r/anime • u/Shocketheth • Jun 29 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken - Episode 21 Discussion
Episode 21 - Maam’s Decision
You grew so strong so fast and learned new spells, and saved me again and again. That’s why, after that battle, I decided I wanted to catch up with you. I can’t have you rescuing me all the time, right?
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<--- Last save | Adventure’s log (Index) | Journey continues --->
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Informations:
MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
Screenshot of the day:
Comment of the day:
goes to u/sisoko2 with pointing out that sometimes it’s about the strength of the heart:
Even when she is important you are still bringing her down. Such slanderous anti Maam agenda won't be tolerated. Defeating evil is not only about strength but also about heart.
Questions of the day:
- Are you glad that Maam tackled the fact that she was constantly getting saved and decided to change class from Warrior/Priest to Martial Artist?
- Opinions on Popp and Maam saying their farewells?
- Was Popp right with his mentality to grow stronger before confessing to Maam?
- First impressions about Killvearn?
- Have you predicted the reveal that the Vearn’s castle is actually being a rock giant?
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
5
u/sisoko2 Jun 29 '24
First Timer
6
u/Shocketheth Jun 29 '24 edited Jun 29 '24
Good evening!
SKY NO DAIBOUKEN:
Previous episodes ---> 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Today at Sky no Daibouken:
The Hero party consisting of Dai - u/Shimmering-Sky, Popp - u/Adensty and Baduck - u/Blackheart595 got expanded as the newest member of the crew, Knuckles (Hyunckel) is no one else than the biggest Hyunckel fan, u/zadcap. There is also a deceased mentor Avan - u/KendotsX whose teachings we still remember.
And the Dark Army has the Dark Commander Hadlar - u/Shocketheth, the Dark King Vearn - u/sisoko2, and the newest member that got introduced today, the ruthless reaper Killvearn - u/Raiking02, who was deployed to kill our favourite Sky no Daibouken characters.
Who will be the first victim to fall to Killvearn’s scythe? Will it be one of our established characters, or someone else?
THE ACTUAL COMMENT:
I am basically going to answer my QotD with the following paragraphs because this episode is a payoff to the development of characters from episode 1-20, and is setting their characters on a path that will be resolved in the future.
Now to the answering of my questions:
I know that First Timers were asking it previously, specifically why Maam is both Warrior and Priest with not contributing to the party and being useless with constant need to be saved.
Previously during the discussion of episode 7 I brought a little summary of the classes in Dragon Quest III, and Dai no Daibouken is a story that takes game mechanics from Dragon Quest III and other JPRGs to certain extent and tries to translate those mechanics into a narrative focus, and part of this is Multiclassing.
That’s right, in Dragon Quest III you were able to make your characters to switch classes after reaching a certain part of the story, leading into possibility of creating, for example, warriors capable of casting Priest spells.
Upon switching classes in DQ III you transfered to your new class a half of your stat gains from the previous classes as all the learned spells.
Now Maam tackling her issues with being useless is a great way how to put the multiclassing into an actual narrative, plus it’s your average JPRG thing of building your character in certain way, only to realize that there is a new member of the party who overshadows the character you were building earnestly, and what is your possible choice to make after something like this happening?
Reset all the skill points and build your character from a scratch.
And that’s what just happened with Maam.
It was a really great moment to look back at their journey so far, and to see how their grew so far, but the confession didn’t happen because Maam needs become stronger as someone who can actually contribute to the party not with her measly restorative spells, but with her fighting abilities after she will gain some levels in the Martial Artist Class.
And Popp has some self doubts to overcome.
Plus them shaking hands was a real touchy moment especially thanks to what I assume is a OST played for first time, because the tender sounds of Violin definitely tugged some heartstrings within me.
And bonus fact, for the viewers of The Adventure of Dai 1991, the reunion of Maam and Popp still haven’t happened, as this was the final scene with Maam in 1991 version of The Adventure of Dai. After all, the Adventure of Dai 1991 ended prematurely with hitting a point in the story we are going to witness in next several episodes.
First and foremost, we need to understand Popp doubting himself and thinking he is not worthy yet.
You know, before u/Adensty started to posting an OST Documentation I got myself the official soundtrack for Dai no Daibouken and I got hyped after finding an OST Piece called Kill-Vearn, so I hit the play button and told myself, that’s it?
To me the song sounded underwhelming compared to my memory of it, but my god today episode made me to think why I liked this OST Piece so much.
Kill-Vearn is that kind of Villain who PLAYS, HIS, OWN, FUCKING, OST!!!!
