Dai no Daibouken
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| Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken (also known as Dai's Big Adventure) | |
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| DRAGON QUEST -ダイの大冒険- (Dragon Quest -Dai no Daibouken-) |
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| Genre | Shōnen |
| Manga | |
| Authored by | Riku Sanjo (story) Kôji Inada (art) |
| Publisher |  Shueisha Tonkam Mundo Vid Planeta DeAgostini Comics     |
| Serialized in | Weekly Shonen Jump |
| Original run | 1989 – 1996 |
| No. of volumes | 37 |
| TV anime : Dai no Daibouken | |
| Directed by | Nobutaka Nishizawa |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Network | TBS TF1 TV Azteca Italia 1 SBT TVCI
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| Original run | October 17, 1991 – September 24, 1992 |
| No. of episodes | 46 |
Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken was an original manga based in the fantasy world of the video game series Dragon Quest. The manga was originally created as a two chapter short story "Derupa! Iruiru." Its success led to a three chapter sequel "Dai Bakuhatsu!!!" (Dai Explodes!!!) which in turn led to the serilization of Dai no Daibouken.
The manga later spawned an anime series, which would be the second one based on the Dragon Quest franchise, Dragon Quest: Abel Yuusha (known in America simply as Dragon Warrior), being the first.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The story, roughly written at the beginning, starts with a young kid named Dai remembering a story told to him by his adoptive grandfather, the monster magician Brass, about the defeat of the Demon Lord Hadlar by the hands of a hero who, as the story progresses, is known to be Avan (with whom he would train shortly afterwards). Avan, however, did not fight alone: by his side, a warrior by the name of Loca, a priestess named Leyra and a magician known as Matoriv would fight to free the world from the tyranny of Hadlar, granting all kingdoms a season of peace that would last for 10 years.
After the defeat of the Demon Lord Hadlar, all of the monsters were unleashed from his evil will and peace reigned supreme around the world once again. Some of those monsters and demons, freed now from Hadlar's command, moved to the island of Delmurin to live in peace. Dai, the young protagonist of the series, is the only human living on the island. Having been raised by the kindly monster magician Brass and with his best friend Gome (a play of words for "Golden Metal Slime"), Dai grows up to dream of becoming a hero, even despite the efforts of Brass to train him -without success- into the ways of a magician.
Some events would happen on this island which would strengthen Dai's dream of becoming a true hero. One of these events is the visit of some false heroes who wanted to kidnap Gome for riches and wealth, while another is the visit of the princess of Papnika, Leona, who had to finish a ritual in Delmurin to become a true heiress to the throne. Albeit these events would strengthen and develop the character of Dai into a hero, the true story begins when a very special person arrived at the island to meet with Dai: Avan, instructor of heroes, who by Leona's request, came to the island to teach Dai the ways of a true hero.
Alongside Avan came a young apprentice by the name of Pop, who in time would become Dai's best friend and a magnificent magician, growing up from being a cowardly companion to a brave, young ally. Avan offered Dai a full week training which, due to its difficulty, would create a hero out of him. Dai, with no doubt in his heart, accepted happily to undergo the hardships of such training which involved, asides of magic and tactical combat, the secret sword techniques of Avan: "Cleave The Earth", "Cleave The Sea", "Cleave The Sky" and the most powerful of them all which needed the knowledge of the previous ones, "Avan's Strash", which was known to be able to cut everything in its path.
In the middle of such hard training and just having learned the second of the three main cleave techniques, Dai, Pop and Avan were confronted by the Demon Lord Hadlar, who was supposedly dead. Arrogant as he always was, Hadlar announced to Avan that he worked for an even more powerful lord who resurrected him: The Great Demon Lord Vearn. Avan, weakened by the spells he used to help Dai on his training, confronted Hadlar without success and, to protect his students and get rid of Hadlar at the same time, sacrificed himself with the help of a spell which required no magical power but a person's own life force to be cast called "Megante". Sadly, the spell couldn't finish off the Demon Lord and left Dai, Pop, Brass and Gome to fend for their lives alone.
As Hadlar proceeded to get rid of Avan's disciples, Dai awakened a hidden power within himself which is represented by a strange marking on his forehead (which he would use previously on Leona's visit to Delmurin and which is known as the symbol of the Dragon Knight), nearly defeating Hadlar and making the latter flee for his life. Dai, however, decides to leave the island with Pop to defeat Hadlar and his master, The Great Demon Lord Vearn, avenging Avan and bringing back the peace which now was lost to the world.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Disciples of Avan
- Dai (ダイ Dai?) Voiced by: Toshiko Fujita - 12 year old Dai grew up as the only human on Delmurin island. He gains some fame after defeating a group of fake heroes who had kidnapped his friend Gome. When the Demon Lord Hadlar is resurrected the previous hero, Avan, comes to help train him to be the next hero. Dai possesses the ability to gain super strength and a better control of magic when the emblem of the dragon appears on his forehead (later in the manga his hand.) This strength is due to the fact that he is the son of the Dragon Knight Baran.
