Dragon Ball Z fans are obsessed with one moment from the Dark Superman trailer

The trailer for the new “Superman” movie has finally been released, and the stakes are high. Overall James Gunn’s new DC Universe film is based entirely on the success of this film. The film also introduces a brand-new Superman for a new generation, one who – much like the debut of The Flash in 2023 – also has to contend with a TV audience who has only recently come to know and love an exceptional (arguably of all time) character. Great) Iteration of the superhero through the small screen thanks to “Superman & Lois.” It doesn’t help that said CW show has already covered a lot of the same ground that Gunn’s movie will cover (Superman’s relationship with Lois, Superman gets a dogAnd his fight with Lex Luthor is even scarier than usual).

“Superman” trailer. It does a lot of things right, like establishing that Superman and Clark Kent actually look different for reasons beyond their respective hairstyles, great acting, and overall sense of optimism. Seeing Superman actually helping kids is a small but touching thing.

However, there is one particular publicity shot that has caused a stir online. No no Guy Gardner’s ridiculous haircutNor is Crypto the good boy. Instead, it’s the first image in the trailer, showing a defeated Superman lying in the snow. It’s an unremarkable image in itself and simply serves to show that Superman has only encountered something powerful enough to temporarily overpower him (to the point where he has to ask Krypto to bring him home). But what makes the shot so intriguing is that it’s clearly reminiscent of the iconic death pose from arguably the greatest anime show of all time.

In fact, the image of Superman lying half-dead in a snowy trench bears a clear resemblance to Yamcha’s famous death pose in Dragon Ball Z. In case you need a reminder, Yamcha is one of the closest allies and friends of legendary “Dragon Ball” hero Goku in that Series. Despite starting out as a bandit trying to steal Goku, Yamcha turns his life around and becomes one of the strongest and most skilled martial artists on the entire planet.

Unfortunately, as we move from the original “Dragon Ball” show to “Dragon Ball Z,” the stakes are higher than ever, and it’s not enough to be a brilliant martial artist. Hell, even literally learning to fly isn’t enough.

During the first arc of “Dragon Ball Z”, Yamcha and the other characters of the series face off against Saiyan Vegeta and his army of Saibamen. The Saiyans hope to arrange a small game to see which race is superior. In an attempt to buy time for Goku’s arrival, Yamcha volunteers to fight in his friend Krillin’s place, knowing that he cannot be brought back to life with the Dragon Balls again. But despite being stronger than Saibaman, the alien blew himself up and walked with him.

This is actually a point of contention among fans of the franchise. For those who watched the original “Dragon Ball,” seeing Yamcha, who was truly one of the strongest characters in the series (except for Goku and Piccolo) die was a shock. Not only did this mean that the stakes were higher than ever, but also that Vegeta and the others had to be taken more seriously and the battles were now on an interplanetary scale. It was a very emotional death as well, as Krillin broke down over his friend sacrificing himself for him. Though, for many American fans who just watched “Dragon Ball Z” when it aired on ToonamiYamcha’s death can be very funny (meaning he’s a guy who talked a big game but immediately becomes embroiled in combat).

Regardless of which parts of the episode aired, Yamcha’s pose lying dead in a hole has become one of the most iconic images in “Dragon Ball” and all of anime. It’s referenced and honored to death, as much if not more than the bike slide in “Akira.” There is also a 60-foot-tall statue of the Dead Yamcha in a Chinese art museum, as well as his various characters. Everything from “Naruto” to “Deadpool” and even video games like “Valorant” have already referenced Yamcha’s death; Now, in a moment when things are complete, it is the Man of Steel’s turn.

“Dragon Ball” and Superman have a long common history. Akira Toriyama, Goku’s creator, was a huge fan of the Man of Steel. In the introduction to “Dragon Ball”, “Dr. Slump”, Toriyama included a parody of the character called Sourman (or Suppaman in Japanese), whose secret identity is reporter Kuraaku Kenta. He has no powers of his own and doesn’t really have a sense of justice, but he changes clothes in a phone booth like Superman did back in the day.

Even Goku is kind of a tribute to Superman. Although the original “Dragon Ball” was very inspired by “Journey to the West” and Sun Wukong the Monkey King, the sequel, “Dragon Ball Z” rotated Goku’s origin and retconned him into essentially Kal-El. Instead of just a quirky boy with a monkey tail, Goku (birth name Kakarot) is an alien belonging to a race of superhuman beings hailing from a destroyed planet. Goku was sent away to Earth by his parents as an infant, as Kal-El, and was raised by humans. The first time Goku encounters other members of his race, they end up being very coded by General Zod as well (i.e. they are evil beings set on conquering Earth).

This changed Dragon Ball forever, and began a cycle of one franchise influencing another that continues to this day. You see, Goku wasn’t sent away from his planet because his parents loved him and wanted a better life for him. Instead, he was sent to Earth to become its conqueror because it turns out that Saiyan culture is all about controlling other planets and bending them to his will. The only reason this failed is because Goku hit his head upon arriving and lost his memories.

The idea of ​​a supernatural being being evil and violent has become more prevalent in popular culture since then, from the Viltrumites in “Invincible” to “My Adventures With Superman,” bringing it full circle with Supergirl serves as Raditz to Goku Clark Her explanation was that the Kryptonian Empire was about conquering the universe. Just as Superman inspired Dragon Ball 40 years ago, the iconic animated series is now influencing the Man of Steel, and that’s pretty cool to see.

“Superman” hits theaters on July 11, 2025.