General Blue

General Blue (ブルー将軍, Burū Shōgun) is a high-ranking officer in the Red Ribbon Army and the commanding leader of the Blue Corps. Known for his exceptional psychic abilities and striking appearance, Blue stands out as a formidable antagonist. He is notably the only Red Ribbon officer with a confirmed age, being 28 at the time of his death at the hands of Mercenary Tao.

General Blue serves as the primary antagonist of the General Blue Saga.

Names	General Blue (ブルー将軍, Burū Shōgun)
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Occupation	General of the Red Ribbon Army
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 70: "Bulma's Big Mistake!"|ブルマの大だい失しっ敗ぱい！！|Buruma no Dai-Shippai!!|lit. "Bulma's Big Blunder!!" (April 15, 1986 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1986 #20))
Alignment	Evil
Age	28
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	181 cm (5ft 11in)
Weight	69 kg (152 lbs)

Appearance

General Blue is a tall and strikingly handsome man with blond hair (golden blond in the manga and light blond in the anime), blue eyes, and a well-defined muscular build. His aesthetic is characterized by his neatly groomed appearance and subtle eyelashes near the corners of his eyes, hinting at his effeminate and homosexual nature.

He typically dons a distinctive uniform that includes:

• A brown double-breasted suit with a red tie (black tie in the manga and The Path to Power).
• A brown officer's cap prominently displaying the Red Ribbon Army logo, with some adaptations showing a blue lower layer.
• A Red Ribbon Army logo patch on his shoulder (right in the anime, left in the manga).
• A black belt (brown in the manga) with a gold or silver circular belt buckle featuring an eagle design, accompanied by a smaller matching buckle.
• Blue horse-riding trousers and polished black jackboots.
• A blue armband on his left arm bearing his name.

Unlike other Red Ribbon Army members, Blue forgoes the signature red bandana.

In The Path to Power, Blue's design closely mirrors his anime counterpart, with subtle differences such as a slimmer physique and slightly longer hair. Coincidentally, his redesign also bears resemblance to Barry Kahn.

In Mystical Adventure, Blue sports an entirely different outfit due to his affiliation with the Mifan Army. This uniform blends elements of samurai armor and Roman Centurion attire, further distinguishing his appearance in this adaptation.

Personality

General Blue is one of the most complex villains in Dragon Ball, embodying a mixture of military precision, flamboyant narcissism, and deep-seated psychological traits. His design and characterization include explicit references to historical and cultural archetypes, particularly linked to 20th-century German militarism. Below is a summary of his attributes and traits based on your detailed breakdown:

1. Historical and Cultural Inspiration:
   • General Blue's appearance, demeanor, and behavior are influenced by German military archetypes, including Nazi Germany.
   • His blond hair and blue eyes align with Adolf Hitler's Aryan ideal. His military attire mirrors the S.A. trooper uniforms of the Nazi Party.
   • The Viz manga adds to this connection with his use of the German phrase "Auf Wiedersehen" before setting up an explosive trap.
2. Personality Traits:
   • Sadistic and Narcissistic: Blue exhibits a love for violence, often relishing fear and suffering. His obsession with his appearance qualifies him as a narcissist.
   • Homosexuality and Misogyny: Implied to be homosexual, Blue reacts negatively to female advances and shows disdain for women in general, possibly linked to his discomfort with traditional gender dynamics.
   • Militarism and Perfectionism: As a commander, Blue is strict, enforcing discipline with harsh punishments. His perfectionist tendencies extend to both his subordinates and himself.
3. Combat and Intelligence:
   • Blue is an adept fighter with superhuman strength and psychic abilities, using these skills strategically.
   • As a tactician, he uses clever traps and exploits the abilities of tools like the Dragon Radar, showcasing his intelligence and resourcefulness.
4. Interaction with Others:
   • With Subordinates: Blue is abusive and condescending, often punishing perceived incompetence harshly. He occasionally shows reluctant care for his troops but prioritizes discipline.
   • With Enemies: Blue underestimates opponents like Goku initially but adapts when proven wrong. His disdain for "fair play" contrasts with his confidence in his own abilities.
5. Flamboyant Behavior:
   • His effeminate mannerisms and narcissism make him one of the most distinct characters in Dragon Ball. The English dub exaggerates these traits for comedic effect, while the manga portrays him as more calculating and menacing.
6. Role in the Red Ribbon Army:
   • Blue is a loyal but self-serving member of the Red Ribbon Army, often focusing on personal gain, such as his attempt to claim pirate treasure.
   • Despite his loyalty, he shows a lack of interest in the ultimate goals of the army, following orders without question or curiosity.
7. Anime vs. Manga:
   • The manga portrays Blue as more serious and calculating, while the anime emphasizes his perfectionism, flamboyance, and sadistic tendencies.
   • Differences in localization add layers to his character, particularly in his interactions and mannerisms.
8. Additional Details:
   • Blue's fear of rodents and aversion to filth are recurring comedic elements in the series, reflecting his perfectionist and germophobic tendencies.
   • His implied pedophilic tendencies and aggressive advances toward Trunks in games like Dokkan Battle are notable but controversial extensions of his character.

