Parallels Between JLA and DBZ

[NewMaxFranklin]

I think it's pretty obvious that Akira Toriyama(creator of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z) is or was a fan of the Justice League comics. Look at all the similarities between JL and DBZ.

First of all Goku. It's reveiled in DBZ that Goku is an alien, who was sent to earth in a spaceship an an infant, shortly before his home planet was destroyed. Now, on Earth he, has super powers. Anyone smell Superman. And like Superman, Goku becomes the leader of earths special forces, which consist of others with powers almost as great a his own. There is even a place called Kame's lookout, which the hero's frequently rest and train, that is similar to the JL base of operations.

But I think the most obviously "lifted" character is Picilo (spelling?.) Look at the similarities between the designs of Martian Manhunter and Picilo. Bald, green-skinned alien, with a heavy brow ridge and a cape. Close enough?

Thoughts?

[Bud 'n Lou]

I shudder to think that the two shows might be similar, because I loathe DBZ. The plot goes absolutely nowhere (It's usually about 5 episodes before anything slightly significant in inching the plot along happens), and it's basically just a never-ending fight scene. Granted, I'm seeing the edited version on Cartoon Network, but I'm probably only just missing MORE poorly planned fight scenes. I'm sorry, but how can anyone think this show is good? Especially if you're a fan of a decidedly higher quality show like Batman or Superman.
But yes, now that you mention it, there are definite similarities. And hopefully, these will be the only similarities between the two shows.

[Nightwing]

The characters are what got me into DBZ actually. But I'll get to that in a minute.

I see the similarities with Goku, so I won't touch that. I'm not sure about Piccolo though. They do seem similar. If they ARE the same, then I'll expect to think as much of Martian Manhunter as I do of Piccolo once I finally meet him.

The butchered and watered down garbage of CN should have a "MTV's Jackass" type warning before the show airs: Don't watch this. It just ruins the show. But unfortunately it's all I've got. One thing in particular is the filler material. Japan wants to keep the show up to date with their comic (?) so they add filler crap to the show that makes me cry.

But, despite that, I really got to like the characters. Goku: he's a Japanese versian of our boy scout Clark. Piccolo: the strong silent warrior, originally born for the service of evil. Gohan: Goku's son, they develope him well now and again. Krillin: Strongest human on Earth. Goku and Gohan's best friend (spanning two generations you could say).

But having some subtle things borrowed from Batman/Superman/JLA makes me feel a bit better. I mean, if you need to borrow some trinkets, why not do so from the absolute best!! Not that I always advocate that of course.

[RockItShipper]

I got fansubs of the Trunks tv special and Trunks vs. Frieza... Those are good startings points are they're somewhat self-contained and character-driven.

But in general, I like the original Dragonball better. Tho's I'm sure CN's version of it will keep its toilet humor to a minimum.

[NewMaxFranklin]

I was a fan of the DBZ manga early in high school, because one of friends was a manga buff. And I got to like what he liked, because of his enthusiasm. But I never really got into DBZ on American Tv. I got tired of it fast.

Now I read and am starting to collect, the DB (not DBZ, DB) books, which have ten or so issues per book. I think there are four books out right now. Those are great, and better drawn than the DBZ manga, as well.

[killercroc]

Originally posted by Bud 'n Lou
I shudder to think that the two shows might be similar, because I loathe DBZ. The plot goes absolutely nowhere (It's usually about 5 episodes before anything slightly significant in inching the plot along happens), and it's basically just a never-ending fight scene. Granted, I'm seeing the edited version on Cartoon Network, but I'm probably only just missing MORE poorly planned fight scenes. I'm sorry, but how can anyone think this show is good? Especially if you're a fan of a decidedly higher quality show like Batman or Superman.
But yes, now that you mention it, there are definite similarities. And hopefully, these will be the only similarities between the two shows.

Or why I like it anyway. I have no idea if the stories are any better without the dubbing or not, but the version I see on CN is blown away by the storytelling on the Bat shows. That's not point. Neither is that Goku's wife and all the other supporting(non-fighting) characters are totally annoying.

The point is that they look cool and have some cool powers. To me anyway. Not that the animation is any better, but like when they're flying to or watching the battle with Cell they're all calm and cool. And then when they fight it's cool, also. Power blasts and faster than light kung fu. It's pretty good eye candy.

Oh yeah, here's the plot to every Dragonball Z ep ever made. "You beat me before, but now I'm back, more powerful than ever....Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!"

[RockItShipper]

Basically she's the stereotypical Japanese mother- a motif used in comedy much like the Jewish mother is in the USA. Chi-Chi (which means breasts BTW) isn't mentioned in the book "Samurai From Outer Space" (a look at anime and Japanese culture) but she immediately sprung to mind when I read that part.

[killercroc]

I think it means breasts in the US also. At least in slang.

Yeah, I noticed that she reminded me of some Kung Fu Theater and definitely of Jackie Chan's Stepmom in Legend of Drunken Master. Of course that was Chinese.

[DR. BELCH]

I wonder if anyone ever told Hugh Lofting that...the monkey in his Dr. Doolittle series is named Chee-Chee! (Doolittle says it's monkey-speak for "ginger"...maybe he got a hoot or two transposed in the translation. ) I'm scared to ask what Gub-Gub the pig's name signifies.

[CatGoddessBast]

<<<---See that red head? Shes from an anime called Saiyuki, Journey to the west.

Journey to the west is also the 100-year-old (give or take a century) legend Dragon Ball is based on. So if anything there based on the same myth, DB is not DC ripoff. Its a classic twiching contest.

[NewMaxFranklin]

Originally posted by CatGoddessBast
<<<---See that red head? Shes from an anime called Saiyuki, Journey to the west.

Journey to the west is also the 100-year-old (give or take a century) legend Dragon Ball is based on. So if anything there based on the same myth, DB is not DC ripoff. Its a classic twiching contest.

I know Dragon Ball is based on the Chinese myth of the Monkey King's "Journey to the West." But, DBZ with its' relizations about Goku and Picilo's alien roots, as well as Picilo's design, is what I was referring to.

DBZ and DB are apples and oranges. DB is at root a comedy, that is peppered with fighting.

DBZ is an uninteresting shlogg, where the fighting is the whole show and it takes forever for anything to happen and when they attempt comedy, it's irritating and even more boring than the endless interior monologues and powering up.