- Pop (ポップ Poppu?) Voiced by: Keiichi Nanba - As the son of the weapons merchant Junk, 15 year old Pop left his home in Rankaksu and decided to become an apprentice of Avan, training to become a magician. He is a specialist on fire spells, mainly those of the Mera type (Mera, Merami and Merazoma) but, as the story progresses, he learns more powerful spells such as Betan (which is a gravity pressure attack) and Medoroa (one of the most powerful spells available.) Pop begins as a coward who runs away from fights, but he later grows as a powerful character throughout the story and gains true courage. Pop falls in love with Maam as the story develops.
- Maam (マァム Maamu?) Voiced by: Miina Tominaga - Maam is the daughter of Leyra and Loca, the priestess and warrior who helped Avan in the original fight against Hadlar. Maam trained under Avan and is proficient with healing spells but never could successfully learn any offensive ones. After studying under Avan, the latter gave her a magical gun that shoots magic spells, which helped her compensate for her lack of expertise with any of the other schools of magic (which Pop is an expert in.) When the gun gets destroyed she decides to change to another class, fighter, and temporarily leaves the party to train under Brokeena, known as the God of Martial Arts.
- Hyunckel (ヒュンケル Hyunkeru?) Voiced by: Hideyuki Hori - Hyunckel's parents were killed in a monster attack, but one of the monsters took him in and raised him like a son. When Avan killed Hadlar and Hyunckel finds his adoptive father dead, he secretly holds a grudge against Avan. Hyunckel then becomes Avan's first pupil but, after graduating, unsuccessfully tried to kill his teacher. He was then taken in by Myst-Vearn who brought him up to be General of the Immortal Army, one of the six main armies under Hadlar and Vearn's control. After discovering that Hadlar had killed his adopted father he joins Dai's party.
[edit] Other Main Characters
- Avan (アバン Aban?) Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka - Avan was the previous hero who defeated the Demon Lord Hadlar. When he was younger, he befriended princess Flora, the ruler of the kingdom of Carl, and Loca, the general of Carl's army, usually goofing around behind his thick glasses to hide his true power from everyone. When Hadlar tried to murder Flora, Avan decided not to hide anymore and protected her and the whole kingdom from the Demon Lord. After temporarily defeating him, he embarks on a journey where he would meet with Leyra, Maam's mother and Matoriv, a powerful magician to finish off Hadlar for good. After their victory, he decided to become a trainer for a future generation of heroes. When Hadlar is resurrected and comes to defeat him, Avan casts the self-sacrifice spell Megante to protect Dai, Brass and Pop. It is later revealed that Avan had a protection item that saved his life from the effects of the spell. Having survived, he then chose to level up to be of more use to Dai and his other students in their fight against Hadlar.
- Leona (レオナ Reona?) Voiced by: Hisakawa Aya - Leona is the princess of Papnika. She is training to be a sage and is well-versed in the magic arts. Her country comes to near destruction after the return of Hadlar by the hands of Hyunckel, who she forgives and sentences to become a "true disciple of Avan." Her father is missing and presumed dead, leaving her in control of rebuilding her kingdom and helping in the fight against the Demon Lord. She is friends with Dai, although it is hinted Dai feels something more for her.
- Gome (ゴメ Gome?) Voiced by: Touma Yumi - Gome is a one of a kind rare Golden Metal Slime. He was Dai's first friend. Throughout the story Gome produces small miracles that help Dai and his friends. In the end it is revealed that Gome is a wish-granting item created by god to grant the wishes of pure hearted people. Gome took the shape of a slime to grant Dai's wish for a friend when he was younger.
- Crocodine (クロコダイン Kurokodain?) Voiced by: Ginga Banjou - Crocodine is a massive anthropomorphic crocodile who used to be the general of the Hundred Beasts Army. After having been defeated by Dai and Pop's teamwork, he was inspired by Pop's courage and later joins the party. He has many beasts still under his control, even despite Hadlar's influence throughout all the world and has a powerful weapon called the "Void Axe", which allows him to cast Baji, one of the two wind spells available.
