toriyama was known just as much for his sense of goofy humor as he was for all the action. Having the Tamagami test Goku using the Shell Game, only for him to effortlessly point out the being’s attempted con, just screams Toriyama. It’s nice to see his imprint on Dragon Ball, but it’s a little sad, too, since he’s no longer with us.

At any rate, Goku ultimately manages to do what no one in the Demon Realm ever has and wins the first Dragon Ball. With that in hand, they head toward Warp-Sama to meet with their arriving comrades and head to the Second Demon World. As it turns out, the fight isn’t the episode’s highlight. It’s what comes after.

Dr. Arinsu Has a Bigger Plan in Store

As Gomah and Degesu are looking over old footage of the Z Warriors fights, they notice something when watching the moment when Vegeta blew himself up trying to kill Majin Buu. As the pieces of Buu began to reform, a lone figure managed to grab one of them before it could merge with the others. That person was none other than Dr. Arinsu. She was there during the Buu Saga!

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It only gets crazier from there. While everything else is happening, Arinsu goes to a mysterious witch named Marba, currently brewing some kind of creation in a cauldron using that fragment of Buu. It’s not made clear right away, but the audience meant to guess that Arinsu is trying to create some kind of clone of Buu. That’s not even the craziest part, though. The crazy part is that Arinsu reveals that Marba is the one who created Majin Buu! As in, the original, psychotic, virtually feral, black air force wearing menace that pushed Goku and the others to the brink!

Buu Was Created by Who?!?!?

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This is a major retcon to the world of Dragon Ball. From his inception, fans have believed that Majin Buu had one of two origins: either Bibidi created Kid Buu, or Kid Buu was this entity that existed for eons that Bibidi found. Now we know that both of those aren’t true, with Marba being Buu’s creator. And even though everything worked out and Buu (the good part of him)is now Goku’s friend, that still makes Marba indirectly responsible for countless deaths over millions of years. And now she’s helping Arinsu make a clone of Buu, the main difference being that this one will actually obey its master.

I’ve had my suspicions before, but now it’s becoming clear that Arinsu might be the real big bad of Daima. She’s set everything in motion by manipulating Gomah and bringing Goku to the Demon Realm; if she has her own Buu, she will be trouble. Keep in mind that at this point in time, Goku could only beat Buu because of a Spirit Bomb. Imagine how tough it would be for him to fight another Buu in his kid form!

Dragon Ball Daima is starting to heat up, and I’m glad I’ve stuck around for it this long. It’s a little sad knowing that we’re almost done with the First Demon World, but with most of the quests done, it’s time to move on. I can’t wait to see what the next world looks like.

I Give “Tamagami” a 5/5

Finally, Supreme Kai Cooks!

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Dragon Ball Daima Ep 7 Review

Dragon Ball is the template for the modern Shonen manga, and that means most mangaka learned from its successes as well as its shortcomings. And one of the franchiseโ€™s biggest shortcomings has to be how Goku comes to outshine almost every other character. Thatโ€™s expected since heโ€™s the main protagonist, but at some point, the franchiseโ€™s default strategy for dealing with the big bads became โ€œwait for Goku.โ€ Even TeamFourStar pointed this fact out in their abridged series. Thankfully, the franchise has started to learn from this in recent years by giving other characters the chance to show what they can do. And with Goku reduced to chibi-sized for the duration of Daima, his party can show that theyโ€™re not just there to keep Goku on the right path. They can fight, too, as Supreme Kai proves in this episode!

So I was Wrong about the Plane

At the end of the last episode, I speculated that Kibito’s prescence had something to do with Shin’s plane not working. However, it was something simpler. A rock used for the energy converter isn’t working, thereby making the plane useless. Which also makes me question why they even bothered to have it? Thankfully, Hybis, one of King Kadam’s men, shows up to give them a ride. Before the episode’s out, the team of Hybis, Bulma, Vegeta, and Piccolo have made it to the Demon Realm. Kibito stayed behind to watch the Lookout with Popo.

Honestly, this is much better than having to wait longer to see how Bulma and the others make it to the Demon Realm. Even better, it solves the issue of not having the right pin # for Mr. Warp. Way to think on your feet, Toei!