General Blue's character provides a mix of dark humor, historical allegory, and genuine threat, making him a memorable part of the Dragon Ball series.

Biography

Dragon Ball

Red Ribbon Army Saga

General Blue is an intricate antagonist in the Dragon Ball series, noted for his cunning intelligence, fearlessness, and unique powers. His story arc showcases a blend of comedy, action, and character complexity.

Initially, Blue underestimates Goku but quickly adapts, showcasing his ability to strategize and prioritize his missions. His introduction as ruthless and calculating is evident when he interrogates his injured soldiers for intel, regardless of their condition, and tasks Captain Dark with reconnaissance on Kame House. His telekinetic abilities further establish him as a formidable foe, paralyzing Krillin and Goku during their encounters.

Blue's personality is multifaceted—he exhibits vanity and disdain for those he deems inferior, evident in his reactions to Bulma's advances and his insults toward Captain Dark. His implied homosexuality adds a layer of depth, subtly influencing his interactions and driving humor in his scenes with Bulma and Krillin.

His rivalry with Goku escalates in the Pirate Cave, where his tactical use of traps and powers adds tension. Despite his prowess, Blue's weakness to fear, notably his reaction to a mouse, humanizes him and allows Goku to gain the upper hand. His survival instincts shine when he escapes the collapsing cave and successfully steals the Dragon Radar.

Blue's involvement in Penguin Village introduces a crossover with Dr. Slump, where his arrogance and clashing demeanor lead to humorous and chaotic encounters with Arale Norimaki and others. This segment highlights his adaptability but also his comedic vulnerability when faced with the absurdities of Toriyama's earlier work.

Upon returning to Red Ribbon Army headquarters, Blue's desperation to prove his worth peaks. Despite retrieving the Dragon Radar, his failure to secure the Dragon Balls leads to his ultimate downfall. His death at the hands of Mercenary Tao—a stark demonstration of the latter's superiority—underscores the brutal hierarchy within the Red Ribbon Army.

Fortuneteller Baba Saga

In the Fortuneteller Baba Saga, General Blue is briefly referenced when Bulma recounts Goku's achievements, highlighting his role as a significant adversary during Goku's journey to collect the Dragon Balls.

Dragon Ball GT

In Dragon Ball GT, during the Super 17 Saga, General Blue reemerges when a portal to Hell is opened by Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu. Alongside other Red Ribbon Army members and past villains, Blue is quickly defeated by Pan and sent back to Hell. His interactions in the Check-In Station with Staff Officer Black reveal his sarcastic wit and self-awareness, as he points out the irony of Black mocking the other defeated villains while sharing their fate. Later, Blue teams up with familiar villains in Hell, underscoring his loyalty to the Red Ribbon cause, even in the afterlife.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes

In Super Dragon Ball Heroes, General Blue participates in the Supreme Kai of Time Saga as part of the Super Space-Time Tournament. Competing alongside other iconic Red Ribbon figures, Blue's appearance showcases his resilience and willingness to fight under extreme circumstances. Despite being defeated and erased alongside his team due to their failure in the tournament, his inclusion signifies his lasting impression as a villain within the Dragon Ball mythos.

