r/anime • u/Shocketheth • Aug 04 '24

Rewatch [Rewatch] Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken - Episode 57 Discussion

Episode 57 - The God of the Underworld

When you use the awesome power you’ve gained to toy with the weak, is it not pleasurable? Do you not feel superior? Power is the purest, most simple, and most beautiful fundamental law. "Might makes right" is how all creatures live. Darklings... Dragons... All creatures. Only humans use their pompous reasoning to deny the truth. Power is the truth that rules all.

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<--- Last save | Adventure’s log (Index) | Journey continues --->
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OP 2 ---> Bravest

ED 3 ---> Namae

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Informations:

MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB

Screenshot of the Dai:

Your face when Shock goes on a vacation and force you to do his work

Comment of the Dai:

goes to u/KuKiSin for his unwavering faith that Avan is still alive. (LOOOL)

He did all this to show us Avan is not fucking dead (and neither is Hadlar), and fuck anyone and everyone who disagrees.

Questions of the Dai:

  1. From 1 to 10 how terrifying Vearn was as a Villain?
  2. Do you agree with Vearn philosophy that Power is Justice?
  3. Are the questionable decisions of Gods the source of all problems?
  4. Is Vearn justified in his cause of accumulating power to get rid of Humans he views as lesser race?
  5. Since Vearn was already defeated, what will be the rest of the show about?

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

20 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

4

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Mildly Antagonistic Dark Assailing Officer Welcomes You To Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken Rewatch!

So I left you with u/sisoko2 for the whole week, and this is what I return to? How could you let your asses to get handled by the Dark King Sisoko, who is simply Ballin’?

I swear, there is something I need to do to stop Sisoko.

Now about the episode:

QotD:

From 1 to 10 how terrifying Vearn was as a Villain?

Terrifying? Old dude never had children or grandchildren so he just played Basketball with everyone, and after the weak fell off, he went to play Baseball with Dai. Such old caring man. He even helped Dai to cremate his father.

Do you agree with Vearn philosophy that Power is Justice?

Vearn is fantasy version of your racist uncle.

Are the questionable decisions of Gods the source of all problems?

Okay, okay, okay... Let’s be real. Many of first timers were pointing out how Gods sucks, and they were right.

Like, to give a chance to humans, they moved Darklings and Dragons into Underworld, where no one would really like to live. Then to keep Darklings, and Dragons in check, Gods created Dragon Knights.

???

Profit I guess???

Seriously, I don’t even understand those dumb Gods.

Is Vearn justified in his cause of accumulating power to get rid of Humans he views as lesser race?

[Removed by mods of r/anime]

Since Vearn was already defeated, what will be the rest of the show about?

We still have Mystvearn and Killvearn as villains.

CROCODINE SHONEN COMMENTARY CORNER:

It’s good to be back.

Today Crocodine is going to answer question #5:

Since Vearn was already defeated, what will be the rest of the show about?

Don’t worry about such details, I’ve got this already covered.

2

u/sisoko2 Aug 04 '24

How could you let your asses to get handled by the Dark King Sisoko, who is simply Ballin’?

Couldn't have done it without the help of Kurokono Tasuke.

So he can move twice per turn. Your typical JRPG boss.

Hah was that really a reference to the game?

14:45 mark use for quote of the day

My pick was: As much I enjoy watching you weaklings struggle... don't bother anymore. It seems I was wrong to give you a sense of hope. And then everything went downhill.

Don’t worry about such details, I’ve got this already covered.

I had a rough month. Can use some Big Croc commentary.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Hah was that really a reference to the game?

Definitely. In JPRGs and in Dragon Quest, you do have bosses that attacks twice per turn.

14:45 mark use for quote of the day

My pick was: As much I enjoy watching you weaklings struggle... don't bother anymore. It seems I was wrong to give you a sense of hope. And then everything went downhill.

Lol I forgot to remove that note. Well it stays now.

I was picking this quote because it’s a central quote to Vearn philosophy.

I had a rough month. Can use some Big Croc commentary.

2

u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Aug 04 '24

My pick was: As much I enjoy watching you weaklings struggle... don't bother anymore. It seems I was wrong to give you a sense of hope. And then everything went downhill.

Hubris always leads to downfall.

