"The crazy cars and other Dragon Ball antics that made us love the series"
Akira Toriyama and his iconic Dragon Ball series have left an indelible mark on the history of manga and anime. In fact, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has revealed how Toriyama's work inspired him to become a manga artist. Dragon Ball fans have a special fondness for the early sagas, where the world and characters were presented in detail, beyond the exciting battles that are their hallmark. In these episodes, both everyday scenes and the most epic fights were enjoyed equally. Precisely in the everyday sequences, more conventional elements were included, such as cars and other vehicles, which were fused with a futuristic touch of time travel and Bulma's other inventions. These elements added a touch of freshness and originality that contributed to the series' success. Now, let's look back at some of the most notable cars and vehicles that appeared in the early Dragon Ball sagas.
Although some of these vehicles might look ordinary, they actually have quite unique features.
peculiar, whether for their appearance or their hidden features. In fact, some characters even used motorcycles, like the one Bulma used to take Goku on his search for the Dragon Balls. This motorcycle has been recreated in real life and has become a cult object for fans of the series. Bulma, the most advanced female character of her time, is undoubtedly one of the most beloved protagonists of the series. But today, we're going to focus on some of the classic cars that appeared in the early episodes of a series that has gone down in history. Brands like Cadillac, Mercedes, Fiat, and Renault had a prominent presence in many scenes of the series.
Renault 5 Turbo 2 (episode 1)
One of the most iconic models in the series appears right in the first encounter between Bulma and Goku. As Goku drags a huge fish along the road, Bulma can't stop her Renault 5 Turbo and ends up running over it. Confused, Goku thinks the car is a monster trying to steal his precious fish, so he grabs it and throws it away. Bulma gets out of the wrecked vehicle and prevents Goku from attacking her. For him, she is the first girl he's ever seen, so he doesn't recognize her as a human being. It is at this moment that the friendship between the two characters begins.
Mighty Mouse (episode 6)
In this episode, two different cars can be seen. The first one looks like an old relic belonging to
Yamcha and Puar, who were following Bulma, Goku, and Oolong in their search for the Dragon Balls from the Devil's Desert to Fire Mountain. It is a rugged vehicle designed to travel on dangerous roads and has an appearance similar to a 1930s racing car or a Mercedes SSK. When he meets Goku again, Yamcha apologizes for the previous fight and gives them a red Fiat 500 to gain their trust. However, he actually does this so he can keep up with them on their mission.
Fiat 500 (episode 6-8)
The Fiat 500 is an iconic car that first appeared in the series in the episode where Yamcha apologizes to Bulma, Goku, and Oolong for the previous fight. The small red vehicle becomes part of the team and witnesses Goku launch his first Kamehameha, destroying it in the process. After this incident, Ox-Satan lends them a new vehicle to continue their search for the Dragon Balls, while Yamcha and Puar plot to steal them before they get them. The Fiat 500 becomes one of the most iconic cars in the series and is fondly remembered by fans.
Chief Rabbit's Car (episode 9)
The "Bunny Car" is a white rabbit-like vehicle owned by Chief Rabbit, a character from
the Rabbit Mafia that appears in the series. During a fight between Goku and the Rabbit Boss's gang, the latter turns Bulma into a carrot, enraging Goku. Yamcha and Puar team up with Goku to force the Rabbit Boss to return Bulma to her original form. In the game Dragon Ball: Origins, Goku destroys the Rabbit Car because it launches explosive carrots and poses a danger to himself and his friends.
