Ask John: Why is Dragon Ball Still So Popular in Japan?

Question:
I was wondering if you have a take on the endless stream of Dragon Ball merchandising released in Japan, even to this day. If not mistaken, the series ended almost 20 years ago, yet there is a constant influx of new products each month. Originally I assumed this was a product of the (then) broadcasting of DB in North America, and thus a somewhat “renewed” interest in the series worldwide; however, years later, it would seem as if DB is as iconic as Pokemon or whatnot.

Answer:
I certainly don’t wish to offend, but I have to admit that what I find most interesting about this question is the question itself rather than the answer. The question, I think, reveals a characteristic representative of America’s unconscious impression of anime. While the Dragon Ball anime franchise is frequently dismissed by American anime fans as a superficial, gateway title that respectable fans quickly outgrow, that perception is rooted much more in the psychology of American anime fans than in the integrity of the Dragon Ball anime itself. Many of America’s anime fans are unconsciously desperate to convince themselves that their interest in anime isn’t embarrassing because anime isn’t childish. Anime may be typically more intelligent and less condescending that typical American cartoons, but most anime, even internationally acclaimed and respected anime like films from Hayao Miyazaki, is primarily intended for Japanese children. So Americans don’t like to admit that anime is primarily a medium for children, albeit an artistic and intelligent medium. Especially since Dragon Ball is perceived as especially simplistic and superficial by self-important American anime fans, there tends to be some shock and surprise over the fact that the Dragon Ball franchise remains as vital and current as it is in Japan.

America has pop culture icons and franchises like Star Wars and Elvis Presley. Dragon Ball has undeniably become one of Japan’s equivalent pop culture staples. The Dragon Ball story is fun and exciting, and its espouses positive Japanese cultural values like the importance of family, accepting personal responsibility, bettering oneself through discipline and training, honestly and loyalty, personal sacrifice, and so on. Dragon Ball remains popular among those who grew up with it, and new generations of fans just discovering it.

Furthermore, many American anime fans may not be aware that the Dragon Ball anime franchise hasn’t been entirely stagnant. Although the Dragon Ball GT television series concluded in 1997, Dragon Ball characters appeared in exclusive short anime movies screened at the Fuji TV Network building in Odaiba, Tokyo in 2003 & 2004. The 2003 Odaiba Bouken-Ou promotional event included screenings of a multi-screen live-action and anime cross-over adventure short featuring characters from Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Astro Boy. The 2004 event film features characters from Dragon Ball, One Piece, and “KochiKame.” (More recent Odaiba Bouken-Ou films have included characters from Chibi Maruko-chan, Brave Story, and Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro.)

While the self-conscious hardcore American anime fan community likes to distance itself from franchises like Dragon Ball and Pokemon, thinking of them as childish or immature, Dragon Ball remains especially popular in America. For the week that ended June 1st, the Dragon Ball Z season 5 DVD set was America’s best selling TV series on DVD collection by a wide margin over second place entry, Sex in the City season six part two, on Nielsen VideoScan rankings. We can’t forget the an American live action Dragon Ball motion picture is also presently in production. When considering that Dragon Ball remains so popular in America, it should be no surprise that the franchise has even more longevity and sustained popularity in its homeland.