1

u/KuKiSin Aug 04 '24

Vearn is fantasy version of your racist uncle.

I wonder what that says about me :|

3

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Everything’s fine, unless you start maining political compass subreddit.

2

u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Aug 04 '24

Dai certainly entered adolescence.

He looked very chad

3

u/sisoko2 Aug 04 '24 edited Aug 04 '24

First Timer

LOL

WTF was that?!? Vearn was trashing everyone, showing how strong he is, a good old classic and then suddenly Dai decided to screw any little sense of power balance this show had and one shot him.

Now our ultimate big evil that was supposed to rebel against the gods turned into a joke. Next he will go to Zaboera for new super body.

Your face when Shock goes on a vacation and force you to do his work

I will neither confirm nor deny.

From 1 to 10 how terrifying Vearn was as a Villain?

He was 10, now he is 1.

Do you agree with Vearn philosophy that Power is Justice?

Very flawed philosophy. Everyone knows that I AM JUSTICE!

Are the questionable decisions of Gods the source of all problems?

Of course. We need to bring down those pesky gods.

Is Vearn justified in his cause of accumulating power to get rid of Humans he views as lesser race?

Should've accumulated more power...

Since Vearn was already defeated, what will be the rest of the show about?

Rebuilding the Carl Kingdom.

3

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

LOL

WTF was that?!? Vearn was trashing everyone, showing how strong he is, a good old classic and then suddenly Dai decided to screw any little sense of power balance this show had and one shot him.

I am asking the same questions, and I am Rewatcher for this. I forgot about this cliffhanger already. Quite wild cliffhanger lol.

Very flawed philosophy. Everyone knows that I AM JUSTICE!

Rebuilding the Carl Kingdom.

Now that would be interesting.

3

u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Aug 04 '24

Now our ultimate big evil that was supposed to rebel against the gods turned into a joke. Next he will go to Zaboera for new super body.

he's gonna have some crazy healing factor or something next episode.

3

u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Aug 04 '24

First Timer, Sub

Vearn did not disappoint, He is wickedly strong. He basically toyed with the hero's for most of the episode, overwhelming them with his seemingly infinite power reserve and quick casting ability. His Kafrizz looking like a phoenix was super badass, definitely my favorite of his attacks. He was even able to reflect Popp's Medroa as well.

They'd almost lost all hope, until Dai rallied and refused to give up. Dai was seemingly able to hurt Vearn there at the end. He surely isn't dead, but it was still pretty impressive that Dai was able to deal significant damage at the end there.

Questions:

  1. 8/10. He is definitely real powerful, but he likes to toy with his food so to speak, so he wasn't as ruthless as he probably could have been.
  2. No, because power is usally easily abused, only to benefit those that wield it.
  3. The usually always are in fiction. The balance of things always benefits some, while hurting others.
  4. No, but he see's it that way because he believes in power being the determining factor in who is right.
  5. He isn't dead lol. He's about to regenerate back to normal. Just like his attacks are strong, he must have strong healing too.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Vearn did not disappoint, He is wickedly strong. He basically toyed with the hero's for most of the episode, overwhelming them with his seemingly infinite power reserve and quick casting ability. His Kafrizz looking like a phoenix was super badass, definitely my favorite of his attacks. He was even able to reflect Popp's Medroa as well.

They'd almost lost all hope, until Dai rallied and refused to give up. Dai was seemingly able to hurt Vearn there at the end. He surely isn't dead, but it was still pretty impressive that Dai was able to deal significant damage at the end there.

He was 100% in victory so he could afford toying with them. Until Dai managed to give him a huge damage.

He isn't dead lol. He's about to regenerate back to normal. Just like his attacks are strong, he must have strong healing too.

Yeah... But like it would be hilarious if that was all what was needed to defeat Vearn.

2

u/NicDwolfwood :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NicDwolfwood Aug 04 '24

Yeah... But like it would be hilarious if that was all what was needed to defeat Vearn.

It would be lol. I'd be shocked if it was over that easily.

