Dragon Ballis a franchse everyone knows whether they care for the anime or not. With a new anime on the air, Son Goku is in the headlines, but one headline in Japan certainly caught fans off guard. Not long ago, a 42-year-old man named Takashi Sakae found himself arrested in Yutsukaido City for allegedly painting graffiti on private property. Oh, and the graffiti happened to be focused onDragon Ball.
As it turns out, one of the messages Takashi decided to paint was dedicated to Goku. The suspect graffitied the name ofanime’s most popular character, Son Goku, on various properties. When he was asked about the crime, Takashi simply informed authorities he was following a command from God to paint the town red… literally.
Son Goku’s Name Graffitied In Over 60 Locations
The Man Responsible Was Supposedly Ordered by God To Do It
On July 24, 2025,Fuji News Networkannounced Yutsukaido City Police Department arrested Takashi for allegedly spraying graffiti in over 60 locations. These tags began appearing throughout the town in 2024, but the police did not find the culprit until recently. Of course, the messages sprayed caught the public’s attention given their odd nature as one of them called outDragon Ball’sbest hero and protagonist. When asked about the crime, the suspect assured the police he was acting under God’s orders as he had been told to spread a message of love and friendship from above.
According to Takashi, God asked for his help to spread a message as he was aware of some problem in the local area. Takashi, reportedly feeling unsatisfied with the rising crime in the city, said God wanted him to share positive messages around town to sway young criminals. So naturally, the graffiti left behind references religious figures like Buddha as well as Son Goku. However, the authorities are not quite convinced Takashi was divinely influenced as he was caught trying to cover up his graffiti. The move led police to question Takashi’s claims of God’s influence. After all, despite his seemingly harmless actions, the suspect allegedly caused property damage to several buildings and street poles, leading the police to charge him.
Why Did Sakae Use Goku’s Name?
The Hero’s Inspiring Personality Might Have Been the Cause
As you’re able to imagine, this criminal case has sparked chatter asDragon Ballfans were surprised to see Goku’s name included in this graffiti. The other tags found around town were more spiritual, so where does Goku fit into the list? Many netizens believe the graffiti included Kakarot’s name as he’s a role model for children and adults.
While the real reason behind Goku’s inclusion may never be known, Dragon Ball fans are as offended as they are proud to seeDragon Ballmaking the rounds. Goku is a bonafide legend when it comes to anime, and he’s inspired everyone from office workers to athletes and actors. Nowadays, the Saiyan is making a comeback with help from Dragon Ball Daima, and the latest anime has only cemented Goku’s place in history as one of anime’s greatest heroes.
