Tower of Godhas recently been following its source material more closely in season 2, but that doesn’t stop the series from slightly reconfiguring simple moments like aDragon Ball Zreference in season 2, episode #5. The reference in question is a bit of a running joke in Japanese entertainment media, mocking the fate of a particularly unfortunate character from earlier in the series. Still, one lingering shot will bring up memories of the Saiyan Saga, withDragon Ballfans quickly picking up this reference inTower of Godseason 2.
Tower of Godisn’t even the first anime of Summer 2024 to make this reference.A recentDragon Ballreference byThe Elusive Samuraidepicts Yorishige with Goku’s hair, pretending to read a Spirit Bomb. It’s a sign of theadoration the creative community of anime and manga creators hasfor Akira Toriyama. With the late mangaka’s love for humor, these visual gags are in good taste.
But inTower of Godseason 2, a classic visual gag depicting one of Yamcha’s most infamous moments fromDragon Ballmakes its mark on a manhwa adaptation.
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Tower of God Makes a Reference to Yamcha’s Death from Dragon Ball
A Running Gag from the Saiyan Saga
InTower of Godseason 2, episode #5, Edin Dan finds himself doing his best Yamcha impression fromDragon Ball Z’sSaiyan Saga after being quickly overpowered in a training exercise. Dan, recruited by Khun, undergoes this sparring to determine the prospective tower-climbing team’s pecking order, with three members instantly backing out, leaving Dan against the top two fighters, Shibisu and Ran the Fisherman.The cutaway to his instant defeat, lying posed like Yamcha with the smoke-clearing sound effect sounding eerily likeDragon Ball’sSFX, is a great gag forTower of Godviewers.
The originalTower of Godwebtoon’s season 2, episode #25 shows Edin Dan in a crater but in a more generic face-down pose, so the anime’sDragon Ballreference was an artistic alteration.
For those unfamiliar with the death pose fromDragon Ball, it refers toYamcha’s pathetic endat the hands of an explosive Saibaman, essentially an alien born from a capsulized compound made by the Saiyans. They each boast the strength of Raditz and their main victim in the Saiyan Saga, Yamcha, is left in a smoking crater, face-down, right arm under the chest, left arm bent upward, and left foot resting above the right knee.It’s so iconic, thatTower of Godis far from adapting this pose,as its comical execution inDragon Ballis legendary.
Tower of God Is Far from the First Anime to Mock the Yamcha Death Pose
Move Over, Akira Slide
The Yamcha death pose is practically a meme among animators and mangaka, with it appearing at moderate levels inNaruto, Owari Monogatari, Sket Dance,and more. Given its comical timing to convey utter and complete defeat, or inNaruto’scase, pretending to be defeated, it’s clear that the creators understand how funny thisDragon Ballreference is and how often fans pick up on it.Incorporating this inTower of Godresults in one of the better-looking instances of theDragon Ballgag, contributing to a growing collage of references similar to theAkirabike slide.
This, along withThe Elusive Samuraiand evenDeadpoolcontinuing to lovingly poke fun atDragon Ball, means every little bit of Toriyama’s legacy lives on in the present.
This, along withThe Elusive Samuraiand evenDeadpoolcontinuing to lovingly poke fun atDragon Ball, means every little bit of Toriyama’s legacy lives on in the present, from the love for his excellent paneling, to his sense of humor. WithTower of Godseason 2’s focus on worldbuilding, it reminds viewers that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, just as in season 1. But one thing is certain: Edin Dan is already far better off than Yamcha, being able to say he was left in a smoking crater yet not die in theTower of God.
Tower of God
Cast
Tower of God is an anime series based on the South Korean webtoon by SIU. It follows a young boy named Bam who embarks on a perilous journey to ascend a mysterious tower, where each floor presents unique challenges and tests. The tower promises to grant the deepest desires of those who reach its top. Along the way, Bam forms alliances and confronts adversaries while uncovering hidden truths about himself and the tower.
