"The Enduring Legacy of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Among Fans"

Despite not being created for Black fans, the late Akira Toriyama's iconic anime and manga series Dragon Ball has been embraced and reimagined by Black audiences, with its characters and themes resonating deeply within Black American culture. The series' popularity among Black fans can be attributed to its compelling storytelling, influence on pop culture, and themes of perseverance and empowerment that mirror the Black experience. While Toriyama's depictions of Black characters have been criticized for caricatures, the series has been reclaimed and celebrated by Black fans as a shared cultural experience, showcasing the power of making something one's own.