Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 review: A solid transition episode
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 aired on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11:40 pm JST. This episode could be perceived as a transition of sorts since it shows Goku's heading to the Second Demon Realm despite some obstacles and Vegeta's group finally reaching them, with the introduction of Majin Kuu being the most notorious event.
This Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 review analyzes the anime’s storyline, production quality, casting choices, and other elements. Let's assess the series' progression thus far and conclude whether it does justice to the legacy of author Akira Toriyama and the franchise.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series and reflects the author’s opinions.
Reviewing Dragon Ball Daima episode 9
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9: A brief synopsis
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 started with Goku and his party deciding to stay at a fancy hotel since Panzy wanted to take a shower and sleep on a bed. From the moment they get there, several people recognize the protagonist as the one who defeated Tamagami Number Three, and they decide to steal the Dragon Ball, which leads to Goku and Glorio catching up and defeating them thanks to Panzy putting a tracker on the orb.
The episode also shows Gomah and Degesu discovering that the protagonist and his friends are in the Demon Realm, much to their annoyance, with the new king yelling at Shin's brother. Meanwhile, Vegeta's party got their ship stolen by some thieves who the Saiyan Prince fought the night before, so they have to wait for Goku's party to aid them.
The plot of Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 has Goku and the others meeting up with them, but it turns out they can't share the same ship because of the weight, so Panzy calls his father so he can send them another one. Vegeta, growing frustrated, managed to let off some steam by defeating the thieves who stole their ship. The episode ends with Dr. Arinsu and Marba creating their own champion of evil, Majin Kuu.
Narrative review of Dragon Ball Daima episode 9: Solid transition episode, even if a bit uneventful
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 could definitely be seen as a downgrade from the previous one since it didn't have a dynamic battle (Goku vs. Tamagami Number Three) or a lot of major plot revelations (Arinsu with Marba). But it was an enjoyable installment with the added bonus of finally seeing Majin Kuu for the first time, generating a lot of speculation.
It is an episode that could be described as uneventful since the attempt to steal Goku's party was mostly irrelevant but served to showcase the group's growing dynamic. There was also a moment to give the likes of Piccolo, Vegeta, and Bulma some time to shine while setting the stage for some plot points (Hybis having the Evil Third Eye).
It is understandable if fans have the perception that Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 adds to the slow pacing of the series. Those who perhaps feel that the story should have progressed a lot further at this point have a valid point when considering that the people of Toei Animation are reaching the tenth episode next week.
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9: Reviewing the production, animation, soundtracks, and voice acting
As highlighted in previous reviews, the voice cast has been one of the most consistent elements of the series thus far, whether it's the energy of Bulma and Panzy, Goku's lighthearted attitude, or even Vegeta's frustration in this episode. All voice actors have managed to provide their characters with a lot of charisma and personality, which is to be expected in a franchise of this caliber.
When it comes to the animation, the visuals of the series, particularly the backgrounds, continue to be beautiful, such as the room where Gomah and Degesu were talking or the landscape of the hotel where Goku's party stayed. Moreover, Goku and Glorio's fight with the thieves had some beautiful and fluid animation, which has been a constant in this anime.
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 has a very underrated soundtrack thus far since it doesn't overwhelm the reader and knows when to step up. This is usually shown in the battles where the music tends to take center stage.
Final thoughts
Dragon Ball Daima episode 9 didn't move the plot all that much beyond having Goku and Vegeta's groups meet for the first time since they arrived at the Demon Realm and Majin Kuu's introduction. While it had some good moments, it is understandable if fans consider this a problem with the pacing of the series.
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- Dragon Ball community split by fan calling Daima Goku not "a strong dumb guy like in DBS"