Derek Padula's Blog, page 15
May 10, 2017
A DBZ PhD Needs Your Energy!
A new study about the Dragon Ball comic is being conducted to determine if Dragon Ball can boost positive intellectual, emotional, and social skills.
The leader of the investigation is Vicente R. Jurado, a PhD student from Spain. Vicente said, “Social science offers amazing answers to cultural phenomena that have not been observed from a scientific perspective. Reading Dragon Ball is an experience that millions of people have enjoyed for more than 30 years, and I am working to understand it...
February 9, 2017
Goku is Cultural Ambassador for 2020 Olympics
Goku has been selected as a cultural ambassador for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Our beloved Son Goku is now the mascot for the Olympic Games in Japan alongside other anime heroes and icons of Japanese pop culture. These include Astro Boy, Naruto, Luffy, Sailor Moon, Shin Chan, Pretty Cure, and the main monster from Yo-kai Watch.
Goku and the others will appear on all of the official merchandise for the Games and will likely make several appearances at the opening and closing ceremonies....
December 13, 2016
Dragon Soul Now Available in Print!!
Dragon Soul: 30 Years of Dragon Ball Fandom is now available in print!!
Buy it on Amazon for only $19.99.
Featuring a foreword from Christopher Sabat and Sean Schemmel, Dragon Soul is an entertaining, inspirational, and enlightening celebration of the world’s greatest anime and manga’s 30th anniversary! This book features 27 stories from professionals who created Dragon Ball, 81 stories from Dragon Ball fans in over 25 countries, 600 images of original artwork, collections, and cosplay, plu...
August 28, 2016
Geekdom101 Review and Interview
YouTuber Geekdom101 just reviewed Dragon Ball Culture and interviewed me!
He says Dragon Ball Culture is “Essential reading for Dragon Ball fans.”
Our interview is part of his ‘Icons of the Dragon Ball Community’ series, where he speaks with people such as Christopher Sabat, leading fans, and authors like myself.
We discuss Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball’s culture, and why Dragon Ball is so successful.
The commenters have been really nice:
“One of your best interviews to date! Very informativ...
June 17, 2016
Dragon Ball Culture Volume 3 Available in Print!
Dragon Ball Culture Volume 3: Battle is now available in print!
You can buy it on Amazon for only $19.99.
Volume 3 continues the world’s first scholarly analysis of the Dragon Ball series as we travel along with Goku on his epic journey for greater strength.
A 5-Star Review from Amazon:
“Can it get any better than this?! The subtleties of ‘man versus himself’ are on full display within this saga. It is here where we finally understand what the story has been relating to us all along. Whethe...
May 20, 2016
Dragon Ball Culture Volume 6 Now Available!
Dragon Ball Culture Volume 6 is now available in ebook!
Goku meets god!
It’s time to ascend to heaven in Dragon Ball Culture Volume 6. Also on Amazon, Apple iBooks, B & N Nook, Google Play, and Kobo.
In Dragon Ball Culture Volume 6, we’ll reunite with Goku as he ascends to heaven, trains with Kami for 3 years, and battles the reincarnated Demon King Pikkoro!
When Goku reaches heaven he is greeted by the always-controversial Mister Popo. But who is Mister Popo, and why does he look so strang...
May 10, 2016
Ben Ramsey Replies to Dragon Ball Fans
Ben Ramsey has apologized for writing Dragon Ball Evolution, but how does he feel about your reaction?
The news of Ben Ramsey’s apology went viral on Tuesday, May 3rd. It received coverage on pop culture news networks, 1,323 shares and 482 comments on my Facebook post, a ‘trending’ link in the sidebar, translation into over a dozen languages, over 200 comments on my blog post, and hundreds more on forums and news sites.
It was big news! And a lot of people responded to it.
But how did Ben ha...
May 6, 2016
Dragonball Evolution’s Original Script Discovered
I’ve discovered the original Dragonball Evolution script that Ben Ramsey wrote before his movie was changed by the director. Want to read it?
Dragonball Evolution was a terrible movie, and there’s no changing this fact.
But could it have been better?
It turns out, yes.
Ben Ramsey was hired by 20th Century Fox in 2004 to modify an already existing script for a ‘Dragonball Z’ movie. He wrote a script which you can now read here:
Original Dragonball Evolution script.
The script is simply titled...
May 3, 2016
Dragonball Evolution Writer Apologizes to Fans
Ben Ramsey wrote Dragonball Evolution, and he asked me to tell you that he is sorry.
Where did this sudden apology come from, 7 years after the movie’s premiere in 2009?
I contacted Ben to interview him for a book I’m writing titled “USA DBZ.”
The book has a chapter dedicated to telling the untold story behind Dragonball Evolution, which is Hollywood’s live-action adaptation of the series.
Dragonball Evolution is reviled by fans and has a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fans of anime and pop...
April 25, 2016
MistareFusion Reviews Dragon Ball Culture
MistareFusion reviews Dragon Ball Culture Volumes 1 and 2, and interviews me!
Lance Rumowicz is a diehard Dragon Ball fan and the creator of Dragon Ball Dissection.
This is a multi-part series where Lance goes through the entire Dragon Ball series from beginning to end and analyzes it on an intellectual level to show you the deeper aspects of your favorite show.
He’s the perfect guy to review Dragon Ball Culture and tell you if it’s worth reading.
