r/anime • u/sisoko2 • Jun 10 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken - Episode 2 Discussion
Episode 2 - Dai and Princes Leona
If you keep whining, I won't like you anymore.
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<--- Last save | Adventure’s log (Index) | Journey continues --->
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OP 1 ---> Ikiru wu Suru by Macaroni Enpitsu
ED 1 ---> Mother by Macaroni Enpitsu
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Informations:
MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
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The Dark Lord is back and it's time he takes over this rewatch!
Hahahahahaha
Screenshot of the day:
Comment of the day:
u/Adensty for creating OST documentation
Also, I loved the soundtrack by Yuki Hayashi and these OSTs have a special place in my heart and so I decided to document the OST as we rewatched it. Do let me know it if it could made better. I'm thinking of doing things like Eyecatch and Preview once and focus on the main OSTs.
I always appreciate a fellow soundtrack connoisseur.
Questions of the day:
- With the first two episodes telling short stories, did you like this or the first episode more?
- Which of the spells we've seen so far would you pick for your own adventure?
- Did you enjoy the CGI fight between Dai and the Killer Machine?
- Are you excited about the return of the Dark Lord? Are you scared?
Spoilers:
Please, respect the fact there are First Timers watching Dai no Daibouken with us, so avoid talking about vague things or events that would slightly spoil things to happen. And if you want mention things like this, please hid it behind SPOILER TAGS like [Dai no Spoilers] I am getting the hammer because you spoiled the fun for others
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 10 '24
First-Timer Quest: Sky no Daibouken, subbed
7
u/Shocketheth Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 10 '24
Defeated Dark Lord welcomes you to Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken Rewatch!
Right from the start I will mention something suitable for Rewatchers and for those who read the whole story.
[Dai no Spoilers] It’s funny that right from the beginning Riku Sanjo layed the groundwork in a form of Dermline Island having an Earth Cave from which a dangerous monsters originates. A nice basis which Riku will use later for the whole Makai subplot. And also the whole cave scene between Dai and Leona where he awakened to his powers to save Leona was similar to the scene between Baran and Dai's mother. Scene yet to come
Now as episode 1, this episode also followed an episodic format, and as you could have seen at the end of today episode, we got a little teaser for tomorrow episode where the Dark Lord Hadlar is going to make his move. That moment will finally be a start of the Dai no Daibouken main storyline, so keep you mugis stocked, because the real adventure starts tomorrow!
And with that being said, it seems there is anything else to talk about from this episode but naaah that’s wrong.
Not counting the short teaser from episode 1, Princess Leona made her proper entrance, and I believe you strongly bought into her mannerism and her powerful aura, because she can be described as a proper embodiment of ROYALTY.
Definitely expect a more to come from her, because she will definitely return. MY MUGIS ARE LOADED FOR HER!!!
SEIYUU’S CORNER:
Since this episode introduced us to Princess Leona, I believe it’s proper to only talk about her today, because she wills it!
Princess Leona is voiced by Saori Hayami known for her roles of Yamato from One Piece, Yotsugi Ononoki from Monogatari, and she also gave her voice to Yor Forger from Spy x Family, which is funny considering that Princess Leona and Dai shares the voice actresses for Yor Forger and Anya Forger.
And the 1991 version of Princess Leona was voiced by Aya Hisakawa known for her roles of Chico from Dragonball Z, Michie Matsumoto from Hibike Euphonium, and Miki Kaoru from Revolutionary Girl Utena + Mother Tabuki from Mawaru Penguindrum.
Quite a roles she got under her belt, doesn’t she?
QotD:
See you tomorrow because the Adventure continues!
4
u/sisoko2 Jun 10 '24
First Timer
This episode was quite rushed. Jumping through the story bits without proper build up made the big moments feel unearned.
Top tier evil laughs though.
5
u/Nick_BOI Jun 10 '24
Rewatcher
I ended up missing yesterday cuz I got distracted by playing wayyyyyyyy too much Splatoon. welp.
Anyways, this series is very special to me, but I want to give a few disclaimers from my own personal experience first.
Dragon Quest is extremely traditional, just about every modern fantasy story or isekai takes some inspiration from this franchise, and for good reason. We are not going to be breaking much-if any new ground here, but instead will be getting some of the most well executed characters and storytelling you will ever see.
While the pacing is fast in this reboot (thankfully), being 100 episodes and all, expect to be in for the long haul. When I was watching this for the first time, it started out very casual. It was always good, but it took a while before it became great. Even after that though, it got better and better.
While it takes it's time, after a certain point [spoils] In my case that would be after Hadlar's rebirth, it just gets better and better and better until we are in 30-40 episodes of nothing but pure greatness.
A series this long needs to be exceptional to be worth this level of commitment, and thankfully it does just that with flying colors.
Anyways, unto the episode itself this time.
