Dragon Ball Culture Volume 2

Son Goku’s adventure begins! Join me in Dragon Ball Culture Volume 2, as we travel along with Goku on his epic journey for greater strength.

With each step that Goku takes, you’ll discover more of the hidden spirituality and symbolism in Dragon Ball that makes the series so successful. You’ll see how author Akira Toriyama synthesizes Chinese culture, Western technology, and Buddho-Daoist philosophy to create a series that speaks to your humanity. Not because of the action or the humor, but because it reminds you of what it means to be alive. Along the way you’ll learn of Goku’s ancient origin. You’ll hear how the legend of a wild monkey-man begins in India, evolves across 2,000 years of Chinese and Japanese history, and leads to the Goku you know and love. I’ll walk you through the journey from the first page to the last. And by the time we’re done, you will be an expert on Dragon Ball’s culture. Volume 2 explores Chapters 1 to 23 of the Dragon Ball manga. So let’s take our first step with Goku!

Author Biography

Derek Padula is the author of The Dao of Dragon Ball website and book series; the first to reveal the deep history, philosophy, and cultural roots of the world’s #1 anime and manga. Derek’s journey begins when he sees the Dragon Ball anime in 1997. His love for the series inspires him to start martial arts training in Sh�ol�n gōngfu, t�ij�-qu�n, q�gōng, karate, and Fǎl�n D�fǎ meditation. He earns his B.A. in East Asian Studies and a minor in Chinese from Western Michigan University. Then he studies abroad in Běijīng, China where he trains with the Buddhist Sh�ol�n monks and a D�oist t�ij� sword master. After returning home he begins his life’s work. He is now an authority on Dragon Ball and loves to share his understanding of this profound series that changes lives.