While reality is often stranger than fiction, exploring the real-world science of explainingDragon Ballcharacters rests among the strangest exercises. The physiology and Earthling parallels to Majin Buu are explored thanks to an interesting interview between entertainment analystMaishilo (found on X)and Hokkaido University professor and cellular biologist Dr. Hisashi Haga. Published on the officialDragon Ballwebsite, this interview explores the franchise under the microscope.From everything, including slime molds to mitochondria to osteoclasts, Buu has surprisingly fascinating counterparts on Earth, with Haga joking that only Saiyans could eradicate them.
Maishilo specializes in exploring hard sciences behind non-serious subjects, resulting in entertaining exercises like exploring the microbiology behind one ofDragon Ball’smost infamous villains. While Majin Buu has also expanded his lore with moments likeDragon Ball DAIMA’srevelation about his internal gasesbeing able to undo Potara Fusions, his regenerative abilities are among his most fascinating. In theDragon Balluniverse, despite him being rendered docile at the end of the Buu Saga,Majin Buu’s biology and unique threat to Earth are explored in a semi-serious light.
Majin Buu Likened to Slime Molds and Mitochondria in Dragon Ball by Cellular Biology Expert
There Are Creatures Like Buu on Earth!
Dr. Haga quickly observed Buu’s abilities to regenerate and reassembleby comparing him to real examples like the slime mold, cellular creatures that gather “when food runs out” into larger slug-like creatures. Slime molds are intelligent creatures, able to navigate mazes, with Buu being likened to a highly intelligent, aggressive one, able to circumvent the mold’s noteworthy shortcoming: “They move so slowly they appear to be stationary.” However, the microbiological comparisons for Majin Buu don’t end with slime molds inDragon Ball.
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Another comparison is to the mitochondria, the famous powerhouse of the cell, citing Buu’s abilities to absorb enemies to power up, with these real-world cell organelles dwelling in the human body. Dr. Haga also humors Maishilo’s inquiries about whether scientific advances can make humans like Buu. Haga refers to how differentiated cells would need to change back into different cells, something they currently cannot do. Concerning induced pluripotent stem cell research, Dr. Haga refers to advances toward such discoveries as “not impossible,” but naturally, one can assume this won’t create real-world Buu.
Dr. Haga Discusses Buu’s Threat in Dragon Ball
Attempting to eradicate them would only really be possible for a Saiyan
One of the most amusing parts of the interview dives into the particular threat Buu represents, where he is an aggressive relative of the slime mold. As they are found everywhere, an aggressive one would be difficult to eradicate before even considering those powerful enough to fight and defeat Earth’s mightiest warriors singlehandedly. Given the destructive power of Saiyans as a great fictional example, Dr. Haga jokes that"attempting to eradicate them would only really be possible for a Saiyan."
However, Buu’s claim to fame is that hesuccessfully destroyed Earth inDragon Ball Z,and Dr. Haga notes him as a potential agent for the universe’s evolution. One final comparison is to osteoclasts, cells that specialize in breaking down bones, paving the way for new ones to be made, with Buu’s destruction of Earth seen as potentially necessary in Dr. Haga’s eyes. But with plenty of other strong characters in theDragon Balluniverse, a superpowered slime mold, mitochondria, or osteoclast can feel comfortably at home.
Source:Dragon BallOfficial Website,Maishilo on X
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
