“I would really love to be Android 18”: The WWE Legend Who Loves Dragon Ball So Much She Wants to Be In the Next DBZ Movie

Anime culture has seeped into the sports space including WWE. It is a growing cultural phenomenon that has shaped the society for decades. From actors to musicians, most celebrities have opened up about their love for anime.

Other than that, sports personalities in the recent past have shared their penchant for the series as well. Be it, John Cena or Rhea Ripley, wrestlers expressed their obsession with the art. But they might not be the only ones.

Son Goku in the anime | Credit: Toei Animation

A legendary Olympic wrestler couldn’t help but fawn over Akira Toriyama’s series in an interview. Her love for the series is such that she wishes to roleplay as one of the characters. But that is not all considering her knowledge of the arcs and characters.

Above all, though, it further reflects Toriyama sensei’s undying influence on future generations. His legacy lives on through his masterpiece that stands as a precursor for several groundbreaking Shonen series.

WWE Legend’s love for the Dragon Ball series

Apart from being one of the highest-grossing media franchises, Dragon Ball is considered the father of the Big 3 anime. It paved the way for most shonen anime through its impeccable power system and characterization.

For decades, most shonen series followed in Toriyama’s footsteps to fashion their heroes according to the ironclad rule. Be it the gluttonous hero or the overachieving persistent protagonist, the anime was a complete trailblazer in most aspects.

Ronda Rousey in Mile 22 | Credit: STX Entertainment

Not only that, it has continued to influence millions of readers and viewers worldwide. Many artists and mangaka have cited Toriyama’s series as an inspiration for their masterpieces.

Be it One Piece or Naruto, most Shonen manga reflect his influences in the series. But that is not all considering celebrities and their love for anime. Apart from Jackie Chan, WWE wrestler Ronda Rousey seems to be a die-hard fan.

In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Rousey revealed her love for Toriyama’s series. She quoted:

The thing is I wish that they would do another Dragon Ball Z [movie].[Except] with the cell saga with the Androids and I would love to be Android 18.

In all honesty, Rousey would be a total badass considering her multifaceted nature as an artist. Apart from wrestling, she acted in Mile 22, Entourage, and Charlie’s Angels. She’s an expert in Judo and MMA as well.

All in all, her passion for anime is reflective of the mangaka’s undying legacy. The late mangaka not only revolutionized the shonen genre but redefined storytelling through his magnum opus. His legacy lives on, nonetheless.

Akira Toriyama’s legacy in the anime industry

Akira Toriyama’s journey as a mangaka is quite riveting considering his towering success. The mangaka experienced gargantuan obstacles during his initial years. This, however, did not stop him from pushing himself further.

After a series of failures, the mangaka received his first break with Doctor Slump. With Dragon Ball’s premiere in the 1980s, the series was brought into the limelight. Its viewership skyrocketed in the 1990s due to its global influence.

Kid Goku in the 1986 anime | Credit: Toei Animation

His passing in March 2024 affected the anime industry on the whole. With tributes pouring in, many mangaka gave their ode to the series. But that didn’t deter his legacy in any case.

After his demise, his final project continues to take the internet by storm. Toei went above and beyond in paying just and authentic tribute through their efforts. The studio left no stone unturned in breathing life into his final project.

Even decades after the series’ first premiere, Dragon Ball continues to have an ever-lasting impact on the shonen demographic.

Dragon Ball Z is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Viz.