It's Over 9000!

It's Over 9000! is a particularly famous change made for the English localizations of the Dragon Ball Z episode "The Return of Goku" (and its unedited counterpart, "Goku's Arrival") that was spoken by Vegeta's original English voice actor, Brian Drummond in the Ocean dub of the series. It has since become a popular internet meme that spread across YouTube, with the original video clip getting over 13 million views and spoofs of the clip getting a large amount of views as well.

Overview

WHATNINETHOUSAND — "What!? 9000!? There's no way that can be right!"

Originally posted on October 17, 2006, the meme was started by user Kajetokun. It shows Vegeta angrily crushing his scouter several times while repeating "It's Over 9000!!!" in response to Nappa's questioning of Goku's power level. The meme has spread across the world, with the video having received millions of views and is even referenced in certain games of the series, like Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.

In most versions, Vegeta actually says "It's over 8000!" However, even in the Remastered Uncut FUNimation dub, Vegeta still says "It's over 9000!", now performed by Christopher Sabat. This change was made due to inconsistencies with the dubbing process, where 9000 fit the mouth flaps of the animation better. However, fans complained about the FUNimation version lacking the drama and energy in the original version. They also complained about Christopher Sabat's voice being too calm-sounding for the scene, unlike Brian Drummond's, which had a lot of anger in it.

It is possible for over 9,000 to be correct, since it is over 8,000. This has occurred several other times where power levels are given more as estimates than accurate figures. For instance, Gohan's retaliation against Nappa is given as over 2,800, and Frieza's power level is given as "over one million!". Later on, Frieza claims his power level is only 1% of his full power, when in actuality, it is 10% of his maximum power according to Daizenshuu 7. Despite such, however, Vegeta has a given power level of being 18,000 to which, Goku with Kaio-ken of at least 3x would be above, making Goku the superior in their fight. However, the opposite is shown making it near impossible for Goku to actually have a power level figure above 9,000.

Quotes

Interestingly, it seems only English and Hindi versions have this change:

In the original Japanese version

Nappa: カカロットの戦闘力はいくつですか。 (What is Kakarrot's battle power?)
Vegeta: 八千以上だ！(It's over 8000!)
Nappa: 八千以上？それは何か間違いだ！故障だぜ！(Higher than 8000? There's something wrong! It's a malfunction!)

In the Ocean dub - Dragon Ball Z

Nappa: Vegeta! What does the scouter say about his power level?
Vegeta: (removes his scouter and crushes it) It's over 9000!
Nappa: What!? 9000!? There's no way that can be right! Could it!?

In the FUNimation dub - Dragon Ball Z

Nappa: Vegeta! What did you say his power level is!?
Vegeta: (while crushing his scouter at the same time) It's over 9000! Raagh!
Nappa: 9000!? There's no way that can be right! It can't!

In the FUNimation dub - Dragon Ball Z Kai - Nicktoons/Toonzai Version;

Nappa: Vegeta! Vegeta! What's wrong with you!? Tell me what his power level is!
Vegeta: (while crushing his scouter at the same time) It's over 9000!
Nappa: What!? 9000!? You've got to be kidding me, that thing's a piece of junk!

In the FUNimation dub - Dragon Ball Z Kai - DVD/Blu-ray/Toonami Version

Nappa: Vegeta! What does the scouter say about his power level!?
Vegeta: (while crushing his scouter at the same time) It's over 8000! Daugh!
Nappa: 8000!? C'mon, that can't be right! It must be broken or something!

In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

Nappa: V-Vegeta, what's Kakarot's power level?
Vegeta: It's over 9000!
Nappa: Over 9000!? That's got to be some kind of mistake! It's a malfunction!

In Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit

Nappa: V-Vegeta! What does the scouter say about his power level!?
Vegeta: (while crushing his scouter at the same time) It's over 9000!
Nappa: What!? Nine thousand!? That can't be right! It must be broken! (to Goku) Cause there's no way you're stronger than me!

In Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi

Nappa: What does the scouter say about his power level?
Vegeta: It's over 9000!
Nappa: What!? Nine thousand!?

In Dragon Ball Z For Kinect

Nappa: Vegeta! What does the scouter say about his power level?
Vegeta: It's over 9000!
Nappa: What!? Nine thousand!?

