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Dr. Slump

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Dr. Slump (Dr. (ドクター) スランプ Dokutā Suranpu) is a Japanese manga series, authored by Akira Toriyama. The title was serialized in Shueisha's anthology comic Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1980 to 1984, eventually compiled into 18 tankōbon. The series helped launched Toriyama's career and was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen and shōjo manga in 1982.[1]

Dr. Slump is a gag manga, and bears little resemblance to Toriyama's following series Dragon Ball, though the original Dragon Ball TV program and early manga chapters are much closer to Dr. Slump in its style and humour. The Dr. Slump manga has been licensed by Viz Media and is currently being published in graphic novel form. The English translation is done by Alexander O. Smith.

Contents

[edit] Anime

The Dr. Slump manga was made into two separate anime TV series; the first, Dr. Slump & Arale-chan (Japanese: Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん) ran from 1981 to 1986 and spanned 243 episodes and the second anime ran from 1997 to 1999 and featured 74 episodes. In addition to the series, 11 animated films have been made.

The original 1980s series ("Dr. Slump and Arale-chan") will be released on Region 2 DVD in Japan in two parts. The "N'cha collection" was released in March 2007.[2] The "Hoyoyo Collection" will be released in September.

It is unknown if the anime will be dubbed in the English language, even though it was licensed by Harmony Gold, but only had a segment of a single episode dubbed before the company lost the rights shortly after.[citation needed]

[edit] Themes

Dr. Slump is filled with puns, sexual references, and bathroom jokes, and parodies of both Japanese and American culture. For example, one of the recurring characters is "Suppaman", a short, fat, pompous buffoon who changes into a Superman-like costume by eating a sour-tasting ("suppai" in Japanese) umeboshi. Unlike Superman, Suppaman can't fly well, and instead pretends to fly by lying belly down on a skateboard and scooting through the streets. In the PlayStation 2 game Super Dragon Ball Z, in the city level, by breaking the porta-potty, Suppaman (with the hiragana "su" character on his chest) will roll off on his skateboard. Also, a policeman in Dr. Slump can be seen wearing a Star Wars-style storm trooper helmet, just as in the American movies.

[edit] Plot

Dr. Slump is set in Penguin Village (ペンギン村 Pengin Mura), a place where humans co-exist with all sorts of anthropomorphic animals and other objects. In this village lives Senbei Norimaki, an inventor (his name is a pun on senbei). His nickname is "Dr. Slump" (a joke that can be seen as similar to nicknaming an author "Writer's Block.") In the first issue, he builds a little robot girl he names Arale Norimaki, a pun on Arare (food)), in scenes obviously parodying the Italian children's classic Pinocchio (note: "Arale Norimaki" is Toriyama's official romanization spelling of her name). Because Senbei Norimaki is a lousy inventor, she soon turns out to be in severe need of eyeglasses. She is also very naïve, and in later issues she has adventures such as bringing a huge bear home, having mistaken it for a pet. To Senbei Norimaki's credit, she does have super-strength (and, in a Dragon Ball crossover she proved to be genuinely stronger than the young Goku, prompting him to train harder). In general, the manga focuses on Arale Norimaki's misunderstandings of humanity and Senbei Norimaki's inventions, rivalries, and romantic misadventures.

[edit] Characters

Names are in the Western order, with the family name after the given name.

[edit] The Kimidori family

Akane Kimidori (木緑あかね Kimidori Akane, "Yellow-green Dark Red")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Hiroko Konishi (Anime 2)
Arale Norimaki's "bad girl" friend. She is called "Akane-chin" by Arale Norimaki instead of "Akane-chan".
Aoi Kimidori (木緑葵 Kimidori Aoi, "Yellow-green Blue")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Hiroko Emori (Anime 2)
Akane's older sister, who works at the coffee shop
Kon Kimidori (木緑紺 Kimidori Kon, "Yellow-green Navy-blue")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Hideyuki Tanaka (Anime 2)
Akane and Aoi's father
Murasaki Kimidori (木緑紫 Kimidori Murasaki, "Yellow-green Purple")
Akane and Aoi's mother, who is always wiggling her butt and acting bubbly. Actually, she is the younger sister of Taro and Peasuke's mother (below).

