For years, the fervent community of Dragon Ball enthusiasts has delighted in discovering humorous memes within the vast array of the franchise’s content. From Yamcha’s infamous death pose to Vegeta’s unforgettable reaction upon observing Goku’s power level, Akira Toriyama’s creation offers a wealth of laugh-out-loud moments. Some of these amusing references resonate so strongly that even the series’ creators have acknowledged their cultural impact.
Dragon Ball DAIMA and One of Vegeta’s Most Iconic Memes
A perfect example can be found in episode #13 of the recently launched Dragon Ball DAIMA series. During an epic struggle against enormous creatures from Planet Mega, a swarm of ticks invades the Z Warriors, prompting Piccolo to inquire about their origins. This scene cleverly nods to an old yet beloved meme among Japanese fans that originated from Vegeta’s banter in the eighth movie of the franchise.
The Tick Connection: A Unique Japanese Meme
The eighth installment, titled *Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan*, remains a fan favorite and introduced audiences to the character Broly, who quickly gained immense popularity. It was also in this film that a humorous meme was birthed when Vegeta’s voice actor mispronounced a word. In a critical scene, as Paragus introduces the new planet to Vegeta, the prince is meant to exclaim “nani,”meaning “What?”However, Ryo Horikawa’s pronunciation rendered it as “dani,”which translates to “ticks.”This playful mix-up delighted fans and solidified itself in meme culture since the film’s debut in 2003.
The surprise came in DAIMA when this beloved joke resurfaced. As the fierce Z Fighters face the colossal hamsters of Planet Mega, Piccolo reacts to the massive tick, echoing Vegeta’s humorous meme and expressing disbelief at the gigantic insects. While this moment may not have garnered as much attention from international audiences, Japanese fans quickly flooded social media, thrilled by the incorporation of an old meme into canon.
Dragon Ball’s Tradition of Canonizing Memes
The Resurgence of Yamcha’s Iconic Pose in *Super*
Despite often being underestimated, Yamcha has moments that showcase his prowess. His initial demise, however, has long become a source of amusement within the community. This legend turned meme has been referenced numerous times, including a notable reincarnation in episode #70 of *Dragon Ball Super*. In a bid to secure a win for Universe 7’s baseball squad, Yamcha once again struck his iconic death pose, humorously embracing his fate.
Beyond its exhilarating battles and stunning transformations, Dragon Ball excels as a source of laughter. The sincerity of the creators in recognizing, incorporating, and even celebrating the various fan memes adds a heartwarming touch to this beloved franchise.
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