Dragon Ball Daima Cliffhanger Drops the Anime's Biggest GT Easter Egg Yet

Warning: Contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Daima episode #18Dragon Ball Daima's latest episode #18, "Awakening" will be remembered for introducing Super Saiyan 4 back into the series' canon timeline. The longtime fan-favorite form was relegated to appearances in the often surreal Super Dragon Ball Heroes promotional anime following the release of Dragon Ball Super in 2015. Finally, the transformation has returned with a stylish new redesign that captures its original essence, while also offering its own distinct features.

The reveal crashed multiple anime streaming platforms, and the Dragon Ball fan base hasn't been shy about voicing their support for Daima's latest episode. Longtime fans of Dragon Ball GT, however, might have caught another callback to the 1996 anime towards the end of the episode. While leaving fans with the biggest cliffhanger of the series thus far, Dragon Ball Daima introduced the Demon Realm's eternal dragon, and it looks incredibly similar to one found in GT.

The Demon Realm's Porunga Is a Call Back to GT

The Newest Eternal Dragon Is Similar to GT's Ultimate Shenron

Despite unlocking Super Saiyan 4, Goku was still overpowered by the evil ruler Gomah during their energetic battle, and Arinsu ordered Glorio to gather the Dragon Balls and summon the Demon Realm's dragon while Earth's heroes were preoccupied. The dragon that appeared was incredibly similar to Namek's Porunga, which tracks, given Neva's status as a legendary Namekian. The main difference, though, is the dragon's color. Rather than the usual green, the Demon Realm's Porunga is red with a shining gold aura.

Ultimate Shenron Dragon Ball GT — Ultimate Shenron, Black Smoke Shenron, and Super Shenron

The design is a crystal clear callback to Dragon Ball GT's Ultimate Shenron, which appeared when the seven black star Dragon Balls were collected. The main difference between the two, however, is that Ultimate Shenron was several times the size of the Earth's normal Shenron, while the Demon Realm Porunga seems similar in stature to Namek's version. Tasked with making Arinsu's wish, Glorio hesitated, leaving fans on a cliffhanger that may change the scope of Daima's final battle.

Glorio's Wish Might Give Fans What They've Been Asking For

Daima's Latest Episode Ends Before Glorio's Wish Is Revealed

Though Glorio has been secretly working for Arinsu throughout the entirety of his time in Dragon Ball Daima, the latest episode made it clear he didn't quite see eye to eye with his employer. After hesitating, he finally made a wish on the dragon in another language just before the episode ended, by saying, "Childopp." Though nothing is confirmed as of yet, many fans believe the phrase might translate to 'child up' based on how similar the two sound. It's possible Glorio betrayed Arinsu, and wished to turn Goku and company back into adults.

The next episode, which was revealed to be titled "Betrayal", lends to that theory. Dragon Ball Daima is rapidly approaching its finale, and following this latest cliffhanger, fans might finally get to see their favorite characters fighting as adults. The anime has been packed with references to Dragon Ball GT, and the series' producer confirmed that to be intentional in a recent interview. The callback to Ultimate Shenron was just the latest, and if the series wants to go all-in as a modern take on GT, fans might just be treated to a Super Saiyan 4 fusion in the coming episodes.