Does the sexualization of Bulma at the start of the series bother anyone?

[Doctor.]

I've always thought that Toriyama was mostly tame, even with his sexual jokes, but that he would also use them to better define the characters and make them fallible. One moment Blooma's trading in on her sexuality, the next she's walking into a trap (the panties scene) or just plain bombing (trying to seduce Blue). It gives some variety and dimension to the subject, which you don't really get elsewhere.

Modern Japanese works have become more skilled at integrating the sexuality into coherent story form, though. Shokugeki no Souma employs a massive number of girls in its plot and gives them storylines and development while at the same time coating them in sex-appeal. The overall quality of the series is debatable, but the solid combination of erotica and 'mainstream' storytelling is the hallmark of a truly great work. I'll often see people drool over female actors in live action films but always find that phenomenon weird. To say nothing of the idea of lusting over a real person you don't even know, these actors don't even exhibit erotic features or attempts to portray themselves as such. That's just...not sexy. The erotic features with Blooma are intentional (or relatively interpret-able) and don't hurt Blooma...because Blooma has no sentience to recognize such.

Wait, lusting over actresses is weird but lusting over cartoons isn't?

[DBZAOTA482]

I've always thought that Toriyama was mostly tame, even with his sexual jokes, but that he would also use them to better define the characters and make them fallible. One moment Blooma's trading in on her sexuality, the next she's walking into a trap (the panties scene) or just plain bombing (trying to seduce Blue). It gives some variety and dimension to the subject, which you don't really get elsewhere.

Modern Japanese works have become more skilled at integrating the sexuality into coherent story form, though. Shokugeki no Souma employs a massive number of girls in its plot and gives them storylines and development while at the same time coating them in sex-appeal. The overall quality of the series is debatable, but the solid combination of erotica and 'mainstream' storytelling is the hallmark of a truly great work. I'll often see people drool over female actors in live action films but always find that phenomenon weird. To say nothing of the idea of lusting over a real person you don't even know, these actors don't even exhibit erotic features or attempts to portray themselves as such. That's just...not sexy. The erotic features with Blooma are intentional (or relatively interpret-able) and don't hurt Blooma...because Blooma has no sentience to recognize such.

Wait, lusting over actresses is weird but lusting over cartoons isn't?

What if you lust over cartoon characters based on real-life actresses/singers?

[KBABZ]

Oh god, I just remembered Chi-Chi's DB outfit. Why the crap is a twelve year old in a Shonen manga wearing something worn in the first few panels of a hentai manga??

[Dr. Casey]

Oh god, I just remembered Chi-Chi's DB outfit. Why the crap is a twelve year old in a Shonen manga wearing something worn in the first few panels of a hentai manga??

And why didn't 23rd Budokai/Saiyan Saga Chi-Chi ever wear it?

[KBABZ]

Oh god, I just remembered Chi-Chi's DB outfit. Why the crap is a twelve year old in a Shonen manga wearing something worn in the first few panels of a hentai manga??

And why didn't 23rd Budokai/Saiyan Saga Chi-Chi ever wear it?

I'll be honest, I love the outfit she wears for that tournament. I know it's the same as her Z housewife one, but the colours, man, the colours! Plus I associate them with when she's at her most proactive in her life. She ain't taking guff from nobody!

[Michsi]

Oh god, I just remembered Chi-Chi's DB outfit. Why the crap is a twelve year old in a Shonen manga wearing something worn in the first few panels of a hentai manga??

And why didn't 23rd Budokai/Saiyan Saga Chi-Chi ever wear it?

I'll be honest, I love the outfit she wears for that tournament. I know it's the same as her Z housewife one, but the colours, man, the colours! Plus I associate them with when she's at her most proactive in her life. She ain't taking guff from nobody!

Chichi's outfit in the 23rd TB is generally considered her best one, and of the best over all. It has, however, nothing in common thematically with what she wore as at 12. And from then on out was only seen wearing Chinese-style inspired outfits.

[KBABZ]

Chichi's outfit in the 23rd TB is generally considered her best one, and of the best over all. It has, however, nothing in common thematically with what she wore as at 12. And from then on out was only seen wearing Chinese-style inspired outfits.

Which makes sense to me, it makes her feel a bit upper-class, and we can see her influence in the clothing worn by early Gohan and Goten at their youngest. It also links to her origin in the most JTTW-inspired arc of the series, and helps ground the world overall, particularly when other characters like Tao-Pai-Pai wear them as well.