Film Appearances

General Blue's appearances in the Dragon Ball films expand on his character while reimagining his role in alternate versions of the series' narrative. These depictions further emphasize his notable traits, including his psychic abilities and unwavering allegiance to the Red Ribbon Army.

In Mystical Adventure, Blue is reimagined as Lieutenant Blue, a loyal guard in Emperor Chiaotzu's Mifan Army. His role shifts to that of a supporting protagonist, showcasing a rare honorable side as he warns Chiaotzu about Master Shen's treacherous plans to use the Dragon Balls for a coup. Despite his valiant efforts, Blue's psychic powers and swordsmanship are no match for Mercenary Tao, who swiftly kills him with a pressure point attack, mirroring his fate in the original series.

In The Path to Power, Blue returns to his more familiar role as a high-ranking member of the Red Ribbon Army. His brief success in capturing Goku's group is overshadowed by his ultimate demise at the hands of Commander Red's subordinates. His execution underscores Commander Red's vindictive nature, as it is implied that Blue's height inadvertently aggravated Red's insecurities. This portrayal highlights Blue's loyalty and tragic fate, reinforcing his role as both a capable yet ultimately expendable officer in the Red Ribbon Army.

In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, General Blue is briefly featured in a flashback montage during the Red Ribbon Army's history recap. His defeat by Goku in the Pirate Cave is revisited, serving as a nod to his original series role and maintaining his connection to the Red Ribbon Army's enduring legacy.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: High 8-C

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Martial Arts Mastery, Paralyzing (Can induce paralysis in others by looking into their eyes), Thread Manipulation (Can control objects such as a rope with telekinesis and can strengthen them to be able to restrain more powerful foes), Stealth Mastery (Master Roshi noted that Blue must have been very good at stealth, as he did not sense Blue's presence while he was sneaking around outside Kame House), Dimensional Storage (Via Capsules)

All Previous Abilities, Enhanced Vision (Via Binocular), Flight (Via Thunder Rocket. Also, he will use the back of the Rocket Engine as a weapon), Non-Standard Breathing (Type 3; Via Submarine), Explosion Manipulation (Via Time bomb), Information Analysis (Via Dragon Radar)

Attack Potency: Large Building level (Is capable of injuring those who can harm him)

Speed: Superhuman with Supersonic+ combat speed (Fought and defeated Goku, Krillin, and a casual Master Roshi)

Lifting Strength: At least Class K (Lifted a phone booth and crushed it in between his arms like it was nothing)

Striking Strength: Large Building level

Durability: Large Building level (Survived his airplane crashing into a mountain)

Stamina: Superhuman (Shrugged off his airplane crashing into a mountain)

Range: Standard Melee Range, Tens of Meters with his abilities

Standard Equipment: Firearm and Capsules

• Optional Equipment: Ropes,
  • Ithaca M37 Shotgun: A powerful but slow-firing firearm.
  • Bazooka: A weapon borrowed from Colonel Silver in games.
  • Jet-Copter: An aircraft used for transportation.
  • Time Bomb: A high-destruction explosive.
  • Thunder Rocket: Anti-gravity aircraft used for long distances.
  • Knife: A combat knife used for threatening and combat, though comically ineffective against Arale.
  • Dragon Radar: Stolen from Bulma, it was intended for finding Dragon Balls but ended up in Commander Red's possession.
  • Jetpack: Allows for flight in Dokkan Battle.

Intelligence: Above Average. Mastery of various martial arts techniques and skills, years of experience fighting both powerful and diverse enemies who have various abilities and powers. Is a combat/tactical genius for the most parts.

