Derek Padula's Blog, page 16

What Genre is Dragon Ball?

You might think you know Dragon Ball’s genre, but the real answer will surprise you.

I’ve been a fan of Dragon Ball since 1997, and I’ve seen Dragon Ball’s genre classified in dozens of different ways.

That’s why in this article I will use statistics, quotes, and facts to show you what genre Dragon Ball truly is.

Genre

Let’s start by defining the word ‘genre.’ I define genre as “a classification of artistic expression defined by a set of characteristics.”

We create genres to help us classif...

Tori-bot Appears in Blue Dragon

Did you know that Akira Toriyama’s Tori-bot appears in Blue Dragon as an easter egg character? And you can hear his real voice!

Blue Dragon was a Japanese role-playing game for the Xbox 360 with character designs by Akira Toriyama. The game was published in 2007, but I didn’t know that Akira Toriyama was actually in the game.

Here is a photograph of the entire staff. You can see Akira Toriyama at the bottom center, wearing the black and red shirt. On Toriyama’s right is Hironobu Sakaguchi (i...

Tori-bot’s Real Name Discovered

What’s this robot called? You probably think it’s the Tori-bot, but according to Akira Toriyama, you’re wrong!

Akira Toriyama is a shy man who doesn’t like showing his real face. Instead of including pictures of himself in his manga, he prefers to draw himself into the pages as an alternate persona or likeness.

Here is an image from Dr. Slump Volume 10 (May 10, 1983) that shows Toriyama’s many likenesses alongside a rare inclusion of his actual face.

As you can see, there are several differ...

Dragon Ball Culture Volume 5 Available!

Dragon Ball Culture Volume 5 is now available in ebook!

Son Goku battles the demon king! It’s time to face your demons in Dragon Ball Culture Volume 5.

Also on Amazon, <!--<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/drag..." target="_blank">Apple iBooks</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/c..." target="_blank">B & N Nook</a>,-- <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/d..." target="_blank">Google Play</a>, and <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/c..." target="_blank">Kobo</a>.</p> <p>In Dragon Ball Culture Volume 5 we’ll reunite with Goku and his friends as they compete in the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai. Then we’ll join them as they fight in a life or death battle against the Demon King Pikkoro!</p> <p>Akira Toriyama starts us off by introducing three new characters...</p><!--</a>

Bulma’s Original Name Discovered

Did you know that Bulma had a name before it was Bulma?

It’s true! Akira Toriyama’s design concepts for Bulma, Son Gokū, Oolong, Yamcha, and Puar can be found in Bird Land Press #15 (November, 1984), pages 6 to 7, alongside their original names prior to publication of Dragon Ball Chapter 1 that same month.

Bird Land Press was an Akira Toriyama-focused magazine that was published in Japan from 1982 to 1987. There were 25 issues in total.

These magazines are rare, and until now most of the in...

Akira Toriyama VS Jackie Chan

Akira Toriyama loves Jackie Chan movies, but did you know that the two of them once met each other in Japan?

Back in 1986, Jackie Chan was visiting Japan in order to film My Lucky Stars. The movie has a sequence where Jackie goes to a theme park, and to sneak in undercover he dresses as Arale-chan from Toriyama’s Dr. Slump.

Why Arale-chan? Because in the early to mid-1980s Dr. Slump was a popular series in Hong Kong. My Lucky Stars is a comedy-action film hybrid, and Jackie Chan loves both...

Dragon Ball Culture Volume 2 Available in Print!

Dragon Ball Culture Volume 2: Adventure is now available in print!

You can buy it on Amazon for only $19.99.

Volume 2 provides you with the world’s first scholarly analysis of the Dragon Ball series. We’ll travel along with Goku on his epic journey for greater strength, from Chapter 1 to 23, covering the first story arc.

You’ll learn about each of your favorite characters, discover the secret of the kamehameha, hear about Shenron’s ancient Chinese origin, and see how Toriyama borrows from mo...

Dragon Ball Runaways Premieres

All 5 episodes of Dragon Ball Runaways are now available online.

Dragon Ball Runaways is a fan made live-action adaptation of the original Dragon Ball story, written and directed by Ray Savaya.

What do you think of Dragon Ball Runaway’s story and style?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Dragon Ball Runaways Premieres appeared first on The Dao of Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball Z: Saiyan Saga Preview

The new Dragon Ball Z: Saiyan Saga preview trailer has premiered!

This is the start of a 6-episode live-action web-series made by K&K Productions.

They are seeking funding on IndieGogo in order to create the 6 episodes, and they need your help!

If you’d like to see more live-action Dragon Ball Z, then be sure to contribute.

Enjoy the preview!

The post Dragon Ball Z: Saiyan Saga Preview appeared first on The Dao of Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball Z: The Fall of Men

The Dragon Ball Z: The Fall of Men live-action fan film has arrived!

Created by BlackSmokeFilms, The Fall of Men is an original adaptation of the Future Trunks timeline.

Produced in France by dedicated Dragon Ball fans, this is an unnofficial work.

Enjoy!

The post Dragon Ball Z: The Fall of Men appeared first on The Dao of Dragon Ball.