Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, passed just days ago, and shortly after, a new online argument suggested that Mr Popo’s persona was “racist”
The well-known, ten-thousand-year-old Earth’s protector was first shown in Dragon Ball as having significantly better martial arts abilities than the main character Goku. On social media, however, several people began to doubt the assistant deity’s intent and colour.
Was Mr Popo’s character design in the Dragon Ball anime by Akira Toriyama racist and is it based on a Hindu god
Also for those who are discussing Mr Popo in the wake of Akira Toriyama’s passing, he was not based off a black man. Mr Popo is based off the “Mahkala” which is a Hindu deity over time and creation.. which makes sense.. hence the “Hyperbolic time chamber”. pic.twitter.com/Uk7jdpHSIA
— MR SANDRIST 🇵🇸🇸🇩 (@QuithJa) March 8, 2024
Many users commented that Popo’s portrayal of a black person was racist. They not only addressed the style but also the persona and speech pattern, which happened forty years ago.
The conversation surrounding Mr. Popo’s persona delved into other facets. Many assert that a Hindu god served as the inspiration for the character. Others began asserting that it was related to Islamic roots. In the wide range of comments that followed, some fans even went so far as to defend their idol, Toriyama, by stating that the character was developed some forty years earlier, back in the DB founder’s early years.
However, many came in support and commented on the online discussion that Mr. Popo was more based on Asian mythology than African mythology. Some asserted that even though Toriyama had historically portrayed black people poorly, bringing it up right after he died was extreme and unnecessary.
Mr. Popo was portrayed as a man in a turban who established himself as a caregiver. When the situation demands it, he can instantly fly via a magic carpet to any location on Earth.
Was Mr. Popo stronger than Goku?
Nobody messes with Mr Popo pic.twitter.com/JyI9e3Wdv3
— Lunas Ra (@lunas_ra) March 9, 2024
For Goku to communicate and train with Kami, he had to defeat Mr. Popo first. Goku is completely outclassed by Kami’s strange attendant during their first encounter because he is older than Kami. Goku is particularly humbled by this since he mistakenly believes that he is the strongest person on the planet after defeating Demon King Piccolo
In the anime, Mr. Popo swallows Goku’s Kamehameha in addition to essentially playing toy with the young man. Given that he is shown in the Buu Saga without even getting wound by the Super Saiyan versions of Goten and Trunks, it is impossible to truly evaluate Popo’s true power. For most of the series, it’s quite conceivable that Mr. Popo was the strongest character on the planet.