Dragon Ball Daimahas introduced anall-new Buu, named Majin Kuu. Created by Dr. Arinsu and the Great Witch Marba, Kuu rises from his cauldron obedient to his new masters, and seems to be much more controllable than the original, chaotic Buu. Visually, the two Majin share very few similarities, likely due to thewildly unexpected creature used as Majin Kuu’s base: a Saibaman.
Daima’s ninth episode, titled, “Thieves”, slows the series down following the masterfully animated bout with Tamigami #3, yet continues to expand the story with consequential plot developments. Majin Kuu, a fighter of unknown strength, is now headed straight for battle with Tamigami #1,and will assuredly act as the newest roadblock in Goku’s questfor the Demon Realm Dragon Balls. While the creation of a new Majin Buu was teased in the previous episode, very few fans could have predicted that he would be part Saibaman.
Theories that the fan-favoriteAndroid #21 might finally be introduced to the canon, alongside predictions that the Demon Majin ofDragon Ball Heroescould get their shine missed the mark considerably. Created with just a pinch of Majin Buu,Kuu resembles his Saibaman base more than the pink terrorfrom which his name has surely been inspired. And thoughDragon Ballis rehashing yet another of its classic villains,Daimadoes so by using a wholly unexpected enemy as inspiration.
Majin Kuu Takes Inspiration From One of DBZ’s Earliest Enemies
A Saibaman Was the Main Ingredient in Majin Kuu’s Creation
Despite their rather short-lived inclusion inDragon Ball’s story, theSaibamen have become one of the franchise’s more recognizable enemies. Initially appearing in the Saiyan Saga, spawning from seeds which Nappa planted in the ground, the Saibamen managed to kill Yamcha before being torn to shreds by an angered Krillin. Apart from a brief return in the non-canonDragon Ball GT, their time in the series ended with their destruction at the hands of Krillin.
In all the arcs that followed the quintessential Saiyan Saga, the Saibamen were nothing more than a long forgotten memory. Now,Dragon Ball Daimahas resurrected the iconic little green plant fighters asthe main ingredient in the creation of the Majin Kuu. In appearance, the series' newest antagonist is more of a hodgepodge of different past enemies than anything else. He shares the greenish color of the Saibamen, while the rest of him is reminiscent of Frieza with the body of Super Buu.
Dragon Ball Daima Is Making Majin Buu the Anime’s Most Important Villain
Majin Buu has always been a big figure in Dragon Ball, and Dragon Ball Daima has just made him one of the most important villains in the entire anime.
The Saibamen weren’t very strong, even in their initial appearance, though it is likelythe pinch of Majin Buu that will make Kuu a formidable fighter. Even Buu scaled far behind Super Saiyan 3 Goku duringDragon Ball Z, but his chaotic and unpredictable nature was what made him so dangerous. It wouldn’t beDragon Ballwithout flashy transformations, so whether Kuu’s current form will be his final one remains to be seen. If the series truly wants him to take after his pink counterpart, he may even wind up absorbing another character.
Dragon Ball Recycles Another Villain, But Takes a Different Approach
The New Majin Buu Differs From Other Recycled Villains
One of the major criticisms surrounding modernDragon Ballis the franchise’s habit of rehashing old villains.Dragon Ball Superis guilty of reviving Frieza, Broly, and Cell, and placing them as the main antagonists of the series' films. While the TV anime’s villains were mostly unique, Goku Black strongly resembledGT’s Baby. WhenDaimahinted at the introduction of anew Majin Buu, some fans were unhappythat the last ofDragon Ball Z’s major villains would be recycled.
However,Daimaseems to have subverted fan expectations, by using an insignificant enemy of the past as Majin Kuu’s main inspiration. The pseudo fusion of a Saibaman and Majin Buu is afresh take on the series' usual affinity for reviving already disposed of threats, and far more interesting than returning Cell and slapping ‘Max’ at the end of his name.
Whether Kuu will be a formidable foe will only be revealed in future battles, though if he is simply a stronger Majin Buu,then Goku and company are in trouble. The Mini-fighters are considerably weaker than they were during the Buu Saga’s final bout, and struggled immensely then to come away with the victory.Dragon Ball Daimahas revealed its newest threat, and Goku will have quite a challenge ahead of him in coming episodes.
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Cast
Dragon Ball Daima sees Goku and his allies inexplicably shrunk into miniature forms, prompting a journey to the Demon Realm. This animated adventure, part of the Dragon Ball franchise, explores their mission to solve the mystery and restore their original statures. Released in October 2024.
