Dragon Ball's Unexpected Reign: Why Mexico is the Anime's Biggest Fanbase

Dragon Ball's immense popularity in Mexico stems from cultural resonance and shared viewing experiences.

### Dragon Ball's Reign in Mexico: A Cultural Phenomenon
* 📺 A government-sponsored screening of Dragon Ball Super drew over 15,000 attendees in Ciudad Juárez, showcasing the series' immense popularity in Mexico.
* 🇲🇽  The event, complete with cosplayers and live dubbing by the Spanish voice actors, even sparked a diplomatic discussion between Mexico and Japan regarding illegal screenings.
* 🐉 Dragon Ball's popularity in Latin America, particularly Mexico, is massive, with Goku viewed as a **cultural icon**.  Some claim cartel activity even decreases after new episode releases.
* 🌎 Mexico boasts the world's largest and most dedicated Dragon Ball fanbase, potentially surpassing even the US and Brazil, with some suggesting it's more popular there than in Japan.
* 🗣️ The success is partly due to the high-quality Spanish dub, preserving the original's emotional depth and making it relatable to the local audience, unlike the heavily censored US version.
* 📺 Dragon Ball Z's airing on free-to-air TV made it accessible to all socioeconomic classes, fostering a multi-generational connection with the series.  The show's long battles and dramatic storylines also resonated deeply with viewers.
* 💪 Goku's perseverance, humility, and dedication to self-improvement, coupled with the show's themes of family and sacrifice, resonated with Mexican values and cultural struggles.  The show's high-energy action also appealed to fans of sports like soccer and wrestling.
* 🫂 Shared viewing experiences, from malls to homes, strengthened the community bond around the show, creating nostalgia and ensuring its continued popularity through memes and online engagement across generations.

[Music] This is a government-sponsored public viewing of episode 130 of Dragon Ball Super, and over 15,000 people showed up.

In Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, people were cosplaying; they had food; the Spanish voice actors for Goku and Vegeta were

even there, live-dubbing the entire thing. This event even caused a diplomatic crisis between the Mexican and Japanese

governments. The Japanese Embassy even echoed concerns about illegal screenings, but a deal was eventually reached between the two. These are public view

events that pop up all over Mexico for the second-to-last episode of Dragon Ball Super. And if you haven't caught on

just yet, Dragon Ball has a massive following in Latin America, and this is especially true when we're talking about

Mexico. You can say that Latin America is pretty crazy about Dragon Ball; this is especially true in Mexico, where people

celebrate Goku as a cultural icon. Some sources even claim that cartel activity falls for about 2 days after the release of

a new episode, and there are even Dragon Ball Z parades in rural Mexico. They honored the series creator, Akira Toriyama,

when he passed in March of 2024. And this is without a doubt one of the most surreal things that I've ever

seen. Everyone in Mexico knows about Dragon Ball Z, from kids to grandpas. Even if you don't know anything about anime,

it's a cultural thing there. As anywhere on the internet, you'll find it. Mexico has the biggest, as well as the

most die-hard Dragon Ball fan base in the world. They are very devoted individuals, and some even claim that the

percentage of fans is greater than that of the United States, as well as Brazil. There are even suggestions that claim

that Dragon Ball is more popular in Mexico than its native home of Japan. To me, the success of Dragon Ball in Mexico

and Latin America is rather strange. When I was in high school, the only place you really had Japanese anime was Toonami in

America. Anime has only become mainstream recently. Netflix and other platforms bet on big animated shows in 2021. TV

executives are still confused about its success, and most Hollywood CEOs still think of animation as a single

thing—content meant for children and family—and not a genre in itself, where it contains content of all kinds. The

co-director of Kung Fu Panda said the Hollywood execs totally see the influence and impact of anime on the

world, but they still think that audiences don't really like these types of stories. So a cultural shift is really waiting to

happen in the States, but anime has already become mainstream in Latin America, and it's been like that for a

while now. According to BB Media, Latin America has the highest percentage of anime fans, with 28% of the users

choosing anime as their favorite genre. And this is even followed by Asian-Pacific regions, along with the US

and Canada. Young people between the ages of 16 to 24 are most likely to prefer anime to traditional shows. So why is

