Do you really know how much of an impact Dragon Ball is to the Mexican community? After the death of Akira Toriyama in social media, there has been a meme about the love of Dragon Ball by the Mexican community. Jokes have been raised on its passed-on generational love and rumors of cartel praise to their childhood hero.

Dragon Ball first aired in Mexico in the late 1990s, when there were limited options for anime and manga content on Mexican television. Dragon Ball was an accessible anime series to be released in the country, and soon, it became possible to see it in everyone’s home. The love for Dragon Ball became a cultural phenomenon that continues to this day as it has passed to future generations. Close to 700 episodes of multiple Dragon Ball series have enlightened a Mexican household morning. 

Part of the reason Dragon Ball was successful in Mexico is because of the cultural values in the show that relate to Mexico’s culture. The series shows family and community values, friendship, loyalty, and the importance of working together. Dragon Ball has a diverse population with characters that can give a sense of relation to their struggles and successes. The Latin American Spanish dub has brought life to the show with memorable lines such as “Kamehameha,” which are popular in daily conversations. 

There has been a rumor on social media that Mexican cartels have agreed to a ceasefire to honor Akira Toriyama. After confirming Toriyama’s death at age 68, several fans began joking about the impact of his passing due to his popularity in Mexican culture. Many people were intrigued by the belief that there was a chance of the cartel coming together for a moment of peace. It’s considered funny to believe that Dragon Ball can have such an influence on even violent criminals. The possibility that cartel members can feel sorrow for the death of Akira can’t be far from true since the series has continued since the 90s, meaning many of the fans are now adults.  

To this day, Mexico is known for its strong community and participation in Dragon Ball fandom. Numerous conventions, events, and online communities are dedicated to Dragon Ball in Mexico. Dragon Ball has thrived in Mexican pop culture through references in popular TV shows and movies and dragon ball-themed merchandise. Songs, murals, and art exhibitions dedicated to Dragon Ball can be found throughout Mexico. Many Mexican fans have grown up hearing the powerful messages from their childhood show and have now created a sense of nostalgia.

Sources:

https://dbz-store.com/blogs/our-dbz-blogs/why-does-mexico-love-dragon-ball

https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/backwoodsaltar/mexican-cartels-ceasefire-rumors-dragon-ball