Dragon Ball Daima: Episode 4 - Official Discussion Thread

[VegettoEX]

Dragon Ball Daima: Episode 4

オシャベリ
Oshaberi
Chatty

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Kanzenshuu Episode Guide Page:

https://www.kanzenshuu.com/episode/daima/eps-004/

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Release Information:

JAPAN:
Date: November 1, 2024
Time: 11:40 p.m
Channel: Fuji TV

INTERNATIONAL STREAMING:
Date: November 1, 2024
Sources: Simulcast streams include Crunchyroll (North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Middle East); delayed streams include Netflix (Asia/global)

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THREAD/DISCUSSION INFORMATION

Q: What is this thread?

A: This is the singular/dedicated discussion thread for Dragon Ball Daima episode 4. All content regarding this specific episode would be great to include here in this thread, rather than a dedicated / larger / all-encompassing ongoing thread. Posts that are specific to this individual episode in another thread with no relevance to the larger series or discussion taking place there will be reported and/or removed.

Q: When will this thread open?

A: This thread will be opened by a Kanzenshuu moderator when the episode is available to watch, through official channels, in its entirety.

Q: What is the history behind a [blank]-specific discussion thread?

A: We established episode-specific discussion threads beginning with Dragon Ball Kai in 2009, followed by the Dragon Ball Super television series in 2015. These episode-specific threads allowed people to discuss just that: those specific episodes, without being interrupted by other discussions regarding general production, promotion, etc. This is in contrast to, for example, other things on our website like our podcast reviews, which generally tackle story arcs as complete wholes.

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A: At Kanzenshuu we believe in history and preservation. It is worthwhile to future versions of ourselves and entirely new future fans to be able to dig back and find real-time reactions to specific productions (such as a specific episode or chapter). It's much easier to do this when the discussions are separated into these unique threads.

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Q: What kinds of "sources" can we discuss?

A: You can discuss whatever you want, so long as it lives up to the community guidelines. It is recommended that you link to / discuss actual sources of information, rather than second-hand accounts. Random Twitter users are not "sources" of information. Shueisha has its own official Dragon Ball website and weekly news broadcast on YouTube, and then there is of course Dragon Ball Daima's own official website, which will in all likelihood be your actual primary sources of information leading up to an episode’s release.

Q: What if I have something to say about another episode that's not this episode?

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Q: How does this relate to [insert example here]? Why isn't [insert example here] lining up with [insert example here] from [insert example here]?

A: We don't know! We're all learning along the way! Maybe everything counts! Maybe nothing counts! Maybe only certain things count!

[nato25]

I can't believe there's not a single bad frame or any poor animation in this show, could super have been like this!?

We're still very slow paced (very surprised to see another half episode of just travelling between towns not achieving much) but somehow I'm loving every second. Anyone else think it's strange we haven't seen all the villains from episode 1 again at all? No cutaways to the b plot or anything. We're gonna need a refresher next time we see them.

These medi bugs look interesting (is this how supreme Kai and Kibito re-fuse?, someone's fusing either way I'm sure). Daima still going strong.

[Retan]

I enjoyed this episode much more then the previous 2 thanks mostly to the action.

Oh yeah and episode 5 is next and it's supposed to be movie quality so I look forward to that.

[tonysoprano300]

I liked it too, but the way they handle exposition and character interactions needs to improve. It really hurts the pacing if half the dialogue is people walking around dumping lore on each other or repeating shit that we already know. I like that its starting to pick up and its nice seeing Goku become morally outraged at the Gomah soldiers at the end. So much so that he ignored instructions to not get involved. He ends up making them fugitives as a result but its the type of “mistake/character flaw” that is human and relatable. Which is something that Goku has been lacking for a lot of Modern DB. It gives me serious flashbacks to how Gohan attacked Dodoria in the Namek arc.

Also really interested in whoever this new character is, looks like she can add some flavour to the group.

[Noah]

Best episode so far

- People have probably said this a couple of times, but yeah, Daima is doing a better job than GT at nerfing the main characters for actual story purposes.

- So Glorio can’t feel Ki? Makes me wonder if that’s a thing in the Demon Realm.

- The dude from the Bug Seed Shop really reminds me of the GoD from Universe 9, Sidra.

- People been saying this series feels a lot like an RPG, and now that they’ve bought items that could be useful on this adventure, it’s even more true.

- So no one’s ever been able to make a wish with the DBs in the Demon Realm? That must mean these Tamagami are stronger than Dabura.

