Dragon Ball References in Cartoons:

Dragon Ball References in American Cartoons:
Robin had his hair like Goku in an episode of Teen Titans Go
Gumball had a Super Sayian inspired power up in Gumball
Code Name Kids Next Door had a DBZ Inspired fight scene.
Final Space had a reference to the Iconic Fusion Dance.
Amphibia may have had a reference to SSGSS Flaming Blue Hair
Owl House should a Box Cover of Dragon Claw Z
The Fairly Odd Parents had a full on Dragon Ball Parody moment, Vicky was dressed as Piccolo and Timmy was Clearly Kid Goku,
Both Adventure time and Regular Shot had many DBZ inspired fight scenes.
Duck tales had a Super Sayian moment.
Johnny Bravo once narrated and commented an Episode of Dragon Ball Z as if he was a color commentator.
And then of course there is the most obvious Super Sonic, but one can argue that this doesn’t count as Sonic may be considered Japanese Media, and all the Dragon Ball Z references in

[@Warpathstudio]

Pops unlocked beast before gohan did 💀

[@Ozama-s1o]

Frl💀

[@Perituber]

Bro be giving cell max a lollipop💀

[@juteex5527]

He was looking rather like ssjr but with white hair

[@Perituber]

@@juteex5527 beast does have a pink-ish purple aura with white outline and red lightning

[@juteex5527]

@Perituber oh yeah

[@MrRileyF]

Gumball turning Super Saiyan is pure gold

[@StevenJones851]

It's Awesome

[@saraswathinagarajan4625]

Literally 😂

[@Hydrationnfs]

It wasn't even just super saiyan, it was super saiyan 2

[@daltondakin5967]

It was themed like Gohan's SSJ to SSJ2

[@ChezvaunWilliams]

They forgot about Big City Green where cricket green did a KAMEHAMEHA

[@LinktoSonic]

That Johnny Bravo one was actually lost media for the longest time and only very recently was the footage found. It's a very interesting rabbit hole to anyone who's interested in lost media related stories

[@StevenJones851]

That's interesting to know

[@hakjob9847]

I remember seeing it as a kid on TV. I was suprised to know its lost media

[@dragonknight8280]

Lost media?? I literally have that one on DVD just from a 2000s remastered version.

[@PatLund]

​@@dragonknight8280it's one of the most famous cases of lost media ever.

[@PatLund]

​@@dragonknight8280you definitely don't have this on DVD because JBVO was never released on DVD because of all the licensing issues.

[@marquiswolf2766]

Gumball hit that Gohan transformation

[@ZackTTGFan]

Super Saiyan and then SSJ2 dang...

[@OmniXerz]

Here is a fun fact, the dragon ball z Johnny bravo narraration was actually lost media

[@sonogramgrl]

why

[@OmniXerz]

@sonogramgrl because it was. Luckily we "supposedly" found the girl who called Johnny to talk about DBZ, and we did find the dbz Johnny episode.

[@sonogramgrl]

@@OmniXerz huh, neat, thanks

[@OmniXerz]

@@sonogramgrl yuh

[@shademournthepegasi2366]

God I gotta go back l and rewatch Johnny bravo now

[@Ryuuko-chan]

The Gumball one was PERFECT

[@Ronen500G]

Damn Dragon Ball really changed everything. makes me emotional because Toriyama passed away, he really is a legendary men and im glad he saw all of the shows that pop up because of him and to see all these references, he deserves all of it.

[@deionpehowdy]

Super Sonic is More Than Just a Reference. It was Inspired by it.

[@ShinyWooper42]

Sonic did it first (joke)

[@lokomotion726]

​lol

[@Walid-mk4jo]

@@ShinyWooper42 No they didn’t..

[@mutantmonkey7825]

​@@ShinyWooper42 no, it's inspired, but the super sonic concept exists since the first game, However the design is dbz

[@EKORtheFIRST]

@@ShinyWooper42No he didn’t 😭

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

I kinda wish Family Guy had actually done a Goku gag. There are a few premises that have potential. I could see Peter and Goku at an eating contest being funny enough.

[@seijin4426]

No, the world can't handle that.

