A pivotal moment in the Majin Buu arc of Dragon Ball Z has often gone unnoticed, and it all revolves around a notable editorial change. This revelation came to light in the latest episode of KosoKoso, a Japanese podcast featuring Dragon Ball editor Kazuhiko Torishima and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, where they discussed recent developments related to the franchise.
In this episode, Torishima, along with fellow editors Yu Kondo and Fuyuto Takeda, delved into how the concluding story of “Dragon Ball Z” came to be. This narrative revolves around Majin Buu, a character whose dual nature is quite complex: he appears as a monstrous creature capable of immense destruction, yet he possesses a whimsical and childlike demeanor. After awakening from a long slumber, Majin Buu begins a rampage across the Earth, but the spirit of hope in him transforms when he bonds with Mr. Satan and a stray dog named Bee.
A crucial moment arises when the villain Van Zant nearly takes Bee and Mr. Satan hostage. After a brief resurrection, Majin Buu regains control in a city due to the terrible deeds that had been done. Buu warns Mr. Satan that he will not harm anyone, dispelling his own negative emotions, but the Evil Buu (the violent form of Majin Buu) escapes.
Evil Buu later confronts Van Zant, consumes Good Buu, and transforms into Super Buu, a key antagonist in the storyline. The bond between Bee and Mr. Satan poses a significant threat that marks a transformative change for Majin Buu, shifting him from a villainous character into a future ally of the Z Warriors.
However, in Toriyama’s original version, Buu is not significantly impacted by Bee’s death. According to Takeda, the character typically does not interfere in the narrative; in Toriyama’s draft, Buu merely laments, stating, “It’s a pity that humans are so foolish…”. Takeda felt this portrayal was too distant, prompting him to suggest that Buu should exhibit deeper emotions. Consequently, in the final version, Buu is seen holding Bee in his arms, mourning the dog and singing a song with Mr. Satan.
Takeda also pointed out that Toriyama does not tend to focus on overly emotional moments, as he prefers to highlight the aftermath of events, rather than direct emotional responses, such as when Goku discovers that Krillin has died after the Martial Arts Tournament, which sets the stage for the King Piccolo Saga. The intervention of the editors brought about a more impactful narrative, ultimately creating one of the most poignant scenes in Dragon Ball Z.