[edit] The Demon Lord's Army
- Hadlar (ハドラー Hadorā?) Voiced by: Aono Takeshi - Leader of the Demon Lord's Army. Hadlar was the previous Demon Lord until he was defeated by Avan. Hadlar was resurrected by the Great Demon Lord Vearn, and thus turned to serving him.
- Crocodine
- Hyunckel
- Flazzard (フレイザード Fureizādo?) Voiced by: Yamaguchi Ken - Flazzard was created by Hadlar using forbidden magic. Flazzard cares only for glory and winning, taking no interest in fair fights.
- Zaboera (ザボエラ Zaboera?) Voiced by: Tatsuta Naoki - One of the Commanders of the Demon Lord's army, Zaboera relies on trickery to get what he wants.
- Baran (バラン Baran?) Voiced by: Unshou Ishizuka - Commander of the Super Dragon Brigade, Baran is a fierce fighter with strong morals. He is the true Dragon Knight of the era and in his youth he defeated Velther. After the fight he was mortally wounded, but was helped by Soara, the princess of Alkeed. The two fell in love, but when her father the king discovered that Baran was not human he was thrown out of the castle only to be followed by Soara, who announced to him that she was pregnant. Some months passed from that event, where both Baran and Soara lived happy and without concerns, awaiting the birth of Dai (who they named Dino.) When the king found the two lovers, Baran gave himself up to protect his wife and child and was sentenced to death. When Baran was to be executed, Soara jumped in the way to protect him and died. In his anger he wiped the kingdom of Alkeed off the map. He was then unable to find Dai, who had ended up on a boat that was destroyed in a ship wreck. Afterwards he decided that all humans should be exterminated for the good of the world.
- Myst-Vearn (ミストバーン｜Misutobān?) Voiced by: Nanba Keiichi - One of the Commanders of Demon Lord Vearn's army, Myst-Vearn was Hyunckel's evil teacher. Near the end of the manga it is shown that Myst-Vearn is really a ghost like being inhabiting one half of Vearn's body.
- Kill-Vearn (キルバーン Kirubān?) Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka - Called the shinigami, Kill-Vearn's job is to assassinate members of the Demon Lord's Army that have betrayed Vearn. He is accompanied by his helper Piroro. In the end it is revealed that Kill-Vearn was actually working for Vearn's rival, Velther. His job was to kill Vearn if there was a good opportunity. It is also found out that the form of Kill-Vearn is just Piroro's puppet, and that behind Kill-Vearn's mask is a Black Core.
- Vearn (バーン Bān?) Voiced by: Utsumi Kenji - The great demon lord Vearn calls himself the god of mazoku. Vearn hates that the gods gave humans the surface world to live while the mazoku have to live without the sun. Thus his goal is to blast away the surface to both rid the world of weak humans while also giving the sun to the mazoku.
[edit] Media
[edit] Manga
The manga was first released as “Derupa! Iruru!” in Shonen Jump volumes 25 and 26 of 1989. Volumes 35-37 included the short story “Dai Bakuhatsu!!” and the serialization of Dai no Daibouken began that same year in volume 45. It continued on for seven years before ending in volume 52 of 1996's Shonen Jump. The manga was collected into 37 Tankōbon volumes. Later it was re-released as a Jump Remix with interviews and other extras included. It was then released into 22 Bunkobon volumes. Near the end of its serialization a Perfect Book was published which collected some of the art of the series along with trivia, and new information.
[edit] Anime
The story was first animated as a movie that was released in the summer of 1991. The TV anime series was broadcasted the following fall and it aired weekly Thursday 7:00-7:30pm from October 17, 1991 to September 24, 1992. It ran for 46 episodes. The anime followed the manga fairly closely with a few exceptions, the greatest of which is the ending of the anime, which correlates to the tenth volume of the manga but changes a key event to create greater closure. The second movie entered theaters in the spring of 1992, and the third in the summer of that same year.