In the Hebrew version

Nappa: מה עוצמת הלחימה של קאקארוטו עכשיו מקיטה? (What is Kakaroto's fighting power now Makita?)
Vegeta: !הרבה יותר משמונת אלפים (A lot more than 8000!)
Nappa:(8000!? That can't be! The device must be broken!) שמונת אלפים?! זה לא יכול להיות המכשיר וודאי מקולקל

In the Mandarin version

Nappa: Quick, tell me, what is his power level?
Vegeta: It's already over 8000!
Nappa: Huh? Over 8000? This must be wrong! The scouter must be broken!

In the Cantonese version

Nappa: 格古洛的戰鬥力數值是多少? (How much is the fighting capacity of Gaakgulok?)
Vegeta: 超過了八千! (It has exceeded 8000!)
Nappa: 什麼? 機器肯定有問題! 不可能的! (What? The machine certainly has a problem! It's impossible!)

In the German version

Nappa: Check it again, Vegeta. How high is his power level now?
Vegeta: It's way over 8000! Arrgh!
Nappa: Way over 8000? But this no way possible! It's a faulty device!

In the Brazilian version

Nappa: Por favor, diga logo qual é o poder de luta do Kakaroto. (Please, say at once what is Kakarotto's fight power.)
Vegeta: Argh, é de mais de 8000. (Argh, it's more than 8000!)
Nappa: Mais de 8000? Isso deve ser um engano! Esse aparelho deve estar quebrado! (More than 8000!? This must be a mistake! This device must be broken!)

In the Brazilian Dragon Ball Z Kai version

Nappa: Vegeta! Afinal, quanto é o poder de luta do Kakaroto? (Vegeta! At last, how much is Kakarotto's fight power?)
Vegeta: É superior à 8000! (It's over 8000!)
Nappa: Superior à 8000? Mas deve ter alguma coisa errada! Isso aí deve tá quebrado! (Over 8000? But something must be wrong! This thing must be broken!)

In the Portuguese version

Nappa: Please, tell me how many units is his (Goku) force.
Vegeta: It's above the 8000 units!
Nappa: That's not possible! Your device is broken for sure! He can't be that strong!

In the Latin American version

Nappa: Por favor, dime ¿cuál es el poder de pelea de Kakaroto? (Please tell me, how much is Kakarroto's battle power?)
Vegeta: ¡Es de más de 8000! (It's of more than 8000!)
Nappa: ¿Qué? ¿8000? Debe ser un error, la máquina sufrió una descompostura. (What? 8000? Must be a mistake, the machine has suffered a breakdown!)

In the Latin American Dragon Ball Z Kai version

Nappa: Vegeta, ¿qué pasa contigo? Dime cuál es su poder de pelea. (What's wrong, Vegeta? Tell me how much his battle power is.)
Vegeta: ¡Es de más de 9000! Arghhh! (It's of more than 9000! Arghhh!)
Nappa: ¿Qué dices? ¿9000? Tiene que ser una broma, esa porquería no sirve. (What did you say? 9000? Must be a joke, that piece of trash is useless!)

In the Spanish version

Nappa: ¿A cuántas unidades de combate se eleva su fuerza ahora? (In how many battle units does his strength increase now?)
Vegeta: ¡Está muy por encima de las 8000! (It's a lot above 8000!)
Nappa: ¡Eso es imposible! (That's impossible!)

In the Galician version

Nappa: How many battle units does his strength increase in this moment?
Vegeta: It's a lot above 8000!
Nappa: That's impossible! Your device doesn't work, humans aren't so strong! (dialogue was adapted from Spanish)

In the Danish version

Nappa: Does it keep rising or what!? What is it now!?
Vegeta: It is much more than 8000!
Nappa: 8000!? That can't be true! There must be something wrong with the sensor!

In the Italian version

Nappa: How high has Kakaroto's battle level got?
Vegeta: More than 8000, damn it!
Nappa: That's impossible! That stupid tool doesn't work, I've already told you!

In the Hindi version

Nappa: Vegeta! What is his power level by that scouter?
Vegeta: More than 9000!
Nappa: What! 9000!

In the Greek version

Nappa: Where has his power reached now? Tell me!
Vegeta: It' has gone beyond 8000,
Nappa: Over 8000? I can't believe it! Maybe the scouter is broken!

In the italian Manga First Edition vol. 29

In the Manga Comic-Vol. 3: Earth vs. The Saiyans

Nappa: V-Vegeta... What was Kakarrot's power again!?
Vegeta: Over... 8000...
Nappa: 8000...!? It's a mistake! It's broken!

