Japan’s new Prime Minister was a Dragon Ball Z cosplayer – sort of

As an avid fan who has grown up with Dragon Ball, witnessing its influence on various aspects of society, including politics, is nothing short of amazing. The recent incident involving Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru cosplaying as Majin Buu for a museum opening event is a testament to the enduring power and popularity of this iconic franchise.


The impact of Dragon Ball extends broadly, even reaching the realm of politics, a fact that Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister can personally vouch for.

Over nearly four decades, the Dragon Ball series has become one of the cherished manga and anime franchises worldwide. Through this journey, we’ve accompanied Goku and the Z-Warriors as they safeguard Earth, the cosmos, and beyond from various threats, resulting in some truly exceptional anime TV shows and movies.

Akira Toriyama’s influence spans broadly, reaching even high-ranking positions in Japan, such as when the current Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, participated in an event dressed up as Majin Buu. In a recent television broadcast, he publicly discussed this unique occurrence.

In a video, the incoming Prime Minister of Japan, Ishiba Shigeru, shared his reason for dressing up as the Dragon Ball character Majin Buu during an event. He mentioned that he attended the opening ceremony for a figurine museum where an organizer provided him with the costume and due to time constraints, he couldn’t refuse.

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) September 27, 2024

According to Jeffrey J Hall’s post on Twitter, Ishiba admitted that his involvement in cosplay was an unintentional occurrence. In essence, he originally attended the grand opening of a new toy museum, but ended up wearing the costume when someone asked him to do so.

Without wasting a moment for debate, Ishiba swiftly donned an outfit that any rational politician might choose in such circumstances, adopting a character reminiscent of an anime villain for his upcoming public engagement. He maintained this persona throughout the duration of the event.

On September 27, 2024, Ishiba assumed the role of Prime Minister. As a longstanding member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he had been a member of the House of Representatives since 1986.

The main issue now is: Is he enthusiastic about Dragon Ball Super, and what are his thoughts on Dragon Ball GT?

It’s an important revelation! The series “Daima” signifies a mix of joy and sadness concerning the property, as it reunites us with Goku, Vegeta, and their companions on our screens. However, it marks the final work on Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama following his premature passing earlier this year.

If nothing else, this whole incident just makes it clear the kind of legacy Akira left behind.

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2024-09-29 13:49