Hello! I’m KENTA, a Japanese manga enthusiast. Today, I’ll be sharing some lesser-known stories about Dragon Ball, beloved by fans worldwide. We’ll dive deep into secrets and settings of characters that you rarely get to see, bringing you exciting information. Through episodes featuring Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and more, you’ll surely discover new insights! Let’s dive into the world of Dragon Ball together.
1. Goku’s Age at His First Appearance
It’s common knowledge among Dragon Ball fans that Goku was 12 years old when he first appeared. However, many believe he was 14. This confusion arises because Goku mistakenly thought he was 14 at a later point. Initially, he was indeed 12 years old.
2. Dragon Ball’s Time Setting
The story of Dragon Ball seems futuristic at first glance due to items like Hoi-Poi Capsules and flying cars. However, the first panel of the first chapter states “Long, long ago.” By the final chapter, it’s suggested that the story catches up to the present day, indicating that the initial setting was “long ago” relative to the modern era.
3. Senzu Bean Harvest
Senzu Beans are a rare item, harvested only seven times a year. The large stock of Senzu Beans at Korin Tower is because Korin originally cultivated them for his own food supply. Since Goku first climbed Korin Tower, warriors have relied on Senzu Beans as recovery items.
4. Tien Shinhan’s True Identity
Tien Shinhan is actually a descendant of an alien race called the Three-Eyed People. His unique abilities, such as growing arms from his back and splitting into multiple bodies, stem from this lineage. This surprising fact was revealed in the Dragon Ball Daizenshuu, published after the series ended.
5. Piccolo’s Number of Fingers
In the original manga, Piccolo has four fingers, but in the anime, he has five. This change was made because four fingers can be seen as a discriminatory gesture. Another reason could be that Toriyama once depicted King Piccolo with five fingers in a single panel.
6. Master Roshi’s Paradox
Master Roshi is rumored to be immortal, but it’s likely that he only consumed a longevity potion. The early Dragon Ball series had a comedic tone, so not all of Roshi’s claims should be taken at face value.
7. Piccolo’s Track Record
Since the Saiyan Saga, Piccolo has not defeated any major enemies. He was defeated by Frieza on Namek and later by Cell during the Android Saga. Despite this, he remains a vital character among the Z Fighters.
8. Mr. Popo’s Overseas Version
Mr. Popo appears blue in some international versions of Dragon Ball to avoid racial stereotypes. However, this change is only implemented in a few countries and has sparked debates on whether it was necessary.
9. Krillin’s Age
Krillin shares the same birth year, Age 736, with Mr. Satan. During the Cell Games, both are 31 years old. Mr. Satan appears older due to his character design.
10. Vegeta’s Age
Vegeta was about 30 years old when he invaded Earth. Nappa was around 50, and Goku was 25 at the time. Vegeta’s age doesn’t diminish his royal and warrior prowess.
11. Dragon Ball’s Ban in Certain Countries
Dragon Ball is banned in the Hawaiian Islands due to the name “Kamehameha,” which is the same as the islands’ first king, King Kamehameha I.
12. Yamcha’s Disappearance
Yamcha’s reduced screen time is partly due to the high profile of his voice actor, Toru Furuya, who was also voicing other major characters in popular anime during the same period.
13. Meaning of Dragon Ball GT
GT stands for “Grand Touring,” reflecting the grand adventure aspect of the series. Akira Toriyama named it, and it refers to the series’ main plot of space travel.
14. Why Goku Became a Child in GT
In Dragon Ball GT, Goku was turned into a child due to a misinterpreted wish by Shenron. The deeper reason was to refresh the series by showing Goku’s growth anew.
15. Broly’s True Strength
Broly stands out among Super Saiyans due to his unique characteristics, such as a battle power of 10,000 at birth and the lack of a rational mind. This makes him the true Legendary Super Saiyan.
At MangaZamurai, we share insights about Japanese manga with the world. How did you like these 15 hidden stories about Dragon Ball? We have many other intriguing articles, so please check them out. You’ll definitely deepen your knowledge even more!
