The Screen Scribe

It’s safe to say that Dragon Ball Daima is slowly, but very assuredly, building a plot full of mystery. We’re six episodes in now and there has been a fair amount of foundational work laid for what’s to come down the line. Episode 6, titled “Lightning”, is again another exposition heavy episode. Exposition may not always be fun, especially in a shonen series like Dragon Ball (we want to see fights fights fights) but exposition is often necessary if you want your story to make sense later.

But fear not, it’s actually quite fascinating and exponentially expands the lore of the Dragon Ball universe. The Supreme Kai and his people have long been a mystery since their introduction in the final arc of Dragon Ball Z, the Majin Buu saga. Their purpose and role in the universe was fleshed out in its sequel Dragon Ball Super as basically the deities and guardians of creation, working in tandem and balance with the God of Destruction to guide the trajectory of life in their respective universe.

But in episode 6 of Daima, we finally learn the origin of Shin’s people. In earlier episodes we learn they are called the Glind and originate from the Second Demon World. In the lastest episode it is revealed they are not born so much as grown from five sacred trees. This is incredibly symbolic given their role in the mortal world shaping the flow of life on every planet.

Glorio’s motivations and mystery continue to deepen as he evades questions from both Shin and Panzy about his history and how he came to be a resident of the First Demon World when he is clearly (to Panzy anyway) a resident of the Third. There’s also that sketchy phone call with the equally mysterious Dr. Arinsu, who we know next to nothing about, only that she desires funding for her research, whatever that is. So, we are left wondering what is Glorios relationship with Shin’s mad scientist sister and will it put him at odds with our heroes? With how Daima has been shaping up so far, I believe a villain turn would be too simplistic and there will definitely be a more nuanced reason to explain it.

We got to see a bit more of the Gendermarie, and it appears Goku is now public enemy number one in the Demon Realm after his little spat with the secret police in episode 4. We also get a little more backstory regarding the weird collars all Majin seem to wear and Panzy, despite being royalty, appears not to be an exception. It adds a fascinating layer of intrigue about the cultures of the Demon Realm and how much control the Supreme King exerts over all three worlds.

So with all that exposition out of the way, the episode was again fun, full of humour with Goku playing the team clown and providing plenty of laughs, and great character development for Glorio, Panzy and to an extent Shin as well. Goku just stays, well, Goku. We finally get a very brief, if humorous check in with the rest of the Z-Fighters on Earth, but the episode highlight was by far the fantastic sparring match between Goku and Glorio.

The new animation style really shines during this fight and Goku finally gets to fight a little more seriously for the first time in this series, obliging the Supreme Kai’s request to fully test just how strong Glorio really is. Glorio, funnily enough, was not convinced Goku could stand up to him in his child-form, but Goku very quickly, and in very Goku fashion, reminded everyone why he is considered the strongest fighter in the universe (though I still say it’s Gohan during this period). It was a joy to see the original Super Saiyan form given so much love and care during this fight and the fight itself really wets the appetite for what we may see when the real fights begin.

3 / 5 from the Screen Scribe.

Dragon Ball Daima airs every Friday on Netflix and Crunchyroll.