Meanwhile, Goku’s party continues to have a string of bad luck as the Gendermerie return looking for Goku. He’s able to elude them thanks to his Instant Transmission, but then they try to arrest Panzy because they (rightfully) suspect her for attacking them in that village. Another fight ensues, and the trio of Goku, Shin, and Glorio proceed to beat everyone unconcious. However, their plane gets destroyed in the process, once again hindering their travels…

…is what you’d think I’d say! However, they find an extra Gendermerie plane and decide to steal that instead. As a bonus, this will mean that fewer people will try to stop them.

Supreme Kai is Mattering Now

This fight, while nowhere near as epic as what we’re used to in Dragon Ball, is still good. The reason being that, unlike in most cases, Goku can’t handle everything on his own. For the first time since he was a kid, he’s in a position where he has to rely on his friends to help. And after years of being considered weak compared to the Saiyans, Shin reminds us just why he’s a Supreme Kai in the first place. He may be young by his race’s standards, but he’s still fairly capable.

As if to highlight the greater emphasis Shin has in this series, the next thing that he does is get rid of the collar Panzy’s forced to wear around her neck. The series already implied it, but this episode confirms that the collars the Third Demon World resident’s wear suppress their magic and can be used as tracking devices. Dr. Arinsu created them back during Dabura’s reign, so this is something that’s been going on for a longtime. It further emphasizes how unfair a place the Demon Realm is, and that it’s high time for a regime change. Given how this is a Shonen series, there’s a good chance that by the time Daima ends, those collars will be a thing of the past. Especially since Shin tells Panzy that the magic he used to break her collar can be used by anyone. Shin and Panzy could be the key to liberating the people of the Demon Realm in the near future!

In addition, this episode also reveals Shin’s true Glind name, Nahare. Just like Goku has his Saiyan name, Shin has a Glind name. Neat!

The Real Fun is Coming

The series is now seven episodes in, but it feels like the pacing hasn’t picked up at all, though that’s about to change. The episode ends with Goku and the others making it to the first of the Tamagami warriors that guard this dimension’s Dragon Balls so that he can fight them. Given what the preview for the next episode has to say, it looks like we’re in for a good fight. And while I don’t doubt the strength of the Tamagami…it’s Goku. The man is going to fight actual gods in the near future, can solo most characters in all of fiction, and has fought Superman three different times. He may not have won any of those fights, but he did put the Man of Steel through his paces. He can handle the Tamagami.

I Give “Collar” a 3.5/5

So, Glorio is Sus. We all Know that, Right?

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Dragon Ball Daima Ep 6 Review

What is Glorio after? We know next to nothing about this enigmatic gunslinger from the Demon Realm, but given how he gave Goku and Shin the means to go after Gomah, he seems trustworthy. Despite Goku trusting him, Supreme Kai has remained noticeably on guard around him. On the surface, it could be because of the underlying tension between the different worlds of the Demon Realm. But as this week reveals, Shin might be onto something about Glorio, as we learn who heโ€™s actually working for.

Glorio’s True Loyalties?

After Panzy joins the party and they set off in a new ship/plane, the group has to make an emergency landing. A consequence of their ride being unable to handle all that weight. So, while Goku goes to use the bathroom, they have to ditch half of their supplies. That, and soldiers from Gomahโ€™s army come looking for Goku. His decision to stand up to the Gendermerie has made him a wanted man. Itโ€™s only a matter of time before Gomah realizes that Goku followed him home, and tries to throw everything he has at him. If not thanks to his army, then due to a certain someone very close to him.

When Glorio first appeared, he claimed to have been hired by King Kadan to bring him the one who beat Majin Buu. However, Kadan himself said Glorio only came to him with the idea, meaning he was hired by someone else. That someone else gets revealed when, after making camp for the night, Glorio makes a phone call to his actual employer, Dr Arinsu. AKA Shin and Degesuโ€™s older sister and chief scientist for Gomah.

Quick aside, this episode also confirms how the Glind, Supreme Kaiโ€™s race, are born from plants. Cool bit of lore there.

Why is Glorio Working for Arinsu?