In the Spanish Manga's First Edition: Issue 106-Goku's Rage

Nappa: Ve...Vegeta! Where does Kakaroto's attack capacity arrive?
Vegeta: [It arrives] As far as 8000...?
Nappa: Over 8000...? It has to be a mistake!! This device is a junk!

In the Spanish Manga's Remastered Edition: Vol. 19-Go Son Goku

Nappa: Ve...Vegeta! Where does Kakaroto's attack strength arrive?
Vegeta: Over 8000...!
Nappa: Over 8000...!!? It's a mistake!! That device is a junk!

In the Hungarian version: (adapted from the French dub)

Nappa: And where is it now? How many units does his fighting capacity reach?
Vegeta: Far above 8000!
Nappa: That cannot be! Sure you're seeing it right? He can't be this strong!

In the Thai version

Nappa: ตอนนี้พลังของเจ้าคาคาล็อตเท่าไหร่แล้วเหรอครับเฮีย? (How much is Kakaroto's battle power?)
Vegeta: มากกว่า 8 พันน่ะ! (It's higher than 8,000!)
Nappa: โอ้! มากกว่า 8 พัน!? (Oh! Higher than 8,000?)

In the Thai Dragon Ball Z Kai version

Nappa: เบจิต้า ตอนนี้พลังต่อสู้ของเจ้าคาคาล็อตมันเท่าไหร่กันห๊ะ! (Vegeta, what's Kakaroto's power level?)
Vegeta: มากกว่า 8 พันน่ะ ฮึ้ย! (It's higher than 8,000!)
Nappa: มากกว่า 8 พัน...!? โอ๊ย! แบบนั้นมันไม่ใช่แล้วมั้ง เครื่องพังรึเปล่า!? (Over 8000...!!? It's a mistake!! That device is a junk!)

In the Polish Dragon ball Z version

Nappa: A teraz? Ile wskazuje? Ile wynosi jego siła ciosu? (And now? How much does it show? What is his attack's strength?)
Vegeta: Grubo ponad osiem tysięcy! (Far above 8000!)
Nappa: Niemożliwe! Popsuł ci się detektor! Nie może być tak silny! (Impossible! Your detector has broken down! He cannot be that strong!)

Notable references to the meme

In addition to being referenced in future English Dragon Ball media, the Over 9,000 meme has been referenced in numerous other venues.

In other Dragon Ball media

Dragon-ball-z-its-over-9000-ebook-cover — *Dragon Ball Z 'It's Over 9,000!' When Worldviews Collide* by Derek Padula

The book Dragon Ball Z 'It's Over 9,000!' When Worldviews Collide by Derek Padula, explains the Over 9,000 meme's full history and relevance in pop culture, while providing a complete psychological analysis of Goku and Vegeta's colliding worldviews.
Dragon Ball Z Kai has two separate dubs of the line: the edited TV version (aired on Nicktoons and The CW's Toonzai block) stating "it's over 9000", while the uncut home video version (also shown on Adult Swim's Toonami block) has the correct "it's over 8,000".
In Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Vegeta again says "It's Over 9,000", as in the English dub of the anime. The game was localized by FUNimation, based on their version of the anime.
The meme was directly referenced during the trailer for the Dragon Box. Vegeta, who presents the trailer says, "Can you feel the Dragon Box's power? It's Over 9000!"
TeamFourStar, as part of their abridged series of Dragon Ball Z, had a minor running joke of seemingly avoiding saying the infamous "9000" line. In one instance (during a trailer promoting episode 9 of the abridged series), Nappa scolds Vegeta for not doing the line correctly, saying "8000" instead of "9000", though Vegeta retorts that he did. (referencing the proper "Over 8000" translation). In episode 9, where the fourth-wall-breaking Nappa is blatantly goading Vegeta into delivering the line, Vegeta's scanner reads Goku as having a power level of 1,006, later realizing he had his scouter upside down after Nappa is beaten badly. When he does carry out the line, it is in a completely deadpan manner, crushing the scouter with a completely indifferent, bored "Rah." grunt. When asked why he sounded so bored, Vegeta merely replies that Goku is still not a threat to him. The "proper" line was finally delivered in Dragon Ball Z Kai Abridged, a gag clip summarizing the entire Saiyan story arc within a few minutes.
In the PlayStation 3 version of Ultimate Tenkaichi, the name of the platinum trophy obtained by collecting all other trophies is "OVER 9000!!!!"
The trophy gained for unlocking all achievements in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z is called "Over 9000".
A Toonami promo for Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters features a clip from the Cell Games Reenactment of Fake Vegeta (voiced by Nick Landis/Lanipator of Team Four Star using his abridged series voice for Vegeta) saying, "His coolness is over nine-thousand!" as Fake Mr. Satan fights Fake Cell.
In the second chapter of Dragon Ball Side Story: The Case of Being Reincarnated as Yamcha, upon Yamcha's arrival to the battlefield Nappa asks what his power level is and Vegeta states that "It's Over 10,000!"