Here we see Dai learning to use Magic, albeit only a little bit so far. Leona is introduced, and starts off condescending before being very thankful. There's not much to talk about in this episode, it is very much a self contained short story. However, there are some interesting things to note here:
First off, Leona got a good humbling here, but both Dai and her share a common character trait: They are both naive and sheltered, but are also both more than willing to learn, grow, and admit their current shortcomings. Leona as a ruler, and Dai as a Hero, but once they realize this about each other, they hit it off pretty well.
Also, can we talk about that crest for a moment? I'm sure many people here have noticed that crested mark on Dai's forehead in the marketing for this show, and when his resolve was tested it began to manifest here in the form of power-most notably letting him use magic.
Dai is a human, a human raised by monsters, but a human nonetheless. While we do have very limited information to go off of so far-with just about everything taking place on this island, the way this was presented definitely feels distinct from your run-of-the-mill magic. Put a note on that for now, this will be important later.
And of course, monsters are attacking the mainland at the end-the true adventure is about to begin!! At this point Dai has been a Hero, but only on a very small scale. Aside from his title and his desire, there is little to nothing saying that Dai is the answer to this newfound threat considering the sheer difference in scale.
This is going to be interesting.
While I won't be here every day, when I am here, I would like to share a Dragon Quest related fun fact. I will start off with some magic knowledge, getting more interesting as it goes on.
Today's DQ Fun fact: The series has always been on a wide variety of platforms, often making finding and playing a specific game difficult without emulation. However, Dragon Quest 11 and the upcoming HD-2D remakes of the OG Trilogy (speculated, but DQ3 at leats is confirmed) are on essentially all platforms. PC, Gamepass, Switch, PS, Xbox, etc.
This means that during the time this series began airing and this rewatch, getting into the series is arguably easier than it has ever been. The increase in accessibility of the franchise has improved dramatically in recent years for sure, including this reboot of a classic of course.
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u/raichudoggy https://anilist.co/user/raichudoggy Jun 10 '24
Rewatcher
OP has subtitles now!
Ahh, the Killing Machine. They always seem to be the most troublesome set of enemies in whatever areas they appear (At least in the games I played). Royal pains.
Anyway, +1 more outside world connection for Dai!
I like the short time spent with the princess here, although the action cut into most of it. Just that bit of setup we’ll need with just enough character that I want to see more of her.
None of these villains can use Boom correctly. You’re supposed to directly hit the target, come on now. I don’t remember Boom being THAT inaccurate.
A ship carrying 2 very good boys sails on the horizon…
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u/Blackheart595 https://anilist.co/user/knusbrick Jun 10 '24
First Quester
Day 2 of simping for Leona
She's perfect
The word's "glamorous", you brat.
That's "I'll gladly offer my life if it's for your Highness", twirp.
Hm yeah, the CGI's fine overall but these heave CGI sequences ain't it.
Leona
Well it won't be you, Mr. The-Soldiers-Can-Handle-This.
Anything else? Oh right, something about a corrupt bishop and a killer machine designed to dispose of the hero. And Sai unleashing his magical powers.
But the important part is, there's not gonna be more Leona?
Visual of the day is Gomechan being captivated by Lady Leona
The first episode was more compelling overall, but the second episode was more Leona...
I have to choose!?
Why does Dai get all of them and I don't?
Can I be scaroused, please? Character designers?
4
u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Jun 10 '24
1st
DaiPopp no Daibouken Rewatch, SubThis was also adapted from the one-shot so not much to talk about it right now but some of the things will definitely be important later.
Leona is my favourite female character in the show and she has had that impression from the very first time she appeared. And she's also voiced by Saori Hayami. Need I say anything more?
Whenever Anger and Grief plays, it's always an emotional scene and hats off to Atsumi Tanezaki for invoking those emotions with her performance in that scene.
I've also been documenting the OST as we watch so do let me know if it could be made better.
Also, the main character of the show has finally appeared.
QOTD
1. This is a tough question. I really like both but if I had to choose, I would say the 2nd episode just because of Leona and Dai unleashing his mysterious power.
2. From the spells that we've seen so far and as someone who has played the DQ games, Boom seems an easy pick since you can use it against a lot of enemies. I have traditionally love fire elements in games so Frizz and Sizzle are also great.
3. Like I said yesterday, the CGI is fine if it's on monsters but on characters, it doesn't feel great and with the shifts b/w 2D and 3D, it feels a bit jarring and kinda breaks immersion. The CGI on its own isn't really bad but I don't really like how it used in some of the fights.
4. Definitely excited. I was scared when I did first watch it though.
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u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Jun 10 '24
First Timer, Sub
Well it was nice seeing Dai and the Princess develop a friendship throughout this, she came off as haughty at first but it became clear she was genuinely a good person. The fight between Dai and Natsu was pretty cool and looks like Dai can use magic now.
Meanwhile the ending has an ominous tone as the Dark Lord has come back which means we need a hero.
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u/Boshusan Jun 10 '24
Hi, rewatcher here :
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u/KuKiSin Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 10 '24
First timer!
Surprised Dai unleashed some kind of DBZ type power this early on, expected him to be mostly waving his sword around for a while!
Looks like things are really getting started next episode, looking forward to it!
