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 âDragon Ball Zâ, 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 âDragon Ball Superâ 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 âDragon Ball Superâ, Goku surprises by singing âCha-La Head-Cha-Laâ, the original theme song for âDragon Ball Zâ. 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 âDragon Ball Zâ, 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 âDragon Ball Zâ, 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 âDragon Ball Superâ, during the Tournament of Power, we see the fusion of the robots Borareta, Koitsukai and PancĂŠa forming Koiceareta. This character is a tribute to the Pilaf Machine from the original âDragon Ballâ, 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 âDragon Ball Zâ, Bulma presents an outfit change during the trip to planet Namek, which is a clear homage to Ellen Ripley from the âAlienâ film series. Her gray blouse and pants mirror Ripley’s look, an appropriate touch given the space context of âDragon Ball Zâ and her encounter with aliens.
4. Monte Frappe in the First Episode
Dragon Ball: Symbolism and Foreshadowing
The first episode of âDragon Ballâ 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 âDragon Ball Superâ manga, an extra page reveals that Monster Carrot, a unique character from the original âDragon Ballâ, 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 âDragon Ball Super: Brolyâ, there is a possible appearance of Abo and Kado, characters from the OVA âDragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and his friends return!!â, 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 âDragon Ballâ, 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 âDragon Ball Zâ 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.