[edit] The Soramame family

Taro Soramame (空豆タロウ Soramame Tarō)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Shinichirou Ohta (Anime 2)
Arale Norimaki's "bad boy" friend at school who tries to act cool. After graduating from high school, he becomes a police officer (because he is allowed to carry a gun and wear dark glasses all the time).
Peasuke Soramame (空豆ピースケ Soramame Piisuke, "Broad bean Pea" + common male name ending, "Peasuke" in the English translation)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Megumi Urawa (Anime 2)
Taro's little brother who always wears an animal hat. At one point, he saved a girl named Hiyoko from a beetle. Of course, this wouldn't have been necessary if not for Arale Norimaki; when she saw that Peasuke had fallen in love with a girl much taller than he, she used the Big-Small Gun to shrink Hiyoko to insect size.
Kurikinton Soramame (空豆クリキントン Soramame Kurikinton, "Broad bean Sweet chestnut paste")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Anime 2)
The father of the Soramame family and a barber. Looks similar to Clint Eastwood.
Mame Soramame (空豆まめ Soramame Mame, "Broad bean Bean")
Taro and Peasuke's mother, who also wears an animal cap like Peasuke.

[edit] The Tsun family

A Chinese family whose spaceship crash landed in Penguin Village.

Tsururin Tsun (摘鶴燐 Tsun Tsururin, The sound of something shiny and smooth (such as a bald head))
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Houko Kuwashima (Anime 2)
The daughter. Has various powers, including telekinesis and teleportation and later starts dating Taro.
Tsukutsun Tsun (摘突詰 Tsun Tsukutsun, The sound of poking something (such as poop))
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Ryoutarou Okiayu (Anime 2)
The son, who practices kung fu (including taijiquan). Although normally not as strong as the powerful Arale Norimaki or Gatchan(s), when extremely angry he becomes more powerful than both. For some reason, whenever he is touched by a girl he turns into a tiger and cannot change back unless touched by a guy. To his confusion, Arale Norimaki does not trigger this transformation since she is not a real girl. He later starts dating Akane.
Tsuruten Tsun (摘鶴天 Tsun Tsuruten)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Kouji Yada (Anime 2)
The father. Built the spaceship that crashed in Penguin Village. He is an even worse pervert than Senbei Norimaki and the two of them become friends.
Tsuntsunodanoteiyugo Tsun (摘詰角田野廷遊豪 Tsun Tsuntsunodanoteiyūgō)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Michie Tomizawa (Anime 2)
The mother, who also practices kung fu, like her son. Tends to beat up her perverted husband. Her name comes from an old marketing jingle of the Japanese bicycle manufacturer Tsunoda.

[edit] Penguin Village Police Force

(Note that none of the police force are given names in the manga, except for Charmy Yamada, although Gara and Pagos' names appear on a banner attached to a motor scooter they ride together early in the comics series.)

Pagos (パゴス Pagosu)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Michio Nakao (Anime 2)
The tall patrolman. He and his partner Gara constantly have their car destroyed (accidentally) by an excited running Arale. This character's first appearance was in the second half of the 1979 one-shot Wonder Island, also as a policeman, though the setting was entirely different. Gara and Pagos were named after Galápagos Islands ("garapagosu shotou").
Gara (ガラ)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Nobuhiko Kazama (Anime 2)
The shorter patrolman. Also appeared on Wonder Island; as hinted there, his name is likely a pun on the movie monster Garamon, who he somewhat resembles.
Gyaosu (ギャオス)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Bin Shimada (Anime 2)
The police chief.
Polly Bakettsu (ポリー・バケッツ Porī Bakettsu)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Masako Katsuki (Anime 2)
The gun-toting lady cop. The name is from police and "poribaketsu" (poly (polyethylene, polypropylene and so on) + bucket).
Charmy Yamada (チャーミー山田 Chāmī Yamada)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1)
A very dedicated cop who joins the force later in the series.

