Dragon Ballis one of the world’s most iconic and influential anime franchises ever created. With unforgettable characters, decades worth of lore, and epic transformations, it became a staple in shōnen storytelling. Yet, among the original cast, one fan favorite had disappeared from the series entirely, leaving fans to wonder what happened.
Launch was a unique character who left a memorable impression on fans during the originalDragon Ballseries. However, despite her popularity, she never received a proper farewell or a return. Fans were only given a quick explanation that she had chased after Tien Shinhan. While it’s a convenient reason, it felt oddly abrupt.
For years, Launch’s absence was dismissed as Akira Toriyama simply forgetting her character after a now-infamous comment that was likely meant as a joke. At face value, the remark became the explanation for why such an iconic character was left out of the series, but as it turns out, the truth behind her absence is more grounded and far less careless than fans initially believed.
Dragon Ball Fans Believed Launch Was Forgotten
Akira Toriyama May Have Been Joking When He Said He Forgot His Characters
For years, fans believed that Launch’s disappearance was a result of the creator’s oversight. This idea came from anoften-cited interview on Kanzenshuu, where Akira Toriyama talked about her absence. The quote quickly spread among fans, fostering the belief that Launch was unintentionally written out of the story.
“To tell you the truth, I totally forgot about her at one point. And then I remembered her after a while and I had to think of a reason why she disappeared. So I made it seem as if she was running after Tien Shinhan.”
Many fans took this statement literally, interpreting it as proof that Toriyama often forgot his own characters. While the quote is directly from an interview, it’s often taken out of context, which shows that the interview was lighthearted and probably shouldn’t be taken at face value. There is, however, a farmore respectful reason for her absence.
Mami Koyama, Launch’s original Japanese voice actress, needed to spend a year abroad. Before leaving,she personally contacted Toriyama to explain her situation and request that her character be removed from the manga.Out of respect, Toriyama phased Launch out of the story, indicating that her disappearance was not an oversight but a considerate decision.
Launch Was One of Dragon Ball’s Most Iconic Characters
Launch Was a Strong, Fun, and Unpredictable Addition to the Series
During her time onDragon Ball,Launch stood out as one of the most vibrant and unpredictable charactersin the cast. She had a unique duality in which she switched from a soft-spoken, innocent girl to a trigger-happy, aggressive fighter. Her unpredictable nature added a fun dynamic to the series and often served as comic relief.
Launch was more than a gag character and was one of the few prominent women duringDragon Ball’srun. She held her own despite being surrounded by powerful characters and always managed to stand out.Launch was a wildcard who brought energy to every scene she was part of, and herabsence at the start ofDragon Ball Zwas notable.
However, her character left fans with many memorable and comedic moments to look back on. While some fans believed her absence was the result of Toriyama’s forgetfulness, the truth is that it was a respectful decision made behind the scenes. Though she may no longer appear in the series, Launch remains an undeniably beloved part ofDragon Ball.
