While the anime community may have divisive opinions about many topics, almost all fans can agree on how influential theDragon Ballseries has been to the overall industry. Akira Toriyama’s legendary story is not only among thebest anime of all time, but also one that inspired countless other creators to share their ideas.
Few people can argue that Goku’s adventures were not game-changing, and one ofSailor Moon’s most intriguing characters is living proof of this fact. Sailor Mini Moon, better known as the daughter of the protagonist, Serena, might have been directly inspired by Gohan, as hinted at by the circumstances surrounding her creation.
Is Gohan Responsible for Sailor Mini Moon?
The Facts Suggest He Indeed Is
During 1993, while the Final Battle – Reincarnation arc of theSailor Moonmanga was being published, its creator, Naoko Takeuchi, was planning to end her story. She had become too overwhelmed with responsibility and wished to have a break. Her editor, Fumio Osano, attempted to convince her otherwise, suggesting that the story could continue with a shocking twist.
The man believed that introducing a daughter to Serena would help the series remain relevant among fans. Despite Takeuchi doubting this idea, asSailor Moon was seen as a role modelfor girls and having a daughter at her age would be beyond controversial, she accepted. And so, Sailor Mini Moon, Serena’s future child, was born.
The timing of this suggestion has always been fascinating to fans, as it coincided with the battle between Gohan and Cell in theDragon Ballmanga,one of the series' best fights. Many fans believe that Osanowas inspired by Goku’s son and his rising popularity, and believed that adding a similar character toSailor Moonwould help the manga.
Mini Moon Was Lamentably Not as Popular as Gohan
Audiences Found Her Inclusion Odd
Despite being created with the intent of her becoming as popular asDragon Ball’s Gohan, Sailor Mini Moon was a divisive character from the moment she was introduced. A large portion of the audience considered her an odd addition to the manga, since none of the previous storylines had hinted at her existence. Others considered her disrespectful and unpleasant.
The fact that a large portion of the story focused entirely on Rini and not her mother, despite Serena being the protagonist andone of the most powerful Sailor Scouts, also caused annoyance. Sailor Mini Moon has become a cherished character over time, but it is undeniable that she has never reached the same level of popularity as Gohan.
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moonis a magical girl franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. It began as a manga in 1991 and was adapted into an anime series in 1992. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school girl who transforms into Sailor Moon to protect Earth from evil forces. The franchise spans five original anime seasons, films, musicals, video games, and a reboot series,Sailor Moon Crystal. Its global impact has made it a cultural icon and one of the most successful shōjo franchises in history.
