Dragon Ball began serialization in 1984 and has been a beloved series worldwide for nearly 40 years. Many have grown up watching the anime and movies. However, there are numerous behind-the-scenes settings and production anecdotes that even fans who have watched the series multiple times may not know.
This article introduces 50 selected trivia and fun facts about the Dragon Ball universe categorized for deeper enjoyment. We cover a wide range of information, including surprising facts about character settings, behind-the-scenes stories of the plot, anecdotes about the anime production, episodes concerning the author Akira Toriyama, and differences in international adaptations.
Some trivia may be familiar, while others could present astonishing new facts. Each piece of trivia includes explanations of why things are as they are and what the background is. By the time you finish reading, the world of Dragon Ball will likely feel even more captivating.
One of the charms of Dragon Ball lies in its uniquely diverse characters. From the protagonist Son Goku to Vegeta, Piccolo, and Krillin, there are characters for everyone to bond with. Here, we introduce some hidden surprising facts and stories about these characters' settings.
Goku's Tail Regenerated Multiple Times
In his childhood, Goku had a tail, but he actually underwent severance and regeneration multiple times throughout the story. It has been cut off at least four times before being permanently removed by God. Akira Toriyama later mentioned, "It was troublesome to draw the tail," and it became a reason for removal as it interfered during battle scenes.
Super Saiyan Created to Reduce Animation Workload
The reason for the creation of the blonde Super Saiyan was actually to improve animation efficiency.
Because it was difficult for Akira Toriyama to fill in Goku's black hair, he opted to change it to blonde and give it an outline, reducing the burden on his assistants. As a result, this transformation has become a representative visual of Dragon Ball. Super Saiyans have evolved into various forms, and their types and transformation mechanisms are very interesting themes. 【Related articles】: Types of Super Saiyans in Dragon Ball
The voice of Goku is by a woman
The voice of Son Goku, voiced by Masako Nozawa, is performed by a woman, and this was an intentional choice. She was chosen as a voice actress who could consistently portray the character from childhood into adulthood, and has continued to voice him with the same voice for over 40 years. Not only does Ms. Nozawa voice Goku, but she also voices Gohan and Goten, making it a **rare case of a single actress covering three generations of characters**. 【Related articles】: List of Dragon Ball voice actors and cast
The names of Saiyans are derived from vegetables
All Saiyan character names are related to vegetables. For instance, Kakarot (carrot = carrot), Vegeta (vegetable = vegetable), Raditz (radish = radish), and Nappa (leafy greens) all adhere to Akira Toriyama's naming rules.
Goku may not have been the protagonist from the beginning
In the initial concept, Goku was supposed to finish his role early in the adventure, but due to the editor's intentions and the popularity among readers, he continued as the protagonist. Without this change, the current Dragon Ball may not have existed.
Vegeta was initially planned to exit quickly
Now a character as popular as Goku, Vegeta was originally scheduled to be defeated in the Saiyan saga. However, due to strong demands from the editorial team and reader popularity, he survived and ultimately grew to become another leading character. In fact, Vegeta is still a very popular character today, and many fans love works related to Vegeta.
【Related Articles】：Collection of Vegeta's Quotes from Dragon Ball
Frieza's Design is Inspired by a Refrigerator
The names of Frieza and his family (Cooler, King Cold, etc.) are related to freezing and refrigeration. Frieza's design is intentionally meant to give off a cold and inorganic impression, with a color scheme of white and purple chosen. The simplification of his final form aligns with Akira Toriyama's aesthetic that "strength resides in simplicity."
Piccolo Was Originally a Villain
Piccolo appeared as the son of King Piccolo and was a complete villain. However, through his mentorship relationship with Gohan, he gradually turned to the good side and ultimately became one of the kindest characters. This transformation is well received by readers.
Cell's Voice Actor's Ad-lib
Cell's distinctive ending phrase "~desu yo" was an ad-lib by voice actor Norio Wakamoto. His unique way of speaking, which was not in the script, added eeriness and personality to the character of Cell. Cell is one of the peaks of enemies in Dragon Ball history, gaining popularity among many fans.
Majin Buu's Design is Inspired by a Child's Doodle
The pop design of Majin Buu is said to be inspired by doodles drawn by Akira Toriyama's child. The surprising contrast of being the strongest enemy while having a cute appearance adds to Buu's charm.
