Dragon Ball's popularity in Mexico is just as a bizarre as the country itself.

The only and quasi-oligarchic TV channel decided back in the 80s it was cheaper to buy bulks of Japanese anime than other kinds of cartoons, then fill unused airing slots and call it a day.

For the average Mexican kid/teenager it was a breath of fresh air, most mainstream media were sanitized, censored or just boring. When DB aired you saw those fantastic worlds, likable characters and fights and you were already hooked.

It also resonated that characters were struggling to overcome such low odds and with sheer willpower and friendship, obtaining an unreasonable goal. There was nothing like that on TV back in the day.