Hey there, Dragon Ball fans and language enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of Akira Toriyama’s genius, exploring the meaning behind one of the main characters in the Dragon Ball series: Bulma.
Buckle up as we unravel the mysteries of Japanese words, character names, and the clever puns that make Dragon Ball a linguistic playground!
The Origin of Bulma’s Name: Not Your Average Japanese Word
First things first – what does Bulma mean in Japanese? Here’s the kicker: Bulma isn’t a traditional Japanese word!
In the original Japanese version of Dragon Ball, Bulma’s name is written as ブルマ (buruma).
This is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word “bloomer,” a type of baggy underpants once worn as women’s athletic wear.
But why would Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind the Dragon Ball series, including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super, name one of his main characters after underwear?
The answer lies in his unique naming convention and love for puns.
Akira Toriyama’s Joke: A Punny Affair
Toriyama’s character naming strategy is nothing short of brilliant. He loves creating name puns, often related to food or clothing.
This tradition extends to many character names in the Dragon Ball series, not just Bulma. Let’s explore some examples in the following sections:
1. Son Goku: The Monkey King Carrot
Son Goku’s name is a fascinating blend of mythology and wordplay.
While inspired by Sun Wukong (the Monkey King from Chinese legend), Goku’s name is also a pun on the Japanese word for carrot, “ninjin” (Kakarot in the English dub).
This dual meaning reflects both Goku’s mischievous nature and his Saiyan heritage.
2. Piccolo Daimao: The Demonic Flute
Named after the musical instrument, the piccolo, Piccolo Daimao (King Piccolo) brings a musical twist to the world of martial arts and magical powers.
This name pun adds a layer of irony to the character, as the piccolo is often associated with light, cheerful music, contrasting with Piccolo’s initially villainous role.
3. Mr. Satan: The Heroic Detective
In a clever nod to literary detective fiction, Mr. Satan’s original Japanese name, Hercule, is a pun on “Hercule Poirot,” the famous fictional detective created by Agatha Christie.
This name choice adds a touch of humor to the character, who often tries to detect (or take credit for) the trustworthy source of heroic deeds in the series.
4. Chi-Chi: A Milky Patriarch
Chi-Chi’s name is a prime example of Toriyama’s multilayered puns. In Japanese, her name can mean both “father” and “milk,” nodding to dairy products.
This dual meaning playfully reflects her roles as both a solid parental figure and a nurturer in the series.
5. Tien Shinhan: A Dimsum Delight
Tien Shinhan’s name is a play on the Chinese term “tien chun fan,” which refers to a type of dim sum.
This name not only adds a culinary flavor to the character but also hints at his Chinese-inspired design and fighting style.
6. Muten Rōshi: The Turtle Hermit’s Many Names
Master Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit, has a name rich in meaning. “Muten Rōshi” combines the Chinese word “laoshi” (teacher) with a Japanese reading of characters meaning “old heavenly teacher.”
This name perfectly encapsulates his role as a wise, if sometimes mischievous, martial arts master.
Adding another layer to his character, he also goes by the alias Jackie Chun – Master Roshi’s alter ego in tournaments.
This name playfully nods to the real-world martial arts movie star Jackie Chan.
Saiyan Names: A Veggie Good Time
Speaking of name puns, let’s not forget about the Saiyan names! Almost all Saiyan names are based on various vegetable names, creating a unique feature for this fictional race. Here are some examples:
- Vegeta: The name of the Prince of All Saiyans comes from “vegetable.”
- Kakarot (Goku’s Saiyan name): Carrot
- Raditz (Goku’s brother): Radish
- Nappa: A type of cabbage
- Broly: Broccoli
- King Vegeta: Father of our favorite Prince of All Saiyans
This vegetable-themed naming convention extends to other characters in the Saiyan saga, creating a cohesive and humorous naming system for the entire race.
It’s a good thing Toriyama decided to have fun with these names – it’s given fans an extra layer of enjoyment when discovering new Saiyan characters!
Villainous Names: Cold Puns and Forceful Wordplay
Even villains aren’t exempt from Toriyama’s punny naming conventions.
The tradition of Frieza’s family follows a cold theme, with characters like King Cold and Cooler.