[obiwan23s]

I think it's fine. Part of Bulma's characterization is that while she IS just a sixteen years old at the beginning, she understands a lot about sexual deviancy and let's not forget she was looking for the Dragon Balls to ask Shen Long for a boyfriend. I was 16 once, and the girls were thinking about sex too, whether they admitted it or not. That's kind of how Toriyama writes Bulma. With Muten Roshi, that's just because a lot of of Dragon Ball's characters are based on tropes. Roshi is simply a combination of the Dirty Old Man and Old Martial Arts Master tropes. I don't think Dragon Ball overtly supports that kind of behavior, it's just exploiting it for jokes. Bulma is very much against Roshi's behavior, tells him no or physically stops him from doing anything almost every time and is only "violated" twice: when Goku removes her panties when she's sleeping, causing her to unknowingly flash Roshi (which she does in exchange for a Dragon Ball, let's remember) and when Kuririn pulls her top down to make Roshi spray blood all over the invisible man so that Yamucha could see him and win the fight. I guess you could say three times if you count Oolong transforming into her to let Roshi do the pafu-pafu at Mt. Frypan. So yeah I think enough is established about Bulma not being completely innocent for her age and being assertive in protecting herself against Roshi's perverted tricks.

[Dragono]

Saying goodbye to pervy old men would be the least we'd have to worry about if Japan ever gives into political correctness. I'm really happy to see people like the Japanese still stand up for themselves and what they believe in instead of jumping onto the bandwagon of backing down on things whenever some nobody is "offended".

This isn't about a culture standing up for themselves, this is about not objectifying women and turning them into sexual objects for the sake of bad comedy and giving the fourteen year olds in the audience an erection.

1. Its a fictional character in a story about a monkey alien that powers up by turning his hair blonde.

2. Comedy is subjective and dark comedy is a thing.

3. I'm pretty sure Japan has lower sex crimes than the USA and even if its not as reported that, same rule applies here.

4. Turning women into sexual objects can be done in just about any media no matter how the female is treated, people sexaulized Asuka and Rei from Evangelion and they have mental damage.

[JulieYBM]

I've always thought that Toriyama was mostly tame, even with his sexual jokes, but that he would also use them to better define the characters and make them fallible. One moment Blooma's trading in on her sexuality, the next she's walking into a trap (the panties scene) or just plain bombing (trying to seduce Blue). It gives some variety and dimension to the subject, which you don't really get elsewhere.

Modern Japanese works have become more skilled at integrating the sexuality into coherent story form, though. Shokugeki no Souma employs a massive number of girls in its plot and gives them storylines and development while at the same time coating them in sex-appeal. The overall quality of the series is debatable, but the solid combination of erotica and 'mainstream' storytelling is the hallmark of a truly great work. I'll often see people drool over female actors in live action films but always find that phenomenon weird. To say nothing of the idea of lusting over a real person you don't even know, these actors don't even exhibit erotic features or attempts to portray themselves as such. That's just...not sexy. The erotic features with Blooma are intentional (or relatively interpret-able) and don't hurt Blooma...because Blooma has no sentience to recognize such.

Wait, lusting over actresses is weird but lusting over cartoons isn't?

What if you lust over cartoon characters based on real-life actresses/singers?

So long as you're attracted to the fictional aspect of those characters (even real life idols) I think that's understandable. The sort of thing I find weird is wanting to bang, say, Scarlet Johansson or whoever. Making you horny isn't exactly her intention nor a character she plays in her public persona.

But hey, do as you please. I'll stick to my fictional characters and normal, everyday people I know with great personalities.

[KBABZ]

1. Its a fictional character in a story about a monkey alien that powers up by turning his hair blonde.

Just because it's fictional doesn't mean it isn't terrible. If it were used for storytelling then it'd be a bit more acceptable (for example, Bulma flashing Goku is her trying to get something from him and it was her idea), but almost all of it is done for a one-off joke that is almost never funny. Maybe it's just me but I don't think attempted sexual assault works well for light humor.

2. Comedy is subjective and dark comedy is a thing.

Ah yes, dark comedy, something Dragon Ball is famed for.

3. I'm pretty sure Japan has lower sex crimes than the USA and even if its not as reported that, same rule applies here.

Japan also has a third the population of the US and a more honour-based culture where you'd be far less likely to report something like that as a victim (at least how I see it, I'm not an expert).

4. Turning women into sexual objects can be done in just about any media no matter how the female is treated, people sexaulized Asuka and Rei from Evangelion and they have mental damage.

That sort of works for Evangelion because it's entire angle is basically "F***ed up", but even there I find it distracting from the real story. Every instance of fanservice or Roshi-style sexual comedy basically screams "Hey we're taking a break from the main actual story to show this protagonist getting sexually assaulted okay back to your regularly scheduled programming".

[Dragono]

1. Its a fictional character in a story about a monkey alien that powers up by turning his hair blonde.

Just because it's fictional doesn't mean it isn't terrible. If it were used for storytelling then it'd be a bit more acceptable (for example, Bulma flashing Goku is her trying to get something from him and it was her idea), but almost all of it is done for a one-off joke that is almost never funny. Maybe it's just me but I don't think attempted sexual assault works well for light humor.

2. Comedy is subjective and dark comedy is a thing.

Ah yes, dark comedy, something Dragon Ball is famed for.

