It’s True: Dragon Ball’s New Majin Buu Is Part Saibaman

Dragon Ball Daima has introduced an all-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 the wildly 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 quest for 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-favorite Android #21 might finally be introduced to the canon, alongside predictions that the Demon Majin of Dragon Ball Heroes could get their shine missed the mark considerably. Created with just a pinch of Majin Buu, Kuu resembles his Saibaman base more than the pink terror from which his name has surely been inspired. And though Dragon Ball is rehashing yet another of its classic villains, Daima does 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 in Dragon Ball‘s story, the Saibamen 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-canon Dragon 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 Daima has resurrected the iconic little green plant fighters as the 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.

The Saibamen weren’t very strong, even in their initial appearance, though it is likely the pinch of Majin Buu that will make Kuu a formidable fighter. Even Buu scaled far behind Super Saiyan 3 Goku during Dragon Ball Z, but his chaotic and unpredictable nature was what made him so dangerous. It wouldn’t be Dragon Ball without 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 modern Dragon Ballis the franchise’s habit of rehashing old villains. Dragon Ball Super is 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 resembled GT‘s Baby. When Daima hinted at the introduction of a new Majin Buu, some fans were unhappy that the last of Dragon Ball Z‘s major villains would be recycled.

However, Daima seems 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 a fresh 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 Daima has revealed its newest threat, and Goku will have quite a challenge ahead of him in coming episodes.

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Dragon Ball DAIMA

Dragon Ball DAIMA is the fifth overall series in the action-adventure anime franchise. It features most of the classic cast members as de-aged versions of themselves, including Goku, Vegeta, and Bulma. The series was announced at NYCC 2023, with creator Akira Toriyama returning to handle DAIMA’s run.

Seasons

1

Writers

Akira Toriyama