Overthinking Dragon Ball
Goku Thinks Deep Thoughts
I prefer to write all of my own content and create original posts. That’s why sometimes it takes a little while for a new article to find its way to the blog. But I just discovered some gems of Dragon Ball related philosophy that had to be shared.
These beauty’s are from the Overthinking.com site:
- Why Overthink Dragon Ball?
- On Chosen Ones and Super Saiyans
- Metonymy and Metaphor
- Dragonball Abomination Z
All the articles are written by the same author, Fenzel, and they each explore a different aspect of the Dragon Ball series.
They are also poignant because sometimes I am accused of over thinking Dragon Ball. Now I know there is at least one other person out there willing to take the time to write articles like this. I’m not alone!
On their podcast he said there would be 48 posts, but so far there are only 4. Luckily they are well written and thought provoking.
Why Overthink Dragon Ball?: Fenzel discusses the inherent value of the Dragon Ball series and how it does so many things well that are often overlooked.
On Chosen Ones and Super Saiyans: The “Chosen One” story path and the concept of determinism are discussed in light of pop culture stories like Star Wars, The Matrix, and why Dragon Ball is a prime example of how to do it right.
Metonymy and Metaphor: An educational lesson on advanced literary techniques espoused through the lens of DBZ.
Dragonball Abomination Z: Here Fenzel analyzes the Dragonball: Evolution movie and talks about the ways he felt it failed.
All of them are worth reading for a deeper look at the series.
Unfortunately their comments are disabled on older posts. So, if you feel like sharing, then please do so in the comments below. There’s certainly a lot of fuel for the fire.
Dragon Ball Director Praises Shen Yun
James Wong at Shen Yun
The Shen Yun performing arts company finished its encore tour in Los Angeles on July 11. James Wong, the director of Dragonball: Evolution was in the audience with his family and praised the Shen Yun show.
An article was written for The Epoch Times newspaper to convey his feelings.
From the article:
James said, “I think it’s incredible. The dancers are amazing, the synchronicity of the dances, the tradition, the traditional dances, along with the costumes, is fantastic. I’m really impressed.”
“His most recent film, Dragonball: Evolution (20th Century Fox) is based on the hit comic book and animated series Dragon Ball that finds its roots in traditional Chinese and Japanese culture, notably from Journey to the West, a Chinese classic. The triumphant climax of the epic Journey to the West is retold in Shen Yun as the final performance of the show. The Buddhist Monk Xuanzang and his faithful guardian, The Monkey King, make a glorious return to Tang Dynasty China where they distribute the Buddhist teachings to future generations.”
As a contributor to The Epoch Times I was asked to write this article because of its relationship with Dragon Ball. Shen Yun’s display of authentic traditional culture incorporates The Monkey King legend that inspired Akira Toriyama to create Dragon Ball. And I was happy to help with this unique synchronicity.
The full article: Hollywood Director Recommends Shen Yun: ‘It’s Spectacular’
Dragon Ball Zee or Zed?
Dragon Ball Z. How is it pronounced? Perhaps you never asked yourself the question, but it turns out there are a few different ways to say it. All because of the Z.
For example, is it pronounced Dragon Ball Zee, Dragon Ball Zed or something else entirely? The title of the show represents a linguistic problem with various answers that depend on where you live and what language you speak.
Why does it matter? Because the show is an international phenomenon with no agreed upon standard for how to pronounce its name. And the differences stand as another example of diversity seen within the localized versions of the Dragon Ball series.
To really understand why this is the case we have to learn a little about languages and world history from within the Dragon Ball perspective.
Dragon Ball’s Bloody Pond of Hell
Welcome to the "Bloody Pond" from DBZ's Hell
Have you been to the Bloody Pond of Hell? It’s a great place to visit… They have row boats.
Many fans of Dragon Ball may be aware of the Bloody Pond in Dragon Ball’s Hell, but how many of them know that you can actually visit it?
It turns out that there is a real Bloody Pond in a city of Japan, and that it was the most likely source for Dragon Ball’s version.
This Bloody Pond also has an interesting part to play in traditional Japanese culture and society.
What is the Bloody Pond and why does this matter in Dragon Ball? And where exactly did Toriyama receive the inspiration for his Bloody Pond?
5 Communist and Socialist Elements in Dragon Ball
Hitler Heil's Hello in DBZ Movie 12
There are many unique aspects to the Dragon Ball series and several may contain socialist and communist elements. In this article I will introduce 5 of them.