- I was gonna say that Glorio’s fight sequence with the monster at the start was one of the best in the series, but Goku saving Panzy totally takes the win here.

- NEP shows a silhouette of someone in the dark; could it be Dabura’s father?

[AliTheZombie13]

Good:
- Another good episode, really enjoyed it.
- Glorio is awesome... How long until he gets Goku Time'd?
- The soundtrack continues to impress me, especially during the action sequences.
- Daima so far seems to be doing a good job taking concepts and storylines from GT and unifying them. Instead of the "Villain of the Week" being somebody random like Pilaf, Don Kia, Muchi-Mochi, Dolltaki, Dr. Myuu, whatever, Gomah seems to be the one behind everything. That gives him more credit rather than, say, Baby showing up at Episode 22 and saying he created Dr. Myuu and was behind Giru and Lood all this time or something.

Bad:
- It took me this episode to finally admit that, yes, this show has a "Pointless Exposition" problem. We're seeing the exact same things that were explained to us previous episode, but done faster and better. "Oh, I can't fly, the air is heavy." - "Don't fall into the Sea of Darkness or you'll be done for!" Those are things that are explained organically here, but for some reason, took almost half an episode last time. And then the show does its thing, again, having to remind us that yes, Dende is kidnapped, there are Dragon Balls in the Demon Realm, there is a Warp thing... Yes, Daima, we know that. You don't need to waste 5 minutes of your runtime to remind us.

Misc:
- "Why don't we just go back to Earth?" - I still have received zero explanation as to why Goku doesn't just teleport and do that.
- "You might be even stronger than Shin!" - Now, that's not a very high bar, is it?
- "Medi Bugs... They're like Senzu Beans... And these ones, they're like the Potara!" - Then... why not just use the Senzu Beans and the Potara?
- Oh look, it's Pan- I mean, Panzy... Even with her being completely ineffective in battle... I really hope they do her better justice than they did to Pan in GT. Please, let there be no creepy lolicon vibes with her.
- Oh, they're getting chased by the police and Goku has become a fugitive, where have I seen this- Alright, let's drop the pretenses, this is 100% a remake of the Imegga storyline, isn't it? Oh hey look, looks like their Lood is already being set up and everything!

[JulieYBM]

God, the dystopian elements in this episode are so relatable. When I was working retail it felt like years of my life were being sapped away from me. Losing years of life as a form of tax collection is just cruel, because similarly, in the real world the poor have their scraps calculatedly stolen to line the pockets of already wealthy and powerful, rather than to improve society for everyone. Even in the real world, we work our minds and bodies to death and still ultimately die in suffering and discomfort.

The dynamic between the main trio is still a lot of fun. Each has a different way of playing off of one another that really keeps the balance of the dialogue and plot fun. Shin fans are truly eating good.

I can't wait to see how the group's dynamics change once literally me Panzy joins up in Episode #5. I hope she provides the same kind of disruption to the group dynamics that Pan did in Dragon Ball GT, but with more cool moments to shine.

[jjgp1112]

Something tells me Bulma's gonna be making repeat trips to Demon World for those Beaut Bugs

*prays for Funi's fellow kids tendencies to lead them to having Goku call Glorio 'Glorilla'*

[StaticMania]

And then the show does its thing, again, having to remind us that yes, Dende is kidnapped, there are Dragon Balls in the Demon Realm, there is a Warp thing... Yes, Daima, we know that. You don't need to waste 5 minutes of your runtime to remind us.

Newbie speaking: This was actually important...since they were establishing goals, geography (the location of the Dragon Ball), and things that Goku & the Supreme Kai wouldn't know (how to actually get the Dragon Balls).

A bit of re-establishment to allow characters to learn things they otherwise wouldn't know isn't really a bad thing. It's the least bad thing about how this episode handled its exposition at least.

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Newbie speaking: I think in terms of pacing, this was actually my favorite episode so far. It's about what I'd expect from the typical Dragon Ball adventure. Glorio gets a bit more characterization here, with the smirk he gives to the old man for lowering the price of his seed.

Learning about those bugs didn't feel jarring or sudden, it actually felt natural and we have a Senzu equivalent in place.

Some nice folks for our main characters to interact with, makes it feel not as "cramped"...since we still aren't cutting back to Earth or the main villains so far. This episode definitely felt really cheery tone-wise compared to the last 2's more laid back feeling.

And Goku actually used his Staff...so that's great. The fight scenes were pretty good and I like that Goku's all jazzed about fighting to stop what he clearly knows are bad people. I also like that Goku wasn't dumb enough to give his name to them when asked, it does seem like something he'd have done.