The Reason Krillin Has No Nose
Krillin having no nose started because Akira Toriyama "forgot to draw it." Later, the explanation became that "he is a monk who trained at Shaolin, and thus has no nose," but in reality, it was for the simplification of drawing. In the original work, it is explained that "he senses smells through his skin." Surprisingly, Krillin is a strong supporting character actively defending Earth.
Mr. Satan's Real Name is Mark
The world champion Mr. Satan's real name is actually "Mark." When you read his daughter Videl's name backward, it becomes "Devil," pairing perfectly with his father Satan (the devil). This is also one of Akira Toriyama's word plays.
Yamcha is Actually Strong
Often treated as a joke character, Yamcha is actually quite powerful as a human. He became ineffective after the Saiyan arc, but among Earth's martial artists, he is stronger than Krillin and Tien Shinhan.
Ten Shinhan's Third Eye Comes from Alien Blood
The third eye on Ten Shinhan's forehead is because he has the blood of a three-eyed alien. He is not a complete human but is depicted as a descendant of a special race.
Master Roshi is Over 300 Years Old
While not immortal, Master Roshi has a long life of over 300 years. It is set that he extended his lifespan by drinking phoenix blood, and episodes from hundreds of years ago are recounted in the story.
Bulma's hair color has changed multiple times
In the anime version, Bulma's hair color changes with each series. In the original series, it was purple; in Z, it was teal; and in Super, it is blue, showing variations in coloring over time. This was a decision made by the anime production team, as there was no consistent color stipulation in the original work.
The story of Dragon Ball contains a deep worldview that cannot be understood by just looking at the surface story. Let's look at the background settings that serve as the foundation of the work, including the settings of Dragon Ball itself, chronological contradictions, and early concepts that were scrapped.
The Dragon Balls on Earth were originally three
In the initial setting, the Dragon Balls were planned to be three. However, the editorial department requested that there be "seven", leading to the current **seven-star** configuration. The number seven was also influenced by Journey to the West.
Shenron's wish granting ability increased
Initially, only one wish could be granted, but after Dende became the supreme being, it became possible to grant two, and later up to three wishes. This change was made for narrative flexibility.
The Dragon Balls of Namek are gigantic
The Dragon Balls on Namek are about ten times the size of those on Earth. Additionally, the petrification period after a wish is granted is different: the Namekian version lasts 130 days, while the Earth version lasts one year.
Porunga grants three wishes
Shenron Porunga from Namek grants three wishes per summoning. However, initially there was a restriction that "only one person can be revived at a time."
The Eternal Dragon is the Largest in the Universe
The Eternal Dragon appearing in Dragon Ball Super has a planet-sized enormity and can grant wishes that affect the entire universe. It fulfilled a wish of reviving a vanished universe, a scale never seen before.
The Age Problem of Trunks
There is a contradiction in the age setting of Future Trunks. When calculating his age during the Cell Saga and the age when fighting Goku Black in the future, there are inconsistencies. This is considered a setting mistake due to the involvement of multiple timelines.
Contradiction of the Kaioshin's Strength
The Kaioshin is an existence that governs the universe, but there are suggestions that they could be weaker than Frieza. This is a result of later additions to the setting that caused a power inflation, and it is often a subject of discussion among fans.
Calculation of Goku’s Age
When calculating the passage of time in the series, there are ambiguous aspects regarding Goku's age. The training in the Room of Spirit and Time and the periods he was dead complicate the matter, making it difficult to ascertain his exact age.
Time Limit on Potara Fusion
Initially deemed
【Related Articles】：Differences between Dragon Ball GT and Super
The anime version of Dragon Ball has its own unique charm that differs from the original manga. There are numerous interesting episodes behind the scenes of anime production, including casting anecdotes, anime-original storylines, and innovative animation and direction.
The episode where Goku and Piccolo get their driver's licenses is completely original
The episode of Dragon Ball Z where Goku and Piccolo obtain their driver's licenses is an anime-original episode that does not exist in the original manga. This episode has no combat scenes and is loved by fans even today as a slice-of-life comedy episode. Those who want to know more about the differences between the anime and the original version can refer to articles summarizing the differences between each series. 【Related Articles】：Thorough comparison of Dragon Ball Z and Kai
Garlic Jr. is a character exclusive to the anime
Characters from theatrical films prior to the movie
The King Kai's planet has ten times the gravity
Although it is not detailed in the original work, the anime emphasizes that the gravity of King Kai's planet is ten times that of Earth. This setting visually represents the harshness of Goku's training more vividly.
