Suppaman, called Sourman in the FUNimation Dub of Dragon Ball, is a superhero-wannabe from a faraway planet, Okakaumeboshi. He works as a reporter when in disguise as Kenta Kuraaku (暗悪健太; lit. "dark, evil [generic man's name]" But it's also Clarke Kent with the order of the names reversed).
Overview
Suppaman changes his clothes in a phone booth, eating a pickled plum (or sour plums and vinegar plums) to transform and rolls around with his belly on a skateboard. His purpose is to protect the world or so he thinks. However, neither he has a sense of justice nor real superpowers. He doesn't care much about the safety of other people but only about his reputation and is being regarded as a hero, and is easily offended when the others make fun of him. He's a coward in front of enemies, and mean and violent towards innocent villagers as he usually launches grenades to people who annoy him for some reason.
History
Early life
Sourman in his youth on Planet Okakaumeboshi
In his days on Planet Okakaumeboshi, Sourman was in the same preschool as Bubibinman and was nicknamed Supercrybaby because he was a coward. In grade school, he was known as "Suppa-Mouth" ("Suppa-chan the Piggy" in the English Dr. Slump manga) because of his major appetite.[2]
Tomato, Girl Detective
Kenta Kuraaku holds a baby and a cockroach in hostage
In his very first appearance, he is only seen in his secret identity Kenta Kuraaku and he has the role of the manga's antagonist, being suspected of several bank robberies. He manages to take hostages: a baby, a cockroach, and ants, but he is still arrested by the heroine, the young Akai Tomato, in the end.
Dr. Slump
The Birth of Arale
The See-Thru Glasses showing Suppaman flying naked
Main article: Volume 1: The Birth of Arale
He appears as Kenta Kuraaku in the first chapter The Birth of Arale in Penguin Village's clothing store watching Senbei Norimaki walking by dressing as a schoolgirl.
In Something's Missing!, he is seen flying naked through Senbei's vision from the See-Thru Glasses while trying to look at Midori Yamabuki.
Arale on the Loose
Main article: Volume 2: Arale on the Loose
He appears again in brief cameo in Arale Flies the Skies!.
Earth S.O.S.!
Main article: Volume 3: Earth S.O.S.!
Suppaman has a bigger role in the chapter Our Hero, Suppaman, where he tries to impress Arale Norimaki and Gatchan, and finally defeats Arale at Rock-Paper-Scissors. He is seen in a crowd when Arale buys a bra in Arale Goes on an Errand.
The Happy Doctor
Main article: Volume 4: The Happy Doctor
He also makes brief appearances when his rival Parzan is introduced in the series, as well as in "Sad, Sad Santa" and "Kick the Can".
Monsters' Night
Main article: Volume 5: Monsters' Night
As Kenta Kuraaku, he attempts to rob the Penguin Village Bank in chapter Untouchable, but he is stopped by Arale. In Heel, Achilles!, his girlfriend leaves him for a man who has a nicer car.
Dr. Mashirito's Ambition
Main article: Volume 6: Dr. Mashirito's Ambition
Suppaman has again a major role in the chapter "Suppaman 2", in which he confronts Arale, Gatchan, and Chivil.
My Toilet Paper
Main article: Volume 7: My Toilet Paper
He is seen among the residents of Penguin Village running after Arale and Gatchan in "Penguin Village Dom-Dom-Dom!" He has the role of Cinderella's stepmother in "Cinderella, the Musical".
Penguin Grand Prix
Suppaman listens to Akira Toriyama when he tells about the Penguin Gran Prix
Main article: Volume 8: Penguin Grand Prix
Suppaman is a contestant in the race organized in the "Penguin Gran Prix" chapters, using a skateboard as his vehicle.
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Suppaman during the Penguin Village Wars
In the "Penguin Village Wars" chapters, thinking that the Earth he has to protect is vast, Suppaman creates the Planetary Defense Academy and recruits Arale, Gatchan, and Oinkety Oink. During the battle against Dr. Mashirito and Caramel Man 003, Suppaman betrays the faction he created and joins Dr. Mashirito, but the Planetary Defense Academy is still victorious in the end.