[@SamynotSammy]

Reality as we know it will collapse if that happens

[@aaronjohnson7175]

ANIME PETER

[@joshuamountz6891]

Cartman went super sayin when he fought Saddam Hussein and Satan in the South Park movie

[@Panimal98]

Imagine telling this to someone who's never seen South Park. 💀

[@mememan3447]

Yay! Final Space mentioned!

[@DaKingOfRokForumLore]

Final Space is underrated af bruv

[@4WaveRider4]

Johnny bravo narrating an episode of dragonball z was peak media 😂 I can still hear his whole commentary during the fight scene lol

[@santiagosalazar1951]

A dragon Ball z reference 😱😱

[@StevenJones851]

I'm Suprised

[@AryanMehta-yc2ck]

Finally someone talked about robin

[@Loganbuddy]

I think Sonic should still count because the whole franchise was inspired by Dragon Ball Z, so technically the franchise is just one big reference.

[@Jacori-gh7zu]

Dragon ball was inspired by sonic then super sonic was inspired by super saiyen

[@AndrewWilliams-n9y]

But it was western cartoons also sonic is mostly video games

[@Jacori-gh7zu]

@@AndrewWilliams-n9y that doesn’t really matter dragon ball was still inspired by sonic

[@AnnoyingGremlinCat]

@@Jacori-gh7zu isn’t Dragonball inspired from Journey to the West?

[@roaringrebel]

​@Jacori-gh7zu What part of Dragon Ball was inspired by Sonic??

[@kevinestrada977]

In The Animaniacs reboot, Yakko turned into a Super Saiyan.

[@thehalfnegativeoptimist4578]

NGL that FOP reference is actually really cool, being based on OG dragon ball instead of the (understandably) more popular Z

[@planetgeeeek]

Amphibia also included sprig getting the Goku haircut

[@Anonymous70799]

Sprig

[@GsaintMccYT]

Fun fact: sonics creator is freinds with the dragon ball creator and sonic cd cutsenes were made by the people who made tons of animes

[@JamesMiller-di1we]

In the show Craig of the creek a kid name Bobby has been seen multiple times going super sayian blue but he calls it big time Bobby blue

[@Sonikkuben]

Oof, my candy

[@ckvd_1]

We goona talk about the fact that he acted like dragon ball wasn’t Japanese media and sonic was the only one.

[@ManicFiction]

I don't think they were acting like it wasn't, just brought up that Sonic was japanese media for no reason-

[@Nobody_totally]

​@@ManicFiction sonic is Japanese media

[@stormcat2330]

Because the video is supposed to be DB homages in western cartoons. No one suggested DB wasn't Japanese.

[@azara0_0]

He's saying Sonic probably wouldn't count since he could be considered Japanese media, the short is mainly about WESTERN cartoon references to Dragon Ball

[@OmegaHunterX378]

Cartoon network sure likes dragonball z

[@DoubleHeader97]

They did air Dragon Ball Z from 1998-2008, after all.

[@Tokhan64]

Thank you akira toriyama you inspired universes and didn't even realize it✊⭐✊

[@studio-stirko5596]

There’s actually another gumball one, in the episode with Nicole and her childhood friend, we get told their backstory, in which the art style is a direct riff on classic dragonball

[@SunAnimations1234]

I think super sonic was inspired by super saiyan

[@teamknux]

It was indeed

[@Sonikkuben]

Because it's creator was friends with Akira

[@iamXenoYT]

⁠@@Sonikkubeninspired by akira they weren’t necessarily “friends” when super sonic was created

[@septimusheap925]

Yes

[@rafaeltrevizani8586]

And the Chaos Emerald by dragon balls.

[@jamesmaraviglia9505]

code name kids next door has a great reference with number 4 turning super saiyan and the group of evil kids parodying frieza in an episode that centered around each character’s dreams or something like that

[@athreetoeds1oth21]

Even My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic referenced DragonBall when Twilight Sparkle fought Tirek. For the fight played out like an actual fight in DragonBall.

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

The moment that changed the show forever! Partly because of the Golden Oak Library (referring to the plot point) and partly because of the "So, you have chosen death!" fight.

