# journeytothewest dragonballculturedaily wakuwaku

I had never read an anthology like this before.

Thank you, , for being the first person in the whole world covering Dragon Ball in such a beautiful, cultural and hard-working way.

Your tenacious work will always be remembered.

5 16
2020-10-17

This is post of Thanks for joining me on this adventure!! Have you learned anything new along the way?

7 31
2020-07-29

Akira Toriyama made Gokū grow 3 years older in Dragon Ball chapter 113 by enacting his first timeskip. His editor was opposed to the idea because shōnen characters were supposed to remain eternal boys. But Toriyama threatened to quit and did it anyway.

257 1245
2020-05-06

Yajirobē (ヤジロベー) is named after a Japanese balancing toy from the Edo period (1603–1868). The toy is shaped like a traveler carrying luggage on two ends of a rod. The goal is to balance the toy’s center of gravity on your finger as it wobbles.

16 66
2020-03-20

Yamcha sees Bulma naked and stammers the gibberish of, “Ga……… Gagi…… Gu… Gegogo…!!!” This is Akira Toriyama playing with the Japanese syllabary, moving one column over in the ‘G’ sounds at a time: Ga (が), Gi (ぎ), Gu (ぐ), Ge (げ), and Go (ご).

18 54
2020-02-21

Boris Karloff’s appearance in Frankenstein (1931) and The Mummy (1932) inspired Akira Toriyama to create Android 8 and Mirā-kun in Dragon Ball. In 2019 I asked his daughter Sara Karloff about this and she said, “My dad would be very honored by this.”

17 60
2020-02-03

Dōgi (道着, “clothes of the way”) are the sacred set of clothes or uniform of someone who walks the path of their dō (道, “way”). When a Dragon Ball warrior wears their dōgi to train or fight, they are practicing their budō (武道, “martial way”).

22 54
2020-01-23

Zenī (ゼニー, symbol: Ƶ) is the currency used by the government in the Dragon World’s earth. Zenī is based on the real-life ancient Japanese term of zeni (銭, “spending cash”) that was inherited from China where it was called qián (錢, “money”).

24 68
2020-01-23

Dragon Ball features real-life sports cars because Akira Toriyama is an auto enthusiast. From the top left to bottom right: 1965 Triumph TR4A, 1984 Reliant Scimitar SS1, 1984 Toyota MR2, and 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Which one do you wish for?

13 66
2020-01-20

The marks on Krillin’s forehead are called jièbā (戒疤, “ordination scars”). They're inspired by the heads of Chinese Shàolín monks. Each dot represents a vow to venerate the Buddha (enlightened being), Dharma (Buddha Law), and Sangha (Buddhist community).

61 209
2020-01-16

The Red Ribbon Army Arc of Dragon Ball represents Western culture and environments. It contrasts against the Eastern environments that Goku explored in prior arcs. The naïve Goku serves as the medium between Eastern simplicity and Western complexity.

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2020-01-16

Bulma is a fashionista. For the 23rd Tenkaichi Budōkai she wears a 1970s look. Hair in a straight bob with a parted bang, spherical earrings, a ‘70s sleeveless mini-dress with a risqué cut, thin leather belt, mini purse, golden bangle, and ‘Wellie’ boots.

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2020-01-14

Enjoying my Dragon Ball Culture Daily posts? Here are my plans for the rest of 2020! https://t.co/uFKImclbNp As you learned in today's post, it's time to get

2 7
2020-01-11

One of Goku’s catchphrases is ‘Waku-waku suru-zo!!’ (わくわくするぞっ!!, “I’m gettin’ excited!!”). The sound of ‘waku-waku’ is an onomatopoeia for “excitement,” “thrill,” or “nervousness.” Goku says when he’s in a fight that pushes his limits.

22 63
2020-01-10

Namu's name (ナム) is inspired by the Japanese Buddhist prayer of ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ (南無阿弥陀仏, “I adore and take refuge in Amida Buddhā”). This is the most well-known prayer in Japan, so Akira Toriyama uses it for the name of this Buddhist monk.

6 25
2020-01-10

Dragon Ball’s setting is called the Dragon World (Japanese: Doragon Wārudo, ドラゴンワールド). Akira Toriyama’s ideal environment is filled with talking animals, dinosaurs, dragons, demons, gods, flying cars, and romance.

19 63
2020-01-09

Rōshi wears a “STURGIS” shirt for Chapter 24’s title page. This refers to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, one of the world’s largest and oldest annual motorcycle gatherings. Lunch’s gloves also have “STURGIS” on them. Toriyama 😍🏍️

11 40
2020-01-07

Akira Toriyama calls the original Dragon Ball cast the 'Dragon Team.' That's Goku, Bulma, Oolong, Yamcha, and Puar. This label is in the title of Dragon Ball Chapter 23, “The Dragon Team Parts Ways,” published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on May 4, 1985.

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2020-01-04

Every weekday I will share with you a piece of Dragon Ball’s culture, lore, and trivia. Step with me through the doorway of Dragon Ball Culture! Follow me now to experience

1 11
2020-01-02