Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball are considered legendary not only in Japan but across the globe. Consequently, many manga artists and comic series have drawn inspiration from Akira Toriyama’s talent as well as the narrative style of Dragon Ball.
Additionally, there are two Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films that clearly exhibit influences from Dragon Ball.
Killmonger from Black Panther Resembles Vegeta from Dragon Ball
Returning to the release of Black Panther in 2018, fans everywhere echoed “Wakanda Forever!” Due to its immense popularity, it didn’t take long for fans to recognize the similarities between Erik Killmonger and Vegeta from Dragon Ball. Both characters wear similar armor featuring a striking resemblance, with external armor and a green bodysuit underneath.
Both also share similar origin stories, being royal heirs who face tragedy following the death of their fathers. They both embark on personal journeys of revenge and redemption.
Michael B. Jordan, the actor who plays Killmonger, has openly discussed the similarities. During the promotional tour for Creed II, he was asked whether his character’s wardrobe was inspired by Vegeta. His response was: “I can’t say for sure. To be honest, I really don’t know.”
Jordan’s admission may stem from his personal connection to anime, and he could very well see the parallels himself. However, he has not attributed this directly to any specific creators from the film.
Other Influences of Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball in Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi has learned to control the Ten Rings in the film. He gathers energy to create a powerful energy blast, which bears a resemblance to Goku’s Kamehameha from Dragon Ball. In fact, Katy even compares it directly to Goku’s Kamehameha during the film, further establishing a connection between the two franchises.
While the energy blast may not be exclusive to Dragon Ball, the scene was not coincidental and had been developed during discussions with the filmmakers. Director Destin Daniel Cretton shared insights into all the cultural inspirations in Shang-Chi, noting Goku’s iconic technique as one of them.
“I grew up with Dragon Ball Z, and I used a clip of Goku performing Kamehameha. I showed Marvel that clip…”, the director mentioned.
The references to Dragon Ball have resonated loudly with fans, as many have recognized the abundance of Goku enthusiasts. In fact, Shang-Chi’s costume has also been likened to Goku’s outfit. It’s widely believed that the Shang-Chi director has incorporated many elements from Dragon Ball into the film.