[@Linkziquidy]

I'm very glad final space is getting some recognition

[@TanzeelAjmal-t1a]

Dragon Ball : Father of Big Three and other animes Other anime creaters create animes while Akira Toriyama created a LEGEND Love you Sir Akira ❤❤❤

[@JushSam]

Loving this showing respect both

[@GreenGG01]

I would give so much money to have a full narration from johnny bravo talking about goku vs frieza.

[@banonKING]

Ah, you got my Robin reference in there.

[@HYP3R-j4b]

Bro the fight with robin against the leprechaun was fire and a dbz referenced fight

[@Jimmy-saiyan568]

I had no idea that scene in fairy odd parents was kid Goku and Piccolo!

[@That1guy363]

Bro, I'm so happy you mentioned final space. It makes me so sad that it has been removed from all media and is a tax write-off

[@Skrrtecek]

Now do it with JoJo's🔥

[@thatguy7072]

And people still try to make it seem like Dbz ain't that influential 😂😂😂

[@kaylaturnis9486]

Don't forget, there's also Domon's hyper mode in Mobile Fighter G Gundam which resembles SSJ and later Chibodee Crockett, George De Sand, Sai Saishi, and Argo Gulski achieved it. It reminds me more of Super Sonic without the use of the Chaos Emeralds.

[@ThisIsTheBlackGuy]

Bro Jonny Bravo is the goat😂

[@masben7577]

Thank you for including sonic but explaining that he’s more off to the Japanese side you will explain that so perfectly so it’s balanced and nobody tries to come talk mess 😂

[@user-lk3hz2tj9s]

Sonic goes super multiple times in Sonic X but the clip of him transforming in the video is literally a Dragon Ball styled transformation

[@henryfreed-fundak5861]

It's cool that Final Space referenced Dragon Ball. I mean Dragon Ball was one of the influences behind Final Space. I love Final Space. I wonder why no one ever brings it up. Final Space deserves better.

[@MicroFreddy]

There’s a amphibia episode when sprig gets a super saiyan blue haircut

[@pacsonic9000]

The Patric Star Show just had a Dragon Ball Z fight scene between Plankton and Mr Krabs in Squidina's holidaze special.

[@Creampuff-50]

😅😂 you forgot to do the Family Guy one in your thumbnail and Gumball had Two Remember the fight with Gumball’s mom Nicole and Isami’s mom! They straight up did that!😅😂❤

[@nathanieljones8043]

From what I remember it wasn't inspired in gumball he name dropped it

[@division1487]

In amphibia sprig had super saiyan blue hair when he got a haur cut in season 2

[@Trauronziofabrics]

In Craig of the Creek, there's a character named Bobby that goes through every stage of Goku's Transformation (everytime he eats a candy)

[@dawoof5119]

The billy and mandy one was my favorite

[@shanobian]

Omg I totally forgot about the grim adventures moment! And you can include sonic as creators have confirmed the Inspiration

[@michaelhewitt6281]

I remember when jonny bravo doing that on cartoon network 😅

[@vibecheck6180]

Gumball also has references to og Dragon Ball in the episode where the moms fight

[@CORBIN2263YT]

Owl House is finally mentioned!!!

[@vaporkay]

"Super Saiyan inspired power up" No, no, it wasnt inspired, it was just straight up Super Saiyan 2, Gumball, Darwin and Anais all refer to it by name

[@lovidobu]

Love the subtle final space moment

[@leonegamersfailed8744]

Sonic x is literally an anime

[@maniik_flix4837]

Now do it again but in anime! Koichi Going Super Saiyan is my favorite JoBro moments in JJBA!

[@ilDSttaro]

Where's Super Bobby Blue from Craig of the Creek? Probably, he was too powerful to mention. 😂

[@memebrane8303]

I remember every single one of these 😂

[@Error_Forever]

Gumball had Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 ☠️

[@VenomousAnimations]

And don’t forget Big City Greens when Cricket went to a comic con kinda event then he pulled out a kamehameha

[@turnintoasurphero]

gumball hit that gohan dbz ssj 2 ssj moment

[@GregSmithIII]

This is why DB is one of a kind. And there's more DB inspired thing about Sonic as a series that parallels DB so it counts.