[edit] Other recurring characters

Dr Mashirito (マシリト the family name of the author's editor at the time, Kazuhiko Torishima, reversed)
Template:Anime voice→ Keiichi Noda (Anime 1), Yasuo Yamada (Anime 1 movies), Akira Kamiya (1992 movie), Ryoutarou Okiayu (Anime 2)
Senbei's evil mad scientist rival; he bears a striking resemblance to the author's editor.
Suppaman (スッパマン "Sour"+Man, sounds like Superman)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Toru Furuya (Anime 2)
Hero-wannabe from a far away planet, who unfortunately has no super powers or sense of justice; rolls around with his belly on a skateboard, throws grenades, and changes his clothes in a phone booth, eating an umeboshi to transform. Suppaman works as a reporter when in disguise as Kenta Kuraaku (暗悪健太 Kuraaku Kenta), which literally translates to "Dark-and-Evil" [generic man's name]; note that to Japanese ears "Kuraaku Kenta" sounds like Clark Kent).
King Nikochan (ニコチャン大王 Nikochan Daiō)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Bin Shimada (Anime 2)
The king of an alien planet. His race have their butts on their heads, their nostrils on the tips of their antennae, and their ears on their feet. He wishes to take over the Earth but his ship always breaks down (plus, he's kind of an ill-tempered idiot). In the manga, he speaks in Central Nagoya dialect, in which a native speaker of the dialect will find distinct from the author's Northern Nagoya dialect. In the anime, he speaks in a false Nagoya dialect.
Nikochan's Servant (ニコチャン家来 Nikochan Kerai)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Ryou Horikawa (Anime 2)
King Nikochan's unnamed sunglasses-wearing servant. He always comes to Earth with his master. He seems to be much smarter/sensible than the King.(He does not speak in Nagoya dialect.)
Parzan (パーザン Paazan, "Fool"+"Zan", parody of "Tarzan")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Minori Matsushima (Anime 2)
Tarzan hero wannabe with almost exactly the same face as Suppaman; shares a mutual dislike with Suppaman.
Bubibinman (ブビビンマン "Sound of a fly buzzing"+Man)
Template:Anime voice
Hero-wannabe from Superman's planet, who came to Earth after hearing that Superman (the weakling) had become a hero here, using his powers of flight and superhuman strength; ultimately, he is side-tracked by his fly tendencies (and resulting diet).
Kinoko Sarada (皿田きのこ Sarada Kinoko, "Salad Mushroom")
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Noriko Uemura (Anime 2)
A toddler who lives in Penguin Village and spends her days riding her tricycle and laughing at others for not keeping up with fashion.
Daigoro Kurigashira (栗頭大五郎 Kurigashira Daigorō, Chestnut-head Daigorou)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Nobuo Tobita (Anime 2)
Arale Norimaki's high school teacher. He has a huge head which is shaped like a chestnut. (The "kuri" in his name means "chestnut" and "-gashira" (kashira) means "head". "Dai" is "big", and "Daigorou" is also the Japanese given name of Takamiyama, a popular former Sumo wrestler from Hawaii.) His character style was used as model of Kurita Ryokan.
Donbe (ドンベ)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Kappei Yamaguchi (Anime 2)
A fox who likes to transform into things and scare people.
Hiyoko (ヒヨコ Chick)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Houko Kuwashima (Anime 2)
Peasuke's (taller) girlfriend whom he saved from a bug after she was hit by Senbei's shrink gun.
Unchi-kun (うんち君 Mr. Poop)
Template:Anime voice (Anime 1), Chika Sakamoto (Anime 2)
One of several coiled poos (much like soft ice cream) that appears occasionally, tends to have a sense of justice in general, has feet to run around with (in Japanese children's books, a similar character with the same name appears to teach children potty training)
Toriyama (トリヤマ)
Template:Anime voice (bird, robot) and Hideyuki Tanaka (human) (Anime 1)
The creator of the series, he frequently appears as in the story, usually represented by a bird (the tori in Toriyama means bird), a robot, or a man wearing a surgical mask. Also, in vol. 8, he makes a race. Arale seems to have won, but Toriyama said that he won, and was most likely banned from the town.
Matsuyama (松山)
Toriyama's 2nd assistant.
Template:Anime voice
Makusa (マクサ)
Takoyaki cook, the model of this character is Akira Sakuma, a notable game designer and a co-author of Toriyama's book.

[edit] Films

  1. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: Hello! Wonder Island (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん ハロー!不思議島, Dr. Slump Arare-chan Harō! Fushigi Jima) (1981)
  2. Dr. Slump: "Hoyoyo!" Space Adventure (Dr.SLUMP “ほよよ！”宇宙大冒険) (1982)
  3. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: Hoyoyo, Great Round-the-World Race (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん ほよよ世界一周大レース, Dr. Slump Arare-chan Hoyoyo Sekai Isshū Dai-Rēsu) (1983)
  4. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: Hoyoyo! The Treasure of Nanaba Castle (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん ほよよ!ナナバ城の秘宝, Dr. Slump Arare-chan Hoyoyo! Nanaba-jō no Hihō) (1984)
  5. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: Hoyoyo! Dream Capital Mecha Police (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん ほよよ!夢の都メカポリス, Dr. Slump Arare-chan Hoyoyo! Yume no Miyako Meka Porisu) (1985)
  6. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: N-cha! Penguin Village is Swelling Then Fair (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん んちゃ!ペンギン村はハレのち晴れ, Dr. Slump Arare-chan N-cha! Pengin-mura wa Hare nochi Hare) (1993)
  7. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: N-cha! Love Comes From Penguin Village (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん んちゃ!ペンギン村より愛をこめて, Dr. Slump Arare-chan N-cha! Pengin-mura yori Ai wo komete) (1993)
  8. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: Hoyoyo!! Follow the Rescued Shark... (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん ほよよ!!助けたサメに連れられて…, Dr. Slump Arare-chan Hoyoyo!! Tasuketa Same ni Tsurerarete...) (1994)
  9. Dr. Slump and Arale Norimaki-chan: N-cha!! Trembling Heart of the Summer (Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん んちゃ!!わくわくハートの夏休み, Dr. Slump Arare-chan N-cha!! Wakuwaku Hāto no Natsuyasumi) (1994)
  10. Dr. Slump: Arale Norimaki's Surprise (ドクタースランプ アラレのびっくりバーン Doctor Slump: Arare no Bikkuri Bān) (1999)
  11. Dr. Mashirito and Abale-chan (Dr.マシリト アバレちゃん Doctor Mashirito Abare-chan) (March 3rd, 2007) [1]

