Manga Moments That Were Censored In Dragon Ball Anime

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As someone who has grown up watching both the original and Western versions of Dragon Ball Z, I can’t help but appreciate the efforts made to make this beloved anime more accessible to a wider audience. However, as a child of the 90s who was first introduced to the series in its original form, it’s hard not to feel a tad nostalgic for some of the quirks and controversies that were toned down or removed altogether in the Western release.

As a dedicated fan, I can confidently assert that Dragon Ball stands out as one of the groundbreaking shonen anime series that have left an indelible mark on the world of animation. It’s hardly an overstatement to suggest that Goku’s thrilling journeys significantly expanded the reach and popularity of anime to unprecedented heights, making it a household name across the globe.

In this popular shonen manga-to-anime series, there were instances that didn’t translate well to the animated version, causing surprise among viewers. Consequently, certain scenes from the original manga had to be toned down or removed in the adaptation process. Some of these changes made sense, while others seemed rather absurd.

8. Roshi’s Beer Changing Color

Made To Look Like Water Or Milk

In children’s shows, alcohol is off-limits entirely, which resulted in the initial instance of editing out alcohol in “Dragon Ball”. In his leisure time, Master Roshi has developed a liking for beer and frequently consumes it in the show.

The anime subtly disguises what’s inside this mug by frequently altering the liquid’s color. At times, it appears blue as if he’s consuming water, and on other occasions, it’s made to look like milk by turning white.

7. Piccolo’s Blood Being Recolored

His Alien Heritage Made The Green Blood Believable

Before we knew that Namekians have purple blood, people thought Piccolo shared the same red blood as humans from Earth. Since extreme violence isn’t suitable for children’s television, his blood was changed to a distinctive color, which has since gained its own iconic status.

At times when Piccolo appeared wounded and bled, the anime creatively altered the color of his blood to a green tint. This modification seemed logical, causing few viewers to question it at first. Only later did fans learn about the true shade of his blood.

6. The Hilarious Renaming Of Hell To HFIL

An Iconic Way To Censor Any Mention Of The Underworld

In the past, it was unlikely that shows for children would include references to hell due to censorship. Thus, when the character Goku fell off Snake Way in a popular side story, creators had to use creative thinking to find an acceptable alternative to depicting him ending up in hell.

In a burst of creative genius, I found myself renaming the fiery abode as the “Eternal Abode of Losers,” or EAOL. This iconic act of rebranding, immortalized in the Dragon Ball Z universe, has become one of my favorite examples of censorship. As a devoted fan, I can’t help but wish that this moniker for the underworld was officially recognized as such within the series, making it an unforgettable part of its lore.

5. Numerous Instances Of Nudity Being Removed

Understandable Given How Liberal The Manga Was In This Department

In Japan, there were fewer issues regarding nudity compared to cartoons in America. American censors were strict about any form of nudity in children’s programs, which is why many adjustments had to be made to tone down the more explicit scenes in the animated series Dragon Ball.

The show had no problems with showing a young Goku naked, and characters like Bulma were also subjected to weird panty shots and the like. All of this was either censored or removed entirely from the show for the better.

4. Editing Out Any Middle Fingers

Another Justifiable Moment Of Censorship

A common, humorous form of mockery among Dragon Ball characters often took the shape of a gestural insult. Instead of using harsh words, they’d occasionally display a disrespectful hand gesture that looked like sticking their middle finger up. This was a rather casual way for arrogant characters to express their contempt towards others. The manga itself is filled with multiple instances where characters would flaunt this impolite hand signal.

This anime required editing for American viewers due to the omission of scenes depicting the middle finger, a gesture that is replaced with fists in the Western release. While this may seem peculiar to many viewers, it becomes clearer to those familiar with the meaning behind this hand gesture.

3. Removing Blood From Dragon Ball Z Kai

An Initiative To Help Market The Show To A Younger Audience

Many folks were thrilled when they learned that Dragon Ball Z Kai was going to revise its dubbing and delete Fuller content, making a rewatch more convenient than ever. Yet, some adjustments were made to make the show more suitable for children, with the deletion of blood being the most debated censorship move in the series.

Many battles seemed incomplete or insignificant when combatants barely had any visible injuries, yet they were severely injured. However, most spectators managed to adapt and enjoy the more fluid and swift fights in Dragon Ball Z Kai, despite their reduced brutality due to a noticeable absence of blood.

2. Mr. Popo’s Infamous Recoloring

An Admirable Yet Misguided Way To Remove One Of The Most Controversial Dragon Ball Character Designs

While some might argue for the justification of Popo’s design, it’s hard to refute that the origin of its appearance is questionable at best. Consequently, it’s understandable why the Western version of this series aimed to rectify the issue, but their attempt at censorship only sparked more curiosity and debate instead.

In some Western versions of Dragon Ball Z, the character Popo appears blue, which seems unusual and fails to portray a natural look. Rather than attempting to disguise Popo’s original color, this change only adds to the mystery surrounding the actual appearance of Kami’s attendant, leaving us questioning what he truly looks like.

1. Roshi’s Dirty Antics Are Toned Down As Much As Possible

His Lewd Actions Were Hard To Digest

It’s unfortunate that Master Roshi, who plays a crucial role in the growth of both Goku and Krillin, was transformed into a comic relief character in Dragon Ball Z, leaving new fans unaware of his significance. Now, he is portrayed as a character who frequently oversteps boundaries, resulting in some awkward scenes that make viewers uneasy.

In the Western version of the show, scenes containing inappropriate behavior towards female characters, originally portrayed by Roshi, were either deleted entirely or reworked to eliminate any suggestive content. This move prevented him from becoming a disliked character within the Dragon Ball Z series, despite his minor role.

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2024-12-09 07:06