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Dragon Ball Daima Season 1 Episode 9: “Thieves” – A Fun but Flawed Adventure

The latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima, titled “Thieves,” delivers a mix of humor, action, and some questionable choices that have fans buzzing. As the ninth installment in this 20-episode series, the episode continues the trend of balancing lighthearted moments with the franchise’s signature battles. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into what fans are saying and break down the highs and lows.

The Plot: A Night at the Hotel (and a Stolen Dragon Ball)

The episode kicks off with Goku and his crew—Shin, Panzy, and Glorio—exhausted from their journey. Panzy, ever the diva, refuses to camp without a bath, leading the group to a nearby hotel. To avoid recognition, Goku dons a bear hat (which fans found hilarious, with one commenting, “Goku with that shirt lol. Doesn’t matter how he’s dressed tough. He’s not going to let thieves get away on his adventure.”).

Meanwhile, Vegeta’s group faces their own crisis: their spaceship gets stolen (again). This recurring gag has divided fans. Some, like Comment 7, are tired of it: “This thing of having a good part of the episode being about the plane being stolen needs to stop.” Others, however, find it amusing, with Comment 9 joking, “Insurance rates gotta be insane in the demon world because property theft is insanely common there lmaoo.”

The episode’s climax introduces Majin Kuu, a new antagonist who’s already polarizing the fanbase. Designed as a fusion of a Saibaman and Majin Buu, his look has been called everything from “awful” (Comment 40) to “underwhelming” (Comment 25). One fan even compared him to “Pikkon” (Comment 35), while another bluntly stated, “That design is ass. I hate that penis head look.” (Comment 49). Ouch.

The Highlights: Vegeta Steals the Show

Despite the mixed reactions to Majin Kuu, fans universally praised Vegeta’s screen time. His bar fight scene, though brief, was a standout moment. Comment 14 summed it up: “Well, I got to see Vegeta in two fights, though the bar thing was so freaking quick, if you blink you will miss it. LOL.”

Piccolo also got some love, with Comment 16 celebrating: “Let’s gooo Vegeta and Piccolo in action!” The dynamic between Goku and Panzy continued to charm viewers, with Comment 53 noting, “No way Goku was dressed like a girl. Funny moment.”

The Misses: Repetition and Weak Villain Design

The episode’s biggest criticism is its reliance on recycled plot points. The “stolen spaceship” trope is wearing thin, with Comment 17 calling it “pointless” and Comment 23 admitting, “If they would’ve turned this into a long gag, I probably would’ve dropped it for now.”

Majin Kuu’s introduction also fell flat for many. While some are holding out hope for a transformation (Comment 22: “Hoping he transforms later on.”), others are already writing him off. Comment 26 bluntly stated, “Majin Kuu doesn’t look cool. I hope he is not very weak compared to Goku.”

Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag

“Thieves” is an entertaining but uneven episode. The humor lands, the action is solid (especially Vegeta’s scenes), and the lore drops are intriguing. But the repetitive plot devices and lackluster villain design hold it back. As Comment 41 put it: “If the 20 episodes thing is true then I think this will fall a bit short.”

Still, the episode sets up some exciting possibilities—like the potential team-up between Goku and Vegeta’s groups (Comment 52: “Maybe they’ll finally regroup in the next episode.”). Here’s hoping Dragon Ball Daima can stick the landing in its remaining episodes.

Rating: 7/10 – Fun but flawed. Bring on the next battle!

“The Beginning After the End” – A Promising Start or a Disappointing Slide?

Episode 1 Review: “The Strongest King’s Second Life”

When The Beginning After the End (Japanese title: Saikyou no Ousama, Nidome no Jinsei wa Nani wo Suru?) was announced, fans of the original web novel and manhwa were buzzing with excitement. The premise—a once-powerful king reincarnated into a magical world as a child—sounded like a fresh twist on the isekai genre. But now that Episode 1 has dropped, the reactions are… mixed, to say the least.

The Premise: A King’s Second Chance

The story follows Grey, the strongest king in history, who, despite his power, wealth, and fame, dies alone and unloved. Reborn as Arthur, a baby in a world of magic, he gets a second shot at life—this time surrounded by a loving family. The first episode introduces us to Arthur’s new life, his doting parents, and the stark contrast between his cold past and his warm present.

Fans of the source material were eager to see how the anime would handle Arthur’s emotional journey. Some praised the storytelling, like one MyAnimeList user who said:

“I like that we get to see more of Arthur’s past life instead of jumping straight into the funny isekai fantasy world.”

But others felt the execution fell flat.

The Good: Heartwarming Moments & Potential

The strongest aspect of Episode 1 is its emotional core. Arthur’s interactions with his new family are genuinely touching. His mother’s warmth and his father’s pride create a cozy atmosphere that contrasts sharply with his lonely past. One fan noted:

“It’s always nice to see some appreciation for the roles of a parent though, that was unexpectedly warm.”

The opening theme also got love for being a “banger,” with one viewer raving:

“That OP WAS SO FIREEEEE. We are eating so good y’all.”

The Bad: Animation Woes & Generic Vibes

Unfortunately, the episode’s biggest letdown is its animation quality. Many fans compared it unfavorably to Mushoku Tensei, another isekai about reincarnation and personal growth. While Mushoku Tensei set a high bar for visuals and world-building, The Beginning After the End stumbled with stiff animation and excessive panning shots. One frustrated fan wrote:

“I counted at least the first 8/10 scenes being the screen sliding up then down then left then right.”

Others called it a “slideshow” or “2007-level animation,” with one particularly salty comment declaring:

“This shit is so ass lmao.”

The voice acting also divided opinions. Some found it lackluster, while others thought it fit the tone.

The Verdict: Should You Stick Around?

Episode 1 of The Beginning After the End is a mixed bag. It nails the emotional beats but falters in execution. Fans of the source material might tolerate the flaws for the story, while newcomers might be put off by the generic presentation.

As one optimistic viewer put it:

“I’ll give this a chance for another 2 episodes.”

And honestly? That’s fair. The potential is there—let’s just hope the studio steps up its game.

Final Rating: 6/10 (Decent, but could be so much better.)

What did you think of Episode 1? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Note: This review is based on fan discussions and personal impressions. The anime is produced by Studio A-CAT and premiered on April 2, 2025.