REVIEW: ‘Dragon Ball DAIMA’ Episode 17 — “Gomah”

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17, “Gomah,” sees the Z Fighters prepare to square off with Arinsu and her Majin fighters. But before Goku (Masako Nozawa) and Majin Duu (Fukushi Ochiai, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway) can get going, Gomah (Shôtarô Morikubo) enters, with enough power to threaten them all thanks to the Third Eye.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 opens with our heroes face-to-face with Arinsu (Yôko Hisaka). Flanked by her new Majins, Arinsu exudes confidence as introductions are made. But rather than dive straight into the fight, Supreme Kai (Yumiko Kobayashi, Drifting Home) steps forward to speak, hoping to reach a peaceful solution with his estranged sister.

In the brief exchange between Kai and Arinsu, Kai’s personality shifts noticeably. The generally laid-back and amicable Kai feels unusually devious here. A squint of the eyes and a more rigid posture than usual bring an odd edge to the character. Given the shift’s timing, it comes across as if Kai is reverting to a previous personality, like how people sometimes regress to past tendencies when visiting family. It leaves a mysterious air around Kai, making one wonder what he may have been like before leaving the Demon Realm and taking on his current role. 

After the sibling negotiations bear little fruit, Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 sees the two groups agree on a plan for who will get to make a wish with the Dragon Balls. A one-on-one fight will determine who gets to take the prize. After the predictable bickering between Goku and Vegeta (Yûdai Mino) as to who will fight for their team, Bulma (Mai Nakahara, Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story) puts an end to the debate, giving Goku the go-ahead to fight. Seeing the proud Saiyan Prince sulk after being put in his place by Bulma is a routine that never loses its humor.

With the final details nailed down, Goku and Majin Duu begin their battle.

The opening moves play through the classic warm-up period of major Dragon Ball fights. Holding back, Goku tests his new opponent, getting a measure of what he can do. The creativity displayed here maintains the levels established in previous fights. Eventually forced to go Super Saiyan, the fight begins to ratchet up the tension, only to be disrupted by an unexpected foe.

Gomah arrives on the scene in an equally impressive and ridiculous form. Having completed his transformation due to the power of the Third Eye, Gomah is now far taller and more jacked than he was. Towering over everyone Gomah demonstrates his newfound might by willing into existence an arena to fight his opponents in.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 does a great job of conveying this impressive display of telekinetic will. Not wanting to wait for the venue to change, however, Vegeta launches a preemptive attack against the newly empowered Demon King. This prompts Goku to call for everyone to follow suit, creating a massive melee with all the fighters, including the Majins and the Tamgami, to break out against the monstrous new opponent.

Dragon Ball DAIMA has frequently raised the bar in the quality and creativity of its fights. This persists in the grand melee that comes to engulf the final stretch of the episode. Team-ups are used to bring even more spice to the battle, as characters who never fight together meld their skills into new combination attacks. However, the series also adds a visual stand to the creative choreography.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 charges through the fight.

The perspective weaves and bobs around the combatants as the combined force of heroes and villains swarm their mutual enemy. The fluidity of motion gives this battle a kinetic feel usually lacking in the presentation of Dragon Ball fights. The fighters are always buzzing with energy, but the perspective and presentation bring just as much to Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17.

As the battle reaches its crescendo, Gomah stands atop a spire in the center of the arena. The camera continues its elegant passage around the battlefield, and we see each of the fighters preparing their signature moves. With a pulse-pounding score emphasizing the build-up, Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 releases all the tension in one gigantic ki-filled moment. The animation displaying Gomah’s weathering of the futile joint attack is gorgeous. The villain’s maniacal laughter feels fully warranted as he soon counters with his barrage, scattering his foes.

With the situation looking hopeless, Goku decides there is no choice but to pull out his trump card, Super Saiyan Three. As the newly transformed warrior prepares to reenter the fray, the episode cuts, leaving the moment hanging till the next installment.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 starts with great, exciting, and unique fights for the franchise. The extra polish the episode delivers with its visuals creates even more impact for the planet-shaking punches the franchise is known for.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Episode 17 is streaming now on Crunchyroll and will arrive on Netflix next week.