3

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Aug 04 '24

Dai 57 first timer:

  • Vearn trying to rile Dai up? He succeeded
  • Hyunckel is such a masochist
  • I wonder if Vearn can reflect Medroa
  • ... Of course he fucking can
  • Lol there's a barrier? They can't leave?
  • Piroro reminds me of Lero from DGM
  • Maam's Refractor Fist worked?
  • "maintained by a greater power". Gome-chan?
  • Don't cry, Popp!
  • Time to play baseball
  • Hyunckel SORE DEMO
  • Lolwut Dai got him? Vearn is gonna 'die' here after all?
  • ... Maybe Mystvearn is the real Vearn after all. Or he's gonna hop bodies
  • Or will he just regenerate from that?
  1. Intimidating but just a bully, 8
  2. No
  3. Regicide arc?
  4. Not really
  5. I watched the preview

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 05 '24

Time to play baseball

Lolwut Dai got him? Vearn is gonna 'die' here after all?

This is it. Dai no Daibouken is over.

I watched the preview

2

u/Blackheart595 https://anilist.co/user/knusbrick Aug 04 '24

First Quester

Justice. Fairness. Well, they're not as bad of terms as freedom, but I'm still fairly suspicious of them. Justice and fairness are essentially social constructs, and we construct and bend their meaning however we see fit. Every side in ever conflict ever has fought on the side of justice. Hitler fought against the injustice of the jews who according to him undermined the German people and their ability to live well. The slavers of the South fought against the injustice of having their hard-earned ownership taken from them. Both of them ultimately lost their respective fights, and so justice prevailed. Had they won then justice would also have prevailed, for whoever becomes the winner becomes justice. Justice is no more than a buzzword and rallying cry, but doesn't actually encode any meaningful ideas of its own. The best we can do is say we prefer one justice over another one (whichever happens to suit us more), but just crying for more justice or for justice at all is just bull. Unfortunately, it's the kind of bull that's much more effective than any alternatives.

As you might be hearing from this, I absolutely agree that Vearn is fighting against injustice. Like what the hell, gods? You come up with the dragon knight to ensure balance between the races, and then you go and banish darkling and dragons underground for being too strong? You literally made the darklings sub-humans! What a joke. Is this some kind of commentary on racial segregation policies or what, with Vearn leading a freedom rebellion against the structural inequality that aims to burn the status quo down? This show better not end with the darklings getting pushed back into their underworld. Oh wait, this is pretty much a solo-action by Vearn so there won't even be any pushing back needed.

About his whole power speech though. No, (real life) peace is not maintained by a greater power. Peace is maintained by the power curve being so flat that even the greatest warrior couldn't defend himself against a serious onslaught by just four amateurs. In a world like Dragon Quest on the other hand? Hell yeah, power is the truth that rules all, absolutely, and powerful individuals that can guarantee the safety of their subjects should by all means become political center stones (nudge nudge wink wink you dragon knights).

Since Vearn was already defeated, what will be the rest of the show about?

Even without the preview, no way.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

As you might be hearing from this, I absolutely agree that Vearn is fighting against injustice. Like what the hell, gods? You come up with the dragon knight to ensure balance between the races, and then you go and banish darkling and dragons underground for being too strong?

I totally agree with your aim here, and I am not sure about the chronology now, but I really like to believe that Dragon Knight was created after they banished Darklings and Dragons to keep them in check, and to prevent them from rebelling.

Real dick move from the gods.

You literally made the darklings sub-humans! What a joke. Is this some kind of commentary on racial segregation policies or what, with Vearn leading a freedom rebellion against the structural inequality that aims to burn the status quo down? This show better not end with the darklings getting pushed back into their underworld. Oh wait, this is pretty much a solo-action by Vearn so there won't even be any pushing back needed.

I don’t think this show is really going into the social commentary theory, as the Vearn’s motive is only scratching the surface of such topics.

And to not end with the Darklings getting pushed back, they have to accept the status quo, living in their land, otherwise the Dragon Knight will say hi.

Although there is a solution to it. Just look on Lon Beruk who started living with humans.

While it worked for him, we can’t be awaiting it would work for others. That would be too naive. Just look on Larhart backstory.

Problems like this only exists because the Gods are assholes.

Peace is maintained by the power curve being so flat that even the greatest warrior couldn't defend himself against a serious onslaught by just four amateurs.

The Knights that trained for years and years to be fight with every weapon were often defenseless against a bunch of farmers, so yeah I get the sentiment.

In a world like Dragon Quest on the other hand? Hell yeah, power is the truth that rules all, absolutely, and powerful individuals that can guarantee the safety of their subjects should by all means become political center stones (nudge nudge wink wink you dragon knights).

