The Dragon Ball series is one of the most popular anime and manga brands in the world, but it has always been hugely popular in its home country of Japan. Most recently, this fandom was demonstrated by one of the country’s government officials, and the results were indeed “amazing.”
Shigeru Ishiba is Japan’s next prime minister, but in one incident he’s also the sneaky, sweet-loving Majin Buu. Best known as Dragon Ball Z’s ultimate villain, the pink, chubby figure of the villain was Ishiba’s business suit at the opening ceremony. While his choice of outfit may not have been his own, it goes to show just how popular the series is, despite turning 40 in 2024.
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Japan’s newest prime minister was once Dragon Ball Z’s greatest enemy
On October 1, 2024, Shigeru Ishiba, representing the Liberal Democratic Party, was sworn in as Japan’s new Prime Minister. The celebrity has been involved in politics for several years now, but 2018 may have already been his peak. It was the completion ceremony for the Kurayoshi Figure Museum in Tottori Prefecture, Ishiba’s hometown. As a speaker at the ceremony, he was quickly given a Majin Buu costume, which is pretty close to the villain from Dragon Ball Z’s final episode. Now, videos and images have resurfaced that explain the outfit. Mr. Ishiba, who was told to wear it, was given no choice in the matter and continued to give his speech while still decked out in the villain’s attire.
Ishiba may not necessarily have had an affinity for Dragon Ball Z, but he is a fan of the Mobile Suit Gundam series, at least from a military strategy standpoint. Both of these brands are among the most popular in Japan, where Gundam is considered the equivalent of Star Wars. Similarly, Dragon Ball is synonymous with anime and manga, and was the first exposure to both for legions of fans around the world. Majin Buu was the villain of Dragon Ball Z’s final chapter, and his enemies ranged from fat to starving. His more heroic incarnation (ironically, the larger version Ishiba was made to cosplay) is the good guy in the series and one of the most powerful beings in Dragon Ball Super.
Release date 1989-1996
network fuji tv
Directors Daisuke Nishio, Shigeyasu Yamauchi, Osamu Kasai
Writers Akira Toriyama, Neil Bligh, Hiroshi Toda, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Aya Matsui, Keiji Terui, Reiko Yoshida, Toshiki Inoue
Masako Nozawa
Son Goku / Son Gohan / Son Goten (voice)
Ryo Horikawa
Vegeta (voice)
Source: X (old Twitter)