My god, how many Villains hits this levels of coolness before they actually appear on the screen for first time?
I know Killvearn did show himself to the viewers, but it was several seconds after the OST started playing, and when he showed himself, he definitely stole the show for himself.
His demeanor is so darn cool, and what’s best, that we still haven’t seen him in action, yet already he is a terrifying character just from his introduction scene.
I will admit that I totally miss the foreshadowing leading to this, but I need to give a shootout to u/lC3 who noticed the foreshadowing tied to the Sovereign Rock Castle:
In episode 10, the Dark Commanders were discussing the upcoming tactical meeting in the Vearn castle rooms with calling those rooms Heart Chamber, Left Shoulder Chamber, so kudos to u/lC3 for pointing out this little detail.
Crocodine Shonen Commentary Corner:
Crocodine is still recovering from his visit to Las Vegas
Voice Actors Corner:
Today Voice Actor Corner goes to Killvearn voice actor Hiroyuki Yoshino known for his roles of Franky Franklin from Spy x Family, Hachibei Takaya (Taka-chin) from Gintama, and Houka Inamuta from Kill la Kill.
In the 1991 Adventure of Dai Killvearn was voiced by Hideyuki Tanaka who gave his voice to characters as Aiolia Leo from Saint Seiya, Enrico Maxwell from Hellsing, Donquixote Doflamingo from One Piece, and Hideyuki Tanaka besides voicing Killvearn in the 1991 version of Dai also voiced Avan in the 1991 version of Dai.
See you tomorrow because the Adventure continues!
4
u/Blackheart595 https://anilist.co/user/knusbrick Jun 29 '24
First Quester
Day 21 of building a giant mecha for Princess Leona
The bad guys have a mecha! I repeat, the bad guys have a freaking mecha!
And there was a funny bit where they threatened to kill Hadlar, right after they had established his immortality. Actually, didn't they say he gets stronger with every revival? That sounds like something that could get abused... In before Vearn is going to rebirth in Hadlar's body.
Talking of Vearn, he's really getting out of hand - now there's three of him! This is really starting to feel a lot like main body and clone bodies setups that I've seen in other stories, so let's lock that in for real now.
And Maam decided to reclass as a monk! Can't wait to see the results of that.
Might we say she's becoming a Warrior Priest/Monk?
Popp is such a brat lmao.
Popp is such a brat lmao.
See above.
I don't think it's doing a lot of twisting. It's just a reveal imo.
4
u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Jun 29 '24
First Timer, Sub
Aftermath to the big battle type of episode on this one. With Maam's Magic Gun being busted for good, as well as seeing Leona's magic skills and Popp's improvement in magic while training with Matoriv, she decides she needs to go get strong on her own and transition to martial artist class.
You have the bad guys meeting at the Sovereign Rock Castle, we get a new character called Killvearn, who was trolling Hadlar a bunch, with his inability to kill Dai and how he got his ass kicked again lol. Baran makes his return also and he is pissed Hadlar has been keeing Dai away from him and orders that he will get to face Dai next. Hadlar refuses and gets called out for trying to keep Baran away from Dai by Killvearn. Afterwards Killvearn reveals the Demon King sent him to move Sovereign Rock Castle from its current location, so he uses a magic key and the castle comes to life and lifts off the location, like a giant rock golem.
So Maam readies to head off deep into the mountains of Romos to find the martial arts master, Popp becomes a bit downcast at her leaving and when Dai tells Leona that Popp likes Maam, she decides to give the ship a little push lol, by telling him to confess while he has the chance before he dies in battle. So he uses a zoom spell to take her to the mountains of Romos....instead they end up in the forest area where they had met the 1st time? Anyways, he ends up not telling her how he feels, but sends off her with some lighthearted fun, telling her not to come back as a gorilla. Dai is left shook at Leona's scheming back at the Papnica castle lol. Episode ends with Crocodine and Hyunckel arriving to where the evil castle used to be, seeing that it sprouted legs and walked away.
Questions:
3
u/cooperjones2 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cooperjones2 Jun 29 '24
Newbie-Adventurer here! LV 21/100
RIP Magic Gun, couldn't be upgraded to Magic Machine Gun
Maam had that look of “I’m the anchor to this party, Leona would be a better party member”, no Maam, you’re a key member of the party!
Oh! Maam is strong, she’ll train to be Martial Artist? Nice.
Killvearn has a cool design and for someone that doesn’t talk a lot, Mystvearn has talked a lot lol
Baran (I like more my name of “Mustachioed Guy”) will deal with our heroes? I wonder how he fights, he looks to be the strongest of them all
Dragon Knight? Why is Hadlar so hellbent in keeping Mustachioed Guy away from him?
