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Dragon Ball: Beyond the Super Saiyan
May 15, 2024 5 min read
Dragon Ball, since its manga debut in 1984, has exploded into a global phenomenon. Creator Akira Toriyama's martial arts adventure has spawned countless anime series, movies, video games, and a legion of devoted fans. But even the most die-hard followers might not know everything about this vast universe. Here, we'll delve into some surprising facts about Dragon Ball, the hidden details that make this franchise a one-of-a-kind pop culture juggernaut.
The Gentle Fist of the Super Saiyan: Goku's Moral Compass
Despite the high-octane battles that define "Dragon Ball," Goku, the series' iconic protagonist, is surprisingly restrained when it comes to taking a life. While facing off against villainous threats is practically his day job, Goku has only definitively killed two opponents throughout the entire franchise!
That's right, in all his years of battling intergalactic foes, Goku has overwhelmingly opted for non-lethal takedowns. This stands in stark contrast to his Saiyan comrade, Vegeta, whose kill count boasts a much more impressive number.
So, what gives? Why does the seemingly unstoppable Goku hesitate before delivering the final blow? Here's a breakdown of Goku's surprising pacifism:
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A Saiyan Raised on Earth: Unlike most Saiyans, Goku grew up on Earth, instilled with the values of humanity. This upbringing fostered a strong sense of right and wrong, leading him to prioritize incapacitating villains over outright destruction.
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The Thrill of the Fight: Goku thrives on competition and the challenge a worthy opponent presents. He sees the potential for growth in every battle, and taking a life would cut a fight short, robbing him of the thrill and the chance to improve his skills.
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Second Chances: Goku believes in redemption. He recognizes the possibility that even the most ruthless villain can change their ways. Leaving them alive allows for that possibility, unlike a permanent end.
Of course, this isn't to say Goku is a pushover. He'll unleash his full power when necessary to protect those he cares about. But even in the heat of battle, his Saiyan instincts for combat are often tempered by his Earth-born sense of compassion. This unique blend makes Goku a truly compelling hero – a warrior who delivers justice without resorting to unnecessary bloodshed.
Goku's Twice-Dealt Hand: A Saiyan's Sacrifice
While known for pushing his limits, Goku's actually kicked the bucket a measly two times throughout the Dragon Ball series. Compared to the likes of Yamcha or Krillin, that's a pretty good showing for a guy who constantly seeks the ultimate battle.
His first brush with death came during the epic showdown with Raditz. Outmatched, Goku and Piccolo had to get creative. He acted as bait, holding the villain down, allowing Piccolo to unleash his devastating Special Beam Cannon. Unfortunately, Goku got caught in the blast too, sacrificing himself for the greater good.
The second time came during the Cell Saga. Facing imminent self-destruction from a desperate Cell, Goku, ever the hero, used Instant Transmission to whisk the villain away to King Kai's planet. While a tactical move, it ended with him getting caught in the explosion.
It's worth noting that both times, Goku's demise stemmed from acts of selflessness, protecting his loved ones. These sacrifices highlight his incredible skill and unwavering determination to defend those he cares about.
Dragon Balls being Dragon Balls, he was eventually revived both times, but that doesn't diminish the impact and bravery of his actions.
Dragon Ball Z: A Case of Forgotten Fury - The Mystery of Super Saiyan 2
Imagine creating a world as vast and action-packed as Dragon Ball. Keeping track of everything - characters, storylines, power-ups - is a Herculean task. Even the mighty Akira Toriyama, creator of this legendary series, isn't immune to the occasional memory lapse. Case in point: Super Saiyan 2.
This powerful transformation, introduced as the next level beyond Super Saiyan, was Gohan's defining moment. It allowed him to thrash Perfect Cell and became the stepping stone to Super Saiyan 3. But then... silence. Fans wondered what happened to this incredible form.
The answer, as revealed by Toriyama himself in an interview, is both surprising and endearingly honest: he forgot. No elaborate justifications, just a simple "I forgot."
For those wondering why Super Saiyan 2 faded into obscurity after the Cell Games, the mystery is solved. It's a testament to the sheer scale of Dragon Ball that even a pivotal transformation could slip the creator's mind. But hey, at least we got a good chuckle out of it!
Dragon Ball Z: The Blonde Hair Wasn't a Power-Up, It Was a Shortcut!
Dragon Ball Z's iconic Super Saiyan transformation is known for its dramatic change, but the reason behind the blonde hair might surprise you!
Unlike Western comic artists who might switch between issues, manga creators like Akira Toriyama write and illustrate their stories entirely. This means they're under immense pressure to meet deadlines, often working long hours with little sleep. To make things a bit easier, some design choices are made with practicality in mind.
Enter Goku's golden locks. When Toriyama first introduced the Super Saiyan form, he opted for blonde hair for a simple reason: it saved time and effort! In black and white manga, filling in large areas of black hair takes a lot of work. Super Saiyan Goku's blonde hair drastically reduced the inking needed, making life easier for both Toriyama and his assistants.
This choice, made purely for artistic efficiency, became a defining visual of the series. Even after the switch to color in Dragon Ball Z, the blonde hair remained. It just goes to show how small design decisions can have a huge impact!
The Origin of "It's Over 9000": A Case of Lost in Translation (But Gained in Meme-dom)
You might think you know the iconic line from Dragon Ball Z: "It's over 9000!" uttered by the villainous Vegeta upon detecting Goku's incredible power level. But here's a surprise – that line wasn't quite what Vegeta said originally!
Believe it or not, in the original Japanese manga, Vegeta actually read Goku's power level at a measly 8,000. So, where did the mighty "9000" come from?
The answer lies in the dubbing process. When adapting the series for English audiences, the localization team encountered a challenge: lip syncing the dialogue with Vegeta's mouth movements. "8,000" just didn't flow as naturally as "9,000" did. In the world of dubbing, these adjustments are sometimes necessary to make the dialogue sound natural and avoid awkward mouth flaps.
While the change might seem minor, it had a massive impact. "It's over 9000!" became a pop culture phenomenon, a meme used to express disbelief or excitement about something exceeding expectations. The extra digit added a certain punch and memorability that "8,000" simply lacked.
The next time you hear that booming declaration, remember the story behind it. It's a testament to the power of dubbing to not just translate words, but sometimes to create entirely new cultural touchstones.
That's all for this whistle-stop tour through some of the incredible trivia that makes Dragon Ball Z such a beloved anime! Whether you're a seasoned Saiyan scholar or a newcomer to the series, there's always something new to discover in this wacky and wonderful world.
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