Check out 10 hidden details of Dragon Ball that you need to watch again to realize

Dragon Ball, one of the most popular anime franchises, is known for its spectacular fights and iconic transformations. However, there are many subtle details and hidden references that fans may have missed during their first viewing. Let’s explore some of these curious and fun moments from the series.

10 Hidden Dragon Ball Details You Need to Watch Again to Realize

10. Gohan’s Friends’ School Names

Dragon Ball Z: Teenage Gohan and His New Friends

In episode 200 of “Dragon Ball Z”, when Gohan becomes a teenager and attends Orange Star High School, he meets new friends with names inspired by school materials, such as Erasa and Sharpner. This trend continues in “Dragon Ball Super” with Goten and Trunks’ teenage friends at Blue Hal High School, which include characters like Rulah and Kompas. It’s a fun detail that reflects Akira Toriyama’s creative approach to character naming.

9. Goku Sings the Theme Song

Dragon Ball Super: A Musical Tribute

In an episode of “Dragon Ball Super”, Goku surprises by singing “Cha-La Head-Cha-La”, the original theme song for “Dragon Ball Z”. This moment is a fun homage to the original series, especially meaningful for those familiar with the Japanese version, contrasting with the typical English dub choices.

8. Bubbles the Monkey from King Kai

Dragon Ball Z: Reference to Michael Jackson

In episode 18 of “Dragon Ball Z”, King Kai, one of Goku’s mentors, has a pet monkey named Bubbles, a likely reference to Michael Jackson’s famous pet monkey. This is an example of the series making allusions to the pop culture of the time, a detail that may be less obvious to younger fans today.

7. The Cell Games Hercule Parody

Dragon Ball Z: Toei Animation Mocking Itself

In episode 210 of “Dragon Ball Z”, there is a comic sequence where Hercule Satan reenacts the Cell Games. The joke gets even deeper with the insertion of the Toei Animation logo, the studio behind the anime, accompanied by a satirical jingle. This moment is a meta-humorous joke, where Toei itself satirizes itself.

6. Reference to the Pilaf Mixed Machine

Dragon Ball Super: Fusion of Robots and Nostalgia

In episode 120 of “Dragon Ball Super”, during the Tournament of Power, we see the fusion of the robots Borareta, Koitsukai and Pancéa forming Koiceareta. This character is a tribute to the Pilaf Machine from the original “Dragon Ball”, where the characters Pilaf, Mai and Shu combine into one machine. This detail is a charming reference for longtime fans remembering the early days of the series.

5. Tribute to Alien in Dragon Ball Z

Bulma and her Connection to Ripley

In episode 39 of “Dragon Ball Z”, Bulma presents an outfit change during the trip to planet Namek, which is a clear homage to Ellen Ripley from the “Alien” film series. Her gray blouse and pants mirror Ripley’s look, an appropriate touch given the space context of “Dragon Ball Z” and her encounter with aliens.

4. Monte Frappe in the First Episode

Dragon Ball: Symbolism and Foreshadowing

The first episode of “Dragon Ball” offers a glimpse of Monte Frappe, a location that later becomes significant in the romance between Goku and Chi-Chi. This subtle foreshadowing is easily missed on first viewing, but it highlights Akira Toriyama’s attention to detail and world-building.

3. Monster Carrot Still on the Moon

Dragon Ball Super: A Nod to the Past

In the 10th volume of the “Dragon Ball Super” manga, an extra page reveals that Monster Carrot, a unique character from the original “Dragon Ball”, is still trapped on the moon. This is a fun callback for older fans, despite it not making sense chronologically due to the destruction of the moon in later events in the series.

2. Abo and Kado in Frieza’s Army

Dragon Ball Super: Broly and OVA’s Connection

In “Dragon Ball Super: Broly”, there is a possible appearance of Abo and Kado, characters from the OVA “Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and his friends return!!”, in Frieza’s revived army. This subtle inclusion hints at the possibility of a future interaction with Gotenks now that Goten and Trunks are teenagers, creating an interesting bridge between different parts of the franchise.

1. Major Metallitron and Goku’s Revelation

Dragon Ball: A Hidden Clue About Goku’s Past

One of the most intriguing moments is in “Dragon Ball”, episode 36, when Major Metallitron, a Red Ribbon android, scans Goku and suggests that he is an alien. This quick read is easy to ignore, but it anticipates the big reveal in “Dragon Ball Z” that Goku is a Saiyan. It’s a hidden Easter egg that shows Toriyama’s possible advance planning for Goku’s story.

The Dragon Ball anime is available in full on Crunchyroll.

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