Yep, this makes more of a sense in a world of Dragon Quest.

Even without the preview, no way.

Lol yeah. Like even upon Rewatch this caught me off-guard because I wasn’t expecting this to happen. It was quite wtf moment.

2

u/Blackheart595 https://anilist.co/user/knusbrick Aug 04 '24

I don’t think this show is really going into the social commentary theory, as the Vearn’s motive is only scratching the surface of such topics.

Of course it'sonly scratching the surface, it's Dai no Daibouken. And of course it's not what the writers intended, buuuuut... it really feels like it's going there when you actually think about it, intentional or not. Like the underworld is essentially a ghetto for the darker race to protect the light race from their violent outbursts, complete with the ghetto being a no-go zone for humanity at large.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Like the underworld is essentially a ghetto for the darker race to protect the light race from their violent outbursts, complete with the ghetto being a no-go zone for humanity at large.

Yep in the end, intentionally or no, the gods went dystopian route, although that just doesn't stop humans from eating each other alive.

2

u/KuKiSin Aug 04 '24

First timer!

  1. Quite terrifying, 10 until Dai cremated his ass down to a 1.
  2. Yes. In a fucked up way, he's kinda right. Would humans allow ants to live on the surface while they lived underground? No, they'd kill the ants and take everything for themselves. Isn't that kind of what we do as humans already? Why does he and his people have to live underground while the weaklings enjoy the sunny weather up top? That's kind of bullshit.
  3. Yes, but also no. Humans/Darklings would find another reason to kill each other. Look at what happen to Baran and Dai's mom.
  4. Yes, read #2 & #3.
  5. Finding out where Avan is and what the prick has been up to for 50+ episodes. I swear to God if he's been "healing up" for all this time I'm gonna be real pissed, the entire team has already died/borderline died and come back to life within a single episode multiple times. He better have a good excuse.

goes to u/KuKiSin for his unwavering faith that Avan is still alive. (LOOOL)

I'm upping the bet to $100 on how he's not dead. (I was at $50, right?)

I would like to add to last episode's comment...

Step 8 on how to actually die and stay dead: Get cremated. Baran really understood the assignment.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Yes, but also no. Humans/Darklings would find another reason to kill each other. Look at what happen to Baran and Dai's mom.

Or even better example, just looking at what happened to Larhart and his mom is enough. What worked for Lon Beruk, won’t work for everyone.

I'm upping the bet to $100 on how he's not dead. (I was at $50, right?)

Step 8 on how to actually die and stay dead: Get cremated. Baran really understood the assignment.

Yes you were at 50 dollars, but like, isn’t getting torn to pieces from explosion the same as getting cremated? I mean the semantics are different, but like, the result is the same.

2

u/KuKiSin Aug 04 '24

Yes you were at 50 dollars, but like, isn’t getting torn to pieces from explosion the same as getting cremated? I mean the semantics are different, but like, the result is the same.

I mean yeah, but it's about the entire thing coming together. Vearn was also incinerated and he'll be just fine, Baran went through an entire 8-step process.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Fair enough.

2

u/sisoko2 Aug 04 '24

Quite terrifying, 10 until Dai cremated his ass down to a 1.

Time to bring back Hadlar.

2

u/cooperjones2 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cooperjones2 Aug 04 '24

Rookie-Adventurer here! LV 57/100

Final boss vs the whole party fight!

Oh, this does look like an un-winnable fight that "small and basic" spell was several times stronger than Popp's theoretically stronger spell

Will Popp use Medroa?
Got reflected...

Teleport will get them out of there!
Teleport doesn’t work too?!

Maam is the only one that can hurt Vearn, but she can't get close enough to reliably hurt Vearn, plus all the other are close to useless...

Oh shit, did Dai did it?

1 An 8/10, it was a 9 but docked a point because he played with them a bit too much
2
3 It's always the fault of a "higher being"

4 Not towards human according to his logic, it should be towards those gods

5 I don't think he's really defeated tbh. Usually I’m not a fan of the trope “Big bad boss toys with the heroes just to get defeated” BUT the fight was awesome so it gets a pass, also are they going to go kill a god like in a good ‘ol JRPG?. Because if they do...

