Derek Padula's Blog, page 12
July 17, 2019
‘How to Draw’ with Akira Toriyama – Manga Lesson in Germany
Want to draw like Akira Toriyama? Then follow Toriyama’s 8-step program, demonstrated by the master himself to an audience in Germany.
This demonstration occurred at the Leipzig Book Fair in Leipzig, Germany, when Toriyama visited Leipzig in 2004.
This manga lesson coincided with Toriyama’s interview and signing session.
Toriyama’s lesson is scheduled into the program as the “‘How To Draw’ with Akira Toriyama Session.”
Given Toriyama’s shyness and concern over large crowds, this lesson was o...
July 15, 2019
Akira Toriyama’s Lost Interview in Germany
Akira Toriyama’s long-lost interview in Germany has been recovered! It took 15 years, but I’ve translated it into English for the first time!
This rare event is finally available to the world.
History of Toriyama’s Trip to Germany
I first wrote about Akira Toriyama’s 2004 trip to Germany on July 26, 2014.
In this article I told the story of how Toriyama attended the 2004 Leipzig Book Fair in Leipzig, Germany.
The short version is that Toriyama was invited by Carlsen Comics, the German licen...
July 11, 2019
Exhibit 5: The Vic Mignogna Lawsuit and Me
The Vic Mignogna lawsuit and scandal continues, and I am now a part of it. I didn’t ask to be and I don’t want to be, but lo and behold, there I am.
In previous articles I’ve shared my thoughts on how this lawsuit affects the culture, history, and fandom of Dragon Ball and our global community. There isn’t much more to say on those matters at the moment.
But now that my work on the topic has been added to this lawsuit as Exhibit 5, and mentioned in Vic Mignogna’s deposition—both to be submit...
June 27, 2019
Cultural Origin of Zen-ō’s Button
Zen-ō’s button allows anyone to summon the lord of all gods to their side. But where did Toriyama receive the inspiration to create this device? Read this article to learn the cultural origin of Zen-ō’s button in Dragon Ball Super!
Zen-ō’s button first appears in Episode 55 of Dragon Ball Super, titled Son Gokū ni aitai no ne — Zen-ō-sama kara no yobidashi! (孫悟空に会いたいのね 全王様からのよびだし！, “Hey, I Wanna Meet Son Goku — A Summons from the Omni-King!”).
In Episode 55, Zen-ō summons Goku to ask Goku to...
May 15, 2019
The Cloud-Soul in Dragon Ball
Discover the cloud-soul in Dragon Ball! What is the cloud-soul? What is its purpose? How is it portrayed? And where did Toriyama receive his inspiration?
The Religious Soul of Dragon BallThis article began as an attempt to explain the traditional and modern ways that the soul is portrayed in Dragon Ball.
According to my own analysis there are 7 real-life religions that inspired Dragon Ball. Each of them has their own beliefs about life, death, the afterlife, and the soul.
These 7 religions...
May 9, 2019
Dragon Ball New Age Arrives!!
Dragon Ball New Age is the definitive Dragon Ball fan-manga, and you can only read it on my site!
Dragon Ball New Age: Definitive Edition is an unofficial continuation of the Dragon Ball manga and anime that takes place after the events of Dragon Ball GT.
Dragon Ball New Age is written and illustrated by Malik Torihane. He is a lifelong fan of Dragon Ball and a talented artist.
Malik has been writing his manga since 2001 when he became inspired by Dragon Ball Z to create his...
April 22, 2019
Vic Mignogna Fights Back: Sues FUNimation and Monica Rial
Vic Mignogna is mad as hell, and he’s not going to take it anymore! On April 19, 2019 Vic Mignogna filed a defamation lawsuit against FUNimation, Dragon Ball voice actress Monica Rial, her fiancé Ronald Toye, and voice actress Jamie Marchi, seeking “monetary relief over $1,000,000.00.”
Vic is using money from a GoFundMe page titled “Vic Kicks Back” in order to pay his legal expenses. It’s currently up to $141,867 of its $200,000 goal. He is being represented by Ty Beard, Esq., of ‘Beard Harr...
February 1, 2019
Fixing the Staircase: Vic Mignogna’s Sexual Assault Allegations and the Voice Actors Who Speak Out
Vic Mignogna, the voice of Broly in Dragon Ball Super, has been accused of sexually assaulting women at anime conventions. In the wake of these allegations a cultural divide has formed that reflects our society as a contrast between #MeToo and #FakeNews.
One female victim alleges that around the year 2009 an unnamed voice actor and another man intoxicated her, took her up to their hotel room, and raped her. Afterward, this unnamed voice actor told Vic Mignogna that she was a “con slut,” and...
January 30, 2019
Representation Achieved!
I’m happy to announce that I am now being represented at conventions by Guest Relation Guy!
This agency represents many famous actors, including Johnny Yong Bosh (the Black Ranger in Power Rangers, Vash the Stampede in Trigun), J. Michael Tatum (Zarbon in Dragon Ball Kai), Linda Ballentyne (Sailor Moon in Sailor Moon), Brina Palencia (Chaozu, Puar in Dragon Ball), Kira Buckland (2B in NieR: Automata), and D.C. Douglas (Wesker in Resident Evil).
I was able to achieve this because of supporter...
November 8, 2018
Dragon Ball Senator Nathan Johnson Thanks DBZ Fans for Senate Victory!
Dragon Ball Senator Nathan Johnson has won his battle for the Texas senate, thanks in part to Dragon Ball fans. Now he chats with me to discuss his victory.
How did Dragon Ball fans effect the results? Did they lend him their energy like a giant Spirit Bomb against his opponent?
Now that he’s in office, will he enact pro Dragon Ball legislation?
Can he work with his republican colleagues, like Goku worked with Vegeta?!
Find out in this exciting interview with Nathan Johnson, the former Drago...