Dragon Ball such a religion for the people of Mexico, as well as the people of Latin America? To really understand

this, we need to understand the history of anime in Latin America and how it evolved over time. For starters, anime

first started in Latin America back in the 1970s. Back then, Telesa president Emilio Azcárraga Milmo bought the rights to show

Japanese cartoons in Mexico, and he really did this because it was the cheapest option. With no domestic animation industry and the high import costs for

Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, he had no other choice. Japan, at the same time, was trying to export their media

and they found a huge market in this region, so instead of showing shows like Bugs Bunny or the Flintstones, Latin America

got a real taste of anime. He imported early titles, including classic Japanese series such as Astro Boy, Kimba the White

Lion, and Mazinger. These imported cartoons were not popular at first, but they later became a huge hit with very

few channels; there was nothing better to watch. And then more anime and networks began to emerge; a whole genre pretty

much began to form in Latin America. And if you ask the older generation in Latin America, they most likely remember

characters such as Heidi, Marco, and Candy. The rush to show the best anime was now a thing. TV Azteca aired classic series

like Sailor Moon; Televisa imported *Ranma ½*. But the biggest hit of all was Dragon Ball. It first arrived in 1996 and

quickly became Mexico's favorite anime. Latin American Spanish dubs led audiences in Mexico and enjoyed the show

without subtitles. This really boosted its popularity. As a result, many Latin American countries saw a wave of Japanese animation during this period.

Dragon Ball Z really led the charge. Spanish and Portuguese dubbing was by far superior to other dubbed anime; the

voice acting was powerful, as well as [Music] memorable [Music].  In the US, anime is heavily censored

and altered to fit the local sensibility, while in Latin America, no such thing was necessary. The iconic performances matched

and even enhanced the series' emotional depth. Fans often cite Mario Castaneda's voice as a key to the series' charm; he voiced

Goku in the Latin American Spanish version. Castaneda's passionate portrayal of Goku became iconic; as a result, fans

struggled to accept other voice actors in different versions. The Latin American dub kept so much of the original music

and sound effects; it really preserved the show's tone and feel while making it relatable to the local

audience. It quickly became a staple for after-school TV broadcasting. Networks in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil introduced Dragon Ball Z to kids; the series aired

on free-to-air TV, so it's reachable to a wider audience. Unlike premium cable shows, Dragon Ball Z reached everybody,

not just those who had money for cable. Its presence on mainstream channels made it a cultural experience

shared by millions. The series had long, drawn-out battles that spanned multiple episodes. The show's rising stakes and

emotional release matched the region's love for drama, so the show itself was very appealing. Children across the

regions would rush home to catch the latest episode. This created a massive fan base that spanned all classes; the

series' many episodes and reruns connected with many generations of viewers. These Latin American countries were among the earliest adopters of

this art form; they have a deep cultural obsession with it that continues to this day. The anime streaming giant, Crunchyroll,

estimates that Mexico is its fourth largest market worldwide. So why did Dragon Ball end up being such an icon in

places like Mexico, against a sea of other animations? There are many reasons for this, but to be fair, it really

resonated with Mexican identity and it created a culture around it. Most people in Mexico truly resonated with the story

of Dragon Ball Z. Goku, the underdog Saiyan warrior, thrilled the viewers. His traits were perseverance, humility, loyalty, and a belief in self-improvement.

His humble beginnings and drive to push his limits resonated with the audience; they related to his story of

overcoming adversity. Latin American countries often struggle with social and economic issues, and people saw Goku as a symbol of hope and

Dragon Ball's theme of family, friendship, and sacrifice really connected with the Latin American culture, and these values are deeply

embedded in many of these individuals. For example, Goku's willingness to risk everything to protect his loved ones made him a beloved figure in many

households. Some will even say that the machismo culture in Latin America, especially Mexico, played a huge role.