They are the following:
- Red Army
- Stars
- Hitler
- Hooked Cross Z
- One World Government
The elements on this list are the results of watching the Dragon Ball series and seeing what is already there. I am not making any of these up.
This article is not only here to reveal what was in front of us all along, but to also help explain how and why.
Red Star Hammer and Sickle
Please keep in mind that Dragon Ball is above all else a fun and lighthearted show with a heavy dose of silliness and martial arts antics. These socialist and communist elements do not detract from the Dragon Ball experience in any way.
It’s possible you may disagree with some of the inherent meaning behind these elements within the series, and a lot has been said about one of them in particular, but that does not take away from the fact that they are there to begin with and left for us to explore and understand.
If you have any thoughts on their meaning and why the creator’s put them in, then please state your thoughts in the comments below.
Now let’s begin our adventure. continue …
Hammer of the Gods – Dragon Ball Martial Arts and the Double Axe Handle
Vegetto Smashes Majin Buu with a Double Axe Handle
In this Dragon Ball explorative essay we’re going to focus on the martial arts technique known as the double axe handle. This iconic technique is found throughout the Dragon Ball series and has both a rich history and symbolism.
Dragon Ball is a comic book and anime filled with fighting and all kinds of different martial arts styles. Yet many of them share similar techniques, and the double axe handle is one of the most identifiable.
These are the questions we will answer in this article:
- What is the double axe handle?
- What are its origins and history, and how does it relate to Dragon Ball?
- What are the histories of East Asian martial arts, Buddhism, and the Lightning Bolt Clasped Hands style of combat?
- How do eastern philosophies and this technique fit into the fights of DBZ?
- Why is the double axe handle used so often in Dragon Ball?
- Outside of Dragon Ball, where else can the double axe handle be seen?
Read on to find out! continue …
Over 9,000! Bonus Item Just Added to DBZ Book
Nope. It really is Over 8,000 in the original comic. Read the report to find out more.
I’ve put together a brand new special report that will help you learn all the details on the Dragon Ball internet phenomenon “Over 9,000!” that is found all over the web, and I’m giving it away for free with The Dao of Dragon Ball book.
Included in this over 9 page bonus item is an in-depth analysis of the pop cultural history of “Over 9,000!” and it’s connection to the Japanese DBZ source material as well as its connection to ancient Chinese, Indian, and Japanese cultures.
The report cannot be found elsewhere and is yours free just by giving The Dao of Dragon Ball a shot. If you decide the book isn’t for you, then you still get to keep your bonus item.
You can pick up a copy of the report at the main DBZ Book website.
A List of 9 Personal Values I will Live By
SSJ4 Gohan
I recently started reading a book called The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time Management, by Hyrum Smith. So far it has been very engaging and informative.
I’m only on the 4th chapter, but I’ve already learned (or re-learned) some of the reasons why I procrastinate on my writing for the DBZ book, or any of my other various projects.
The essential point I’ve understood is that if I don’t prioritize my life according to my own intrinsic values, and live according to those values in everything I do, that I’ll never make progress on my projects or find satisfaction in my work. In a larger scope… I won’t find happiness in life. So determining what my core values are is really important. continue …
“I Do Not Know” and Ascension
Goku Smiles
How do you know what you know is the truth? Because you believe it to be.
Those who cannot enlighten to higher truths believe that the truth at their level is the highest, and they believe in all that they can see at their level and below them, with the presumption, based on observable information and incite, that their current level is the highest.
If you don’t believe that there may be a higher truth than the one you currently know then you will forever be positioned at that level.
Saying “I do not know” opens the door for potential improvement. continue …
How Does Dragonball Relate to Falun Dafa?
Goku Faces Towards the Light
I recently received a question from a visitor to the main Dao of Dragonball Book site. He asked “What of Falun Dafa is similar to Dragon Ball?” This post reveals the relationship between personal cultivation, Goku, and Falun Dafa.
As visitors to the site may know, Dragonball is what actually led me into the martial arts. I started with Shaolin Gong Fu, progressed into Tai Qi, and then Qi Gong, and eventually Falun Dafa.
As I practice Falun Dafa I am able to gain a higher understanding of the three universal principles of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance. Looking through these three principles at Dragonball, and Goku especially, I see a lot to relate to in my own life.
If you look at Goku through this lense, for example, you can see all three principles.
He is a completely True person, and he is very honest and genuine. His mind is simple and straightforward and he does what he feels is right. continue …