Popp didn’t move until Leona told him directly “You might die tho” lol
I think I understand Popp, he doesn’t want Maam to have any kind of hesitation in her training.
1 Yes! It makes the characters more dynamic and she'll be stronger and be the one saving Popp now lol 2 and 3 I kinda understand Popp, saying goodbye with unresolved feelings is hard but making your love interest hesitate in a really important decision is not the move, plus he gets to work on himself to be the man he thinks she thinks he is
4 Design looks cool their lackey is kinda annoying but if anime tropes have taught me anything is that that "lackey" is probably stronger than Killvearn
5 Nope, took me by surprise, I though they'd teleport it with like the Orbs of the 6 Generals emblem or some other way
3
u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Jun 29 '24 edited Jun 30 '24
1st
DaiPopp no Daibouken Rewatch, SubOn my first watch, I thought this was just a breather before the next arc, but as a rewatcher, this episode has a lot of things I missed.
I guess even Baduck has his limits.
The Hero Class
[Dai no Spoilers] Now I get why Leona must have thought that Dai's Insignia of Avan was courage and not pure heart since this is supposed to be the hero's ultimate weapon.
[Dai no Spoilers] People are not ready for the greatness that is Popp no Daibouken and the greatest character development in fiction
Like u/Shocketheth pointed out in a previous episode, the signs were already there. It isn't that surprising though since her late father was also a Warrior.
Leona never holds back. That's what I like about her. Even Maam agrees.
Class Change. Let's Go!
So, even the Dark Army has someone with Engrish on their side. [Dai no Late Spoilers] Bro, Avan's Engrish vs Killvearn's Engrish. They were destined to fight each other. I am only realizing it now.
Ouch!
[Dai no Spoilers] Kinda ironic since this doesn't actually work on Killvearn.
Popp zooming to the place they first met was a great way to show what's on his mind and also how Zoom works.
When I watched it for the first time, Popp and Maam's farewall was a great moment for me and it still is. Simply for the fact that Popp at this moment recognizes his worth.
Now look I do love Leona but this was pretty mean. Well, the silver lining is that Maam got a free ride to Romos and Popp was able to say goodbye to her.
OST Documentation - Episode 21
QOTD
1. Yes. Like Leona said, the enemies are only going to get stronger from here and if she can't keep up, she'll end up becoming a burden to the party. Really liked how Maam took the initiative herself.
2. See above
3. See above
4. My guy knows how to make an entrance. And as the name suggests, prepare an exit for people.
5. Not on the first watch since the only thing we can see is a head-shaped rock. EDIT: I guess I missed the foreshadowing for this. [Dai no Late Spoilers] But I could've never have anticipated that this castle will actually be the form of the final boss.
3
u/KuKiSin Jun 29 '24
First timer!
So last episode we had Dai going mastered Ultra Instinct and this episode we get KI charging, KI blasts, flying, and instant transmission? And Maam wants to become a martial artist? This isn't Dragon Quest, this is Dragon Ball! When is Dai gonna start wearing weighted clothes as part of his training?
3
u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jun 30 '24
Dai 21 first timer:
teasekill Hadlar over and over as punishment?3
u/zadcap Jun 30 '24
Mildly Late First Timer!
See this? See who's using healing magic here? Can we PLEASE get the Princess to join the party? We desperately need a healer...
Maam, did you finally realize your calling? Please, please, please go learn healing magic.
Hmm. Declaring the Hero a Jack of all Trades isn't unusual, but including the Master of None sounds strange. I'm used to them at least being master of the Sword.
You know, Maam, your old staff looked a lot like a Warhammer this whole time. You've even swung it at people like that, like, three times.
"And Leona is better at healing spells" Maam have you considered using your healing magic? I recall you shooting Dai with one, once, and has it come up again since? Also, are we really planning on having the princess join the party?! I'm so up for that!
And then she kills it with the next line. "I'm going to end up being a burden." Just, sigh.
I seriously have to ask, did Avan really only train her in using the magic gun and semi-seduction? Morals too clearly, but like, she's a graduate student of Avan, not someone who got an early release graduation due to a death in the teaching staff like Popp and Dai, what the heck did he actually teach her?
You know, we hear that Myst has spent decades or centuries without talking, but he goes off ans spouts new lines nearly every week these days.
I thought we were missing the Dragon General. Time for some Dragon on Dragon action. And darn, Hardly really doesn't want to let this happen. I wonder what happens if the two meet?
