Have You Ever Been Ashamed Of Liking DBZ?

[thatdbzguy]

Most know my answer already, so I won't go into that. But what about you? Ever feel ashamed for liking DBZ?

[rereboy]

No. Dragon Ball is a pretty good manga and pretty awesome entertainment. But nowadays I just care about the manga, not really the anime.

[crisis]

"Live your truth, so nobody can ever use your truth against you."

[DBZGTKOSDH]

Until 4 years ago, me watching DB was a top-secret, and I didn't want anyone to find out about it, because someone on my age watching cartoons/comics was too pathetic in my mind back then, but I really freaking liked it. But after a while, I got more relaxed about it, and now I don't care to admit it to anyone, and I even started watching other anime/manga (Naruto, One Piece, Toriko). But I'm not very nerdy on my life outside of the PC, I do what every social guy does in my age, and my friends are not nerds or into anything like anime.

[El Diabeetus]

Not at all, I'm sure a lot of people even in real life (a.k.a outside of the internet) know I'm a huge Dragon Ball fan. I've never been ashamed of any fandom I've been involved in.

[Fizzer]

DBZ was my gateway into anime. I watched it as a kid, and it was pretty much my favourite thing ever. When I started getting into anime in general, and watching DB again, when I was around 14, I hid it from my parents. There were some periods in which I only watched it when they weren't in, or very quietly when they were asleep. Basically, I don't think they'd ever heard of anime, and I didn't know what they'd think if they walked into my room (without warning, as always) and found me watching "cartoons". My mother already thought that all of my friends were "freaks of nature" because she'd seen their MSN handles, and she had no concept of such a thing.

I never really hid it from anyone else, though, from around that time on I always had friends who were into anime, and from when I was around 16 and starting college (UK) it was pretty much a given that any new friend I gained was already into anime, and I could freely say things like "so I was watching InuYasha the other day and...". Now I'm at university and everyone watches anime. It isn't a minority thing at all any more, it's just normal. Even my parents know that I like anime and collect Dragon Ball stuff now, I guess they just learnt gradually and now they know exactly what anime is and that my whole generation is into it.

Edit: I do tend to use the name "Dragon Ball" rather than "Dragon Ball Zee" though, to refer to the whole series and to distance myself from what people saw on Cartoon Network. I am open about my fandom, but I tell anyone who'll listen that what I'm a fan of is quite different to "Dee Bee Zee". To refer to that section of the anime, specifically, I tend to use "Dragon Ball Zetto" when not talking about the dub.

[Hellspawn28]

No. I had people that were surprise that people still like DBZ, but I don't care. I enjoy what I like and no one is going to stop me from what I enjoy.

[Gonstead]

Nope and I never will be.

[KentalSSJ6]

No, but some of the things I have seen and heard from other fans made me come pretty damn close.

[TheGmGoken]

Nah. People respect me(Though some dislike me cause of it) cause I don't care about what you think of me and I don't give a shit on what's "cool". I always embraced that I'm an Anime Geek. People find it cool when you're yourself. Some might even want to try it out at times. But don't get confused. I don't go around making anime references everywhere or bring it up 24/7. I mean no one knows I watch wrestling because I never bring it up while I'll occasionally bring up anime. Nothing wrong with liking anything(Unless it's rape, murder, or other....common sense stuff to dislike). There's a time when you don't shove down people throat. I will never be ashamed of liking something that I(NOT SOMEONE ELSE)...MYSELF enjoyed.

Now in terms of being inside the DBZ fandom. Yeah honestly yes because of ignorant or just pure dumb(no offense to anyone) fans who...I can't even describe. Most people here know what I'm talking about. So I might say why I even bother with Dbz FANS but not about LIKING Dbz. Though every since I quit reading comment section on Youtube. I love DBZ's fanbase

[ABED]

No, even if it wasn't popular, I would never have been ashamed of it. It just so happened that a lot of people watched DBZ when I was in high school. Everyone from geeks to the popular kids and athletes.

Here we are over 10 years later, and geek culture is mainstream.

[Nanotchi]

If anything, I'm proud of it, since I know a lot of dragonball fans, and I've shown them the Japanese version and stuff. >w< and now my little bro's charter school is obsessed now, heheheh.

[Daisetsu]

No, I'm not ashamed for liking the series. Although, that might have to do with living in Arkansas where I've yet to meet someone who hates/dislikes the show (or anime in general) to the point of shaming others for it. It might also help that my dad watched the show (all 508 episodes) with me. Who knows?

[RocktheDragon]

Never have been and never will be! I've been into DB since I was a child and I always will be into it and just as enthusiastic as I originally was. There is a reason why this series is so universally loved/praised by people: it's a quality series that can impress across various cultures and ages. I've even been able to have my wife appreciate the series (though her love is nowhere close to my own).

[TheOverlyMadHatter]

This again? How many of these topics have you made now?

And to answer your question, no. I would have a hard time second-guessing myself over liking a shonen manga. I could understand if DBZ was controversial. For example, I would find it somewhat natural for one to question themselves when agreeing with some of the antisemitic ideology of Mein Kampf, and even then, I think everyone is entitled to their opinion. But for something as light-hearted as a Dragon Ball, there really isn't a reason to be ashamed of liking it unless it's preventing you from having a life. Yes, it's a work of fiction for children. Does this mean you've yet to grow up and can't be a productive member of society for enjoying it? I'll let you take a look at the community to answer that question.

[Saiga]

I used to be, when I was still in school. I was only 10 or 11, but DBZ had stopped airing on TV and the logic in my grade was: once it stops airing on TV, that means it's not cool to like it any more. SO I had to keep it a secret that I liked it, and I was very embarrassed. For being a cartoon that stopped airing (despite not being cancelled or anything), DBZ was shunned, to the point where in high school I was unsure if it was okay to like Hunter x Hunter and Bleach for having auras (nen) and energy beams (Cero) because of the similarity to DBZ. Luckily, I'm well passed that, and on top of finding a lot of people my age now like Dragon Ball Z, most people I meet have gotten past the stage of judging people for it. Most people.

[Ajay]

For enjoying the show? Nah, not at all.

For being part of this obnoxious fandom? Absolutely.

I'm so thankful that Kanzenshuu and some of its wonderful members exist. It certainly confirmed that the community isn't just the abysmal folks who inhabit YouTube and Reddit's DBZ side of things.

[Insertclevername]

Ugh, kind of but not really. I don't walk around my school announcing that I love a series meant for 10 year old boys but if someone asks me, I'll say yes. Some people in my grade, more so the people from my town are willing to nostalgia over it.

[Saiga]

Ugh, kind of but not really. I don't walk around my school announcing that I love a series meant for 10 year old boys but if someone asks me, I'll say yes. Some people in my grade, more so the people from my town are willing to nostalgia over it.

Oh yeah, I don't tell anyone unless I find out they have an interest in it first or they ask what anime/manga I'm into. Or if I have to explain what the forum I'm on is for.

[penguintruth]

When you're a thirty year old and your fifty-something year old parents catch you intently watching a show for eight year olds?

Yeah, it's a little awkward.

Fortunately, I temper it by also enjoying cartoons for much older viewers... 13 and 14 year olds, I believe.