Gregory and Bubbles are anime originals
Bubbles and Gregory, King Kai's pets, are original characters from the anime. They were later reintroduced into the original work, but initially, they were ideas from the anime staff.
Miyazawa Masako voices three roles
As mentioned earlier, Miyazawa Masako voices three characters: Goku, Gohan, and Goten. Having the same voice actor portray three generations creates a sense of unity in the Saiyan bloodline. During recordings, there are scenes where she performs interactions between her three roles, requiring a high level of acting skill.
Frieza's voice has a lot of ad-lib by Nakao Ryusei
Frieza's distinctive "hohoho" laugh is an ad-lib by voice actor Nakao Ryusei. The character's cold yet somewhat elegant persona was established through Nakao's performance. Frieza is rated as one of the greatest villains in Dragon Ball history and consistently ranks high in enemy character popularity polls. 【Related article】: Dragon Ball Villain Popularity Rankings
The voice actor for King Kai has changed
After the retirement of the first voice actor, Yanami Jouji, the successor was unknown, but currently, it is Takeuchi Naoki who is in charge. Voice actor changes due to the longevity of the series are inevitable challenges.
Vegeta's voice actor is Horikawa Ryou
Horikawa Ryou, who plays Vegeta, has stated that voicing this character changed his voice acting career. Initially intended to be just a villain, as the character developed, Ryou's performance also deepened. Thanks to his acting, Vegeta's popularity has greatly increased, and he is now one of the representative characters of Dragon Ball.
Kamehameha's animation technique
The Kamehameha in the anime version was expressed with a combination of hand-drawn effects and cel animation. Cutting-edge technology of the time was used for the depiction of light trails and explosions. The Kamehameha is a signature finishing move in Dragon Ball, used by various characters, and many derivative techniques exist. 【Related article】: A Comprehensive Guide to Dragon Ball's Kamehameha
Sense of speed in battle scenes
In Dragon Ball's battle scenes, "afterimages" and "convergence lines" are often used to express the speed of movement. Various attempts can be seen throughout to create impact with limited frames.
The BGM is handled by Kikuchi Shunsuke
Kikuchi Shunsuke's music, responsible for the BGM of the original and Z series, has defined the world of Dragon Ball.
In particular, the theme song "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" is still widely known today. If you want to know more about the details of anime production, especially about casting and unique techniques used in the anime, related information can also be helpful.
When talking about Dragon Ball, the presence of the author, Akira Toriyama, is indispensable. We will deliver valuable information about his creative style, thoughts, episodes from the serialization period, and the impact on other works.
Character Naming from Food
Akira Toriyama has clear rules for character naming. Saiyans are named after vegetables, the Frieza clan is related to freezing, the Brief family is associated with underwear, and the Kaio-shin are named after mythological gods, which combine memorability and playfulness.
Emphasis on Simple Design
Akira Toriyama places great importance on "ease of drawing." Character designs prioritize simplicity so they can be drawn consistently even for weekly serialization. Therefore, fine decorations and complex patterns are avoided.
Thinking of Short-Term Stories
He did not set long-term plots but drew while thinking of stories just a few weeks ahead. This allowed for flexibility to change the story based on reader reactions and made it easier to respond to requests from the editorial department to continue a bit longer.
Love for Mechs and Vehicles
Akira Toriyama is very skilled in designing mechs and vehicles. The details in mechanical designs, such as those from Capsule Corporation or Bulma's inventions, reflect his personal tastes.
Also Responsible for Dragon Quest Character Design
Akira Toriyama is also responsible for the character design in the game series "Dragon Quest." The simple yet impressive designs, such as the Slime and Healing Slime, share an aesthetic common with Dragon Ball.
Battle with the Editor
The exchanges with his editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, are well-known, and Torishima has mentioned that he "rejected many ideas". This accumulation of rejections enhanced the quality of Dragon Ball. The design of Frieza, for instance, was redrawn multiple times before reaching its current form.
Initially Planned to End with the Cell Saga
Akira Toriyama originally **planned to conclude Dragon Ball with the Cell Saga. The idea was for Gohan to become the main character while Goku remained dead, but due to requests from readers and the editorial department, the Majin Buu Saga was added**.
Forgetting to Draw Characters
Besides the aforementioned Launch, Akira Toriyama has also mentioned that he sometimes "forgot which characters he had included". With so many characters, it became difficult to keep track, and he was occasionally reminded by the editor.
