Dragon Ball Daima Has Set Up a New Bulma, But No One Can Replace the Anime Icon

The fifth episode ofDragon Ball Daimaundoubtedly excited fans who were displeased with Bulma once again taking a backseat when the series clearly positionedGoku’s new companion, Panzy, as the next Bulma. Skeptics are more wary of this development, however, because Bulma is not so easily replaceable.

Although a clear homage toGT, Daima is also lauded for being a retelling of the classicDragon Ballseries. In fact, some viewers have drawn comparisons between Panzy’s father, Kadan, and the Ox King, especially since Kadan promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to Goku, just like what happened with him and Chi-Chi. However, these comparisons are problematic becausePanzy’s personality clearly diverges from Bulma at the time of her debut, even though the Majin has claimed that her specialty is “tinkering with machines.”

Bulma tricks Goku in Dragon Ball

Bulma’s Early Depictions Were Much Different From Today’s

Panzy Is a Completely Different Character From Early Bulma

Bulma truly stood out in the originalDragon Ballseries becauseshe wasa problematic character who had little to no moral compass. In fact, the foundation of her relationship with Goku was based on deception, which is especially twisted when taking into account that she was the first person Goku ever met aside from Grandpa Gohan. In chapter #1, she tricks Goku into giving up his beloved four-star Dragon Ball by saying he’ll be able to keep it after Shenlong vanishes, when she knew that the balls would scatter after the wish was granted.

Other examples abound, like when she selfishly tries and fails to convince Goku in chapter #3 not to help Roshi’s Sea Turtle, claiming that saving the turtle would divert them from their quest. Meanwhile,Panzy is the very embodiment of all that is good. She is a royal who disguises herself as a commoner and puts herself in danger to help her oppressed people. Bulma would never have done that in the originalDragon Ball,even if her depiction changed significantly over time.

Panzy and Bulma in the opening

Bulma and Panzy Will Interact Soon in Dragon Ball Daima

The Series Promises an Interesting Dynamic

The opening ofDragon Ball Daimahas already shown Bulma, in her current child form, together with Panzy, meaning that in the near future the blue-haired scientist will reach the Demon Worldalong with Vegeta and Piccolo. It will be very interesting to see how the two character will interact. Bulma could act as a mentor to Panzy, but at the same time, going back to an earlier age and finding herself in a completely different environment could bring Bulma back to her less-than-honorable ways that fans of the earlyDragon Ballstill remember.

Daimahas clearly taken many elements of the originalDragon Ballseries, distancing itself from the high-octane nonstop action ofDragon Ball Z. Bulma was an important character at the beginning of the series, before taking a step back as the spotlight was left to the fighter. However, her role inDragon Ball Daimacould makeBulmarelevant again, and fans can rest assured that Panzy will never replace her.