Reviews

I consider this an underrated master piece. People criticize the story for being "basic" but that is a mistake. Dai is a Classical Redemptive Hero. Nowadays almost every story is subversive fiction and morally "complex" and that's not actually good because we've culturally forgotten what a true hero is supposed to look and be because every hero has tragic, the villains are present of antiheroes and everything subverts the idea of the Hero. Dai no Daibouken does not use any of these devices. Dai is presented exactly as what a Hero should be at every critical moment and he doesn't fail. He is faithful, truthful, honest, kind to a fault but does not fail in his duty including the giving ultimate justice to the Dark Lord who refuses to change or stop. I know this a children story but it is one that NEEDS to be told without classic Heroic Tales like Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Legend of Kind Author, etc.... there no is ability to create genuinely good stories that are superversive.

We NEED stories that don't subvert culture but challenge us with these redemptive and aspirational stories with genuinely good heroes and classically tragic and evil villains. The ability to do this and create interesting and compelling within this "simple" framework is the strength of the show.
Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken is THE Japanese standard for classic RPG fantasy and I hope as time goes on that come appreciate this story that actually well written, genuinely good and good for the soul of the viewer. Dai's action save the world, they save his friend, the invite repentance and offer forgiveness and acceptance to the villains who demonstrate remorse and actually repent. All this done a way that flows and the use of foreshadowing a how minor good deeds come back to Dai and this band at the most critical moments teach us that every good deed does build a better no matter how hard it is to make the right decision doing so will save you in the end. It is beautiful in way it always remains true to this ideal and how it it isn't cheap or insincere but absolutely honest about it's heroism and it this story believes in heroes and this is SO refreshing and necessary.

I strongly recommend this show for young boys because unlike most things it will actually be good for them and there's something truly special and beautiful about a work of fantasy that is so truthful and good that it can carry over to this world and make it even if slightly a better world. Dai is the Legendary Hero and it isn't a cheap cliché but God's honest truth a straight up badass righteous dude.