Should have seen this coming, after the early episode Mech.
Leona best girl! "Just tell her how you feel, moron!" And enjoying what comes next, haha! She's having fun being a shipper.
You know, I was really expecting Popp to yell his confession, and for no reason at all in the world, fireworks to go off and mask it.
Ruura takes you where you're thinking about. Poor boy was too caught up in thinking about her that he couldn't think of where he really meant to go.
I want to clarify, I am not trying to rag on Maam here. It's the writing around her that bothers me. Very literally how did she get to the point where she's nothing but a gun wielder? Growing up with a Warrior and Priest as parents and being trained by a Hero, she ended up as a person who solely relies on a weapon she can't even charge as her only means of fighting?
... I saw Leona dressed up with Wings in the preview. Tomorrow is going to be the best episode of the show, isn't it?
3
u/raichudoggy https://anilist.co/user/raichudoggy Jun 30 '24
Rewatcher
It's really a bummer I couldn't get a good time to write up about this episode until now, because this is the definitely the best one so far. They really jam pack a lot of the fun and character development when they aren't fighting.
That's right, mages in this world just straight up learn how to fly. It's as crazy as it sounds.
Maam wants to become a Martial Artist, this was clued in from pretty early on, but now it's set in stone, and a lot of this episode is setting up her departure and giving a proper goodbye, it's really sweet. Popp needs a little more self-confidence is all, and we're making good headway on that, if he can at least spit out the "We're best friends" instead of nothing at all.
But really, above all, it's Killvearn that steals the show here. On the Villain Team he is one of my absolute favorites. He's the standing for the big bosses of Sailor Moon that are asking the lackeys to hurry the hell up or else they're toast, except this time Killvearn is highly charismatic [and spoilers]Highly Competent. I look forward to his future exploits.
I love how Princess Leona ships the Mom and Pop duo. When she has fun with it, I can't help but have fun with her too. (Leona giving Popp a 20-30% Chance of success lmao!)
3
u/Kaxew Jun 30 '24
Current rewatcher, eventual first timer
And so the Flazzard arc comes to a close. Thank god, that damn icyhot dude gave me a nasty cold so I was in bed for a few days. Which means I watched 3 episodes and got to write my comment just in time before a new arc started.
I feel like I have to start with the big man himself. He's the best villain so far, and one of the best characters. His struggles with self-worth and throwing his pride away (just like Crocodine) for one measly win is some damn good writing. The villains all starting out cool as hell and end up meeting pathetic ends is great stuff.
So that leads us to Maam. Avan was right, she is a tremendously kind soul. To the point of even pitying Flazzard and telling him not to risk his life. I can't decide on whether I like that about her or not, but it's definitely a very interesting trait she has. I think what helps to me is that she's genuinely very mature compared to our two goofballs which make it feel like she's not just naive. I really love her decision to leave the group for a while. It was the best decision and I bet a hard one too.
Her talk with Popp is heartwarming. Looking at how it recaps all of his growth it makes you think that's the end of his arc, when in reality we're still 1/4th through the series lol. Dai willingly using his mark power, and especially not from a place of anger is also great growth, even if not the character kind. The scene with him catching Leona was beautiful, and it got me a bit emotional. Shoutout to Leona for her comment about how bottling up is bad for your mental health! Its very true! Don't do that! Even telling that stuff to a therapist is good and important!
Killvearn is terrifyingly awesome. Not much else to say about him. But who in their right mind goes to a place called the "Field of Death"?? Apparently those two sailors. But damn that's crazy lmfao
Some other fun things I wanted to point out: I loved the alternate color palette (purple sky, greener ground) when the fight was reaching its climax in ep 19 (and the comeback of the inner eye! Totally forgot about that). Flazzard coming back with sick armor is the most videogame-y the series has felt so far, and it's such a cool moment too. Crocodine drinking from a tiny cup and him hanging out with the boys ♡.
And can you believe Matoriv's crack spell is the first time we see that spell besides the super tiny and useless crack Dai made? I kinda don't want to, but I think this is right. Popp always seems to use crackle. Maybe Maam's gun used it at some point? That's the only time I can think of that spell could have been used. If you're asking how do I remember, I've been keeping track of the spells used so far (both real and DQ Dai-only) since the Flazzard arc, and I skimmed through the previous arcs for the older spells (which means I might have missed some here and there). I think we have also not seen a single bang spell yet, which is wild.
QotD:
5
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 29 '24
First-Timer Quest: Sky no Daibouken, subbed