Final Forum: A Dragon Ball Podcast

Final Forum Podcast
  • 4.6 (10)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Biweekly

Dragon Ball has a wealth of cultural context and inspiration that’s often overlooked because the fights are cool. Though not averse to fawning over animation and allowing for the Rule of Cool, Jelli and Bekinney delve into the world of Akira Toriyama, and discuss lesser-known facts about the worldwide manga and anime phenomenon that is one of the most well-known and popular Japanese pop culture exports of all-time. Want to learn about the cultural importance of moments, literary inspirations behind scenes and characters, production facts, and more? Whether you‘re a fan of Goku, Vegeta, or any of the cast of characters including Piccolo, Gohan, Frieza, or even Broly, there should be something for you to enjoy as we cover all things Dragon Ball, including DBZ, GT, Super, Daima, and more! We‘ll have discussions, guests, interviews, reviews, and commentaries so grab a senzu bean, power up your fan level to Super Saiyan, and get ready to learn about Kakarot and his friends; and of course, thank you for helping us achieve our FINAL FORUM...We hear it‘s over 9000.

  1. 5d ago

    Kamen Rider Black Sun (S5E14)

    Why are we connecting Dragon Ball to a show from 2022 about anarcho leftists fighting back against a corrupt conservative government? Probably no reason that's fitting with the current sociopolitical times. Welcome to Final Forum's Dragon Ball-oween Spooktacular! In this episode, Jelli and Bekinney break down the 2022 Japanese television series, Kamen Rider Black Sun. It's part of our October/Halloween Festivities where we're taking a break from breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon and delving into times our franchise's creators have "put on a costume" and worked on other shows and movies. In this case, it's a little bit different. We have a long list of reasons for looking at this show, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find them out.   In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney say hello to Halloween...and a special guest! A couple of content warnings: political discussion, detailing war crimes and crimes against humanity, and mentions of assassination We discuss why we chose to look at Kamen Rider Black Sun A reminder that Kamen Rider ties into the Ginyu Force via Super Sentai, as well as people like Toshiki Inoue, Shunsuke Kikuchi, Riku Sanjo, and characters like Android 16 A primer on Kamen Rider in general Why Toei chose to aim for a more adult-oriented Kamen Rider show A bit about some of the show's creators including showrunner Kazuya Shiraishi, Shinji Higuchi (Shin Godzilla, Attack on Titan, the Heisei Gamera trilogy), and Kiyotaka Taguchi (Neo Ultra Q, Ultraman X, Ultraman Blazar, Gemstone Godzilla shorts) Unit 731, Japan's secret military scientific research station that experimented on people throughout World War II The history of Marxism (socialism and communism) in Japan The Freedom and People's Rights Movement The Meiji Constitution The Japan Socialist Party Post-War socialism in Japan as American Occupation forces rebuilt the country literally and philosophically The rise of the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) The Shimoyama Incident, and terror attacks on Japan's railway system that led to a mistrust of Japanese leftists The rise of the Japan Red Army or JRA and its attack on Lod Airport near Tel Aviv Shinzo Abe and his rise to power, politics, and beliefs that led to his assassination Japan's history with regards to its treatment of minorities including people of color, foreigners, and the LGBTQIA+ Community ...and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise....or in this case, the Halo trans-media franchise....for our special Dragon Ball-o-Ween event! And of course, special thanks to our friend, Lux Edwards, for helping us with this episode! Lux Edwards: https://bsky.app/profile/soulmass218.bsky.social   https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://twitter.com/finalforumpod

  2. Sep 22

    Androids 17 and 18 (S5E13)

    The Z fighters come up against their worst threat ever....TEENAGERS. Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 131 through 135, "More Androids?!" "Follow Dr. Gero," "Nightmare Comes True," "Goku's Assassin," and "Deadly Beauty." As we continue into the Androids Saga, we discuss Androids 17 and 18. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are back outside space and time Senzu don't work on viruses? A couple notes on Android 17 solo as well as his personality and his interactions with Goku A few notes on Android 18 as her own character including her being platinum blonde Torishima's push to create these characters and his reaction and disappointment in their creation The sleuthing skills of Von at Manga Barcelona in December 2025 and her discovery from Toriyama's long-time assistant Takashia Matsuyama as to the involvement of Toriyama's wife in the creation of Androids 17 and 18 Toriyama's thoughts on 17 and 18 as time went on Possible inspiration points behind Androids 17 and 18, reminding listeners of Toriyama's use of punk and visual kei in the past The emergence of a darker version of visual kei, known as Nagoya Kei with Silver Rose and Kuroyume B'z, Japan's highest-selling musical artist of all-time and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  3. Sep 8

