Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball stands as a towering giant in the Shonen genre. Its storytelling, iconic characters, and earth-shaking battles captivate fans across generations. Yet, despite its legendary status, some moments in the series may leave today’s audiences cringing.
Dragon Ball’s Age and Its Uneasy Past
Released decades ago, Dragon Ball hasn’t escaped the passage of time unscathed. Some scenes did more than just date poorly; they outright shocked audiences. The portrayal and treatment of female characters often fell into questionable territory. At the top of the list of discomfort is Master Roshi, whose antics could land him in serious trouble today.
With the Tournament of Power, fans hoped for Roshi’s transformation into a more respectable character. Unfortunately, in the fight against Universe 4’s Caway, Roshi’s creepy intimidation tactics reared their ugly head. Caway’s seduction almost led Roshi astray, but he resisted—until the battlefield saw his disturbing remarks directed at her. This unsettling behavior from Roshi distressed Caway enough to eliminate herself from the tournament.
Goku’s Shocking Propositions
Goku, the beloved hero, is not immune to controversy. In Dragon Ball Z’s episode "Out from the Broken Sword," Goku bargains with Old Kai, who offers to help in exchange for time with a woman. Goku’s cavalier attitude, proposing friends like Videl and even Bulma, a married woman, rubs viewers the wrong way. This portrayal strayed from heroic nobility, leaning toward a dark, inappropriate territory.
Chi-Chi’s Questionable Wardrobe
Chi-Chi, another series staple, faced her share of problematic representation. Early in the series, her debut outfit—a revealing blue bikini—elicited discomfort. Chi-Chi was just a child, and this choice of dress was beyond questionable. Thankfully, her later appearances saw her in more appropriate attire, reflecting her true martial prowess.
The Uneasy Representation of Otokosuki
Dragon Ball’s treatment of certain tropes didn’t fare much better. Near the end of Dragon Ball Z, Otokosuki—a character name translating to "man love"—was introduced, stirring further controversy. At the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, Otokosuki’s behavior leaned into damaging stereotypes, flirting with underage characters like Goten and Trunks, adding another layer of discomfort for audiences.
Oolong’s Disturbing Actions
Despite the comedic intentions behind Oolong’s antics, his introduction skewed unsettling. In his debut, Oolong kidnapped young girls to wed—albeit treated well during captivity—signifying the humor did little to mask the dark nature of his actions. Continuing with his perversion, Oolong manipulated Bulma and even used his shape-changing abilities to further enable both his vile schemes and Roshi’s inappropriate desires.
The Resurfacing of Master Roshi’s Creepiness
Master Roshi’s interactions seldom lacked discomfort. His hands-on antics with Android 18 during the Buu Saga pushed boundaries. Roshi’s repeated offenses against his star pupils’ partners were unsettling, even for a character known for comic relief. The dubious humor surrounding these actions unsettled audiences in both past and present contexts.
Bulma’s Uncomfortable Moments
Perhaps the most infamous moment arrives after Roshi agrees to douse the flames at Fire Mountain. Bulma’s character, often caught in the series’ crosshairs, faced one of her most notorious and controversial scenes. In a bid to trade for a Dragon Ball, Bulma inadvertently reveals much more than intended to Roshi. Unaware of her predicament, she unwittingly finds herself in one of Dragon Ball’s most controversial moments.
Dragon Ball remains a beloved series, but some of its content hasn’t aged gracefully. Fans continue to celebrate its iconic moments while acknowledging and reconsidering its more problematic aspects.
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