Macron and Japan’s PM bring Dragon Ball to diplomacy

A joint press conference between French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took an unexpected turn when both leaders struck the iconic “Kamehameha” pose from the Dragon Ball series.

The moment came at the end of a formal summit in Tokyo, following discussions on key issues including artificial intelligence, nuclear energy and regional security.

The gesture quickly gained traction online, with users describing it as “peak diplomacy” and praising the rare display of humor in a typically formal setting.

The reference to Dragon Ball, created by the late Akira Toriyama, carries cultural significance in both countries. Japan is the birthplace of the globally influential manga, while France is its second-largest market, with a long-standing appreciation for Japanese anime and comics.

Macron has previously spoken about the importance of manga in France’s cultural landscape, noting its popularity among younger generations and its role in creative industries.