I am Obotchaman
Main article: Volume 13: I am Obotchaman
Later in the series, when Obotchaman leaves Dr. Mashirito, Suppaman's house is taken from him by Obotchaman who literally picks it up and moves it somewhere else. Suppaman spends the rest of his days living in a tent.
Other Media
Dragon Ball
Suppaman in Dragon Ball, breaking only one brick
Kenta Kuraaku is driving in the road when General Blue stops him. He changes into Suppaman and tries to intimidate Blue by punching a brick, but fails when Blue crushes a phone booth with his arms right in front of him. Suppaman then becomes completely loyal to Blue, letting him use his car and telling him the whereabouts of an airplane located at Senbei's house. Once Blue leaves, Suppaman says to himself he will let him go this time.
Suppaman also makes a cameo appearance in volume 3 of the Dragon Ball manga, where he is seen near the Budokai registration booth. And in episode 20 "Elimination Round" of the anime, he's also seen among the contestants of that said Budokai when the preliminary bouts begin.
Video Games
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Kenta Kuraaku in Dr. Slump PlayStation
Suppaman makes his first appearance in Dr. Slump Arale Part III: Ncha! Bycha. He also appears in the Dr. Slump game for PlayStation, which is based in the 1997 remade anime series. Suppaman briefly appears in the Eastern Capital level on Super Dragon Ball Z, where he is seen rolling off across the street lying on a skateboard after a telephone booth is smashed by the fighting characters. He appears as an assisting character in Dragon Ball Z: Bakuretsu Impact. Suppaman also makes appearances in Dr. Slump: Arale-Chan. he also appears in the card game Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle
Voice actors
- 1980s series: Tesshō Genda
- 1990s series: Tohru Furuya
- 1980s series and 1990s series(Latin Dub): Igor Cruz
- 1990s series Indonesian Dub: Endi Rahardjo
- FUNimation Dub of Dragon Ball: Dameon Clarke
Trivia
- The name Suppaman is derived from the Japanese word for sour, suppai (すっぱい), and the English word "Man". "Suppaman" sounds similar to the Japanese pronunciation of Superman, Suupaaman (スーパーマン).
- Suppaman's Japanese secret identity of "Kenta Kuraaku" is a play on Superman's secret identity of "Clark Kent": both are reporters and both names are similar when spoken in Japanese, Kenta Kuraaku sounds just like "Kent Clark" (Japanese put their family names first, and given names last).
- The Japanese Hiragana on his chest す translates to Su, which means "Sour".
Gallery
 Suppaman's description on Toei Animation's website  Kenta Kuraaku crosses the street in Tomato  Kenta Kuraaku wanted  Tomato follows Kenta Kuraaku .jpg "KentaKuraaku(Tomato).jpg (8 KB)") Kenta Kuraaku looks down .jpg "KentaHostage(Tmt).jpg (22 KB)") Kenta Kuraaku holds a baby in hostage  Kenta Kuraaku in jail  Suppaman in the background naked .jpg "SUppamanOnEarth(Ch37).jpg (43 KB)") Suappaman .jpg "SuppamanSholar(Ch37).jpg (15 KB)") Suappaman as Kenta Kuraaku  Suppaman confronts a bank robber  Suppaman remarks fish in the sea  Kenta Kuraaku holds Midori at gun point  Kenta Kuraku at a christmas party  Sourman in his secret identity, "Kenta Kuraaku"  Suppaman standing in Dragon Ball  Suppaman's eye exploding out of his face  Suppaman trying to intimidate General Blue  Suppaman's design in the remake  Suppaman in the remake intro  Suppaman as Kenta Kuraaku in the Dr. Slump remake  Sourman appears in Super Dragon Ball Z .png "Suppaman(SDBZ).png (542 KB)") Sourman in Super Dragon Ball Z  Dragon Ball manga |
References
- ↑ Arale's Thief Hoyoyo Gang Part II
- ↑ Dr. Slump chapter 36, "Our Hero, Suppaman"