With this new Anime Breakfast, we will discover how much tradition, mythology and oriental folklore are hidden behind Dragon Ball
Here we are at a new and unmissable appointment with Anime Breakfast. After having focused on the differences between Space Dandy and Cowboy Bebop, this time we will keep you company in a different way than usual, talking to you about mythology and folklore. The most experts in manga and anime know well how these elements are still massively present today in many works. We therefore decided to examine one in particular, to find out what lies behind its plot and characters. We’re talking about the very lucky one Dragon BallOf Akira Toriyama, capable of achieving incredible success since its first publications. If you are thinking that this work is just the fruit of its creator’s imagination, you are very wrong.
The origins of Dragon Ball | Anime Breakfast: the folklore and mythology hidden in Dragon Ball
We have to say it: many highly successful works were not born from scratch and Goku’s adventures are no exception. The initial events of the Saiyan story have quite a bit in common with a 16th century Chinese novel entitled Journey to the West, attributed to the writer Wu Cheng’en. It is a travel diary, in which the adventures of the monk are narrated Sanzang towards India, in search of Buddhist sutras. The man, during this traveling adventure, is accompanied by some curious characters. Between these Sun Wukong, the Monkey King who always has a stick with him that can stretch, has extraordinary strength and is able to move by flying on a cloud. Through physical and spiritual training, he will become more and more powerful, so much so that he will be able to challenge Heaven. Characteristics that seem familiar to us, right? Well yes, this is precisely the character that Toriyama clearly took inspiration from to create our beloved Goku.
But as if this wasn’t enough, know that the monk is accompanied by other characters, including Zhu Wuneng a shape-shifting, pig-like God who was punished for his lustful behavior and the river demon Sha Wujing. Zhu Wuneng’s characteristics may also appear familiar to those who have followed Dragon Ball since the first episodes. In fact, the shape-shifting pig can be traced back to this character Oolong, who, to prevent the fulfillment of the enemy’s wish, asks the dragon Shenron for women’s panties. Sha Wujing’s fighting moves were a source of inspiration for the creation of Yamchabetter known in Italy as Wake up. Both the latter and Sha Wujing are initially desert raiders and will end up joining the group of heroes.
Shenron and the Seven Dragon Balls | Anime Breakfast: the folklore and mythology hidden in Dragon Ball
Let’s now focus on one of the most mysterious characters: the Drago Shenron. The name is borrowed from Shen-long, one of the seven celestial dragons, from Chinese mythology, which carries clouds and rain. It is customary to represent this animal as a colossal creature, with the body of a snake and carp scales, chicken legs and eagle claws, crocodile head, camel nose, whiskers similar to those of a catfish, fish tail, mane and deer Horn. The dragon Shenron is therefore seen as a chimera and his scales are used by Goku to reach “Paradise”. Let’s not forget that, according to tradition, these animals reproduce through a pearl that represents their essence, which in iconography they often hold in their jaws.
The link to Seven Dragon Balls it comes naturally. But it’s not enough. Again, Toriyama may have drawn from past literary works. In particular, al Nansō satomi hakkenden (Chronicles of the Eight Dogs). The novel tells the story of Satomi Yoshizane, a samurai who decides, jokingly, to make a promise to his dog Yatsufusa. He promises that whoever defeats the clan’s enemy will be able to marry his daughter Fuse. By a strange twist of fate, the dog will kill the enemy. The girl, after leaving her father’s house with the animal, tries with all her might to prove that she had no children with him, until the day she decides to take her own life. When she dies, her necklace breaks, dispersing in different areas the eight pearls that made it up. From each of them a child will be born. The eight, after meeting again, will start many adventures, which will take them back to their mother’s town.
Japanese folklore in the appearance of the characters | Anime Breakfast: the folklore and mythology hidden in Dragon Ball
Even the appearance of many characters seems to draw a lot of inspiration from the world of mythology and oriental tradition. Just take a look at some characters and get to know, even superficially, some traditional Japanese figures and the connection comes naturally. He is an example of this Re Yammer, the highest authority of the World of the Dead, who has the task of judging the conduct that each soul, having reached the afterlife, had in life, destining it for Paradise or Hell. The figure of him is freely inspired by the Chinese god of Buddhist origin Yanluowang guardian and judge of hell. The appearance of his assistants, intent on sorting the souls and piles of documents, recalls that of a Theydemons of Japanese folklore, giant creatures with red or blue skin, with horns on their heads.
Other characters worth mentioning are Tensing and his inseparable friend Riff. The appearance of the former is a clear reference to the Third Eye, which some Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions talk about. The second, however, is a character freely inspired by the jiangshi, a Chinese version of the vampire, capable of being born from a particularly violent death; it is a nocturnal and ferocious creature. However, little Riff has a anything but violent appearance; his design is very reminiscent of that of the spirit Hitotsume-kozo, who appears as a pale, bald child, with one eye in the center of his forehead. This creature, often depicted in a humorous way, usually surprises people at night, in the darkness of the night streets. Another possible source of inspiration could be Nezhaanother character from the novel Journey to the West.
Roshi and Baba | Anime Breakfast: the folklore and mythology hidden in Dragon Ball
If we talk about Dragon Ball we cannot avoid talking about the Master Muten. One theory would see this character being a mix between monaco Xuanzangof the aforementioned Journey to the West and a Kappa, a figure still very present in the Japanese collective imagination today, represented as an amphibious creature, living near strong waterways and often represented with a turtle shell on its back. This character was also born from the love that the creator of Dragon Ball had for Hawaii, which is why Roshi is dressed in a floral shirt and lives on a splendid island, surrounded by the sea. His best known technique, the Kame-hame-ha, is a tribute to the last Hawaiian king before the American occupation. Even her sister, the Sibilla Baba deserves to be mentioned, as it was inspired by a character who actually existed: the mystic My father.
Conclusions
The characters that animate the world of Dragon Ball are truly many, each with its own characteristics and peculiarities, even if, as the episodes progressed, this root in the tradition was a bit lost. However, we cannot deny that Toriyama managed to achieve enormous success, drawing heavily not only from Chinese and Japanese tradition, but also from the modern world. In this way, folklore mixes in an unconventional way with Shinto and Buddhist traditions and values, often conveyed by the protagonist, transforming classical oriental culture and giving it a new, certainly captivating look.
Our journey inside Dragon Ball ends here, aware that there are still many curiosities that we have not mentioned. If you know of any others, don’t hesitate to let us know! We will be happy to discover something new about this beloved anime. But now the time has come to say goodbye, meeting you next Sunday, with a brand new and unmissable event Anime Breakfast!
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