Under the premise “everyone can be a hero”, Brazilian brothers Diego and Gui, using Midjourney Artificial Intelligence, created an african version of dragonball. Thus, characters like Goku, Vegeta, and more take on afro features.
His Instagram account is Guiofsaints, and already exceeded 54 thousand followers. “The goal of this project is not to replace anything or judge the original creations, just to inspire people by creating an alternate world, a what if…?” the artists write.
Dragon Ball was published as a manga in 1984 by Akira Toriyama, and initially it was focused on the Japanese market. Only one character with African features appeared in the series: Mr Popo, Kame’s assistant, with a dark complexion and an Arabic accent, owner of a calm and kind personality.
However, to this day, the drawing could be considered racist. In 2020, streamer Heavenly D. Controller acknowledged “the fact that we all overlook that Mr. Popo is the most racist cartoon anime has ever seen. LOL”.
The fact that we all just overlooked that Mr. Popo is the most racist caricature ever brought to anime LOL
—Heavenly 👑 (@CrownLead3r) April 14, 2020
Some agreed with his vision, others pointed out that he was exaggerating, according to Yahoo.
But let’s remember that Dragon Ball was born for a specific market, Japan, where African culture was not well known. So Toriyama relies on a stereotype of the African/Arab to publish Mr. Popo.
They were also other times.
The African version of Dragon Ball, with Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and more characters
So, Guofsaints seeks greater inclusion, generating an African version of classic characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Broly, Krillin, Master Roshi, Bulma and Milk, among others.
Use the Artificial Intelligence program midjourney and other technological tools, such as Photoshop.
The result can be evaluated below.
The brothers Diego and Gui (whose last name has not been revealed), published other versions of comic and fiction characters in African, such as Superman, Mario Bros., Wolverine, Flash and Harry Potter.
We leave them here. It is quite a commendable project because, as they themselves point out, “everyone can be a hero”.