Dragon Ball is an iconic shonen anime that has significantly impacted the genre, introducing audiences to the captivating world of Goku and his adventures. This series has been instrumental in elevating anime into the mainstream, becoming a beloved classic among fans globally.
Despite its immense popularity, the series adheres to certain content restrictions in its anime adaptation, resulting in the censorship of various moments from the original manga. While some alterations are logical, others seem quite amusing or excessive in hindsight.
8 Rethinking Roshi’s Drink
Transformations to Water or Milk
In a show oriented towards younger viewers, the depiction of alcohol is often avoided, leading to the first significant instance of censorship in Dragon Ball. Master Roshi, who enjoys beer in his retirement, has had the contents of his drink modified repeatedly in the anime. At times, his mug appears blue, suggesting it’s water; other times, it’s colored white, presenting the illusion of milk.
7 Piccolo’s Blood Transformation
Acceptable Alien Adaptation
Initially, viewers believed Piccolo shared Earthlings’ red blood; however, the reveal of Namekians’ purple blood prompted a shift. Extreme violence poses a challenge for a children’s series, which led to the clever recoloring of Piccolo’s blood to green, a decision that eventually became iconic in its own right, largely going unnoticed until later revelations.
6 The Comical HFIL Rebranding
Ingenious Underworld Adaptation
In the past, references to hell were often censored in children’s programming. To circumvent this hurdle during a memorable filler arc where Goku falls into hell, the series humorously rebranded it as the Home for Infinite Losers (HFIL). This innovative solution remains a fan favorite, embraced as an endearing element of the series.
5 Nudity Censorship Actions
Censorship of Raunchy Moments
While Japanese audiences may be more open to nudity, American cartoons face strict scrutiny concerning such content. Consequently, numerous scenes from Dragon Ball depicting young Goku in the nude, as well as suggestive angles involving Bulma, were either heavily edited or removed altogether to comply with American broadcasting standards.
4 Eliminating Middle Finger Gestures
Dismissal of Disrespectful Signs
Characters in Dragon Ball often express their bravado with a middle finger gesture. Given its inappropriate nature for children’s programming, scenes featuring this gesture were modified in the Western release, featuring clenched fists instead. While this may seem incongruous, it ensured the content remained audience-appropriate.
3 Blood Edits in Dragon Ball Z Kai
Appealing to Young Viewers
While the fan base welcomed Dragon Ball Z Kai for its streamlined dubbing and removal of filler episodes, one contentious modification involved the elimination of blood during fights. This edit made the battles appear less intense, a decision that polarized viewers. Nonetheless, many appreciated the vibrant, fast-paced action despite the lack of visible injuries.
2 Mr. Popo’s Recolored Appearance
A Considerable Change to a Controversial Design
While some might defend Mr. Popo’s original design, the series’ Western adaptation sought to address its controversial aspects by introducing a blue version of the character. This modification was met with skepticism, raising questions about Mr. Popo’s true appearance while attempting to make amends for previous interpretations.
1 Taming Roshi’s Inappropriate Behavior
Mitigating Uncomfortable Scenes
Master Roshi, a pivotal mentor for Goku and Krillin, unfortunately transformed into a figure of comic relief in Dragon Ball Z. His lewd actions towards female characters led to significant edits in the Western release, where these instances were either eliminated or altered to remove inappropriate implications. This oversight helped maintain his character’s integrity, preventing him from becoming a universally disliked figure.
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