[@angelgrant8749]

Do one piece next please 🙏

[@mapulamokhitlo]

He forgot all the times Bobby went from big time Bobby in Craig of The creek

[@SwiftlyZone]

Gumball wasn’t even inspired he straight up just became super Saiyan

[@NotMyRealName6]

Sega initially denied that Super Sonic was a Dragon Ball reference. Literally nobody bought it.

[@yeshhhhhhh]

Eh? An animationrewind short? I haven't seen you since hypersaneegee. This is a pretty pleasant surprise

[@christopherdaniel4815]

Don't forget Craig of the creek where in one episode this character named Bobby literally done transform and guess what it look like a super Saiyan God super Saiyan transformation so just want to point it out.

[@thelonesage3146]

Bro voice got deep lol

[@Tristan_Hitchens]

Numbah 4 was truly goated

[@O_g_K2007]

There is also that one episode of teen titans go about lepricons. They do the kamehameha and spirit bomb.

[@Wsgitsjaiden]

James from Pokémon had super sayian hair in one episode of the alola adventures

[@afellownerd]

Also in Steven Universe the episode Garnet's Universe is one big Dragon Ball homage

[@mouaadwdh4767]

Also Ben 10 alien atomix says hamena hamena like Goku Kamehameha he even gather his hands for nuclear blast like Goku famous Kamehameha

[@ziku271]

Sonic's one was inspiration

[@Baller12392]

Sonic going Super in SonicX is a hind to Gohan’s first ss2

[@kaidensstuff5766]

Super sonic does count because it was created the year after super saiyans were first shown in dragon ball. I don't remember who but one of the concept artists for sonic showed multiple pieces of art relating sonic and goku, even a piece of art showing sonic as piccolo and tails as goku

[@han3427]

Gear5 fanatics are gonna go on a rampage after seeing this

[@sethm602]

I never knew that about gumball

[@JamesCPotter13]

Honestly, FOP feels like a double reference. Vicky is DRESSED like Piccolo but it's COLORED like Cell. While Timmy is both Kid Goku AND Gohan.

[@bestdbzfanever]

u forgot when cricket from big city greens, he did a kamehameha :)

[@alex72886]

Johnny Bravo does look like that announcer from the tournaments

[@G0G3TA]

Gumball is the chosen super saiyajin🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥

[@kukibodybuildingofficialna8263]

Anne is secretly a saiyan....no cap😂

[@fishseller.]

Funfact : The bond of tails and sonic was inspired by the bond of piccolo and gohan

[@Monomogames]

Nobody talks about the South Park movie reference. Cartman referenced Dragon Ball twice.

[@RichardGawel]

where did the Seth McFarlane artstyle Goku at the beginning come from?

[@RichardGawel]

I really do want to know btw.

[@Carlwithgun]

And some of them being stronger than Goku is fucking insane

[@mouaadwdh4767]

The only one here is stronger than Goku is Sonic

[@SGT_Squid_Dog]

​@@mouaadwdh4767 gumball's dad can break the universe by getting a job

[@KurosakiNexus]

None of them are 😭

[@BionicCommando10]

Pops is way stronger than goku

[@mouaadwdh4767]

@@BionicCommando10 yeah right

[@Eastside318]

Sonic creator made sonic after dragonball z

[@Mrmonkey2223]

Forgot one thing I show you may have never watched before Ninjago

[@CassidyTakanauf]

Sonic counts as a cartoon. In Japan, anime specifically means any type of animation. This actually includes Family Guy.

[@ShadyRK9]

I love Anime references in cartoons!

[@RedRonin-t5j]

Also Rajang from Monster Hunter, but then again also could be considered Japanese media

[@AccountFornothing-wb7hh]

So did anyone else dislike when Amphibia decided to just go DBZ out of nowhere? Yeah im aware the calamity gems worked differently, but still

[@mrmr_yesno6847]

I think Timmy was supposed to look like Krillin, you can tell by the face

[@philipmarable8698]

Shaggy watching Space Fighters J. A Hanna Barbara version of DBZ.

[@SCC_1]

You forgot about gumball mom and the clouds mom having a og dragon ball tenkaichi tournament fight

[@TorturedMongoose2003]

Also one of the people working on dragon ball at the time was also working at Sega at the time.

[@IdolmasterMemer]

Fairly Odd Parents was the best because they evem imitated Toriyama sensei's old art style