In non-Dragon Ball related media

The meme is commonly spoofed in YouTube viral videos. One particularly famous reference occurred on the Oprah Show. A YouTuber and fan of "It's over 9000!" submitted an email to Oprah during a week devoted to pedophilia. In the email, the YouTuber jokingly claimed to be "part of an organization "Over 9000!" strong, all raping children." Oprah famously read the the email out loud on her show, believing it to be true. This incident became known as "Oprah 9000".
In LittleKuriboh's "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series," the stinger for the end of Episode 14 featured the meme, with Weevil Underwood as Nappa and Rex Raptor as Vegeta - Noah's Life Point counter shows 9,300.
In Issue 22 of the Sonic Universe comic series, Marine the Raccoon guesses Omega's weight to be over 9,000. This is rather fitting as Omega is a robot with a multitude of hidden weapons.
In the Cartoon Network series MAD, in the skit "Gray's in Anime", the nurse tells the doctor "His heart rate is over 9000!" with the doctor replying "What? Over 9000!? That's impossible! I'm gonna have to power up to Super Surgeon!" Upon saying this, the doctor's hair becomes that of a Super Saiyan and his shirt disappears. This episode also makes reference to other manga and anime series, like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon.
In Carbot Animations' "StarCrafts" cartoon parody series of the PC game, StarCraft II (Wings of Liberty/Heart of the Swarm), in Season 2, Episode 11, "Power Overwhelming," when the High Templar and Dark Templar merged to become an Archon, a Terran Marine scanned it with his helmet; it read "9000+" before it shattered.
There is a reference in the game World of Warcraft. A player who gains 9000 achievement points gains the achievement "It's Over Nine Thousand!"
In the game Monday Night Combat, there is an unlockable Highlight ProTag called "Over 9000." It reveals an icon of a bag that has an obvious resemblance to the Four-Star Dragon Ball. This can be gained by receiving over $9000 in lifetime earnings in the game.
In the game Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, the famous "Over 9000" meme is referenced after the "Triple Wave Armor" is unlocked. The description for this is "Surprisingly, funneled Electroshock capacitor energy at the right frequency through both Wildfire and Sludge Mk. 9 armor parts created a recursive feedback loop that dramatically increased the potential peak power output, nearly into the Petagigawatt range. As one Gadgetron research scientist famously reported, "It's over nine thousaaand!!!"
Yet another PlayStation 3 game inFamous 2 makes a reference to the Over 9000 meme when one of the posters in the city says "Over 9000 clubs".
The Over 9000 meme is also featured in the Nintendo DS game Scribblenauts and its Wii U/PC counterpart Scribblenauts Unlimited: if "Over nine thousand" is written, then a monocle (in reference to Vegeta's scouter) is offered.
Another Nintendo DS game Ninjatown, also features the well-known meme.
In the Nintendo DS game Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, when you talk to a character named Sal Manella he'll say "IT'S OVER 9000!".
The popular MMO-RPG World of Warcraft also features the "Over 9000!" meme as a Feat of Strength.
Another MMORPG (RuneScape) has a monster named the "Ferret of Doom" with a combat level of 9001.
- Also, during the quest Ritual of the Mahjarrat, Azzanadra is seen hitting Lucien for 9001 points of damage.
In the PC game Magicka, if a player manages to do over 9000 points of damage to an enemy, they will earn the "It's over nine thousand!!!!" achievement with an icon of a Wizard powering up in the same manner as Goku.
One of the achievements in the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero 5 (and a trophy on the PlayStation 3 version) is titled "Over 9000!" in reference to the internet meme.
In the iOS and Android game Jetpack Joyride, a clothing item called "Powered Up Hair" contains a head with green eyes and a hairstyle that reminds Super Saiyan adult Gohan and supposed to be a Super Saiyan version of the main character BARRY. Its description says "We are not really sure what the power level of this hair is. It's probably a lot". It costs 9001 coins as an obvious reference to the popular meme "It's Over 9000!"
