Dragon Ball Z: Japan’s New Prime Minister Was Once Majin Buu

As a gamer with a deep-rooted passion for both politics and anime, I must say that this fusion of two seemingly disparate worlds never ceases to amaze me. The fact that Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, once cosplayed as Majin Buu from Dragon Ball Z is not only an amusing anecdote but also a testament to the pervasive influence of anime in Japanese culture.


On October 1st (Tuesday), Japan will officially appoint its new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, who is from the Liberal Democratic Party. At the age of 67, Ishiba managed to outshine opponent Sanae Takaichi in the bid for leadership, replacing Fumio Kishida as previous Prime Minister. Although Ishiba has had a substantial political career in Japan, it may surprise you that his work played a significant role in creating one of the biggest anime crossovers. In fact, he once cosplayed as none other than Majin Buu from Dragon Ball Z, demonstrating the enduring impact and far-reaching influence of anime.

For a considerable period, Anime and politics in Japan have often collided. A notable instance is Ken Akatsuma, the mastermind behind Love Hina, abandoning his writing career to pursue politics. In 2022, Akatsuma successfully amassed enough votes to become a member of Japan’s 26th House of Councillors. His determination to win this election was so strong that he temporarily stopped working on his most significant manga projects and has since remained actively involved in politics. Additionally, prominent political figures like Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have made appearances in anime series such as Baki The Grappler, Inuyashiki, and even Death Note.

Why Did Shigeru Become a Majin?

In 2018, the soon-to-be Prime Minister participated in the grand opening of an anime figure shop and unexpectedly received a Majin Buu costume from Dragon Ball Z. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gladly donned the villain’s attire while addressing the audience during the event. You can watch the video of the ceremony here.

Video: The incoming Prime Minister of Japan, Ishiba Shigeru, clarified his reason for dressing up as the Dragon Ball character Majin Buu during an event. He admitted that he attended the inauguration of a figurine museum, was given the costume by the organizer without prior notice, and was unable to decline the offer at such short notice.

— Jeffrey J. Hall ???? (@mrjeffu) September 27, 2024

Is Majin Buu In Dragon Ball Daima?

Although Shigeru may not reappear in the Majin’s outfit, fans of anime can anticipate the return of Majin Buu in the forthcoming series called Dragon Ball Daima. Starting next month, the sequel to Dragon Ball Z will showcase Buu and the other Z-Fighters shrunk down to child-sized forms. Due to the climactic events of the final major arc in Dragon Ball Z, “Fat Buu” has developed friendships with Goku and his allies, often spending his free time with Mr. Satan.

Although images featuring Buu have been featured in promotional content for “Dragon Ball Daima,” it remains uncertain how central his role will be within the anime. The narrative of the series primarily revolves around Goku aligning with Supreme Kai, Glorio, and Panzy to investigate a plot involving the dragon balls, where they aim to uncover a hidden conspiracy.

Buu In The Moro Arc

There has been one major storyline involving Majin Buu that has yet to be animated. Dragon Ball Super’s Moro Arc saw the former Z villain joining forces with the Z-Fighters to fight against the energy-absorbing sorcerer. Not only do we get the chance to see Buu front and center in the storyline, but there’s a definitive moment featuring the reincarnation of Kid Buu, Uub, that determines the outcome of the arc. While the Dragon Ball anime will return in Daima, there has been no word from Toei Animation regarding the return of Dragon Ball Super.

Interested in exploring the intersection of anime and politics in the future? Keep tabs on Team Anime at egmr.ru for all the current news from the anime scene, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me @EVComedy for some engaging discussions about comic books and anime!

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2024-09-28 22:09