For the record, the fact that Dr. Arinsu hired Glorio behind Gomahโ€™s back should not be surprising. Given how she gave him the idea to use Earthโ€™s Dragon Balls to make Goku and his friends kids, I suspected she knew that would make them get involved with Gomah. The fact that she already traveled to their Universe ahead of Gomah corroborates this. My working theory is that sheโ€™s pulling strings to ensure that Goku takes down Gomah for her own benefit. Or she could just be luring the Saiyan into a trap. Either way, this means that Shinโ€™s concerns about Glorio are more justifiable now.

Does that mean that Glorio is a direct threat, though? Thatโ€™s uncertain, as we soon learn why.

When a Minotaurus Demon (cool reference to Greek Mythology) shows up wanting to eat the party, Goku and Glorio argue over who will fight him. So, the two decide to have a sparring match to see who will be the Demonโ€™s opponent, much to their โ€œenemyโ€™sโ€ irritation. Though, given who heโ€™s dealing with, the Minotaurus isnโ€™t much of a threat.

Weโ€™ve gotten glimpses of how capable Glorio is in a fight, but this sparring session is when we truly start to see what he can do. As expected, he does manage to put up a good fight against Goku, even managing to knock the Power Pole out of his hands. Whatโ€™s more, we get to see what kind of magic Glorio uses: heโ€™s got lightning magic! He can fire it off like ki blasts, generate it from his fingertips like heโ€™s a Sith Lord. He can even turn it into a weapon like a whip!

Itโ€™s clear that Glorio is indeed strong. Right now, Iโ€™d say heโ€™s likely one of the strongest in the Demon Realm. However, Goku makes it clear that, even in his kid form, heโ€™s still stronger. The fact that he can still go Super Saiyan is a testament to that. It also puts into perspective how powerful the adult Goku would be compared to the people of the Demon Realm. Gomah may have underestimated Gokuโ€™s strength, but the show had to nerf him for it to work. Otherwise, he would likely steamroll through everything, and that wouldnโ€™t be any fun!

Oh, and the Minotaurus pulls a Mr. Satan and bails.

I’m Not Worried About Glorio

So, while fans now know that Glorio is sus, I donโ€™t think itโ€™s much of a problem. My guess is that even if something bad happens, it will be because Glorio had to fool Goku. Which, given that itโ€™s Goku, wonโ€™t be that hard. However, Goku has a habit of befriending those who start out opposing him, so I think Glorio will warm up to him with time.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, thereโ€™s good news and bad news to end the episode. The good news is that Bulma finished fixing Shinโ€™s ship. The bad news? When Kibito, Vegeta, and Piccolo go to use it, it shuts down almost immediately. Though I suspect it might have something to do with Kibito, mainly because the ED shows Bulma being the one to go to the Demon Realm. This will just justify that.

Itโ€™s taken a while, but it seems like Daima is starting to pick up steam. I suspect things will start to get a little more exciting over the next few episodes as we get into this for the long haul. Iโ€™m not complaining; this is Toriyamaโ€™s last gift to us, so I want it to last as long as possible.

I Give “Lightning” a 4/5

Goku & Luffy Share Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2nd Year in a Row

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You know, considering how much Goku and Luffy eat, it feels appropriate that theyโ€™re balloons at the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the Macyโ€™s Thanksgiving Day Parade, though itโ€™s only the 98th. It got canceled from 1942-44 because they needed the rubber for World War II. In that time, countless cultural icons have had their likeness be a part of the parade, reflecting what is considered popular in the US. And with anime having gone mainstream, that now includes the likes of Shonen icons such as Goku and Luffy.

This year, Goku appeared at the parade with a new balloon. Rather than the Super Saiyan Blue balloon thatโ€™s been used since his 2018 debut, Goku was shown off in his base form, smiling as he gives a two-finger salute to those watching. Considering how his new series, Daima, has him returned to a child form, this is very timely on the part of whoever makes the balloons. It should also be noted that this is first time Gokuโ€™s in the parade without his creator due to Akira Toriyamaโ€™s passing earlier this year. It should be noted that NBCโ€™s hosts for the parade did not make any mention of Toriyama as Goku went by, though. It feels like a missed opportunity.