3. I'm pretty sure Japan has lower sex crimes than the USA and even if its not as reported that, same rule applies here.

Japan also has a third the population of the US and a more honour-based culture where you'd be far less likely to report something like that as a victim (at least how I see it, I'm not an expert).

4. Turning women into sexual objects can be done in just about any media no matter how the female is treated, people sexaulized Asuka and Rei from Evangelion and they have mental damage.

That sort of works for Evangelion because it's entire angle is basically "F***ed up", but even there I find it distracting from the real story. Every instance of fanservice or Roshi-style sexual comedy basically screams "Hey we're taking a break from the main actual story to show this protagonist getting sexually assaulted okay back to your regularly scheduled programming".

1.But it does mean its fake and should not be held to realistic standards, especially in dragon ball were they beat physics over the head with a metal bat. If you find it terrible thats your right, but they are probably people out there that do find the jokes but know they are jokes.
2. I wasn't talking about dragon ball there but in general and you knew I was. Misery is the base for most comedy. People have been making jokes about the holocaust and the titanic for years and yes, people laugh at them. You can tell them its wrong, but they will still laugh at it and probably you.
3. Think that stuff doesn't happen in the US? Have you not been paying attention to the news? My point was its dumb to say that this is influencing little boys to look at girls as objects. You mind as well say porn negatively affects the mind of men and teens. Watch how fast you get shot down.
4. No, I mean they sexualize the outside of the story even when they aren't suppose to be. Look at 18, she is easily the least sexualized character in this entire franchise, not even in super do they touch her. But they have toys with her having one piece proportions. A show doesn't have to do anything besides reveal a female character for her to be objectified and you can't blame the show for that.


Look, I'm well aware of how times have changed and the internet is a pretty sensitive place, but I have never been a fan of telling artists what they can or can't do with their own work even if one is offended especially because people can be offended by anything. Do you think people aren't offended by the violence in this show? Fiction should be an outlet for this kind of thing because it isn't real and anyone with an IQ over the double digits knows that. If one doesn't like it for any reason, just stop watching or reading and pick it up when it stops or don't. There are thousand of stories out there, anime is a medium, damnit.


I'm not defending the comedy but I am damn sure defending the freedom to make it just like I would defend your right to be offended by it even if I probably find it to be nothing but perverted humor.

[Gligarman]

As someone who's into bara I find the majority of the cast to be sexualized, so nope.

[DragonBallKing]

It bothers me that people can get triggered by a cartoon character might as well complain about catwoman or Jessica rabbit. What about Roshi he's almost always punished for being a pervy old man in the same way Johnny bravo is never rewarded for acting like a giant tool.

[Cure Dragon 255]

As someone who's into bara I find the majority of the cast to be sexualized, so nope.

Wow, that's great to hear! Bara needs more friends.

[WittyUsername]

It bothers me that people can get triggered by a cartoon character might as well complain about catwoman or Jessica rabbit. What about Roshi he's almost always punished for being a pervy old man in the same way Johnny bravo is never rewarded for acting like a giant tool.

Catwoman and Jessica Rabbit are adults. Bulma wasn’t an adult at the beginning of the series.

[Doctor.]

It bothers me that people can get triggered by a cartoon character might as well complain about catwoman or Jessica rabbit. What about Roshi he's almost always punished for being a pervy old man in the same way Johnny bravo is never rewarded for acting like a giant tool.

Catwoman and Jessica Rabbit are adults. Bulma wasn’t an adult at the beginning of the series.

That's an arbitrary distinction. Bulma had more autonomy than any other character in the show.

[ABED]

I think that's a fundamental distinction. Put an adult female in an S&M outfit is one thing, but putting a kid like Chichi in one is off-putting.

[Doctor.]

I think that's a fundamental distinction. Put an adult female in an S&M outfit is one thing, but putting a kid like Chichi in one is off-putting.

Sure, but Chi-Chi is actually a kid.

I don't see any discernible difference between a 16 and an 18-year old to be pedantic about the distinction, especially when Bulma is one of the most independent and self-sufficient characters in the series. Saying the former is a kid and the latter is an adult is an arbitrary distinction; a necessary one for society, yes, but ultimately a meaningless one in the context of this discussion.

[JulieYBM]

It bothers me that people can get triggered by a cartoon character might as well complain about catwoman or Jessica rabbit. What about Roshi he's almost always punished for being a pervy old man in the same way Johnny bravo is never rewarded for acting like a giant tool.

Catwoman and Jessica Rabbit are adults. Bulma wasn’t an adult at the beginning of the series.

Being an adult fictional character doesn't give her the ability to consent anymore than a fictional sixteen year old character. Does Selina really consent to one jackin' it to her being drawn at sexy angles with nice, big titties any more than Blooma does when somebody gets their rocks off to an old man getting a look at her vagina just because Selina is 'an adult'?