Creator Drama
Mr. Popo Censored in French Dragon Ball Daima Release
Developing
Photo: dexerto.com (from the cited article) All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 4 events from Nov 4, 2026 to Nov 5, 2026, drawn from 6 sources.
“Mr. Popo has been removed from Dragon Ball Daima in France! He speaks, but doesn’t appear on screen!”
via dexerto.com
Our take
The removal of Mr. Popo from the French broadcast, while leaving his voice intact, underscores the sensitivity around character designs that may be perceived as racially insensitive. It also highlights how broadcasters may alter content to align with local cultural standards, potentially altering the original narrative experience for viewers.
Background
Dragon Ball Daima is the latest installment in Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball franchise, debuting in October 2024. It follows Goku and allies as they are transformed into children and forced to venture into the Demon Realm.
Mr. Popo, the longtime attendant of Kami and later Dende, has been a recurring character in the series. His design has sparked controversy for resembling racist caricatures, leading to past censorship such as the recoloring of his skin blue in the 2010 American broadcast of Dragon Ball Z Kai.
The timeline
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French TV debut of Dragon Ball Daima on Gulli
Viewers reportedly noticed Mr. Popo missing from the screen.[1]
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Tony Graci tweets about Mr. Popo removal
Tony Graci announces that Mr. Popo has reportedly been removed from the French broadcast.[2]
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INKU tweets about Mr. Popo censorship
INKU reports that Mr. Popo was allegedly censored in the French release.[1]
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Dexerto reported Mr. Popo censorship
Dexerto confirms that Mr. Popo was reportedly removed from the screen but the voice remains.[1]
Frequently asked
What is the current status of Mr. Popo's censorship in the French release?
The censorship remains in place, with Mr. Popo still absent from the screen but audible.
Why was Mr. Popo censored in the French release?
The character’s design has been controversial for decades, with critics arguing that his dark skin, exaggerated red lips, and other features resemble racist caricatures.
Did the censorship affect all episodes?
Episode 2 received similar treatment, with scenes heavily re‑edited and zoomed in to hide Mr. Popo.
Can fans watch the uncensored version?
All 20 episodes of Dragon Ball Daima are available uncensored with subtitles on streaming services including Crunchyroll and Netflix in France.
More related drama (4)
Sources (6)
- dexerto.com, Dragon Ball Daima censored in France to erase Mr Popo, but fans can still hear him, Nov 5, 2026.
- Twitter (original post).
- Twitter (original post).
- x.com, Tony Graci on X: "Mr Popo a été supprimé de Dragon Ball Daima en France ! Il parle, mais n'apparait pas à l'image !! LA HONTE 😑 @ToeiAnimationEU ... Non mais sérieux...." / X, Nov 4, 2026.
- Twitter (original post).
- x.com, INKU on X: "EN FRANCE, LE PERSONNAGE DE MR POPO DANS L’ANIME DRAGON BALL : DAIMA A ÉTÉ CENSURÉ ! ❌ La voix du personnage est présente dans les épisodes, mais il n’apparaît pas à l’écran." / X, Nov 4, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 4 dated events from 6 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Mr. Popo Censored in French Dragon Ball Daima Release.”
GenZHype, 6 November 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/mr-popo-censored-in-french-dragon-ball-daima-release/.