Dragon Ball Culture Table of Contents
Dragon Ball Culture will change how you see Dragon Ball, and here’s a preview of the table of contents.
The book is divided into 3 parts.
Part 1: The Adventure Begins
Part 2: A New Journey
Part 3: The Quest Continues
Part 1: The Adventure Begins
- Akira Toriyama
- The Origin of Dragon Ball
- Saiyūki
- Dragon World
- Son Gokū
- Kinto’un
- Nyoi-bō
- Buruma
- Hoipoi Capsules
- Jan-ken
- Kame-sennin
- Uron
- Yamucha and Puaru
- Toninjinka
- Gyūmaō
- Chichi
- Kamehameha
- Pirafu
- Dragon Balls
- Shenron
Part 2: A New Journey
- Kuririn
- Ranchi
- Shugyō
- Tenkaichi Budōkai
- Dōgi
- Jackie Chun
- Namu
- Red Ribbon Army
- Bora and Upa
- Tao Paipai
- Dodonpa
- Karin
- Senzu
- Arare
- Uranai Baba
- Son Gohan
- Kinkaku and Ginkaku
- Gozen Shiai
- Makai
- Inoshikachō
- Tsuru-sennin
- Tenshinhan
- Chaozu
- Bukūjutsu
- Tenmu
- Taiyō-ken
Part 3: The Quest Continues
- Pikkoro Daimaō
- Yajirobē
- Mutaito
- Mafūba
- Kami
- Misuta Popo
- Kikō
- Ma Junia
- Hakkero
There you have it. You will discover the cultural origin of every part of Dragon Ball.
See something you don’t know?
That means you will learn something new by reading this book.
Naming Conventions
I use the romanized Japanese names throughout the book. This is because I will reveal the culture of Dragon Ball as Akira Toriyama intended it, and I have to go straight to the source. It’s the only way to guarantee that the original cultural content is kept intact.
This is a sensitive topic for a lot of fans, and I deliberated on this issue for months. For example, should it be Krillin, Kuririn, or Kurilin? Bulma, Bloomer, or Buruma? Son Goku, Gokou, or Gokū?
At the end of the day there’s no way to please everyone, whether it’s the American fanbase, the Europeans, or whoever.
I provide a more detailed explanation of my rationale in the front of the book, but I’d love to know what you think of this decision.
Progress So Far
So far the Dragon Ball Culture book is 46% complete and I’m working on it every day, shooting for a late January release.
Is there anything in the table of contents that you want to learn more about?
Anything that you don’t see up there, but think should be?
I appreciate your enthusiasm and support. Thank you!
Awesome, looking forward to this. There’s definitely quite a few things there that I’ve never given much thought to prior, so without a doubt I’ll be learning lots more about the world of Dragon Ball
There are definitely a few up there I’d like to learn more about! Also, Derek, I might have missed it, but I don’t see Turtle(Umigame, or Urigome as Goku says hehe) up there?
Ah, yeah, Umigame is rather simple so he’s included in the Kame-sennin chapter.
I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a book in ages! Definitely looking forward to this!
Hi Derek,
“Dragon Ball Culture” has not come out yet, but perhaps it’s already attracting lots of people to learn about the beliefs, philosophies, and natural origins of the show. The second book’s also gathering lots of attention from fans and it’s adding value to you as the author of this fantastic website.
I personally like the front cover of the book where Goku carefully stands on his Kinto’un while thrusting his Nyoi-bo with his left hand. It’s as if he’s asking the readers to join him on this spectacular journey that will take them to see the multicultural aspects of Dragon Ball. As he wears the Monkey King’s traditional outfit, his irresistible smile and adorable face are inviting the audience to a higher and more spiritual plane. The picture speaks for the title because playful Goku wears a cultural attire fit for a historical Chinese character of “Journey to the West”.
An article of The New School Free Press website mentioned “It’s Over 9000” sold more than 1,000* copies. If your first book’s in-depth analyses of Goku and Vegeta’s personalities are acknowledged by readers well, no doubt your second book will be another personal favourite. Current and new fans, as well as blog readers, will enjoy this book as much as they enjoyed the first.
May your career as an author, blogger, and freelancer journalist receive continued success in the year to come as you inspire others about “truth, compassion, and tolerance”+. A belated Merry Christmas but an advanced Happy New Year!
*+Source: Pang, Amelia. “Dragon Ball Z and Buddhism: Connecting Two Cultures with One Book”. The New School Free Press. 11 October 2013. Web. 27 December 2013.
Regards,
Marianne
P.S. I recently saw DBZ: God vs. God on this festive season and thought it was a fantastic and spectacular holiday present to give to a fan like me. <3
Thanks, Marianne. Your comments are always so thoughtful and positive. I appreciate you coming to the site and contributing such kindness.
And yes, that’s exactly what I was aiming for with the cover. Javier did an amazing job with the illustration based on my rudimentary sketch, and I’m glad to have him on the team.
The book just reached the “over 2,000 copies sold” mark, which is a treat. The support of readers like yourself from across the world has allowed me to do this almost full time, albeit just barely each month. I’m confident that Dragon Ball Culture will sell well and allow me to focus all my efforts on the rest of the books in the series.
Thanks again!