The Ginyu Force, Frieza’s elite mercenary team, also sports name puns related to dairy products (Ginyu is a pun on “gyunyu,” meaning milk in Japanese).
These naming conventions add a layer of humor to even the most formidable opponents in the series, showcasing Toriyama’s commitment to wordplay throughout the entire Dragon Ball universe.
Character Traits and Personality in Dragon Ball
While names in the Dragon Ball series are often playful, the characters have well-defined personality traits.
From Son Goku’s innocent yet determined nature to Vegeta’s pride as the Prince of All Saiyans, each character brings something unique to the story.
Some fans have even drawn connections between character traits and Western astrology, associating characters with particular zodiac signs based on their personalities.
While this isn’t an official part of the series, it’s an exciting way fans have engaged with the characters.
For instance, some might associate Goku with Aries due to his energetic and brave nature, or Bulma with Virgo for her analytical mind and attention to detail.
This fan-created zodiac system adds depth to the characters, even if it wasn’t Toriyama’s original intention.
The Impact of Dragon Ball Names on the Real World
In the real world, some parents have been inspired to choose baby names based on Dragon Ball characters.
While you might not find many newborns named Bulma or Vegeta, names like Goku have increased popularity in certain parts of the world, showing the series’ impact on popular culture.
This trend extends beyond just naming babies. The unique names in Dragon Ball have influenced various aspects of popular culture:
- Video Games: Many Dragon Ball video games feature character creation systems where players can give their characters Saiyan-style names, continuing the vegetable pun tradition.
- Online Presence: Fans often use Dragon Ball character names or name puns as online aliases, creating a digital footprint of the names across various platforms.
- Pet Names: Some pet owners have named their furry friends after Dragon Ball characters, with names like Goku and Vegeta being particularly popular.
- Cosplay: Dragon Ball characters’ unique names and characteristics have made them popular choices for cosplay, with fans often adopting not just the look but also the name of their favorite character during conventions.
The Legacy of Names in Dragon Ball
The impact of the Dragon Ball series extends far beyond just character names.
It has influenced video games, inspired countless fictional characters in other media, and even affected how we think about concepts like magical powers and long life (we’re looking at you, Dragon Balls!).
From the original Japanese names to their adaptations in the English dub and Korean dub, the characters of Dragon Ball have left an indelible mark on global pop culture.
Whether you’re a fan of the early Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball Z, or the more recent Dragon Ball Super, there’s no denying the impact these characters and their unique names have had.
The Evolution of Names Across Dragon Ball Series
As the Dragon Ball franchise expanded from its original series to Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super, we’ve seen an evolution in the naming conventions:
- Dragon Ball: The original series focused heavily on puns related to underwear (Bulma), food (Lunch), and mythological references (Son Goku).
- Dragon Ball Z: This series introduced more Saiyan names, expanding the vegetable pun theme and bringing in villains with cold-related names.
- Dragon Ball GT: While not written by Toriyama, this series continued the punny tradition with names like Baby (a villain whose name plays on the crying sound “beh beh” in Japanese).
- Dragon Ball Super: The newest series has introduced godly characters with beverage-themed names (Beerus, Whis, Champa), showing that even after all these years, the spirit of punny names is still going strong.
Conclusion: What’s in a Name? A Universe of Creativity!
So, what does Bulma mean in Japanese? While it might not have a deep, philosophical meaning, the story behind Bulma’s name exemplifies the creativity and humor that have made Dragon Ball a global phenomenon.
From its roots as a pun on an English word for underwear to its consistency across international versions of the show, Bulma’s name is just one small part of what makes her character so memorable.
It’s a good thing Toriyama decided to have fun with his character names – it’s given us all something extra to enjoy about this incredible series!
Pay close attention to the character names the next time you watch any part of the Dragon Ball series.
You might discover a whole new layer of enjoyment in this timeless franchise. Who knows? You might even laugh at Akira Toriyama’s jokes across time and space!
So, what do you think? Did you already know about the pun in Bulma’s name, or was this news to you?
Are there other Dragon Ball names you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the comments below, and let’s keep the Dragon Ball discussion going!
Source: University of California
