It is the responsibility of a quality, well-respected journalist to keep their article unbiased and filled with facts to support objective claims. This can be the consequence of the opposite choice.
Every person is entitled to their opinions, and as such they should also be prepared for the backlash of anger and distaste for their chosen words on any subject. When you are a source looked at for news and information, it is of the highest importance to ensure that quality and facts are the primary objective. Though sometimes, a bait-click article is needed to garner views, for whatever reason may be the case, and that is precisely what happened earlier today when one journalist posted an article claiming that Dragon Ball Z has its large fanbase, but simply isn’t a good show.
"Dragon Ball Z is a huge, influential franchise that really isn't very good." http://t.co/k3we78DzAO pic.twitter.com/TZJpQdM6oj
— Complex (@Complex) May 6, 2015
To be fair, I have written my share of articles that are potentially considered bias, and subjective wherein I have used more of my opinions to support my claims and allegations towards whatever subject I may be speaking. Usually this is in a review, which to me is always about my personal experience with the medium and what I took away from said experience. Readers may not always agree, and some may take it steps further with getting angry or frustrated, which is their right and understood by nearly every writer in the business.
The difference between what I have done in those cases, and what Justin Charity has done, is not only insult the fanbase at large for no reason other than gaining views, but he adds insult to injury by acknowledging the bad taste in the metaphorical mouths of his readers, but then continues to insult them with adolescent and immature remarks as seen by his tweet below.
https://twitter.com/BrotherNumpsa/status/595936977893089280
Complex Mag’s Twitter account received a lot of criticism from the post this morning with many angry fans calling out their lack of quality in the writing with Justin Charity’s article. Taken directly from the article, Justin said,
“I don’t get it. Why do boys love Dragon Ball Z?”
“If you’re an American boy, perhaps you grew up watching Toonami’s popular import of Japan’s formative shonen anime megahit, Dragon Ball Z”
Quotes such as these caused many female fans of the series (and yes, there are female fans who watch it), to go up-in-arms questioning why it had to be directed at boys when girls, many of whom are young adults, or even coed adults older than 30-years are big fans.
@Goku I stopped reading when he went on about 'why do boys love this so much?'
Yeah I'm female a huge fan and know other girls who are too
— Beth Padmore ❇ (@BethIsVeryBored) May 6, 2015
While I understand that this article was written in English for the American readers of Complex, I find it odd that he says “if you’re an American boy” when the series first debuted in Japan, with a MASSIVE fanbase at its core from which it came, all of which include both genders and all ages. Careless words such as this can be viewed as sexist, and even insensitive, which was noted across social media this morning, which Complex saw in its entirety (I put this section in bold for a reason).
Hip hip artist Big Sean tweeted at Complex Mag calling out their article, which Complex replied with saying it was not on them, but @BrotherNumpsa. The tweet from @ComplexMag to @BigSean stating that Sean should take it up with Justin Charity (@BrotherNumpsa) was taken down almost immediately upon all the negative attention Justin’s account began to receive.
What?!! DBZ is one of greatest, flat out! https://t.co/frLHxhy908
— Sean Don (@BigSean) May 6, 2015
Popular Dragon Ball Z fan page @Goku took lead of the charge in directing fans of the series to share with Complex Mag how they felt about the series leading many to share what makes the show of quality and what makes the show so entertaining.
https://twitter.com/Goku/status/595983893435527168
But with all that said, I wish to impress upon you, the reader, what exactly is considered “good” and “bad”. You may be reading this and thinking to yourself that my writing is horrible, and that this article is trash. To which is totally fair, and you have that right, though others may feel the completed opposite.
Being popular does not mean something is good, or even of quality. Heck, even making tons of money with the largest fanbase in the world does not necessarily mean something is good. I’m not a fan of Justin Bieber or the Twilight Saga, both of which are million dollar, if not billion dollar franchises (yes, the Beebs is a franchise). I personally do not like Bieber’s music, and I do not think that Twilight is good, or even quality writing. But my lack of interest does not stop the fact existing that they can both do fine without my support.
With Twilight being the example, I would rebuttal that nearly all of my female acquaintances who are fans of the books or films, if they are not crazed delusional super-fans, all claim the series is not a “good” or even “well-written” series, but rather that it is a guilty pleasure for them. Okay, fair enough.
Justin Bieber’s popularity has lasted far longer than the average teenage heart-throb, though if the past tells us anything, that likely won’t last once he grows into a man (he’s 21, still looks a boy – an opinion, I know. Sue me). Twilight, on the other hand, has pretty much phased out only to be replaced immediately with other teenage franchise targets like Divergent and Hunger Games. Then of course there is 50 Shades and that whole thing.
But what do fans say about Dragon Ball Z? Is it their guilty pleasure? Is it something that they are ashamed to share they are a fan of? Some could say so, but as a fan myself, I have never met another fan afraid to reveal themselves from any metaphorical Dragon Ball closet.
The franchise of Dragon Ball is not without its flaws. Goku is commonly referred to as “one-dimensional”, something that Chris Sabat (voice of Vegeta) and Sean Schemmel (voice of Goku) have both told me personally when I interviewed the two of them. Even Justin Charity points this out in his article:
“Goku, is a little one-dimensional, which I think we can both agree is a flaw in the Dragon Ball Z character paradigm. Goku likes to eat, and he likes to fight and save the world.”
Absolutely fair, Justin. I would not argue that at all. But Goku is not necessarily the center focus. He is the main character, sure, but more fans, I would debate, care more for or are favoring characters like Future Trunks, or the prince of ALL saiyans himself, Vegeta.
Goku drives the story, and his journey is primarily what we follow. And although we love and cherish the witless sap, he is the hero of the story we never want to see end. And that is the point right there.
Many franchises come and go. Many last no longer than a decade (ten years, ya simpleton). But Dragon Ball started in 1984, before Justin Bieber was born, before Twilight was written, and the latter is already done with the former meeting a career end sooner than later. Dragon Ball, however, has seen two theatrical film releases within the past two years, and is getting the first new televised series in 18 years. Point being? You do not get something like– you do not return to a franchise after nearly two decades after having its course ran, story been told, and been completed, if the series is not good in some way.
The article by Complex Mag is likely an attempt to gain views after the announcement of a new Dragon Ball series titled “Dragon Ball Super” or “Dragon Ball Cho” as it is to be called in Japan, debuting July of this year.
The announcement of a new series comes as a pleasant surprise, though not a complete shock after the record-breaking box office hits of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013) and Resurrection ‘F’ (2015). The latter of which is set to debut in North America later this year come summer.
Justin’s opinions, though valid, and are intended to remain respected in this article, seem to stem from someone who simply did not like the series. Now, I do not know him, though through his writing and lack of overall understanding the series, I would assume that he never saw the whole series. And if he did, my observation is that he simply missed the point and did not understand it at all. Let alone the millions of fans who cherish it, and will continue in the years to come.
It is my opinion that Dragon Ball remains a timeless work of art, entertaining countless fans daily. It is up to you, the reader, whether you find this to be fact or not.
Header Illustration by Kim Yura – @DBvegetto