[edit] Episode and Movie Titles
Episode List
| episode# | Japanese Title | Japanese translation | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | オレは小さな勇者ダイ‼ | I'm the small hero Dai!! | 1991-10-17 |
| 2 | 死なせてたまるかレオナ姫 | I won't let you die Princess Leona | 1991-10-24 |
| 3 | 怒れダイ！輝け竜の紋章!! | Feel anger Dai! Shine Dragon's Emblem!! | 1991-10-31 |
| 4 | 勇者の家庭教師 アバン登場 | The hero's tutor Avan appears | 1991-11-07 |
| 5 | アバン流・勇者の超特訓‼ | Avan Style Extreme Hero Training | 1991-11-14 |
| 6 | 魔王ハドラー出現！キメろ必殺技海波斬‼ | The Demon Lord Hadlar appears! Perform the special move Kaihazan | 1991-11-21 |
| 7 | 卒業の証は仮免、決戦‼ ハダラー対アバン | The sign of graduation is provisional, Hadlar VS Avan | 1991-11-28 |
| 8 | アバン自己犠牲呪文に散る!? 撃て・最高技‼ | Avan dies from a self-sacrifice spell!? Shoot the ultimate technique. | 1991-12-05 |
| 9 | さらばデルムリン島！大冒険への旅立ち‼ | Goodbye Delmurin island! Journeying on a great adventure!! | 1991-12-12 |
| 10 | さまよえる魔の森！獣王クロクダイン登場 | Wandering in the Monster's Forest! The King of Animals Crocodine appears | 1991-12-19 |
| 11 | うなる真空の斧！むかえ撃てアバン流刀殺法 | The howling Void Axe! Great it with a hit of an Avan-style sword technique | 1992-01-09 |
| 12 | 我らが師アバン、魔弾銃に残された思い出。 | The one we call our teacher Avan, the memories left with the Magic Bullet Gun. | 1992-01-16 |
| 13 | 妖魔司教ザボエラの罠 あ!?ニセ勇者御一行様 | The Youma Bishop Zaboera's trap Ah! The Fake Hero's party | 1992-01-23 |
| 14 | 百獣魔団総進撃‼ ロモス王国の危機を救え！ | The Demon Animal Army's blitz attack!! Rescue Kingdom Romos from its crisis! | 1992-01-30 |
| 15 | なぜ？ダイを襲うブラス‼ 卑劣なり妖魔司教 | Why? Brass attacks Dai!! The cowedly Youma Bishop | 1992-02-06 |
| 16 | ふるい起こせポップ！ひとかけらの勇気を‼ | Raise the shaking Pop! Of the small fragment of courage!! | 1992-02-13 |
| 17 | 奇跡を呼ぶ破邪呪文‼友情よいまここに… | The Exorcism spell that calls a miracle!! Friendship now here... | 1992-02-20 |
| 18 | 怒りの紋章が直撃‼ ひえる獣王クロクダイン | A direct hit from the emblem of anger!! Cool down the Beast King Crocodine | 1992-02-27 |
| 19 | 海を渡れダイ！魔王軍６大軍団長集結 | Cross the ocean Dai! The commanders of the Demon Lord's Army gather | 1992-03-05 |
| 20 | 恐るべき敵あらわる!? 魔剣戦士ヒュンケル！ | A frightening enemy appears!? The demonic swordsman Hyunckel! | 1992-03-12 |
| 21 | 父の敵は・アバン!? 憎しみの黒き最強剣‼ | The focus of revenge is Avan!? The strongest sword of black hatred!! | 1992-03-19 |
| 22 | 暗黒闘気！”闘魔傀儡掌”がダイを襲う‼ | The fighting spirits of darkness! "Toumakugutsushou" attacks Dai!! | 1992-03-26 |
| 23 | マァムの危機！力を合わせて稲妻を呼べ‼ | Maam's danger! Work together to summon lightning!! | 1992-04-16 |
| 24 | マァムを救え！地底魔城潜入・死の迷宮‼ | Rescue Maam! Infiltrate the underground Demon Castle, The Maze of Death!! | 1992-04-23 |
| 25 | 思い出を…ありがとう… 真実の父の声‼ | Thank you for... The memories... A father's true voice!! | 1992-04-30 |
| 26 | さらば孤独の戦士ヒュンケル‼ 決着の魔法剣 | Farewell lonely soldier Hyunckel!! Settled with the magic sword | 1992-05-07 |
| 27 | 空から来た味方‼ ダイよ急げレオナのもとへ | The ally from the sky!! Dai hurry to Leona | 1992-05-14 |
| 28 | レオナはオレが守る‼ 対決‼勇者対氷炎将軍 | I'll protect Leona!! Showdown!! The Hero versus the commander of Ice and Flame | 1992-05-21 |
| 29 | 氷炎結界‼ああ!レオナが涷れる少女に… | The Ice and Flame Barrier!! Ah! Leona becomes the frozen girl... | 1992-05-28 |
| 30 | アバンの親友!? 大魔導士マトリフの大特訓‼ | Avan's close friend!? The Great Mage Matoriv's big training!! | 1992-06-04 |
| 31 | レオナ救出作戦の始まりだ! バルジ島上陸‼ | The rescue mission for Leona! Landing at Valge Island | 1992-06-11 |
| 32 | 宿敵ハドラー‼ポップよ勇気で立ち向かえ‼ | The old enemy Hadlar!! Pop stand and face him with courage!! | 1992-06-18 |
| 33 | 戦士は復活した‼激突ヒュンケル対ハドラー | The Soldier has returned!! The clash of Hyunckel versus Hadlar | 1992-06-25 |
| 34 | いのちの輝き! 最終闘気・グランドクルス‼ | The radiance of life! The final fighting spirit Grand Cruss | 1992-07-02 |