Exposition still remains the weakest aspect of this series, Goku complaining about the air being heavy seems like it should feel natural...and it makes sense, but I feel like he should be used to it already considering the previous episode. Despite what I said about re-establishing things just to make sure our characters actually know stuff, it does not help to have the characters stop walking to deliver information. It makes it very apparent what its doing. I do feel it was better here to the point that it wasn't too bothersome.

[JulieYBM]

The series lacks a dedicated "previously, on Dragon Ball" segment, so the in-episode recaps fulfill that role by allowing it to tie into the characterization of the dynamics of the characters. This was something LOST (2004) did a lot, too, albeit it was usually done with the characters of Sawyer and Hurley being funny lol.

[AliTheZombie13]

Newbie speaking: This was actually important...since they were establishing goals, geography (the location of the Dragon Ball), and things that Goku & the Supreme Kai wouldn't know (how to actually get the Dragon Balls).

A bit of re-establishment to allow characters to learn things they otherwise wouldn't know isn't really a bad thing. It's the least bad thing about how this episode handled its exposition at least.

I'm not against exposition when it feels natural.
This episode for example demonstrates it the best: Goku tries to fly, can't, has to be reminded that the air is heavy.
That's good, it takes two seconds, doesn't take away from the story, and explains the rules of the Demon World in a way that allows me to engage with it.

Now, when the characters spend over 5-10 minutes talking, and just talking, and just talking, and just talking about rules, I get bored and wish the episode would just end already.

[StaticMania]

Well, hopefully, since they did establish some sort of game plan here, the series won't nee to rely on a lot of exposition for a bit. I feel like we pretty much got all the information we would ever really need about Demon World #3.

We'll see.

[Makaioshin]

It really feels like a game story with the three worlds with three bosses, the random encounters, and now this merchant that provides them with healing and buff items. I am not crazy about what is going on but I am interested.

I would also really want to play the JRPG that this show is pitching.

[Soba Mask]

So Super once again got a blow with the demon realms DBs being the first ones

[AtlasFlame18]

So Super once again got a blow with the demon realms DBs being the first ones

Considering that most Demons have no idea what the wider universe is like such as with Ki I doubt they even know a thing about the Super Dragon Balls and their legend.

[GhostEmperorX]

The monster from the Sea of Darkness was cool, definitely something Toriyama would throw in there. Liked how the different bugs are just callbacks to regular series staples too.

Agreed with the exposition dragging as a downer, hopefully it ends this episode with the new developments arising from Goku making an enemy of the Demon Realm government (defeating Gomah would make him one sooner or later anyway and it would still be all the latter's fault). And the action sequence as well as soundtrack near the end were on fire.

Expect "Most Wanted" signs to pop up in short order (kinda like GT?).

OP re-arrangement got to shine more than usual during the Sky Seed scene. Getting a feeling that it won't be long before the people with doubts about Yamashita's work are changing their tune.

(Almost forgot this series shares at least one cast member with Thunderbolt Fantasy season 4, making her debut in this episode.)

[SelfTrainedNamekian]

pointless first half that took way too long, good second half that actually dident felt like a waste of time. the whole old couple section was probably made just to introdeuce the healing and fusion bugs. then they get on a flying flower just to ditch it quickly. so what is even the point? their first goal was to get their plane back so what is it with all this sidetrack? the second half actually felt important because it was about gomeh and the demon realm "goverment" power pole fight was crisp, pansy, and then it ended. another week to wait for yet another episode that probably will not be much either, all because i think it was suppose to be a movie and they decided to stretch it.

[Soba Mask]

still don't get, why they haven't simply used the namekian DBs... Or at least Vegeta and Co now...
Quote

[Bardock God of Time]

A new Goku-Vegeta fusion foreshadowed?

Not Gogeta or Vegito but something new?

[JulieYBM]

pointless first half that took way too long, good second half that actually dident felt like a waste of time. the whole old couple section was probably made just to introdeuce the healing and fusion bugs. then they get on a flying flower just to ditch it quickly. so what is even the point? their first goal was to get their plane back so what is it with all this sidetrack? the second half actually felt important because it was about gomeh and the demon realm "goverment" power pole fight was crisp, pansy, and then it ended. another week to wait for yet another episode that probably will not be much either, all because i think it was suppose to be a movie and they decided to stretch it.

The point was to reduce the amount of time that it took to reach their destination. The ride was only good for a set distance that was not enough to take them all the way to their end goal.