“5 Legendary Facts from the Red Ribbon Army Arc in Dragon Ball”

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Author’s Note

The Red Ribbon Army arc is one of my absolute favorite parts of Dragon Ball.

This was when the series still had that adventure spirit—Goku was still a kid, but already full of courage and justice.

From facing Tao Pai Pai, to climbing Karin Tower, drinking the sacred water, and growing stronger through pure determination…

These volumes (probably around 7 to 9) captured everything that made Dragon Ball magical in the beginning.

Back then, it wasn’t just about power levels or world-ending threats.

It was about growing up, pushing yourself, and never giving up.

That’s the Dragon Ball I fell in love with.

🟥 1. The Red Ribbon Army Was Inspired by Classic Spy Villains

The Red Ribbon Army feels like a mix of James Bond villains and military dictators, with flashy uniforms, over-the-top technology, and secret bases.

Toriyama wanted a more “global” enemy after the Tenkaichi Budokai arc—and it worked brilliantly.

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🧍 2. Tao Pai Pai Was the First “Assassin” in Dragon Ball

Tao Pai Pai wasn’t just a villain—he was the first cold-blooded killer introduced in the series.

His calm demeanor, deadly precision, and brutal use of his tongue (yes, his tongue!) to kill shocked readers and raised the stakes of the story instantly.

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🗼 3. Karin Tower Introduced the Concept of “True Training”

The climb up Karin Tower and the training with Master Karin represented a huge shift in the story.

Instead of relying on outside help, Goku begins to train mentally and spiritually, gaining strength through effort and discipline.

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🍵 4. The Sacred Water Was a Trick—and a Lesson

When Goku finally gets the “Super Holy Water” from Karin, it turns out to be just ordinary water.

The real power came from the struggle to reach it—a metaphor for self-improvement through effort, a theme Toriyama would revisit often.

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💥 5. Goku Destroys the Entire Red Ribbon Army Solo

This arc ends with a powerful moment: a single boy taking down an entire military organization—by himself.

It was one of the first times we saw Goku as a symbol of justice, not just a strong fighter.