Summary
- Goku’s use of Instant Transmission is limited in Dragon Ball Daima to maintain a more grounded storyline.
- There are specific restrictions on Instant Transmission, including Goku’s inability to access the Demon Realm or detect unfamiliar ki signatures.
- Goku tends to avoid using Instant Transmission during battles due to risks associated with focus and vulnerability, opting instead for other techniques.
Quick Links
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Daima, Episode 13, “Surprise”, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
One of Goku’s signature abilities is Instant Transmission, which allows him to teleport to detected ki signatures instantly. However, its use in Dragon Ball Daima is noticeably minimal. Goku did utilize this power in episode 7, “Collar”, to evade Gendarmerie soldiers, raising the question: why doesn’t he leverage this skill more frequently during battles or for quick travel?
“Goku-san can use Instant Transmission. He used my ki as a beacon and moved over here instantly.”- Supreme Kai Shin explaining Instant Transmission to Panzy
For a bit of background, Goku acquired Instant Transmission from the Yardrats following the destruction of Planet Namek in the Frieza Saga. His inaugural use on-screen occurred in Dragon Ball Z episode 123, “Goku’s Special Technique”, where he demonstrated the move by teleporting to Kame House to retrieve Master Roshi’s sunglasses before returning to his comrades. The technique is executed by placing the index and middle fingers on the forehead while locking onto the target’s ki signature, allowing for instantaneous relocation.
It’s Possibly a Conscious Decision by Akira Toriyama
Mostly Just So the Story Can Happen
It seems that Akira Toriyama may have deliberately limited Goku’s use of Instant Transmission in Dragon Ball Daima. The series aims to return to a more original narrative, focusing on exploration and diverse characters rather than the overwhelming power plays of previous installments. Instant Transmission, which provides rapid travel, could diminish the sense of adventure and discovery that this new storyline seeks to cultivate. Although this remains speculative, the passing of Toriyama leaves these interpretations largely unchallenged.
Valid Restrictions on Instant Transmission
While it may seem absurd that Goku overlooks this powerful technique, there are valid reasons for his limited use. Notably, he cannot utilize Instant Transmission to enter or exit the Demon Realm, as it exists on a different dimensional plane. Additionally, he has no means of teleporting to or from the Demon Realm, which restricts his travel options significantly.
Furthermore, Goku cannot teleport directly to the Tamagami to acquire the Dragon Balls sooner because he is unfamiliar with their ki signatures. The Tamagami, created by the Namekian Neva, may lack ki entirely, similar to Androids, making them undetectable for Goku. Even if they do possess ki, Goku has not met them before, rendering him unable to sense their energy.
The situation with Dende, Goku’s intended target, presents another layer of complexity. Though he cannot teleport into the Demon Realm from outside, once inside, one might wonder why he cannot simply reach Dende, defeat King Gomah, and complete his mission. The answer lies in Dende’s current condition; being a baby, he likely emits minimal ki, making him challenging to pinpoint and reach through Instant Transmission.
Possible In-Lore Theories
Weird Demon Realm Shenanigans
It’s conceivable that the Demon Realm is imbued with mystic properties that hinder characters from sensing ki over considerable distances. Given the realm’s magical nature, various forces could be obstructing Goku’s capacity to detect ki signals across dimensions. Additionally, the existence of magical barriers within the Demon World may further hinder any ki detection.
Maybe Goku’s Younger Body Has Unforeseen Consequences
While Goku’s ability to use Instant Transmission in his younger form is confirmed, there may be unforeseen complications arising from his age regression. It is possible that his capacity for teleportation has diminished to shorter distances, or potentially, his ability to detect ki has suffered. Being in a younger body might also contribute to a lack of control over his powers, complicating his use of Instant Transmission.
Goku Doesn’t Often Use Instant Transmission in Stressful/Panicky Situations
Employing Instant Transmission requires a focused mindset, which can leave Goku vulnerable to attacks in battle. This explains his infrequent use of the technique even in prior series. Although he developed the Instant Kamehameha, it is rarely utilized as it necessitates total concentration, rendering him defenseless during the charge. This focus requirement might clarify why he resorted to a Kamehameha attack in Dragon Ball Daima episode 13, “Surprise”, instead of using Instant Transmission to join Bulma and the others more swiftly.
Dragon Ball Daima is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Episode 16 of Dragon Ball Daima is scheduled to be released on January 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT.
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