Final Forum: A Dragon Ball Podcast

The Mr. Popo Episode (S3E12)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episodes 125, 126, and 127, , "Earth's Guardian Emerges," "Eternal Dragon Resurrected," and "Quicker than Lightning." We continue discussing the Piccolo Jr. Saga, and talk about one of Dragon Ball's most controversial topics: Mr. Popo.

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are cataloging a new species
• We recap the episodes and discuss our favorite moments 
• Trigger warning: This episode contains in-depth discussion of racial stereotypes and problematic depictions of people of color. While it is only our intention to discuss and educate, and not at all to condone, there are non-flinching discussions of potentially upsetting items.
• Why we're not going to talk about Kami-sama, Piccolo Jr, the dragon being repaired, or other items that are debuted in these episodes...yet
• Then we do it, we talk about Mr. Popo
• First, we contextualize his appearance using the setting and similar characters in 1001 Arabian Nights
• Then, we discuss the story of Little Black Sambo, and its popularity throughout the world and in Japan
• We talk about minstrel history
• We discuss whether Mr Popo is a problem
• Jelli crams in Godzilla references by brining both Godzilla Minus One and Shin Godzilla to the table
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

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Kami’s Lookout (S3E11)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episodes 123 and 124, , "Lost and Found," and "Temple Above the Clouds." We begin discussing the Piccolo Jr. Saga, look at Kami's Lookout and discuss what makes the gods of Dragon Ball unique (hint: they suck).

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are on a new planet
• We recap the episodes and discuss our favorite moments 
• Talking about getting started on a new saga
• Why the decision was made to go to gods
• Why Krillin, Chiaotzu, and Master Roshi don't get to meet King Yemma or receive an invitation to train with King Kai (aside from those characters not having been introduced yet)
• The meaning of "kami-sama"
• How the upper realm of jokai has existed all this time with nobody knowing about it
• How the nyoi-bo or power pole compares to the vajra, a Buddhist weapon 
• The significance of the bell Korin hands Goku, and its inspiration from Suzu
• The importance of formlessness vs form
• Kami's Lookout - how its appearance mirrors Korin's Tower and draws further on the inspiration from Bespin from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
• Kami's shrine, or shinden and what a typical Shinto shinden looks like vs that of Kami-sama's
• Freudian analytics
• Why fighting is the bar to meet god
• Parallels to Jackie Chan
• Of course Jelli manages to sneak in references to Ultraman Blazar and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
• Why the gods of Shintoism and Eastern philosophy in general are different from the Judeo-Christian God.
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

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Mystical Adventure Commentary (S3E10)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon by ...jumping off the manga and onto our third feature film commentary!

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are nearing the end of Frieza-controlled space
• We sync up our audio commentary for the listeners
• We discuss some of the production facts about the film Dragon Ball Mystical Adventure such as its 1988 release at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival, the film's box office, and the production team working on the film
• We talk about the other films released alongside the movie: Bikkuraman, Tatakae Ramenman, and Kamen Rider Black Terrifying the Phantom House of Devil Pass
• We delve into the background behind the Toei Manga Matsuri – Toei Cartoon Festival and its inception in 1969 and other such festivals around the country such as Toho's Champion Festival
• Contextualizing the box office of the film
• Shedding light on co-directors Kazuhisa Takenouichi (who worked on Dr Slump, Sailor Moon, One Piece and Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem, which is a companion piece to the Daft Punk album, Destiny) and Minor Okazaki (who worked on Doraemon, Dr Slump, Gegege no Kitaro and others)
• Discussing the film's producer: Chiaki Imada and his career at Toei which began with the release of Tower of Lilies
• We discuss the different dubs created for the film by studios such as Harmony Gold, Speedy, and Funimation
• The difference between the 2005 original Funimation release and the 2010 remastered version
• A reference to a Godzilla fan film turned "real" movie, Dragon Lizard Lord Super Monsters
• Really digging into the Speedy Dub
• Talking about Ceyli Delgadillo, the original voice of kid Goku
• Discussing the Mifan Empire seen in the film
• Talking about timelines and continuity
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual as we react to this wickedly fast-paced film

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise.

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Demon King Piccolo Manga Review (S3E9)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episode 122, "Final Showdown" and then jumping into comparing the Dragon Ball anime to the Dragon Ball manga. We continue discussing Demon King Piccolo, and talk about Piccolo's regeneration.

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are on their way to a new planet.
• We recap the episode and discuss our favorite moments 
• Comparing the manga to the anime, as we do when we wrap up an arc
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

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Goku vs Piccolo and the Path to Heaven through Hell (S3E8)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episodes 118, 119, 120, and 121, , "Prelude to Vengeance," "Battle Cry," "Goku Strikes Back," and "The Biggest Crisis." We continue on with Demon King Piccolo Saga, and discuss the concept of achieving salvation by traveling through hell via the fight between Goku and Piccolo.

