The Power of Dragon Ball Z in Western Culture

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Dragon Ball Z, with its iconic 'Over 9000' line, marked a significant shift in the acceptance of manga in Western culture. Before DBZ, manga was merely seen as niche items in the back of video game stores or as too Japanese to break into mainstream culture. The creator, Toriyami Akiori, was surprised by its success, especially since he didn't anticipate Dr. Slump or Dragon Ball to have much impact. This success showcased how a seemingly niche and culturally bound creation could transcend boundaries and capture the imagination of a global audience.

Voting begins today in an election that has already been won – all the opposition politicians are dead, in prison or in exile. Vladimir Putin wants to give the illusion of legitimacy. Will the rumblings of a protest deprive him of that goal? There is evidence that Sudan is becoming the latest theatre of the Ukraine war (09:25). And, a tribute to the father of Dragon Ball Z (15:49).

Navalny audio clip courtesy of The National Desk.

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