| 35 | フレイザード勝利への執念! 嵐の弾岩爆花散 | Flazzard's tenacity towards victory! The scattering flower storm of Bakudan Iwa | 1992-07-09 |
| 36 | でたっ! アバン流最後の奥義・空裂斬‼ | It's done! The last secret technique of Avan Kuretsuzan!! | 1992-07-16 |
| 37 | アバンストラッシュ‼ いま…すべてを斬る… | Avan Strash!! Now... Slice everything... | 1992-07-23 |
| 38 | アバンの使徒の道…そしてマァムの決意 | The path of the disciples of Avan.. And Maam's decision | 1992-07-30 |
| 39 | すばらしき仲間マァムよ、また会う日まで… | The wonderful comrade Maam, until we meet again... | 1992-08-06 |
| 40 | ベンガーナへ買い物だ‼ デパートへ行こう！ | Shopping at Bengarna!! Lets go to the Department store. | 1992-08-13 |
| 41 | 超竜軍団上陸!ベンガーナの街を守れ‼ | The super dragon army lands! Protect the town of Bengarna!! | 1992-08-20 |
| 42 | 神秘の国テラン王国… 伝説に眠る竜の騎士! | The Mystic Kingdom of Teran... The sleeping legend of the Dragon Knight! | 1992-8-27 |
| 43 | 竜騎将バランは語る …竜の騎士の使命! | The Dragon Commander Baran tells... The Dragon Knight's mission! | 1992-09-03 |
| 44 | 親子の絆は悲しき運命! 父と子の闘い‼ | The bond between parent and child is a sad fate! The fight between father and child!! | 1992-09-10 |
| 45 | 最強の秘密は竜闘気!? オレ達のダイを守れ! | The strongest secret is the Dragon Fighting Spirit!? Protect our Dai! | 1992-09-17 |
| 46 | ダイよ立ち上がれ！勇者のみちは永遠に！ | Stand up Dai! The hero's path is to eternity! | 1992-09-24 |
Movie List
| Japanese Title | Japanese translation | Period it was in the theater |
|---|---|---|
| ドラゴンクエスト ダイの大冒険 | Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken | Fall 1991 |
| 起ちあがれ‼ アバンの使徒 | Stand up!! Disciples of Avan | Spring 1992 |
| ぶちやぶれ‼ 新生６大将軍 | Destroy!! The Reborn 6 Commanders | Summer 1992 |
[edit] Music
[edit] Anime theme songs
- Opening theme
- "Hurry Hero!!" (勇者よ急げ!! Yuusha yo Isoge!!?) Music: Sugiyama Kouichi Vocal: Jirou Dan
- Ending theme
- "My Road, My Journey" (この道わが旅 Kono Michi Waga Tabi?) Music: Sugiyama Kouichi Vocal: Jirou Dan. This song was originally used as the ending theme of Dragon Quest II.
[edit] Soundtracks
- Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken-Movie 1 Soundtrack
- Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken Soundtrack-First TV soundtrack
- Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken Soundtrack II-Movie 2 soundtrack
- Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken Soundtrack III-Movie 3 soundtrack
[edit] International Versions
Dai no Daibouken was released in other countries from Europe and Latin America. Among other changes the Latin American version was known as Las Aventuras de Fly (roughly translated in English as Fly's Adventures) and the main character, Dai, was renamed as Fly to avoid the pronunciation "Die". The French version underwent some other changes that the Spanish version left unscathed such as not showing the original Japanese episode title screen, and instead displaying the name of the episode on the bottom of the screen during the start of the episode.
While the anime of Dai no Daibouken has been available in languages such as Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Catalan, and two different Spanish versions, no official English version has been released. Most adaptations have used the Adventures of Fly moniker.
[edit] Note
In the manga, almost every character, both major and minor, is given a brief profile page that gives their age, place of birth, family, etc. It also spells out their names using the Western alphabet. Therefore, almost all the names as you see them now on this page are the official spellings.
[edit] Citations
[1995-12-20] Jump Comic Perfect Book 1 Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken (in Japanese). Japan: Shueisha. ISBN-08-858881-9 C9979.
