What started off as a joke has now become a worldwide craze. It’s over 9000 is a popular catchphrase from the popular anime series Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Z or the DBZ as it is popularly known as is the popular sequel to the Dragon Ball anime series based on the Manga of the same name. DGB title is specifically used for the series in United States.
It’s over 9000 is the loose translation in English of the original scene in the series where Vegeta, one of the main and recurring character in the series uses the term. As Goku grows in the power, Vegeta fearing an explosion sees through the scouter device that the power level has gone to the 9000lbs level, hence the phrase.
The phrase was put up on YouTube by one user in 2006 and since then it has become the one of the most popular internet memes. And, it has also become a very important part of our culture too. It is worth knowing what it means to the generations and people all around the world.
How it all began
This popular catchphrase has a very interesting origin. But, first what it means actually?
The phrase It is Over 9000 is somewhat loose translation of the original dialogue in the series. It typically means or signifies the level or power or quantity of something usually strength. In the series it describes the power of Goku, who is main protagonist. This over 9000 could mean anything that describes something of huge amount like several, lots, tons, many and others.
The original line was said by Vegeta in the episode number 21 of the Dragon Ball Z in 1997. The story of this particular episode titled “The Return of Goku” Goku returns to the Earth after training hard in the Other World. He is here to fight the Saiyan warrior Vegeta and Nappa. After learning that these rogue warriors have killed his best friends Piccolo, Goku goes into a rage and his power level increases. This is when Vegeta finds out through his scouter device that Goku’s power is going over 9000 by declaring “It’s over nine thousand!”
This particular scene was then uploaded by a certain YouTuber by the name Kajetokunon in October 17th, 2006. Kajetokun has famously told that the video was originally meant for his friends as an inside joke and it was posted in 4chan board by one of his friends. Soon the video gathered popularity and huge fan following. Soon there were remix videos on the YouTube. Then there were image macros and parody sites and then came the popular internet memes. Soon it became huge like the power of Goku. The phrase was even added to Urban Dictionary
How it’s now part of our culture
It is over 9000 has become the ultimate word for the fans and people on the internet. It has been more than a decade since that popular video was posted on the internet and it has now become a popular part of our culture.
Dragon Ball is one of the longest running anime and manga series and has huge influence in the anime industry. The series follows the story of Goku who along with his friends fight villains who threaten earth.
The number 9000 is unique in the sense that it’s not the usual number that is always associated with something powerful or mysterious like seven. This one makes it a unique number. It represents something huge and intense like power. The phrase is popularly used to describe something or someone of impressive strength. There are countless number of memes on this phrase used to describe various things, places, personalities, occasion and much more. One of the most popular memes or pranks using this meme was done on Oprah Winfrey Show where an anonymous person sent an email to her claiming that they were the organization of pedophiles and have over “9000 pennies”. Oprah actually read the email in her show believing it to be true.
The phrase “It’s over 9000” has been one of the popular as well as beloved themes for the t-shirt design. Now, they have become a very interesting and popular part of our culture where it’s used to describe things, people, or event or anything that is massive or intensely strong.