The 1990s is recognized as one of the golden eras for anime. Beyond the quality of films that emerged during this time, it is believed that this was the peak period for anime as the genre reached a global audience through stories like Knights of the Zodiac, Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon, Captain Tsubasa, and Dragon Ball Z.
Unlike the animated stories we are familiar with in the West, the content audiences received from Japanese anime back then was a bit darker, with gripping and captivating plots. Sometimes, questions arose about whether these anime were intended for children. However, the storylines of these tales have never been considered harmful to fans.
This was until a survey emerged in Japan, where a large number of people were asked to identify any animated films they had watched that caused them emotional harm at the time. Surprisingly, a significant percentage of those surveyed stated that Dragon Ball, with certain scenes, left them with emotional scars due to the sadness in some situations.
Did Dragon Ball Cause You Harm?
According to a report published by Somos Kudasai, Dragon Ball ranked sixth on the survey list, where respondents were asked if any anime had caused them trauma.
Among those surveyed, 5% indicated that Dragon Ball was their answer. This figure is quite significant, as the top name on this list – Warau Salesman – claimed the first position with 10% of the votes.
It’s Not Unreasonable to Suggest Dragon Ball Can Cause Psychological Trauma to Viewers.
The anime contains many heartbreaking scenes right from its early episodes. For instance, the day Goku met his grandfather Gohan or the first death of Krillin at the hands of Tambourine after the martial arts tournament, followed by the victimization of Frieza during the Saiyan Saga battle…
In Dragon Ball Z, there are also many moments where characters meet their demise, such as the deaths of Piccolo, Ten Shin Han, and Chaoz during the Saiyan Saga. Or when Dr. Gero pierces through Yamcha’s body with just one blow.