Telenovelas or soap operas have a lasting appeal; they feature macho male leads and

glamorous females and melodramatic tales. This created a taste for characters like the brawny Goku and his friends. Goku is

a buff man's man; he loves his family, returns to the Land of the Dead once in a while, and adheres to his strong desire

for duty. It's basically powered-up muscleheads at supersonic speeds duking it out; they're shooting lasers and

blowing up planets—and what's really not to love? And if you really think about it, the Mexican audience loves how high-

energy sports like soccer and wrestling emphasize competition and dramatic stories. Dragon Ball Z's epic battles, with their powerful techniques and grand transformations, fit a craving for action. Watching Dragon

Ball is not just a thing that you do at home by yourself; it's also a social activity. Malls in Mexico played Dragon

Ball in the food courts. Friends, siblings, and even parents would gather together around the TV to watch the

latest battle, and this shared viewing experience helped viewers bond with the show. It really became a nostalgic cultural landmark for many, and as these

children grew into adults, Dragon Ball became more than just an anime; they grew up with it. Goku became a figure

representing their childhood nostalgia, keeping the series popular even into the 21st century. Adults passed their love for the

Show to the next generation. Even in the internet age, memes in social media have kept Dragon Ball relevant. Goku and other

Dragon Ball characters. Memes are now an online staple; they have cemented the series in the public mind. Memes, jokes, and viral

videos about Dragon Ball have kept it alive for the new generation. They engage with the series in a modern way,

decades after the original run. For example, Goku's catchphrases and his power-up scenes are often referred to in

online discussions. They also blend humor with nostalgia. His transformation into a Super Saiyan is also a popular topic.

These memes show Dragon Ball's long-lasting impact. They also connect with older, as well as younger, fans, keeping the series' legacy alive. Dragon

Ball's dominance in Latin America, in particular Mexico, its success comes from its accessibility, cultural resonance, and community engagement. The show's themes of

perseverance, family, and self-improvement really resonated in this region, and Goku became more than just a character; he

became a symbol for hope, strength, and unity. Even decades after the original airing, Dragon Ball is still a beloved

cultural touchstone in Latin America. Its fans and nostalgia have kept its legacy alive. Thank you guys so much for

watching this video. I hope you guys found this interesting. In the next video, I want to do is why the Washington

Wizards have so many fans on Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like app. If you're interested in such a topic, make sure to

follow and subscribe for more. And thank you guys so much for watching this video, and I'll see you guys again next

Why Does Mexico Love Dragon Ball?

Jimmy Maio

Massive Popularity of Dragon Ball in Mexico

Government-sponsored public viewing of Dragon Ball Super episode 130 with over 15,000 attendees.

Cosplay, food, and live dubbing by the Spanish voice actors for Goku and Vegeta at the event.

Event caused a diplomatic crisis between Mexican and Japanese governments due to concerns about illegal screenings.

Dragon Ball has a massive following in Latin America, especially Mexico, where Goku is a cultural icon.

Claims of reduced cartel activity for two days after new episode releases and Dragon Ball Z parades in rural Mexico.

Anime's Rise to Mainstream and Dragon Ball's Global Popularity

Limited anime availability in the past, mainly through Toonami in the US; recent mainstream rise due to Netflix and other platforms.

Hollywood's misconception of animation as children's content, not a genre with diverse content.

Latin America has the highest percentage of anime fans (28%), exceeding the US and Canada.

Question of Dragon Ball's immense popularity in Mexico and Latin America.

Anime's introduction to Latin America in the 1970s due to cost-effectiveness compared to other options.

Initial lack of popularity followed by a surge in viewership due to limited alternatives.

Emergence of various anime series and networks, leading to the formation of a genre in Latin America.

Dragon Ball's arrival in 1996 and its rapid rise to become Mexico's favorite anime.

Factors Contributing to Dragon Ball's Success in Latin America

Superior Spanish and Portuguese dubbing compared to other dubbed anime, preserving the original music and sound effects.

Iconic voice acting, particularly Mario Castaneda's portrayal of Goku, enhanced the series' emotional depth.

Accessibility through free-to-air TV broadcasting, reaching a wider audience than premium cable shows.

Appeal of long battles and emotional release, resonating with the region's love for drama.

Cultural Resonance and Continued Popularity

Goku's underdog story, perseverance, and self-improvement resonated with the audience's experiences.

Themes of family, friendship, and sacrifice connecting with Latin American cultural values.

Possible influence of machismo culture and telenovelas' appeal on the popularity of Goku's character.

Alignment with the region's love for high-energy sports emphasizing competition and dramatic stories.

Social aspect of watching Dragon Ball, creating shared viewing experiences and bonding.

Memes and online engagement keeping Dragon Ball relevant and connecting with new generations.