As for Luffy, this year marks his second year of being a part of the Macyโ€™s parade, having debuted in 2023. Unfortunately, the future Pirate Kingโ€™s debut was marred when his balloon got blown into a tree as it passed by. The branches tore open the brim of his iconic straw hat, making it resemble a bucket hat instead. Fans took this in stride, though, as many jokingly called him โ€œBucket Hat Luffyโ€ and even made fanart of it.

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Unlike last year, this year had no branches or trees to get in Luffyโ€™s way. Considering how the One Piece anime had its 25th anniversary this year, itโ€™s good to see this happen to him. Itโ€™s a reminder of how much people love One Piece and support its creator, Eichiro Oda. Oda has had to take frequent breaks from the manga in recent years for his well-being, but many fans have been understanding of his needs.

Did you see the parade this year? Any other anime characters you hope to see join someday? Let us know!

Oh No, We Got a Chunni Magical Girl

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Dan Da Dan Ep 6 Review

The chuunibyou, AKA that one person you know who thinks that tries to act as cool as they think they are because they want to be special. When, really, all they’re doing is making themselves look like obnoxious, delusional numbskulls. It is a recurring theme that pops up in many anime, and often-times, they can come off as insufferable. Why are we bringing this up? Because as Momo and Okarun search for the latter’s missing balls, one of them winds up in the hands of a familiar girl…and the delusional teenager turns into a chuunibyou.

Aira the Delusional Idiot

Meet Aira Shiratori, AKA the pink-haired popular girl that decided to mess with Okarun and got hit by a wash tub, courtesy of Momo. Since she’s in the OP, that means she’s going to become a part of the main cast, but if your opinion of her wasn’t already low, then it’s going to get there in this episode.

The last episode established that Aira is that one girl in high school that tries to act all pure, sweet, and innocent so she’ll be popular. However, as her interactions with Okarun demonstrate, she may look sweet on the outside, but she’s not so sweet on the inside. As if her messing with Okarun wasn’t bad enough, it turns out that she puts up that sweet and cutesy act to get everyone else’s hopes up that they have a shot with her. In truth, though, she’s the kind of petty and spiteful girl who was willing to spread false rumors that Momo gets around as payback for hurting her. Thankfully, it only partially worked, as one of the guys who bought into got intimidated by an irate Okarun.

Bottom line, Aira, as she is, is the kind of girl that you shouldn’t touch with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. And as this episode demonstrates, she’s also a chuunibyou who’s in over her head after finding one of Okarun’s missing balls.

Is this Girl Serious?

As revealed in flashback, Aira found one of Okarun’s balls when it fell off the train during that epic game of tag. It gave her the power to see spirits and Yokai, and the girl becomes convinced that she was chosen by heaven to save the world from evil. And that her enemy is Momo Ayase, who she’s convinced is an evil demon.

*SMH in disappointment*.

For the record, not every chuuni character in fiction is going to be insufferable by nature. But as she is right now, Aira rubs me the wrong way. Not only is she full of herself, she’s also delusional and foolish enough to think she’s a magical girl. She even lures Momo to an abandoned warehouse and tries to exorcise her, much to Momo’s incredulity. But then an actual yokai shows up wanting Aira to call her “mommy.” And then tries to eat her, Momo, and Okarun when she refuses.

Turbo Granny Finally Being Helpful

This yokai is called an “Acrobatic Silky” according to Turbo Granny, who has now taken to following the duo around in cat form. Given how Okarun’s holding her power hostage until he gets back what she stole from him, she has a vested interest in keeping them alive. While she can’t actually help in a fight, it’s still interesting to see how she interacts with the teens by providing exposition. Plus, even in her reduced state, she still thinks highly of herself, as shown when she mocks Silky for underestimating Momo and Okarun. She’s right, too; thanks to Momo’s quick thinking, they manage to escape Silky. Unforutnately, the episode decides to end right as the second round is about to start.

I don’t know what it is about Aira that rubs me the wrong way right now, but I think it’s because I’ve seen what these “jerks in sheep’s clothing” type characters are like that make me weary of her. I doubt that she’ll be like that for long, but for now, I’m left shaking my head at her chuuni traits. At least she saved Momo and Okarun time by giving them one of the missing kintama!

I Give “A Dangerous Woman Arrives” a 4/5