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BARCELONA — The recent decision by Catalan public broadcaster TV3 to air Dragon Ball, a 1990s anime classic that marked an entire generation in the Catalonia region, in northeastern Spain, has revived the youthful memories for many of the millennial generation.
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The series, which was a cultural touchstone at the time, is returning to the screen as an attempt to boost audiences and connect with a deeply rooted collective nostalgia. But the comeback also raises important questions about the values the series conveys, the impact it had at the time and the responsibility of public television today.
Aired for the first time in the Catalan language in 1990, Dragon Ball was much more than just a cartoon series. It represented a cultural and linguistic bridge for thousands of viewers who, for the first time, watched television content in Catalan.
Linguistic relevance
This historic moment marked by the process of linguistic normalization after Franco’s dictatorship (1936 and 1975), the adaptation of this series on TV3 not only contributed to popularizing the Catalan language, but also consolidated Japanese anime as a mass phenomenon in Catalonia.
The incorporation of Catalan expressions and cultural references, such as the song “Remena nena” by Guillermina Motta sung by Master Roshi, was an example of how the series was adapted to the domestic context, creating an emotional bond with the audience. Back then, many children and young people associated their first contact with TV3 and Catalan with the adventures of Son Goku and his friends. This cultural and linguistic relevance was key to Dragon Ball transcending its genre and becoming a social phenomenon.
Despite its initial impact, the rebroadcast of Dragon Ball also forces us to reflect on the values it projects.
Outdated narrative
The series is deeply rooted in a narrative focused almost exclusively on combat, where physical strength and overcoming challenges are the main drivers of the action. Female characters, apart from a few exceptions, tend to occupy secondary roles, with no development giving them a pivotal part within the plot.
This shallow representation offers a stark contrast with the current anime landscape, which has evolved to address more complex and diverse themes.
Nostalgia is a powerful resource for television networks.
Contemporary series such as Mob Psycho 100 explore issues such as mental health, self-discovery, and human relationships, while others such as Vinland Saga delve into themes such as revenge, redemption and the cost of violence. These more nuanced narratives reflect an evolution in both the medium and the audience expectations.
The return of Dragon Ball must also be analyzed from a strategic perspective. Nostalgia is a powerful resource for television networks looking to capture the attention of fragmented audiences. Yet in the case of a public television channel, like TV3, it is necessary to ask whether this movement responds only to a marketing strategy or whether the cultural and educational impact of the content is also being valued.
TV3’s responsibility
At a time when public televisions face increasing pressure to compete with streaming platforms and social networks, it is tempting to resort to content with guaranteed success. But this trend cannot be set apart from the responsibility of offering programs that promote contemporary and relevant values.
In this sense, the rebroadcast of Dragon Ball seems more like a comfortable wink to the past than a brave commitment to the future.
TV3 has historically been a driver of innovation.
Rebroadcasting Dragon Ball thus opens a broader debate about the role of public television. TV3 has historically been a driver of innovation and a reference in quality content production. Yet it also has the responsibility to lead by example and to offer content that reflects the diversity and complexity of our current society.
Programming should not just be about competing in terms of audiences, but also fostering critical debate about the values conveyed on screen.
While Dragon Ball holds a special place in the collective memory, its re-broadcast could have been done jointly with updated context, such as debates or additional content exploring the impact of the series in its time and its relevance today. Nostalgia, like Trunks’ weapon, is always a double-edged sword.
