Dragon Ball manages to remain one of the most influential anime to be ever made. The franchise, created by Akira Toriyama, has had a significant influence on not only Japan, but the whole world. However, what many don’t know is that Dragon Ball’s most iconic attack called “Kamehameha“, which played a significant role in its fame, was not named by Toriyama and was instead coined by another mangaka- Nachi Mikami, who also happens to be Toriyama’s wife.
It is not only ‘Kamehameha’, but the creator of the Dragon Ball franchise has always preferred to take inspiration from objects and others around him. This can be observed in the names of the characters in the series, who are named after vegetables and other edible items, such as Vegeta and Kakarot.
It is easy to say how Toriyama’s clever naming of the catchlines and characters in the series has allowed Dragon Ball to stay relevant after all these years, best portrayed through the phrase Kamehameha.
Where Did Nachi Mikami Get The Inspiration For Kamehameha?
While Kamehameha has different meanings through translation, Nachi Mikami suggested Akira Toriyama that he name the iconic attack, taking inspiration from the former king of Hawaii named “Kamehameha“. It has also been said that Akira Toriyama would practice the widely recognized Kamehameha attack pose in front of the mirror for hours, until he finally settled on the one we know and love today.
Nachi Mikami is also a Mangaka herself, having worked on different publications such as The Top and Bottom of Rock and Roll (1977), The Confusing Legend of St. Mephisto (1985), and much more establishing herself as a successful mangaka before quitting in order to support Akira Toriyama.
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It remains definitive that without Nachi Mikami, the Dragon Ball franchise would have lacked a major part of itself, that being the iconic blue beam attack called Kamehameha.
Why Kamehameha Remains The Most Iconic Element From Dragon Ball
Kamehameha in itself is a powerful attack consisting of a long range energy beam/wave primarily used by Goku and often used by other characters of the series. The attack is usually carried out while shouting out its name in three parts, divided into Kame, Hame, and Ha.
Ever since Dragon Ball’s debut in the 1980s, the Kamehameha attack has remained a staple and foundational element of the entire franchise. Many of the iconic moments from the series consist of Goku finally finishing off the antagonist with the iconic Kamehameha blast.
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Ultimately, it was Nachi Mikami’s idea that bestowed upon fans the iconic Kamehameha attack in Dragon Ball. This led to a legacy of the name as it is still occasionally mentioned in memes, pop culture, and even other anime series.
Dragon Ball is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