Weaknesses: Scared of mice. His paralyzing technique only works if the target looks into his eyes. Paralysis seems to have absolutely no effect on vastly stronger foes such as Mercenary Tao

Attacks and Techniques

• Flight/Hikou: Utilized in several games, such as Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Dragon Ball Heroes, World Mission, and Dokkan Battle.
• I'll Shoot You!: A powerful ranged attack involving a rocket launcher or shotgun.
• Skewer!: Combines his Psychic Eyes technique with a sharpened tree for a devastating attack.
• Rocket Engine Spark: A cinematic move involving a capsule-released Thunder Rocket that burns the opponent with its engine.
• Hypnosis Technique: Appears in Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo.
• Telekinesis: Manipulates objects and people with mental power.
• Psychic Eyes: Temporarily paralyzes opponents, with effects depending on his concentration.
• Two Shot Telekinesis: Uses telekinesis to control objects like ropes, making them indestructible and binding pressure points.
• Psychic Rock Throw: Featured in Advanced Adventure.
• I'm the Worst!: A self-empowering stance.
• Pump Up: Temporarily increases muscle mass for enhanced power.

Trivia

• General Blue appears in the remade 1990s version of Dr. Slump. He teams up with Ninja Murasaki and together they manage to summon Shenron, but they end up fighting over the wish and ultimately causes them both to fail in getting the wish. Although his overall design in Dr. Slump was the same as in the manga and the anime, the bottom portion of his cap was recolored blue, and he was given a silver belt buckle.

• Censorship and Localization Changes:
  • In the English dub of Dragon Ball, Blue's sexuality and related interactions were heavily altered or omitted due to cultural sensitivities. For instance, his confusion over Obotchaman was reinterpreted as him mistaking Obotchaman for his long-lost brother, Samuel, to avoid controversial topics.
  • In the Latin Spanish dub, Obotchaman was made female, changing the nature of Blue's interactions to fit local preferences.
  • The Greek dub initially portrayed Blue as a woman, a choice corrected in later episodes.
• Altered Dialogue in Adaptations:
  • References to Blue's homosexuality were often replaced with generalized insults or dismissals, such as being called "weird" or a "prude."
  • In the manga, more explicit reactions to Blue's sexuality were toned down in translations, including Bulma and Krillin's comments.
• Cultural Context:
  • The original Japanese portrayal connected Blue’s misogyny and rejection of women like Bulma to stereotypes linking homosexuality and misogyny, a perception that has since been criticized.
• Interactions in Video Games:
  • In games like Dokkan Battle, Blue’s attraction to Trunks and Future Trunks is noted, often subtly or with humor, while omitting explicit labels. This creates ironic callbacks to Blue rejecting Bulma, Trunks' mother.
• Design and Voice Acting:
  • Blue shares aesthetic traits with characters like Zarbon from Dragon Ball Z and Dertze Kibalt from Dr. Slump. Both he and Zarbon are narcissistic perfectionists with a focus on appearance.
  • Blue’s redesign in The Path to Power has been compared to Luke Skywalker, while his voice actor in that film, Bin Shimada, also dubbed Luke in the Japanese Star Wars.
  • Toshio Furukawa, Blue's primary Japanese voice actor, admitted struggling with the character due to his homosexuality.
• Trivia about Appearances:
  • Blue is the first villain in Dragon Ball to showcase a visible battle aura, though it resembles a flame-like style rather than the series' later standard.
  • He is the only Red Ribbon officer to wear a red tie instead of a bandana, symbolizing his membership.
  • In The Path to Power, his death reflects Commander Red's insecurities about his height, adding layers to their dynamic.
• In-Universe Ironies:
  • Blue's attraction to Trunks in video games is ironic given Trunks is Bulma's son, whose advances Blue famously rejected.
  • His interactions with Arale in Dr. Slump highlight his comedic defeat and echo his eventual irrelevance in power scaling compared to later characters.