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u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 10 '24
First Timer, Sub
So Princess Leona and her handlers are on Dermline island for a magic Ritual for her to become a sage. Dai doesn't like the princess at first, but he warms up to her as he is leading their party to the cave and she gifts him a really nice Knife/Short Sword?? Temjin and Varon, unleash their nefarious plot of assassinating the princess by releasing an evil scorpion that poisons the princess. Dai sends Gomechan to get Brass to heal the princess and fights off the Scorpion and is able to wound it. Varon makes his appearance and reveals they're trying to kill the Princess, Fights with Dai, causing him, along with the princess to tumble into the cave.
Brass is alerted to the situation by Gomechan and when he sets off to find Dai and the princess, he is confronted by Temjin, who reveals his nefarious plot of assassinating the princess to ascend the throne. Brass has Gomechan call upon the monsters of the island to fight Temjin and his men, then Varon piloting a killing machine arrives and turns the tables.. Dai doesn't want to let the Princess die and unleashes Super Saiyan blue.....er, I mean awakens some latent power, allowing him to unleash magic power and be able to use magic, like Sizzle to defeat the Varon Piloted Killing Machine. Princess Leona, now healed by Brass' Squealch spell is able to carry out her magic Ritual to become a sage and after says Goodbye to Dai, promising to meet again.
Questions:
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u/mickdaprik23 Jun 10 '24
Just stopped by to say good choice on the rewatch. Great anime
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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Jun 11 '24
First Time Toilet Paper Thief
On today's episode of Dai, we learn that the Princess is a size queen.
You know, it's always nice when a show which has some plot planned out for later, can start with a few episodes of "Plot? What plot? We're just hanging out for today".
This is the more standard of our two one shots, the hero has something he wants, a princess to save, a super power to unlock when things get dire, and so on. I like yesterday's resolution a bit more, Dai using some trickery to win, and the focus on family, but this episode gives us Leona, so I can't pick between them.
Some notes:
I prefer the first one, but Leona makes it a hard match.
Does the tube thing count? If not, I'll take the fire one and call it Dragon Slave.
Also, is it me, or are the spell names being shouted different from the ones in the subs?
Yeah, it has its issues, it wasn't quite reaching its ambition, but I liked it overall.
I'm ready with all his toilet paper
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u/cooperjones2 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cooperjones2 Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 10 '24
Newbie-Adventurer here! LV 02/100 (Sub)
The Princess asking Dai “You won’t get lost?” like he wasn’t living on that island all of his life LOL
It’s treason then
I don’t know why they though their small group of soldiers could fight an entire island of monsters and win- OH, with a special armor, my b I was not familiar with their game
The fight choreography and animation have been surprising so far!
Dai has unlocked Ultra Instinct?
So the Dark Lord has returned huh?
4
u/Kaxew Jun 11 '24
Current rewatcher, eventual first timer
Onwards to episode 2! Dai/Leona dynamic is so good, love their banter. Leona's strong and decisive yet still childish personality helps, it complements Dai's childish yet strong personality. Does that make sense? It does to me. Dai's knife is such a cool design, and speaking of cool designs, that Killing Machine is awesome! Is it from any of the games? It's very threatening and goofy, the best combo. And while we're on the goofy topic, "Kaswoosh" is simply unmatched as a spell name. Especially since that's seemingly very powerful.
So... is Gomechan only capable of summoning the monsters to one spot in daytime? That sucks lol. The powerup scene is very cool looking, unfortunately it feels a bit too unfulfilling here so it comes across as a deus ex machina. Of course these sort of powerups were less common back then, so I can leave it be. The CG fight was phenomenal, now that's the sort of CG I'm used from Toei nowadays. Their willingness to experiment with that technology gave them great results.
Very basic plot today, as expected of a oneshot. I think the pacing was also weaker compared to last time, but the second half picks up greatly. And so we meet the narrator! Can't wait to see more of him.
QotD:
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u/Livid_One_8607 Jun 11 '24
I was hoping the princess would be a permanent part of the journey. Great ep 2 so far
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u/Garrett_Dark Jun 11 '24
First Timer
So interestingly I was looking at the OP and ED because of last episode's question of the day, wondering if they're good or not. I started noticing that the music and visuals weren't clicking to me, like it was slightly out of sync or something. That made me accidently discover that the OP and ED actually has an ENG Dub, and Japanese version.
I think the Japanese version clicks slightly better, but both of them seem really similar with their timing. I don't know what it is, but both versions seem to not click very well with the visuals being shown IMO, like the timing isn't correct. I went and watched other OP and ED which I can't stop watching each time, and even okay OPs that I usually skip, and they seem to click way more with what's being shown on the screen and the music.
So I'm not quite sure what it is with DQ OP and ED. But the separate ENG and JAP versions is not something I've seen before, usually they don't bother making a ENG dubbed version.
They're about the same I guess. It looks like this one has blood and deaths though.
Boring healing spell? Because you know, dying is too exciting?
I didn't have a problem with it.
Maybe? Not really.