    Androids 19 and 20 (S5E12)

    What could be more threatening than *checks notes* an elderly man and a porcelain doll?!?!? Wait....what? Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 126 through 130, "The Androids Appear," "A Handy Trick," "Double Trouble for Goku," "Upgrade to Super Saiyan," and "The Secret of Dr. Gero." We get into the Android Saga proper, and discuss Androids 19 and 20. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are ready to leave again Vegeta's transformation to Super Saiyan and how it is the mirror of Goku's Akira Toriyama's challenge from Kazuhiko Torishima to create different villains for this arc Android 19 Traditional Turkish clothing and its significance in Ottoman history, including its roots as religiously important and into its post WWI meanings Traditional Japanese dolls Okiagiri-koboshi dolls or basically Weebles Gosho dolls and their importance to Japanese culture Karakuri dolls, early automata that are puppets without strings Android 20 Gero Jeh-roh, Guh-roh...ruh-roh Vomit Gero's visual similarities to Albert Einstein, Christopher Lloyd as Emmet Brown in Back to the Future, Dr. Wily from the Mega Man franchise, Victor Frankentsein, and Dr. Rotwang from Metropolis Gero's stunning and uncanny resemblance to the Greek general Theodoros Kolokotronis and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  4. Aug 25

    The Driving Episode! (Goku's Traffic Safety) (S5E11)

    The greatest filler episode in anime history PLUS: A very special surprise. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?!?!?! Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 124 and 125:  "Z Warriors Prepare," and "Goku's Ordeal." As we take a look at perhaps the greatest filler episode in anime history. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are ready to leave again The best episode of DBZ. Periodt. Details about Japan's traffic and road history Statistics about car ownership in Japan The explosion of paved roadways in Japan from 1950 to 1965 The commensurate explosion in traffic accidents and fatalities over this time period PSAs: what are they, and why were they a thing Our super special surprise! and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  5. Aug 11

    Nepotism and Cyborgs (S5E10)

    What happens when the most evil man alive is revealed to just have Daddy issues? No, this episode isn't about Donald Trump; we're talking about Frieza and the revelations that he's a nepo-baby. Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 118 through 123:  "Frieza' Counterattack," "The Mysterious Youth," "Another Super Saiyan?" "Welcome Back Goku," "Mystery Revealed, and "Goku's Special Technique." As we begin the Androids Saga. We discuss nepotism's history in Japan and get into cybernetic enhancements, such as they are in 2026. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are ...back? A very good-looking batch of episodes Bulma's underrated look Gohan's tutor and the meaning behind his name King Cold and what he represents Nepotism's history in Japan, with the imperial lineage tracing its way back 2600 years, lines of patriarchal succession in the Edo Period, and the continued heritage of "political families" in Japan even in the post-war era Toriyama's potential social commentary, but also his potential inspiration points such as Star Wars, the Six Million Dollar Man, and the kaiju film Gorgo Mecha-Frieza's possible design inspirations from DC's Cyborg and Marvel's Deathlok How this trope has influenced other storytellers moving forward, including, possibly, Star Wars A brief history of mecha and cyborgs in kaiju cinema including Gigan, Mechagodzilla, and Zone Fighter A discussion of cybernetic appendages and their use in the modern world A reminder that current-day cyborg technology is not as cool as it seems in fiction and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  6. Jul 28

    Pearls and Fog (S5E9)

    What do true crime stories about pearls whose tale consists of hired murder, money laundering, and Osama Bin Laden have to do with Dragon Ball? You have to listen to this one to find out. Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 112 through 117:  "Call for Restoration," "Suicidal Course," "Extreme Measures," "The World Awakens," "Brief Chance for Victory," and "Krillin's Proposal." As we finish The Garlic Jr Arc. We discuss humanity's fascination with giant pearls, discuss the use of mist and fog in legends and folklore and wax poetic about cryptids and mythology and what it means to believe in such things. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are going to force their way back We...liked these episodes We compare Garlic Jr to that lovable villain of the Simpsons franchise, Sideshow Bob Mermaid Tears, aka beach glass The Pearl of Lao Tzu, aka the Pearl of Muhammed aka the Pearl of Laozi A tale of death, murder, court trials, Ripley's Belive It or Not, and overvalued gems The Pearl of Puerto The use of mist and fog in storytelling including Irish feth fiada, a mist that ensures elvish supernatural beings known as Tuatha de Danann remain invisible to humans; Dutch Witte Wieven, mysterious figures of wise women; and the Norse Niflheim, which translates as World of Mist Japanese yokai including enenra, azuki abba, and yuki onna Stories of Lake Mashu, in Hokkaido Discussing the Terragen Mists of the Marvel universe and how important it is to the Inhumans and mutants/X-Men Stephen King stories including Wizard and Glass (and The Dark Tower), The Mist, Dr. Sleep and IT Bigfoot, for some reason, and we talk about Harry and the Hendersons, Sasquatch Sunset, the Asylum's Bigfoot featuring Alice Cooper Mermaids and we talk about gillmen and The Shape of Water and The Cabin in the Woods, the Polish movie The Lure, the film Blue My Mind and of course the Tom Hanks-Daryl Hanna film Splash and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  7. Jul 14

