Episode 18 of Dragon Ball Daima, titled “Awakening,” has ignited the Dragon Ball community with a thrilling blend of nostalgia and fresh twists. The episode, which premiered on February 14, 2025, on Crunchyroll, sees Goku pushing his limits against the formidable Supreme Demon King Gomah, leading to a stunning transformation that has fans buzzing.
A Desperate Battle Against Gomah
The episode opens with Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 form, fiercely battling Gomah. Despite the Saiyan’s power, Gomah, empowered by the Third Eye, proves to be a challenging opponent. Allies like Majin Duu and Tamagami Number One join the fray, but even their combined efforts seem futile against Gomah’s overwhelming power.
Arinsu, the scheming scientist, observes the battle, her own plans for dominion simmering beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the situation grows increasingly dire as Gomah unleashes devastating attacks, pushing Goku and his allies to their breaking points.
Cookie Power-Up and Unexpected Alliances
Amidst the intense battle, there are moments of levity and unexpected cooperation. Majin Kuu, in a surprising act of support, provides Majin Duu with a massive chocolate chip cookie, which Duu devours to replenish his energy. Inspired by Goku’s power-ups, Duu attempts to mimic the Saiyan’s transformations, leading to comical yet effective attacks against Gomah.
Even villains like the Majin brothers find themselves fighting alongside Goku and his friends, highlighting the severity of the threat posed by Gomah. However, the Tertian Oculus’s magic proves too powerful.
The Return of Super Saiyan 4
As Gomah prepares to deliver a final blow, Neva intervenes, bestowing energy upon Goku. This surge of power triggers a transformation unlike any seen before in the main Dragon Ball timeline. Goku ascends to a new form, one that merges elements of his own power with that of Gogeta’s Super Saiyan 4 form from Dragon Ball GT.
This transformation marks the canonical introduction of Super Saiyan 4 Goku into the main Dragon Ball continuity, a moment fans have eagerly awaited for nearly three decades. The form boasts a regrown tail, red fur, and even bigger muscles.
A Risky Move?
The decision to incorporate Super Saiyan 4 has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans celebrate the return of a beloved form from Dragon Ball GT, while others question its canonicity and how it was attained. The GT series is often considered the “black sheep” of the Dragon Ball franchise. However, executive producer Akio Iyoku teased exciting twists and revealed that Daima was greatly inspired by Dragon Ball GT.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the new form, Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 form is not enough to defeat Gomah. This suggests that it will take more than just a new transformation to beat him.
Glorio’s Wish and a Looming Betrayal
Despite Goku’s efforts, Gomah traps him in a sphere of energy, reverting him to his base form. With Goku incapacitated, Arinsu seizes the opportunity to enact her plan. She instructs Glorio to bring her the Dragon Balls, revealing her intention to use Porunga to become the new Supreme Demon King.
In a shocking twist, Arinsu reveals that she had Glorio learn the Namekian language for this very purpose. Glorio summons Porunga, and as he makes his wish in Namekian, our heroes fear they have been betrayed. The episode concludes on this cliffhanger, leaving viewers wondering about the true nature of Glorio’s wish and the fate of Goku and his friends.
A Nod to Dragon Ball’s Roots
Many viewers feel that Dragon Ball Daima is more like classic Dragon Ball than any other entry that followed the original series’ conclusion. The series has stripped the franchise to its core, revealing the adventurous spirit and sense of wonder that has been hidden since Goku’s childhood. The introduction of the Demon Realm has placed characters in both intense and comedic situations.
Episode 17 Recap: The Enemy of My Enemy
To fully appreciate the events of episode 18, it’s helpful to revisit the key moments of episode 17, titled “Gomah.”
- Arinsu’s Ambition: The episode begins with Arinsu and her Majin Buu copies, Duu and Kuu, confronting Goku’s group. Arinsu reveals her desire to create a more terrifying Demon Realm.
- A Fateful Duel: Arinsu proposes a duel between representatives from each side, with the winner claiming all three Demon Realm Dragon Balls. Goku and Majin Duu are chosen to fight.
- Gomah’s Ascension: Their battle is interrupted by Gomah, who has implanted the Oculus on his forehead. Neva explains the history and power of the Oculus, as Gomah uses his newfound abilities to create an arena.
- Teamwork Against Gomah: Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and others join forces to fight Gomah, but even their combined efforts are ineffective.
- Super Saiyan 3 Transformation: As Gomah prepares to strike Goku down, Duu and Tamagami Number One intervene to protect him. Goku seizes the opportunity to transform into Super Saiyan 3, setting the stage for the epic clash in episode 18.
Daima’s Production Quality and Akira Toriyama’s Touch
Dragon Ball Daima has been praised for its high production quality and animation. Many feel that this is the best Dragon Ball has looked in decades. This is in large part due to Akira Toriyama’s involvement in the anime. Toriyama’s vision and understanding of his own property is felt in just about every aspect of Daima.
Looking Ahead
With just a few episodes remaining, Dragon Ball Daima is heading towards its climax. The introduction of Super Saiyan 4 Goku and the looming threat of Arinsu’s wish have raised the stakes. Fans are eagerly anticipating the next episode to see how Goku and his friends will overcome these challenges and restore balance to the universe.
