Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Moderators: Kanzenshuu Staff, General Help
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Hello everyone!
While I was reading Vol 1 of Dragonball VizBig, I noticed Bulma was calling each of the Dragonball's weird names. I can't quote her because I left it over to my grandparents BUT! It was weird to me lol was she just saying numbers 1,2,3 ect in the Japanese language? or does each ball have a name? (God! I hope I'm explaining this right)
While I was reading Vol 1 of Dragonball VizBig, I noticed Bulma was calling each of the Dragonball's weird names. I can't quote her because I left it over to my grandparents BUT! It was weird to me lol was she just saying numbers 1,2,3 ect in the Japanese language? or does each ball have a name? (God! I hope I'm explaining this right)
The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
- Super Sonic
- Born 'n Bred Here
- Posts: 5171
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:45 pm
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Pretty much just 1-7 star ball or something like that.
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Okay! I called my cousin who lives with my grandparents and got him to find what she said. she says ''Now Gimme the ''SuShinchu'' Please!!'' What the crap is SuShinchu? LOL
The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
- Insertclevername
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3208
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:27 pm
- Location: Eastern Zone 439
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
It's the Chinese translation, I believe. Herms or Julian will probably step in and explain. 

Cipher wrote:Also, you can seriously like whatever and still get laid. That's a revelation that'll hit you at some point.
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Haha why would they put something in there that I can't understand? I think they did it because they knew I'd ask here 

The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
- Makaioshin
- Advanced Regular
- Posts: 1429
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:51 pm
- Location: Kokomo
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
In the original they were given Chinese names. Viz chose to use the Japanese approximations of the Chinese names. And yeah they get away with it by translating it right after they use it(like with Kaio and Shenlong). Su Shin Chu, the Four Star Ball!
I think Evolution used the Chinese names.
I think Evolution used the Chinese names.
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Wow! I did not know that. haha I just found it really odd! I still find it odd that they would include something like that. she could have just said ''Gimme that ball!'' haha
The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
I believe the Evil Dragons are also named like this too. Hope Herms comes to enlighten us all.
Last edited by DBZ Mick on Wed May 08, 2013 6:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
It is in his character to be rude and a bit crass. He's a hick, with no formal education. That is Son Goku. That is who he is.
Superman in an orange Gi was the bastard son of FUNimation. Its not The real character, it is as false as Chatku.
-DemonRin
Superman in an orange Gi was the bastard son of FUNimation. Its not The real character, it is as false as Chatku.
-DemonRin
- Ringworm128
- Banned
- Posts: 2976
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:27 am
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
http://www.kanzenshuu.com/tidbits/drago ... l-dragons/DBZ Mick wrote:I believe the Evil Dragons are also named like this too. Hope Herms comes to enlight us all.
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Nice, thanks for posting.
It is in his character to be rude and a bit crass. He's a hick, with no formal education. That is Son Goku. That is who he is.
Superman in an orange Gi was the bastard son of FUNimation. Its not The real character, it is as false as Chatku.
-DemonRin
Superman in an orange Gi was the bastard son of FUNimation. Its not The real character, it is as false as Chatku.
-DemonRin
- SaiyaJedi
- Kanzenshuu Co-Owner & Administrator
- Posts: 2387
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: Osaka
- Contact:
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
And I was just about to post that tidbit, too.
Incidentally, apart from being the (Japanese) name for the Four-Star Ball, "Suushinchuu" was an influential English-language fansite back in the '90s.

Incidentally, apart from being the (Japanese) name for the Four-Star Ball, "Suushinchuu" was an influential English-language fansite back in the '90s.
Co-translator, Man-in-Japan, and Julian #1 at Kanzenshuu
最近、あんまし投稿してないねんけど、見てんで。いっつも見てる。
最近、あんまし投稿してないねんけど、見てんで。いっつも見てる。
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
The answer was right here, chapter 1, section "About the names of Dragon Balls".samuraix123 wrote:Hello everyone!
While I was reading Vol 1 of Dragonball VizBig, I noticed Bulma was calling each of the Dragonball's weird names. I can't quote her because I left it over to my grandparents BUT! It was weird to me lol was she just saying numbers 1,2,3 ect in the Japanese language? or does each ball have a name? (God! I hope I'm explaining this right)

http://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtop ... =7&t=23429
There's so many content in this website+forum that sometimes, the info you're looking for is right there, but you just miss it.
Happened to me too sometimes.

Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
You actually think that would be a better translation?samuraix123 wrote:Wow! I did not know that. haha I just found it really odd! I still find it odd that they would include something like that. she could have just said ''Gimme that ball!'' haha

- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Yeah!rereboy wrote:You actually think that would be a better translation?samuraix123 wrote:Wow! I did not know that. haha I just found it really odd! I still find it odd that they would include something like that. she could have just said ''Gimme that ball!'' haha


The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
- TheDevilsCorpse
- Moderator
- Posts: 11378
- Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2010 4:34 am
- Contact:
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
It seems a little pointless to say "I don't understand this name, so I rather they don't include it in the translation". Would you prefer it if they translated other foreign names like Son Goku or Kamehameha with more general terms like "kid/man" or "attack"? I mean, the ball has a proper "name" like most everything else in the series, so I just don't see why anyone would prefer them not to use it...especially when they translate the text right afterwards for you and then continue to use the translation is all subsequent instances (I think anyway).
Last edited by TheDevilsCorpse on Wed May 08, 2013 4:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Why give me something that I think is in English if they're going put certain words in it that are not and I won't understand? This isn't a major problem. but I think having that out isn't a big deal. what's the point in putting a Chinese translation into an English sentence? I mean if you really don't want it taken out why not have her say ''Gimme that 4 star ball!'' I'm not sure if this is all normal of Manga's. This and the first volume of Dr. Slump are the only ones I've read.

What? Son Goku is his name and Kamehameha is an attack. I believe that's completely different than including a Chinese word for ''4 star ball''Would you prefer it if they translated other foreign names like Son Goku or Kamehameha with more general terms like "kid/man" or "attack"?
Last edited by samuraix123 on Wed May 08, 2013 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
- VegettoEX
- Kanzenshuu Co-Owner & Administrator
- Posts: 17736
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:10 pm
- Location: New Jersey
- Contact:
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
I suppose you could make the argument for them writing it out as "Four-Star Ball" instead of Suushinchuu, but you're getting into "translator's choice" territory.
Here's my reasoning for it:
Even in Japanese, it's written in "another language". It's not named in Japanese; it's named in Chinese. OK, so this is the "English version" of the manga. Keep the intent. Write it in "another language". In this case, it makes the most sense to go back to the Chinese pronunciation (the original one written even in Japanese manga).
Here's my reasoning for it:
Even in Japanese, it's written in "another language". It's not named in Japanese; it's named in Chinese. OK, so this is the "English version" of the manga. Keep the intent. Write it in "another language". In this case, it makes the most sense to go back to the Chinese pronunciation (the original one written even in Japanese manga).
:: [| Mike "VegettoEX" LaBrie |] ::
:: [| Kanzenshuu - Co-Founder/Administrator, Podcast Host, News Manager (note: our "job" titles are arbitrary and meaningless) |] ::
:: [| Website: January 1998 |] :: [| Podcast: November 2005 |] :: [| Fusion: April 2012 |] :: [| Wiki: 20XX |] ::
:: [| Kanzenshuu - Co-Founder/Administrator, Podcast Host, News Manager (note: our "job" titles are arbitrary and meaningless) |] ::
:: [| Website: January 1998 |] :: [| Podcast: November 2005 |] :: [| Fusion: April 2012 |] :: [| Wiki: 20XX |] ::
- Insertclevername
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3208
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:27 pm
- Location: Eastern Zone 439
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Sushinchu is it's name as well. Gokuu specifically refers to it as that.
Cipher wrote:Also, you can seriously like whatever and still get laid. That's a revelation that'll hit you at some point.
- VegettoEX
- Kanzenshuu Co-Owner & Administrator
- Posts: 17736
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:10 pm
- Location: New Jersey
- Contact:
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Goku's calling it by its Japanese approximation of the Chinese.
That would be like us calling the character "Torankusu" instead of "Trunks". Go back to the original source.
That would be like us calling the character "Torankusu" instead of "Trunks". Go back to the original source.
:: [| Mike "VegettoEX" LaBrie |] ::
:: [| Kanzenshuu - Co-Founder/Administrator, Podcast Host, News Manager (note: our "job" titles are arbitrary and meaningless) |] ::
:: [| Website: January 1998 |] :: [| Podcast: November 2005 |] :: [| Fusion: April 2012 |] :: [| Wiki: 20XX |] ::
:: [| Kanzenshuu - Co-Founder/Administrator, Podcast Host, News Manager (note: our "job" titles are arbitrary and meaningless) |] ::
:: [| Website: January 1998 |] :: [| Podcast: November 2005 |] :: [| Fusion: April 2012 |] :: [| Wiki: 20XX |] ::
- samuraix123
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:22 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Does each Dragonball have a different name?
Haha I just found it very weird when I seen it.
This is the first time I've read the Manga so things are a little funny. I also remember asking on here ''Why are people calling Bulma ''Bloomers'' or ''Blooma''?(Sorry I forgot. it's been a while) and Goku was making fun of Bulma's name calling her Bloomers haha 



Last edited by samuraix123 on Wed May 08, 2013 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Dragonboxes are like a middle aged woman who still looks good through simply taking good care of her skin and body with maybe a tiny bit of makeup while the Orange Bricks are like a middle aged woman who get's 50 tons of botox, makeup and plastic surgery in order to look younger and as a result looks even worse. ~ ringworm128
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!
Still recording Toonami broadcasts on VHS after all these years!
#1 Paikuhan fan!