Strange Gesture

SSJ2bardock · Post by **SSJ2bardock** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:03 pm

Yeah I got you, this all still seems really strange though how this is connected with Dragonball.

Vekurotto · Post by **Vekurotto** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:21 pm

Mmm...not really. It's Japanese originally so it going to have things specific to Japanese culture. Like how random TV shows have references to George Bush and other US presidents. You would think that they would have nothing to do with the show and they don't, it's just a thing ingrained into American culture much like things in Dragonball and anime in general.

SSJ2bardock · Post by **SSJ2bardock** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:59 pm

I was kinda thinking of the time difference, I just thought it was strange in general how this specific thing pops up in a lot of Japanese pop culture even though its really old.

Post by **Herms** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 am

Well, look at the random references to bits of Japanese culture like the rabbits making mochi on the moon (the Rabbit Gang's fate), the story of Urashima Taro (Goku's rescue of Sea Turtle and his reward), the story of Momotaro (filler scene where the baby Piccolo is found by an eldery couple), the concept of kami (that wrinkly green slug man), and the depection of cranes and turtles together in paintings (Kame-sennin and Tsuru-sennin's rivalry). And of course the whole story was originally based on an old Chinese legend that was well-known in Japan as well.

SSJ2bardock · Post by **SSJ2bardock** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:42 am

I immediately slapped myself on the forehead after I said that. Thinking to myself "You idiot, the whole concept of Dragonball was based on the ancient Chinese myth Journey to the West"

DominatorLost · Post by **DominatorLost** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:27 am

Buu's nose extended in Hyper Dimension whenever he won, just as a note.

Velasa · Post by **Velasa** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:42 am

I don't know the answer to the question at hand, but as for seeing things through a European mythos POV- I'll make the note of where Bibidi, Babidi and Buu got their names. They could have taken it from any mythos really, though they're likely to show preference toward examples from their childhood, which would more be the Asian stories.

Post by **Herms** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:53 am

Velasa wrote:I don't know the answer to the question at hand, but as for seeing things through a European mythos POV- I'll make the note of where Bibidi, Babidi and Buu got their names.

Bibbity-boppity-boo is more of a reference to Disney specifically, rather than the European legends Disney based most of their early stuff on, since the word comes from the song in the Disney movie and wasn't a part of the Cinderella story before that (I think). Toriyama did say that he was inspired by 101 Dalmations*, so he's certainly familiar with Disney, which does make it seem likely that he'd be familiar with Pinocchio from the Disney movie if nothing else.

*He says this in one of the daizenshuu interviews, maybe 3. Rats, I hate it when people attribute things to Toriyama without giving a definitive source, and now I'm doing it...

Velasa · Post by **Velasa** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:57 am

And the Disney film would moreso be an American mythos then, which was what I was going for. Pinocchio was also a Dinsey film.

I was basically going for, it's not all Asian sources.

Chibi Mystic Gohan · Post by **Chibi Mystic Gohan** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:03 am

Herms wrote:
Velasa wrote:I don't know the answer to the question at hand, but as for seeing things through a European mythos POV- I'll make the note of where Bibidi, Babidi and Buu got their names.
Bibbity-boppity-boo is more of a reference to Disney specifically, rather than the European legends Disney based most of their early stuff on, since the word comes from the song in the Disney movie and wasn't a part of the Cinderella story before that (I think). Toriyama did say that he was inspired by 101 Dalmations*, so he's certainly familiar with Disney, which does make it seem likely that he'd be familiar with Pinocchio from the Disney movie if nothing else.

*He says this in one of the daizenshuu interviews, maybe 3. Rats, I hate it when people attribute things to Toriyama without giving a definitive source, and now I'm doing it...

He's said that in an American Shonen Jump interview as well.

Kid Trunks · Post by **Kid Trunks** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:24 am

Some of these gestures seem strange. Especially when, in any anime, if someone says something stupid, everyone in the room falls to the ground with their legs up in the air. Or instead, a drop of sweat appears on someone head.

SSJ2bardock · Post by **SSJ2bardock** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:08 pm

Velasa wrote:And the Disney film would moreso be an American mythos then, which was what I was going for. Pinocchio was also a Dinsey film.

I was basically going for, it's not all Asian sources.

I didn't have any hope left for this being a Pinocchio reference, but this breathes new life into the argument even though it's still unlikely.

Big Momma · Post by **Big Momma** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:04 pm

I always thought it was a symbolistic thing.

They're pretending to wipe their nose like getting rid of a puny booger, the booger being their opponent.

SSJ2bardock · Post by **SSJ2bardock** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:09 pm

I guess that could be a reason, but it just doesn't seem like they would have the characters picking their nose.

Dragon Ball Daisuki · Post by **Dragon Ball Daisuki** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:21 pm

Quick thought: could this be the physical equivalent to the expression "turning one's nose up"? Arrogant or haughty people are often described as having their noses in the air.

o_O

Sonicmark · Post by **Sonicmark** » Mon May 19, 2008 1:40 pm

I always knew it was a sign of over confidence because in Sonic the movie, Sonic rubs his nose and we ALL know Sonic's overconfident. And Tyson does it in Beyblade and he's pretty determined.

Though I like the theory of being preoccupied by insignificant events, that's really good

Kendamu · Post by **Kendamu** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:11 pm

So that's where I picked up that gesture from! I do the nose-brush thing all the time but never really remembered that it came from somewhere else.

Son Wukong · Post by **Son Wukong** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:40 pm

Up until now I also thought it was a sign of confidence or something to that extent but I just finished watching an episode of DearS where a study group is busy with maths and one of the girls says "I don't understand'' while the other one replies ''What is it that you don't understand?'' and the first girl then says, while making the same gesture, “I don't know what I don't understand'' (supposed to be a funny scene). So now I'm confused. Guess each producer has its own understanding of the gesture......

DemonKingPiccolo · Post by **DemonKingPiccolo** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:11 am

In most cultures, the nose seems to be the feature that expresses arrogance or cockiness.

The terms "Turn up your nose" or "Look down your nose" in western cultures are terms associated with people who are self-centered or arrogant.

I assume that brushing bottom of the nose with the finger in Japanese probably means something similar.

However, I do know that exposing the inside of the bottom eye-lid and sticking the tongue out is a taunt. Dragon Ball characters are seen to do that too.