Dragon Ball Daima Hints at a Secret Origin for the Franchises Fusions That Could Explain So Much

Dragon Ball DAIMA has introduced plenty of exciting new perspectives on franchise staples so far, including Dragon Balls, Namekian origins, and, in its earliest episodes, fusion methods. The series has already explored the lore about Potara Fusions and ways to undo that which was previously considered irreversible. Still, in the anime, another method is introduced in the Demon Realm. In Dragon Ball DAIMA, the Fusion concept gets a potential origin, or at least another branch on its history, as the Join Bugs are introduced in the Demon Realm's Third Demon World, suggesting exciting moments ahead for Goku and friends.

Fusions were introduced with notable early examples in Dragon Ball Z's Namek Saga when Nail was absorbed into Piccolo and later in the Imperfect Cell Saga when he absorbed Kami. But as the franchise quickly reminds readers and viewers, Fusions are not exclusive to Namekians, with multiple incredible techniques possessing different entry barriers, including Potara and the Metamoran, aka Fusion Dance techniques. However, with the Join Bugs, there appears to be a distinct middle ground between Potara and Fusion Dance techniques in Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Join Bugs May Predate Potara Fusion in Dragon Ball DAIMA

Boasting Similar Conditions to the Fusion Dance but with Fewer Prerequisites

In Dragon Ball DAIMA episode #4, Goku learns about Medi Bugs, particularly the Join Bugs in the Third Demon World, with users being able split one into half, and share with another user to fuse into a more powerful, conjoined being for a limited time. This relative simplicity appears to be a more natural, consumable version of Potara Earrings, yet its effect is not permanent, with a vague time limit similar to that of the Fusion Dance's union. However, unlike with the Fusion Dance, Dragon Ball DAIMA never states that either user of the Join Bugs must have similar power levels first.

With the Glind indicated to have their origins in the Second Demon World in Dragon Ball DAIMA and the Medi Bugs being commonplace enough to be cheap souvenirs in the Third Demon World, there's plenty to gather from their first appearance. With their uses grouped with more mundane, general pharmaceutical purposes like healing burns, treating headaches, and skin treatment, not much stock is placed in Medi Bugs in the region. Perhaps this is due to Demon Realm residents' relatively low power levels in Dragon Ball DAIMA, rendering Fusion more a novelty than in the Buu Saga.

Medi Bugs Will Feature in Future Dragon Ball DAIMA Episodes

Glorio Humors Goku's Request

Despite Glorio's reaction indicating that Medi Bugs are nothing extraordinary in Dragon Ball DAIMA, Goku requests an assortment because he recognizes their value, especially as an outsider to the Demon Realm. The Join Bugs are one of several varieties introduced, including the Achichi, Zutsu, and Beaut Bugs, which serve their purposes and may be helpful in a pinch. However, they remain bugs at the end of the day, with Shin quickly repulsed by the idea of eating bugs even if they boast similar stamina-restoring abilities to the Senzu Beans.

Given the Demon Realm's mysterious and far-reaching connections to the origins of many of the Dragon Ball universe's phenomena, it's not a reach to suggest these Medi Bugs are connected to other well-known concepts in the franchise. Goku quickly parallels Senzu Beans with the Revive Bugs and the Fusion connection with Join Bugs indicates a point of origin for what'd become the Potara technique honed by the Glind of the Demon Realm. But the Join Bugs also tease an obvious yet exciting possibility in Dragon Ball DAIMA: more Fusion variants.

Fusions Are Surely in the Near Future for Dragon Ball DAIMA

Goku Kai and Vegolo on the Horizon?

Dragon Ball DAIMA dropping Fusion hints with the Join Bugs is a tantalizing move by the showrunners, hinting at the possibility of more wild combinations in the series. Shin shows an understandable distaste for eating bugs, so he and Glorio don't show initial interest in participating. Given the initial Fusion retcons from episode #1 suggesting that Potara Fusions can be separated by Majin Buu's internal gases, even with Supreme Kais, Fusion seems strongly suggested for Dragon Ball DAIMA's future.

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However, given Goku's canonical Fusions with Vegeta and the possibility of factoring in Piccolo, Join Bugs could produce exciting and, in all likelihood, highly weird unions in 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