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What did he mean by this? · Nov 20, 2016

This is strange cultural thing I've noticed. I got to an HBCU and just about everyone I discuss anime with agrees that Piccolo was a black man.

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It's uncanny. In terms of personality, his strong demeanor mixed with his vast kindness greatly contrasted with the moral simplicity of his saiyan/human allies and really set him apart.

Furthermore, as we were introduced to planet Namek and its natives, watching them brutalized by the powers that be was a distinct analogue to abuses impacted upon the black race. It's hard to express, but I sympathized on a level deeper than I should have when I saw those images on screen of Friza's troops murdering Namekians.

Personally, for myself growing up, when positive portrayals of adult black men in media were hard to find, Piccolo was an empowering figure. Of course, the cartoons and whatnot in the 90s had that trademark diversity amongst children and teens, but as far as specifically black MEN are concerned Piccolo was awesome to witness.

BocoDragon · Nov 20, 2016

Green Lives Matter

Pinko Marx · Nov 20, 2016

Piccolo's abilities are what every cop across America thinks black people are capable of.

Bronx-Man · Nov 20, 2016

Namek is literally Space Africa. Piccolo's a brother.

Lamel · Nov 20, 2016

Now that I think about it, DBZ was really progressive in the sense that they made Goku (white man pretty much) the terrible father and Piccolo Gohan's real loving dad. Combatting stereotypes from day 1.

Then again, DBZ also has Mr. Popo, so...

Inuhanyou · Nov 20, 2016

It also had to do with both of his dub voices(ocean and funimation) being particularly deep and him being a more laid back character for most of DBZ.

Oblivion · Nov 20, 2016

This theory is as old as Kami.

NandoGip · Nov 20, 2016

Piccolo was always the black dude for me and my friends

ElBoxyBrown · Nov 20, 2016

He's also kind of a dragon.

Order · Nov 20, 2016

Knuckles is too

Enter the Dragon Punch · Nov 20, 2016

piccolo is black

like, black black, not goku black

Megalosaro · Nov 20, 2016

I miss the way Toriyama initially drew him

Tagyhag · Nov 20, 2016

ElBoxyBrown said:
He's also kind of a dragon.

More like a slug, just don't tell him that.

GDGF · Nov 20, 2016

So is Panthro.

broncobuster · Nov 20, 2016

Exhibit A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwj91-uHDa8

qcf x2 · Nov 20, 2016

Lamel said:
Now that I think about it, DBZ was really progressive in the sense that they made Goku (white man pretty much) the terrible father and Piccolo Gohan's real loving dad.

Then again, DBZ also has Mr. Popo, so...

Yeah, Japan didn't wanna give us TOO much.

Oblivion · Nov 20, 2016

Bronx-Man said:
Namek is literally Space Africa.

Technically....I'd say that moniker's more appropriate for Planet Vegeta. They were enslaved, as opposed to Namek where it was just simply genocide. In that sense, Namek is more like Space Virginia.

Pinko Marx · Nov 20, 2016

Who's the black character in Mario? 🤔

Lamel · Nov 20, 2016

Pinko Marx said:
Who's the black character in Mario? 🤔

Luigi.

Media · Nov 20, 2016

I think this is an underlying theme in his portrayal on DBZ-A as well. I picked up on it.

What did he mean by this? · Nov 20, 2016

Oblivion said:
Technically....I'd say that moniker's more appropriate for Planet Vegeta. They were enslaved, as opposed to Namek where it was just simply genocide. In that sense, Namek is more like Space Virginia Colony.

Disagree. Saiyan values don't align with African culture at all! Namek was very spiritual and community-based.

Pinko Marx said:
Who's the black character in Mario? 🤔

Toad

Icyflamez96 · Nov 20, 2016

NandoGip said:
Piccolo was always the black dude for me and my friends

.

Electric Eye · Nov 20, 2016

Pinko Marx said:
Who's the black character in Mario? 🤔

Isn't Mario Mexican?

