Goku is making the leap from his own Shonen Jump series to another in a surprise cameo from Dragon Ball Z. The series in question is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about anime of the summer 2024 season.
In Episode 3 of The Elusive Samurai, Hojo Tokiyuki and his friends encounter a familiar black-haired character from the Dragon Ball anime. The caricature of Goku is seen wearing religious garb while summoning what appears to be a Spirit Bomb. This happens early in the episode—around the 13-minute mark, to be exact—and is treated as a throwaway joke.
Related
Naruto Changes Frog Kata to Turtle Power in Official TMNT Crossover Series
Naruto teams up with America's best pizza-eating, crime-fighting turtles in a new series, with the first visual and release date revealed.
Dragon Ball's Goku Gets a Power Up for Signature Attack in The Elusive Samurai in Summer 2024
While some might argue that the character's close resemblance to Goku could be a coincidence, The Elusive Samurai's dialogue also specifically mentions “a hero's journey” which seems to acknowledge the original inspiration for the Dragon Ball series. The original Dragon Ball, where Goku is just a kid fighting bad guys with a young Bulma Briefs, is based on the popular Chinese novel Journey to the West, whose story is often used as inspiration for building a hero's journey in storytelling.
More importantly, Journey to the West features a brave monkey warrior named Sun Wukong, who is also known as the “Monkey King.” Goku’s full Japanese name is “Son Goku,” and Volume 1 of the Dragon Ball manga is titled “Monkey King.” Given the close connection between Dragon Ball and Journey to the West, the appearance of this Goku-like character in The Elusive Samurai is no coincidence. The fact that Dragon Ball and The Elusive Samurai are both owned by Shonen Jump—specifically Shueisha Inc.—means that this comedic appearance was intentional and legally allowed to continue. The latter is important, as Japan has strict copyright laws that do not make exceptions for parodies, no matter how innocent the intent.
Related
Sakamoto Days Animation Director Releases “Exclusive Message”
The director of the upcoming anime adaptation Sakamoto Days has an interesting message for fans about how the film will convey the action scenes from the manga.
The Elusive Samurai is one of the biggest Shonen Jump Anime of the new season
Dragon Ball Z parody or not, CloverWorks' The Elusive Samurai continues to make a name for itself in this crowded summer season thanks to its historically inspired story and distinctive visuals. Based on the manga of the same name by Yusei Matsui (Assassination Classroom), The Elusive Samurai follows an eight-year-old boy named Tokiyuki as he flees from invaders who have overthrown his family's dynasty, always staying one step ahead of them with his incredible speed and elegance.
CBR's review of The Elusive Samurai manga declared that it could be the next Shonen Jump hit, despite some flaws. Now, thanks to CloverWorks' stunning animation, The Elusive Samurai is reaching its full potential. New episodes of the anime are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Source: The Elusive Samurai Volume 3