Dragon Ball Theory: Majin Buu is Akira Toriyama’s Allegory for American Greed
Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece, Dragon Ball, has been around for decades, and yet it continues to excite fans all over the world even to this day. Dragon Ball is an enigma of a shounen series that only a few have been able to achieve with its action-heavy storytelling and compelling characters.
What makes this series even more special is the fandom itself. The dedicated fandom and their interaction with the series contribute heavily to the success of the anime. The Dragon Ball fandom has come up with some of the wildest theories that have actually been confirmed in the anime, whether it be through sheer luck or not.
A Controversial Theory Arises
One such theory that surfaced was that Majin Buu is allegedly an allegory for American greed. A quite controversial theory, Redditor u/neostorm360 reignites a flame that has been burning ever since World War II. Although the relationship between Japan and the USA has improved significantly, the fact that they were once on opposite sides of the war cannot be altered. Naturally, they held some negative views about each other.
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According to the Reddit theory, Majin Buu represents Japan’s view of the US as a greedy, overpowered entity. Although there isn’t any confirmation, quite a few incidents overlap with this fan theory. As soon as Buu was created, he destroyed one of his creators, Bibidi, who only treated Buu unkindly due to his quirky nature. This could be a symbolic reference to the American Revolution, which saw the rise of North American colonists against the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Soon after that, he went on a rampage, where he transformed the entire village into candies and devoured them, which can be considered an indication of US consumerism.
Majin Buu Embodies American Greed
Buu also splits himself into two after an emotional trauma and the evil side consumes his other half, which can be taken as an allegory of the Civil War. Buu is depicted as “overweight, emotionally unstable, and absurdly powerful” and his insatiable avarice embodies American greed. Likewise, Vegeta’s sacrifice to defeat Buu indicates the noble sacrifice of the Japanese kamikaze pilots.
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Another allegorical reference is drawn to the time Buu destroyed a city and instead of the traditional Dragon Ball style of explosion, it got engulfed in a distinctive mushroom-shaped cloud.
The theory further states:
“The rest of the Buu Saga (WWII) is just a long, brutal war between the Z fighters and Buu. Buu carelessly kills millions of innocents during the struggle, but eventually the Z fighters are able to defeat him (with the aid of a demi-god) and Buu ends up returning later as an ally. An incredibly powerful, but childish ally who is in need of guidance from the more experienced, and wise Goku.”
Many comments disagree with the theory saying it is a stretch at most since America wasn’t synonymous with obesity until recently. Moreover, Akira Toriyama stated that Buu had existed since “time immemorial” and “cycled between rampages and long hibernation”, so the theory of Majin Buu’s creation stands corrected. However, Majin Buu is not a representation of the US itself, but rather a representation of how Japan sees the US. In that regard, this theory is worth the consideration.
