The trailer for the new “Superman” movie is finally here, and the stakes are high. The entirety of James Gunn’s new DC universe is entirely based on the success of this film. The film also introduces an all-new Superman for a new generation, who – much like when “The Flash” was released in 2023 – must also deal with viewers who have recently come to know and love a phenomenal character (arguably of all time). awesome) iteration of the titular superhero across the small screen thanks to “Superman & Lois.” It doesn’t help that the CW show already covers much of the same ground as Gunn’s film (Superman’s relationship with Lois, Superman has a dogand his fight with a scarier than usual Lex Luthor).

The trailer for “Superman” does a lot of things right, like establishing that Superman and Clark Kent are in fact different for reasons beyond their respective hairstyles, fantastic casting, and its overall sense of optimism. Seeing Superman actually help the kids is such a small but impactful thing.

Yet there is one particular trailer that has been making waves online. No, not Guy Gardner’s ridiculous haircutnor Krypto being the best boy. Instead, it’s the very first visual in the trailer, with a defeated Superman lying in the snow, curled up. It’s a trite image in itself and simply serves to show that Superman has just recently faced something powerful enough to beat him temporarily (to the point that he has to ask Krypto to take him home). What makes the photo so curious, however, is that it clearly recalls an iconic death pose from arguably the greatest anime series of all time.

Indeed, the visual of Superman lying half-dead in a snow ditch bears a distinct resemblance to Yamcha’s iconic death pose in “Dragon Ball Z.” In case you need a refresher, Yamcha is one of the first allies and friends of the legendary “Dragon Ball” protagonist, Goku, in this series. Although he starts out as a bandit trying to steal from 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” series to “Dragon Ball Z,” the stakes get higher and higher, and being a brilliant martial artist isn’t enough. Hell, even learning to literally fly isn’t enough.

During the first arc of “Dragon Ball Z”, Yamcha and the other protagonists of the series face Saiyan Vegeta and his army of Saibamen. The Saiyan hopes to organize a little game to see which race is superior. In an attempt to buy time for Goku’s arrival, Yamcha volunteers to fight in place of his friend Krillin, knowing that the latter can no longer be brought back to life with the Dragon Balls. But although it appears to be stronger than the Saibaman, the alien creature blows itself up, and Yamcha with it.

This is indeed a point of contention between 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 (aside from Goku and Piccolo), die was a shock. This not only meant that the stakes were higher than ever, but also that Vegeta and the others had to be taken seriously and that the fights were now on an interplanetary scale. It was also a very emotional death, with Krillin breaking down over his friend’s sacrifice for him. However, for many American fans who only watched “Dragon Ball Z” when it aired on ToonamiYamcha’s death may have seemed quite humorous (in the sense that this is a guy who talked a big game but immediately took to the fight).

Regardless of the fractions when the episode aired, the pose of Yamcha lying dead in a crater became one of the most iconic images in “Dragon Ball” and all of anime. It’s been referenced and paid tribute to death, as much if not more than the bike slide in “Akira”. There’s even a 60-foot-long statue of dead Yamcha in a Chinese art museum, in addition to his various figurines. Everything from “Naruto” to “Deadpool” and even video games like “Valorant” have already referenced Yamcha’s death; now, in a full circle moment, it’s the Man of Steel’s turn.

“Dragon Ball” and Superman have a long shared history. Akira Toriyama, creator of Goku, was a huge fan of Man of Steel. In the precursor to “Dragon Ball,” “Dr. Slump,” Toriyama included a parody of the character called Sourman (or Suppaman in Japanese), whose secret identity is journalist 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 a sort of homage to Superman. Although the original “Dragon Ball” was very inspired by “Journey to the West” and Sun Wukong the Monkey King, the second part, ‘Dragon Ball Z’ Pivoted and Retconned Goku’s Origin to Essentially Be Kal-El. Rather than just an eccentric boy with a monkey tail, Goku (birth name Kakarot) became an alien belonging to a race of supers originating from a planet that was destroyed. Goku was sent to Earth by his parents as a baby, just like Kal-El, and raised by humans. The first time Goku meets other members of his race, they also end up being coded by General Zod (meaning they are evil beings destined to conquer Earth).

It changed “Dragon Ball” forever and started a cycle of one franchise influencing the other that continues to this day. You see, Goku wasn’t sent away from his planet because his parents loved him and wanted him to have a better life. Instead, he was sent to Earth to become its conqueror, as it turns out Saiyan culture is all about taking over other planets and bending them to their will. The only reason it failed was because Goku hit his head upon arrival and lost his memory.

This idea of ​​a race of supermen being evil and violent has since become much more prevalent in pop culture, from the Viltrumites in “Invincible” to “My Adventures with Superman,” coming full circle with Supergirl acting as Raditz to Clark’s Goku and her explaining that the Kryptonian Empire aimed to conquer the universe. Just like Superman inspired “Dragon Ball” 40 years ago, the iconic animated franchise is now influencing Man of Steel, and that’s very cool to see.

“Superman” will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.