In an unexpected twist, Dragon Ball Z has been caught in the middle of a legal controversy in Texas. Kaboom Comics, a well-known store in Weslaco, removed several volumes of the series out of concern for a new state law called Senate Bill 20 (SB20). This decision highlights the tension between regulating content and preserving access to beloved classics.
Why Dragon Ball Z Was Removed
The removal was not due to poor sales. Instead, store manager Andrew Balderas explained that a few volumes contain lighthearted scenes where Goku appears nude as a child. These moments, created decades ago in a comedic context, are now viewed as risky under SB20. Balderas said it was safer to take them off display than risk legal action.
What SB20 Actually Says
Senate Bill 20, passed earlier this year, aimed to restrict inappropriate material generated with artificial intelligence. However, its wording states that any "representations, whether drawings, animations, or AI-created images" could fall under its scope. That ambiguity raises concerns for manga, anime, and comics with harmless but controversial content.
The Ripple Effect Across Stores and Fans
This case has triggered anxiety in bookstores and comic shops across the state. Owners wonder how they can review decades of material to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, fans fear that other iconic series could be pulled, creating an unintended wave of censorship in the manga and comic book community.
The Cultural Weight of Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is one of the most influential anime and manga franchises worldwide. For many readers, the scenes in question never felt offensive, but the uncertainty around SB20 places the series at risk in Texas. What was meant as a law to regulate AI has ended up restricting titles with cultural and artistic significance.
A Snapshot of the Debate
On one side, lawmakers defend the bill as necessary to address harmful digital creations. On the other, readers and retailers point to examples like Dragon Ball Z as proof that the law’s vague wording leads to overreach. This clash reveals how regulation can unintentionally affect works never designed to be harmful.
What's Next for Dragon Ball Z and Manga in Texas?
If SB20 continues to be enforced in its current form, more stores may remove manga titles as a precaution. Retailers could face mounting pressure to self-censor, while fans lose access to classics. Unless the law is clarified, both small businesses and the anime community will remain uncertain about the limits of compliance.
Why This Matters Beyond Texas
The Dragon Ball Z case is more than a local story. It illustrates how unclear legal language can impact global franchises and reshape access to art. For now, Goku stands as an unintended symbol in the wider debate over censorship, technology, and cultural preservation.