    Spice Boys (S5E8)

    Spear fishing. Male boob windows. These are Dragon Ball things, right? They are now. Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 108 through 112: "The Heavens Tremble," "Black Fog of Terror," "Battle in Kami's Lookout," "Fight with Piccolo," and "Call for Restoration." As we delve into a filler saga with The Garlic Jr Arc. We discuss the history of spear fishing and break down the Spice Boys who are a reference to what you think they are. In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney are trying to get back home We...liked these episodes The Spice Boys. Yes, they are referencing the Spice Girls Groups that owe their success to the Spice Girls such as No Doubt, Britney Spears, All Saints, B*Witched, Atomic Kitten, Girl Thing, Girls@Play, Girls Aloud and more The Four Demonic Monarchs...or the Four Heavenly Kings Equating each Spice Boy to a Heavenly King How the manga staff picked up Toriyama's tendencies again A note about our Bansho Fan filler episode  Notes about Maron and her design as it potentially appears prior to this in Savings Soldier Cashman, a Toriyama manga that appeared in V Jump. Spearfishing, its history and how advances have led to regulation but also modern diving technology in general Math! We talk about Klein bottles, four dimensional space, and potential real-world applications for studying mathematically esoteric concepts The ab window as the male equivalent of a boob window We manage a reference to Evil Dead and Army of Darkness and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

  8. Jun 30

    Frieza Arc Manga Review (S5E7)

    It's the end of Frieza, forever, for real, with NO chance of him retur...he returns before the arc is even over? What? Anyway, how do we feel about the Frieza Arc having reached its conclusion? Jelli and Bekinney continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by jumping into comparing the Dragon Ball anime to the Dragon Ball manga. We finish discussing Frieza arc, and talk about pacing and intended endings. We also discuss six episodes of the anime, episodes 102-107, "Duel on a Vanishing Planet," "Pathos of Frieza," "Frieza Defeated!!" "Mighty Blast of Rage," "Namek's Explosion...Goku's End?" and "Goku's Alive!!" In this episode: Jelli and Bekinney prepare to return to their own universe We recap the story  We discuss whether the end of the Frieza Saga was the intended ending of Dragon Ball Animation difficulties, both with continuity and overall quality Toriyama's workload at this time A brief note on reading burning leaves to tell the future Wrapping up the arc with grades and comparing the manga to the anime and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual  Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball franchise, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more. https://www.facebook.com/FinalForumPodcast https://bsky.app/profile/finalforumpod.bsky.social discord.gg/KGGeyt2jWD https://www.youtube.com/@finalforum8985 https://www.instagram.com/finalforumpod/

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4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Dragon Ball has a wealth of cultural context and inspiration that’s often overlooked because the fights are cool. Though not averse to fawning over animation and allowing for the Rule of Cool, Jelli and Bekinney delve into the world of Akira Toriyama, and discuss lesser-known facts about the worldwide manga and anime phenomenon that is one of the most well-known and popular Japanese pop culture exports of all-time. Want to learn about the cultural importance of moments, literary inspirations behind scenes and characters, production facts, and more? Whether you‘re a fan of Goku, Vegeta, or any of the cast of characters including Piccolo, Gohan, Frieza, or even Broly, there should be something for you to enjoy as we cover all things Dragon Ball, including DBZ, GT, Super, Daima, and more! We‘ll have discussions, guests, interviews, reviews, and commentaries so grab a senzu bean, power up your fan level to Super Saiyan, and get ready to learn about Kakarot and his friends; and of course, thank you for helping us achieve our FINAL FORUM...We hear it‘s over 9000.

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