About the Author

Derek Padula is the author of The Dao of Dragon Ball website and book series; the first to reveal the deep history, philosophy, and cultural roots of the world's #1 anime and manga. Derek's journey begins when he sees the Dragon Ball anime in 1997. His love for the series inspires him to start martial arts training in Sh�ol�n gōngfu, t�ij�-qu�n, q�gōng, karate, and Fǎl�n D�fǎ meditation. He earns his B.A. in East Asian Studies and a minor in Chinese from Western Michigan University. Then he studies abroad in Běijīng, China where he trains with the Buddhist Sh�ol�n monks and a D�oist t�ij� sword master. After returning home he begins his life's work. He is now an authority on Dragon Ball and loves to share his understanding of this profound series that changes lives.

Reviews

Derek Padula's brilliant Dragon Ball Culture books are well-researched and written in a formal but still accessible manner, providing insight on the culture, themes, and history that influenced the story and world of Dragon Ball. Mr. Padula's books are excellent pieces for any Dragon Ball fan looking to dig deeper into the essence of the franchise, and I highly recommend them. - all-comic.comAs an avid reader of this course by Mr. Padula, the benefits are now coming to bear. Through this exposure I attain a better understanding of the fundamentals of Eastern culture. ... I find myself more connected to the idiosyncrasies of the medium. I can understand its layered meanings, its underpinning comedy, its stratified myth, wardrobe, architecture, many a thing I can grasp unlike I could before; both on a conscious and subconscious standing. - reader review