[edit] In-universe crossovers

After the original manga ended, the characters of Dr. Slump returned for an extended cameo in Toriyama's next manga and anime series Dragon Ball, (chapters 70-73, or manga volume 7.) Arale Norimaki and Goku briefly team up to help Goku defeat General Blue during the General Blue Saga. Arale Norimaki also makes a smaller cameo in the third Dragon Ball movie, Mystical Adventure and in the third Dragon Ball Z movie, The Tree of Might as a picture on Gohan's wall. She and all the other residents of Penguin Village make an appearance in the second portion of the Dragon Ball series "Dragon Ball Z" during the Kid Buu Saga, giving their energy to Goku's Super Spirit Bomb. Because of these cameos (and other similarities), many fans consider the two series as taking place in the same fictional universe. The manga cameo showed a distinct change in the author's art style by that time, making Arale Norimaki and the gang look somewhat bloated. The characters later appeared in the third manga called "Chotto Kaettekita Dr. Slump" (loosely translated: "Dr. Slump Returns, But Only For a Little While"). Suppaman also makes a brief cameo, trying to stop General Blue. When General Blue proves his strength Suppaman promptly begs for forgiveness for his earlier taunts (he tried to show off being strong by breaking 3 bricks with one punch, which also hurts his hand. General Blue then promptly lifts and crushes a phone booth effortlessly). Goku also makes a brief cameo, trying to stop Mashirito (in the manga and anime).

[edit] Influence on Japanese culture

Template:Unreferenced section Trademark expressions from the manga include:

  • "N-cha" (Senbei's greeting and apparently a truncation of "konnichiwa"; also used by Arale).
  • "Bye-cha".
  • "Hoyoyo" (an expression used by Arale Norimaki to signify bewilderment or mild confusion).
  • "Kiiiiiin" (Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of an airplane engine).

These expressions had gone on to become part of Japanese culture. In addition, the round glasses Arale wears have inspired the Japanese phrase "arare megane" (Arale Norimaki glasses).

In the manga, Toriyama himself has been portrayed as a bird (the "tori" in his last name means "bird", hence the name of his production studio Bird Studio), although Toriyama actually based the design of Senbei on himself (as a number of American comic strip artists have been known to do). He has also portrayed himself as a small robot with dark goggles, and simply a middle-aged man with dark sunglasses and contagion mask (signifying anonymity). In addition, other real people made appearances as well, such as Toriyama's bosses (like Torishima), assistants, and wife, Toriyama's colleague friends (like Masakazu Katsura), and others.

[edit] Anime staff

  • Director: Minoru Okazaki, Yoshiki Shibata, Daisuke Nishio, Akinori Nagaoka
  • Character Designs: Shinji Koike
  • Animation Director: Shinji Koike
  • Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi

[edit] Games

In Jump Super Stars, Arale Norimaki and Mashirito are battle koma (playable characters), with the latter as the game's main antagonist. They both return in the sequel, Jump Ultimate Stars, in the exact same roles. Senbei Norimaki isn't playable but is a Help Koma that can strengthen Arale Norimaki if his Koma is adjacent to Arale Norimaki's Koma.

In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Arale Norimaki appears as a playable character.

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 (Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
  2. ↑ Amazon.co.jp： Dr.スランプ アラレちゃん DVD-BOX SLUMP THE BOX んちゃ編: DVD: 小山茉美,内海賢二,向井真理子,杉山佳寿子,古川登志夫,神保なおみ,玄田哲章,鳥山明

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Dr._Slump"