Big One · Nov 20, 2016

Eh I get he's a badass, but I don't think he or the Nameks were supposed to be directly based off black people. They have a more Middle Eastern aesthetic to them more than anything, but since all races in Dragonball are already represented already I don't think that was ever intentional.

ahoyhoy · Nov 20, 2016

Green dick is better than bluuuue dick.

Snakeyes · Nov 20, 2016

The Saiyans are black. Namekians are more like Indians tbh

Pinko Marx · Nov 20, 2016

Electric Eye said:
Isn't Mario Mexican?

Italian. "Mama Mia!"

Jon Carter · Nov 20, 2016

Another case of Hollywood white-washing for Dragonball Evolution then?

Rynocirator · Nov 20, 2016

Pinko Marx said:
Piccolo's abilities are what every cop across America thinks black people are capable of.

Are you telling me that Michael Jordan didn't actually do this in Space Jam!?

ThisGuy · Nov 20, 2016

broncobuster said:
Exhibit A

Lmao, this is great.

Sub_Level · Nov 20, 2016

He is a sentient pickle.

End of story.

hwalker84 · Nov 20, 2016

RainForce · Nov 20, 2016

Lamel said:
Now that I think about it, DBZ was really progressive in the sense that they made Goku (white man pretty much) the terrible father and Piccolo Gohan's real loving dad. Combatting stereotypes from day 1.

Then again, DBZ also has Mr. Popo, so...

Goku is Japanese, not white.

Edit, or Chinese due to being based on Journey to the West.

Nialrot · Nov 20, 2016

Pinko Marx said:
Piccolo's abilities are what every cop across America thinks black people are capable of.

Special Beam Cannon for everyone!

Fat4all · Nov 20, 2016

Numb · Nov 20, 2016

Snakeyes said:
The Saiyans are black. Namekians are more like Indians tbh

They go blond and green eyes in super saiyan mode
Saiyans are white folks

Pinko Marx · Nov 20, 2016

Snakeyes said:
The Saiyans are black. Namekians are more like Indians tbh

So you saying black people turn into giant monkeys under the full moon huh? 😒

Barkley's Justice · Nov 20, 2016

Jon Carter · Nov 20, 2016

RainForce said:
Goku is Japanese, not white.

You can be Japanese and white though.

Grizzlyjin · Nov 20, 2016

*nods in agreement*

No lies detected. Piccolo was claimed in the Racial Draft of 2001. Krillin is shared claim.

Streaks · Nov 20, 2016

The Skeeter to Goku's Doug

Corronchilejano · Nov 20, 2016

Saiyans are a superior race that turn Arian at will.

DominoKid · Nov 20, 2016

I always thought he was black too.

jabuseika · Nov 20, 2016

Snakeyes · Nov 20, 2016

Pinko Marx said:
So you saying black people turn into giant monkeys under the full moon huh? ��

Even RZA agrees;

“You see it more clearly as the story goes. You learn that Son Goku is part of an ancient race called the Saiyans, who come from a distant planet and were known as the fiercest warriors in the galaxy. So Son Goku has superpowers but doesn’t realize it–a head injury destroyed his memory, robbed his knowledge of self. Then one day, he gets stressed beyond his limits and Hulks out into his alter ego, Super Saiyan–a [black man] with dreadlocks. (Get it?)”

“So I say WE are the Saiyans; I even use the name Goku as a tag when I write. And when my hair is in an Afro? Word up: I’m Super Saiyan.”

Riposte · Nov 20, 2016

Piccolo is a top.

Jzero · Nov 20, 2016

I thought that was a given

What did he mean by this? · Nov 20, 2016

Should I buy a Badman shirt or a Postboy shirt? Only got money for 1

Sajjaja · Nov 20, 2016

What did he mean by this? said:

Isn't that Malcolm X on the right?

ThisGuy · Nov 20, 2016

Snakeyes said:
Even RZA agrees;

That is corny as hell. Lmao.

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