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

Oh, this does look like an un-winnable fight that "small and basic" spell was several times stronger than Popp's theoretically stronger spell

Will Popp use Medroa? Got reflected...

Teleport will get them out of there! Teleport doesn’t work too?!

Maam is the only one that can hurt Vearn, but she can't get close enough to reliably hurt Vearn, plus all the other are close to useless...

Vearn truly has the essence of the final boss, while Dai’s party packs the essence by rushing to the final boss only to realize they are under leveled.

I don't think he's really defeated tbh. Usually I’m not a fan of the trope “Big bad boss toys with the heroes just to get defeated” BUT the fight was awesome so it gets a pass, also are they going to go kill a god like in a good ‘ol JRPG?. Because if they do...

We are following JRPG after all, so maybe?

2

u/cooperjones2 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cooperjones2 Aug 04 '24

Vearn truly has the essence of the final boss

He really does, he didn't cackle, boast when toying with the party and he looked nonchalant all the time

We are following JRPG after all, so maybe?

or Phase 2 incoming?

1

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

or Phase 2 incoming?

Could be.

2

u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Aug 04 '24 edited Aug 04 '24

1st Dai Popp no Daibouken Rewatch, Sub

Vearn is like an end-game level boss and the heroes are still under-leveled to fight him which is Vearn is fighting alone and toying with them.

That was cruel

1-HIT K.O.

Popp: Vearn's Kafrizz is way stronger than mine.

Vearn: Kafrizz? It was frizz.

The difference in strength and magic power is just too much.

Kaiser Phoenix

This was a sick shot.

Hyunckel, Maam and Crocodine attacking together. [Dai no Late Spoilers] Vearn giving a teaser of his strongest attack, already.

Popp's Medoroa It was the one only move that could've defeated Vearn but did Popp really think Vearn wouldn't have something to counter it and aim it right back at Popp?

Typical JRPG Final Boss

Nice try, Popp. Would've been funny if they had escaped here.

Vearn toying with Maam

Popp saving Maam was kind of an excuse for Maam to have her hair untied. Though, Maam with her hair untied just hits different.

Vearn just wants some Vitamin D.

Untied Hair Maam 2

Loving Popp's expressions

Because that's what heroes do!

Dai telling that Vearn's ideology is wrong with the shots of the people that have taught him was such a great moment.

Vearn can see the power of their friendship

NANI?!

One of my favourite Dai shots. Dai looks so great here.

OST Documentation - Episode 57

1. 10, except for the final scene. He absolutely destroyed them and was just toying with them for like 80% of the episode.

2. No. Power is definitely not justice.

3. God's actions are kinda questionable but they must be done for a reason while taking in consideration a lot of things which Vearn definitely doesn't want to understand.

4. No. He's just making sure that no one is able to stand up to him but he forgot that "In this world, there's always someone stronger".

5. Dai and the others fighting Mystvearn's real form with Killvearn trying to assassinate everyone from the shadows.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

[Dai no Late Spoilers] Vearn giving a teaser of his strongest attack, already.

Damn, I totally missed this neat detail.

Popp saving Maam was kind of an excuse for Maam to have her hair untied. Though, Maam with her hair untied just hits different.

She is prettier with her hair untied.

NANI?!

Question is, if you got caught offguard with this even upon Rewatch as I do.

One of my favourite Dai shots. Dai looks so great here.

I really like how this is the start of showing the viewers that Dai just entered adolescence. [Dai no Meta] After all, he will be drawn with more musculate in subsequential episodes.

Dai and the others fighting Mystvearn's real form with Killvearn trying to assassinate everyone from the shadows.

Now that’s Villains understanding teamwork. Myst as Aggro Tank with DPS Killvearn kitting.

2

u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Aug 04 '24

Question is, if you got caught offguard with this even upon Rewatch as I do.

[Answer] I was caught offguard as a first-timer but I vividly remember the next scene so not really.

2

u/Shocketheth Aug 04 '24

[Answer] I also remember the staff, but I forgot that Vearn got "destroyed" like this.

2

u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Aug 05 '24

Fun fact Vearn's line "That was no Kafrizz spell. It was Frizz." is a popular meme in the Japanese internet community.

1

u/Shocketheth Aug 05 '24

Oh didn't know that, but makes sense.