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are reeling from their call with Frieza
• We recap the episodes and discuss our favorite moments 
• Comparisons between the moves here and those seen in some Akira Kurosawa movies, Sanshiro Sugata (1 and 2) as well the Ultraman series with Ultraseven
• Power level tropes being utilized
• Goku fulfilling Uranai Baba's prophecy
• Goku taunting Piccolo using a childlike phrase
• Japanese voice actor Aono Takeshi (for Piccolo) setting a precedent for Sean Schemmel and Chris Sabat by almost passing out in the recording booth
• The trials of The Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Dante Alleghiri with regards to achieving salvation
• Discussing saru, Japanese for monkey, and how monkeys are seen as demon repellants
• Discussing May 9th, Goku Day...or Piccolo Day...
• How monkeys play into Buddhism
• Another pivot, slight though it may be, of Dragon Ball's tone and style
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

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Senzu and Divine Water (S3E7)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episodes 114, 115, 116, and 117, , "Conquest and Power," "Awaken Darkness," "A Taste of Destiny," and "The Ultimate Sacrifice." We continue on with Demon King Piccolo Saga, and discuss the concept of Senzu beans and how they work.

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are prepping to return to their adventures, and a surprise call awaits them at the end...
• We recap the episodes and discuss our favorite moments 
• The story of Emperor Win Shihuang who ruled China in the 200s BC
• The idea of the denshija and how it externalizes Piccolo's innermost fears
• If there might perhaps be a parallel between Pilaf and Majin Buu...or more accurately Babidi
• King Furry's resemblance to Teddy Roosevelt
• The meaning of senzu
• Tautologies
• The origin of senzu from Daoist practices
• Gross.
• The compounding effects of senzu
• Ultra Divine Water or Super God Water
• The root of the terms
• Connections to Daoist fasting
• Discussions of alchemy
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

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2024 March Madness Tenkaichi Tournament (2 of 2) (S3E6)

Jelli and Bekinney continue their break from breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon, and pivot away from tearing into the manga and anime that are the most crucial parts of the Dragon Ball franchise to have a little themed fun!

In this episode:

• It's TOURNAMENT SEASON! Kick off your shoes, relax, and listen as we break down 32 of Dragon Ball's most popular (?) characters and discuss who would win in a theoretical game of one-on-one Halo.
• • We take if from the round of 32, down to the Sweet 16, Head into the Elite Eight, jump into the Final Four, and then choose our champion!
  • Who will reign supreme and be declared the number one under heaven in 1-on-1 basketball?

  Join us as we take a break from uncovering the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise and have some March Madness themed fun!

2024 March Madness Tenkaichi Tournament (1 of 2) (S3E5)

Jelli and Bekinney take a break from breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon, and pivot away from tearing into the manga and anime that are the most crucial parts of the Dragon Ball franchise to have a little themed fun!

In this episode:

• It's TOURNAMENT SEASON! Kick off your shoes, relax, and listen as we break down 64 of Dragon Ball's most popular (?) characters and discuss who would win in a theoretical episode of Iron Chef.
• We discuss the system used for determining outcomes.
• We break down our opponents in each matchup.
• In the Saiyan Region: Will Goku topple Tarble, will Vegeta defeat Paragus, who will win when Broly encounters Goten? Will the timeline handle Future Trunks facing off against his younger self? Can Gohan defeat King Vegeta?  Can Cabba beat Bardock? Can Kale topple Nappa? Will Caulifla be able to defeat Raditz?
• In the Earthling Region:
  • Krillin vs Yajirobe, Bulma vs Chiaotzu, Android 17 vs Ox King, Android 18 vs Mr Satan, Yamcha vs Chichi, Tien vs Nam, Android 16 vs Videl, Master Roshi vs Launch
• In the Villains Region: Can Frieza out-fox Mercenary Tao? Will Hit topple Recoome? Will Zamasu throttle King Cold? Who is more nefarious, Cooler or Pilaf? Who has the mad skills, Ginyu or Dabura? Will Buu beat down Android 19? Will Jiren smash Dr Gero? Can Cell prove to be more perfect than Garlic Jr?
• In the Deity/Ally Region:
  
  • Who will win when Beerus, Oolong, Korin, Mr Popo, Nail, Elder Kai, Supreme Kai Shin, Puar, King Kai, Gregory, Dende, Kabito, Kami, King Yemma, Piccolo, and Jaco all face off?

Join us as we take a break from uncovering the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise and have some March Madness themed fun!

RIP Akira Toriyama 1955-2024

On this episode of Final Forum, we discuss the recent, unfortunate, and untimely passing of Akira Toriyama, and do our best to talk about what his works, from Dragon Ball, to Dr. Slump, to Dragon Quest, to Chrono Trigger, meant to us, and attempt to parse this news as best we can.

 

We were joined on this episode by our friend Lux Edwards (Soulmass218 Linktree).

Demon King Piccolo (S3E4)

Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by breaking down episodes 110, 111, 112 and 113, , "Piccolo Closes In," "Roshi's Gambit," "King Piccolo's Wish," and "Siege on Chow Castle." We continue on with Demon King Piccolo Saga, and discuss the "man" of the hour himself: Great Demon King Piccolo (orPiccolo Daimao).

In this episode:

• Jelli and Bekinney are returning to Frieza Force controlled space
• We recap the episodes and discuss our favorite moments 
• Discussing the puns of Piccolo's name as well as the meaning of Daimao
• Drawing a parallel between Piccolo's airship and the Hayao Miyazaki movie Castle in the Sky
• Kazuhiko Torishima's inspiration that led Akira Toriyama to create Piccolo
• How Piccolo attacking martial artists parallels real life demons fearing Daoist, Buddhist, and Shintoist priests
• The origins of the Pokopen chant that's done when Piccolo gives birth
• The importance of Piccolo having only four fingers
• A discussion of the burakumin, and why the anime staff MAY have changed Piccolo's design prior to animating him in the show
• and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual 

Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more.

https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast

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