The Harshness of Weekly Serialization
Serializing in Weekly Shonen Jump was extremely strenuous, and Akira Toriyama has stated that he "never wants to do it again". **Continuing to draw 19 pages every week was a significant physical and mental burden**.
Influence on Manga Artists Worldwide
Dragon Ball has influenced manga artists and creators worldwide. Many popular authors, such as Eiichiro Oda from ONE PIECE and Masashi Kishimoto from NARUTO, openly express their respect for Akira Toriyama. This influence extends beyond just the popularity of the series, impacting the entire manga culture, and his contributions are immeasurable.
Impact on Hollywood
The Wachowski brothers, directors of the movie The Matrix, have stated that they were influenced by Dragon Ball in their action scenes. Additionally, many Hollywood actors and artists openly profess to be fans of Dragon Ball.
Awarded at the Japan Media Arts Festival
**In 2019, Akira Toriyama received the Honorary Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival**, officially recognizing his contributions to Japanese manga culture.
Dragon Ball is a beloved series not only in Japan but worldwide. Various changes have been made in international versions due to cultural and regulatory differences, making it an intriguing trivia itself. Let's take a look at the behind-the-scenes of its global expansion.
Mr. Popo's skin color was changed
In the American version, Mr. Popo's pitch-black skin was changed to blue as it was associated with racism. This is a representative example of a culturally considerate modification.
The way to address God has changed
In the English version, the term "Kami-sama" was not used as it was, and it was expressed as "Guardian" or "Kami." This change was made due to religious considerations in monotheistic countries.
Mr. Satan's name was changed
In some regions of Europe and America, the name "Satan (the Devil)" was viewed as problematic religiously, and "Mr. Satan" was changed to "Hercule." This name is derived from the hero Heracles of Greek mythology.
Modifications to blood and violence representation
In the American version, the color of blood was changed from red to green or blue, and violent scenes were cut. This was due to regulations for children's programs.
Goku's death was changed to "went to another dimension"
In the initial broadcast of the American version, the concept of "death" was avoided, and it was expressed as "went to another dimension" and similar phrases. In later versions, the expression has returned closer to the original.
Removal of sexual expressions
Bulma's bathing scenes and Master Roshi's lewd scenes were cut or modified in many countries. This was an adjustment due to cultural differences.
Universal themes
Universal themes such as friendship, effort, and growth resonate beyond culture and language. Goku's pure ambition of "wanting to be stronger" struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Understanding the order and chronology of watching Dragon Ball further enhances the depth of these themes. 【Related Articles】:Order of Watching Dragon Ball
Action scenes that transcend language barriers
Action scenes can be enjoyed regardless of language. Techniques such as the Kamehameha and the Bukuu-jutsu are visually appealing even to those who do not understand the language, captivating both children and adults.
Diversity of Characters
With a variety of characters such as different races, aliens, robots, and gods, viewers from any country can find characters they can relate to. Looking at the character popularity ranking of Dragon Ball reveals which characters are loved by audiences around the world. [Related Article]: Dragon Ball Character Popularity Ranking
Simple Yet Deep Story
On the surface, it's a simple battle manga, but deep themes such as redemption and growth (Vegeta), father-son bonds (Goku and Gohan), and self-sacrifice (Goku's multiple deaths) are woven throughout.
Generational Popularity
A cycle is being created worldwide where parents who watched Dragon Ball when they were children now enjoy it with their own kids. The production of Dragon Ball Super is also supported by this intergenerational popularity.
We have delivered 50 pieces of trivia about Dragon Ball. Covering a wide range of information from behind-the-scenes stories of character settings, plot inconsistencies, secrets of anime production, episodes from Akira Toriyama, to differences in overseas development.
Knowing these trivia should make the world of Dragon Ball appear more three-dimensional. You will notice that even scenes you casually watched actually hide deep meanings and creative efforts from the production side. There is a story behind why Krillin has no nose, and why Super Saiyans have blonde hair.
Additionally, knowing the underlying settings leads to new discoveries while enjoying the work. Please enjoy recalling these trivia as you rewatch the anime or reread the manga. You are sure to develop a deeper affection for the work than ever before.
Dragon Ball has been ongoing for nearly 40 years, but new content continues to emerge. There may still be new trivia and pieces of knowledge to discover. As fans, let us continue to rediscover the charm of this work.
Content Creator
Passionate about anime figures and Japanese pop culture. Dedicated to bringing you the latest news and reviews.