In the game Street Fighter X Tekken, Bryan Fury has JACK-X scan Guy and Cody to determine if they are tough. JACK-X reveals that each of them have battle power levels over 9,000.
In the game League of Legends, Pulsefire Ezreal asks his scouter what is the power level of the enemies and the scouter responds that there are no enemies with power level over 9000.
One of the skill challenges in Forza Horizon is called "Over 9000". It is awarded to the player for accumulating a skill point chain of at least 9,001 points.
In the space-flight simulator Kerbal Space Program, there is a science module named "SC-9001 Science Jr."
In the 2011 freeware independent game Nitronic Rush, there is an achievement earned by getting over 9000 points called "Over 9000".
In the video games Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, after defeating Psychic Robert, he says "Wow, your Pokémon's power levels are incredible! They're over 9,000 for sure!"
WWE superstar Xavier Woods has "Over 9000" written on his tights.^[1] In addition, on the January 8, 2014 episode of WWE NXT, he wore a T-shirt featuring a black silhouette of Vegeta in the famous scouter-crushing position (with a white glove), in front of a white silhoutette of a powering-up Goku, with the words "It's over 9000!" underneath, and he made the claim that he himself is "over nine thousaaaaaand!" His team, The New Day, would later use attire originating from Dragon Ball Z for their entrance at WrestleMania 32.
In the mobile and PC game Deus Ex: The Fall, there's an unlockable achievement, "It's Over 9000!", earned by spending 9001 credits on the in-game store.
In 3DMark (Steam version) Scoring over 9000 in Fire Strike unlocks achievement "It's over 9000!!!". achievement's description is "Fire Strike over 9000? There's no way that could be right."
In the Atelier801's game Transformice you can earn the title «It's Over 9000» by collecting 9001 cheese in stats.
In the game Dota 2, Invoker has a cosmetic item called "Magus Apex", which highly resembles a Super Saiyan, while its description references the widespread meme.
In the Viz Media dub of Sailor Moon, Umino, while discussing Ami's academic achievements, exclaimed that she had an IQ that was over 9,000.
In the Nintendo Wii exclusive first person shooter, Conduit 2. A check box saying "Over 9,000" will appear once the protagonist, Michael Ford finds all Progenitors (before the final battle) with his ASE.
Sie Kensou's story mode intro against Maxima in The King of Fighters XIII makes a reference to the "Over 9000" phrase.
In The Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures 2: ASSimilation, after finding the Swear'n'Scout, the achievement "What, 9000??" is unlocked.
The Xbox avatar store has an avatar item called "Power Level 9000", with which the user's avatar powers up.
The video game Payday 2 includes a weapon called the OVE 9000 saw.
In one scene of the FUNimation dub of Danganronpa: The Animation, when discussing a previous contest between characters Kiyotaka Ishimaru and Mondo Owada, Ishimaru says "Kamehame-forget-about-it!" to which Owada replies, "You're over 9000!" Interestingly, Owada is voiced by Christopher Sabat, the voice of Vegeta in the FUNimation dub of Dragon Ball Z.
In Achievement Hunter's video Let's Play Gmod: Murder Part 1 Michael and Gavin are both listed in the subtitles as 'Over 9000' versions of themselves, Michael yelling out that he had told the other players the murderer was Jack and Gavin followed up by asking who shot him in the face (which turned out to be Ryan). Michael and Ryan, along with Matt Bragg, are Dragon Ball Z fans, while Gavin is not.
During episode 6 of AlvinEarthworm's Super Mario Bros Z Red yells out the line after being asked what Turbo Mecha Sonic's power level was. Yellow follows up with Nappa's "WHAT, 9000?!?!?!?". Interestingly, the scouter simply read 'over 9000' while showing Pac-Man getting caught by a ghost.

References

↑ "Xavier Woods: NXT’s most captivating man", wwe.com

[1] "Xavier Woods: NXT’s most captivating man", wwe.com

[1]

It's Over 9000!

Contents

Overview

Quotes

Notable references to the meme

In other Dragon Ball media

Other popular comedic Dragon Ball videos

In non-Dragon Ball related media

See also

References

Fan Feed