View source for Videl

{{Short description|Dragon Ball character}}
{{Infobox character
| name       = Videl
| franchise  = ''[[Dragon Ball]]''
| image      = VidelCover.jpg
| caption    = Videl (middle), with [[Gohan]] (left) and [[Mr. Satan]] (right). Drawn by [[Akira Toriyama]].
| creator    = [[Akira Toriyama]]
| voice      = {{ubl|'''Japanese:'''|[[Yūko Minaguchi]]|[[Shino Kakinuma]] (''[[Dragon Ball Kai]]'')|'''English:'''|[[Moneca Stori]] (Ocean)|[[Kara Edwards]] (Funimation)|[[Susan Huber]] (''[[Dragon Ball GT]]'') (Funimation)|[[Erika Harlacher]] ([[Bang Zoom! Entertainment]])}}
| family     = [[Mr. Satan]] (father)<br>[[Miguel (Dragon Ball)|Miguel]] (mother)
| spouse     = [[Son Gohan]] (husband)
| children   = [[Pan (Dragon Ball)|Pan]] (daughter)
| occupation = Martial artist, martial art teacher, student
| alias      = The Great Saiyawoman<br> Great Saiyaman 2
| first      = ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' chapter 421: "Herculopolis High" (''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' 1993 #23)
| relatives  = {{ubl|[[Goku|Son Goku]] (father-in-law)|[[Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball)|Chi-Chi]] (mother-in-law)|[[Pan (Dragon Ball)|Pan]] (daughter)|[[Son Goten]] (brother-in-law)|[[Goku Jr.]] (great grandson)|[[Bardock]] (grandfather-in-law)|Gine (grandmother-in-law)|[[List of Dragon Ball characters#Ox-King|Ox-King]] (grandfather-in-law)|Ox Queen (grandmother-in-law)|[[List of Dragon Ball characters#Raditz|Raditz]] (uncle-in-law)|Son Goku Jr. (great-great-great-grandson; ''[[Dragon Ball GT]]'')}}
}}
'''{{Nihongo4|Videl|ビーデル|Bīderu}}''' is a fictional character from the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' media franchise. Created by [[Akira Toriyama]], she first appears in Chapter 421 of the ''Dragon Ball manga'' originally published in Issue 23 of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' on May 11, 1993. Her name is a play on words with her father's name [[Mr. Satan]]. Within the series, she is adept in martial arts like her father and using her abilities to fight crime in the city. She is the love interest of [[Gohan]] and plays an important role during the story arc where he is the lead character of ''Dragon Ball''. When Gohan appears as a costumed vigilante known as the Great Saiyaman, she quickly figures out his identity, and blackmails him into teaching her new techniques using her ''[[qi|ki]]''. After the main antagonist of the story arc [[Majin Buu]] is defeated, the two establish a settled lifestyle and later have a daughter named [[Pan (Dragon Ball)|Pan]].

Videl's reception has been generally positive with series fans, whereas commentators have mixed views about her relevance as a character. As one of the few major female ''Dragon Ball'' characters, her role in the series as well as other ''Dragon Ball'' media has been variously described as important or inconsequential by commentators.

==Development==
Like many ''Dragon Ball'' characters whose names are puns, the character's name is an [[anagram]] of [[devil]] as her father's name is [[Mr. Satan]]; he is known as Hercule in [[Editing of anime in American distribution|edited versions of the English dub]] and in the English manga published by [[Viz Media]].<ref name=Season6/><ref name="Viz">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/dragon-ball-z-volume-24/product/776|title=Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 24|work=Akira Toriyama|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|accessdate=April 9, 2021|language=English}}</ref><ref name="Retcon">{{cite web |last1=Raymond |first1=Nicholas |title=Dragon Ball's Hercule Retcon Is Actually A Correction |url=https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-hercule-name-mr-satan-retcon-fix/|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date= March 2, 2021|accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> While she is training with Gohan for the World Martial Arts Tournament, Videl mentions that her mother died. Otherwise, Videl's mother is never named or discussed within the series, though Toriyama suggested that her mother is a beautiful singer named "Miguel" (ミゲル, ''migeru''), based on the notion of an unconventional marriage between her (an "[[Michael (archangel)|archangel]]") and him (a "devil").<ref name="Color">{{cite web|title=Translations Archive - Dragon Ball Full Color: Majin Boo Arc Volume #06 (04 July 2014) |url=https://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/db-full-color-majin-buu-arc-06/|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Kanzenshuu}}</ref> In keeping with the theme of her naming convention, the numerical registration identifier for Videl's [[vehicle registration plate]] is [[666 (number)|666]].<ref name=Season8/>

Unlike her father, who is depicted as a [[Showboat#"Showboat" as a verb|showboating]] yet cowardly comic relief character, Videl is characterized with more heroic traits and displays an admirable fighting potential.<ref name=Kotaku/><ref name=Season6>{{cite web |first= Theron|last= Martin|title=Dragon Ball – Season 6 Box Set (uncut)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball-z/dvd-season-6|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=25 November 2008|access-date= February 7, 2019}}</ref> Her hairstyle went through multiple drafts before the final design of twin [[bunches|pigtails]] was chosen in 1992, though the alternate hair designs have been used for other characters in the series, including [[Bulma]].<ref name="Designs">{{cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title='Dragon Ball Super' Shares Never-Before-Seen Videl Designs|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-super-never-before-seen-videl-designs/|website=Comicbook.com|date= September 29, 2018|accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

===Portrayal===
Videl is voiced by [[Yūko Minaguchi]] in the original Japanese anime, and by [[Shino Kakinuma]] in ''Dragon Ball'' Kai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-06/voice-actress-yuko-minaguchi-returns-from-studying-in-u.s|title=Voice Actress Yuko Minaguchi Returns From Studying in U.S.|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2014-05-06|access-date=2015-03-07}}</ref><ref name="new voices">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-10/shino-kakinuma-replaces-yuko-minaguchi-as-videl-in-dragon-ball-z-kai |title=Shino Kakinuma Replaces Yuko Minaguchi as Videl in Dragon Ball Z Kai |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2014-03-10 |accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref> In English localizations, Videl is voiced by [[Moneca Stori]] in the Ocean dub, [[Kara Edwards]] in the Funimation dub, and [[Erika Harlacher]] in the Bang Zoom! Entertainment dub.<ref name="BZECast">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-17/toonami-asia-reveals-more-dub-cast-for-dragon-ball-super-anime/.111147|title=Toonami Asia Reveals More Dub Cast for Dragon Ball Super Anime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2017-01-07|access-date=2017-03-31}}</ref> Minaguchi and Edwards are the most consistent voice actresses for the majority of Videl's appearances in video games and other media.<ref name="btva"/>

==Appearances==
===''Dragon Ball Z''===
Videl first appears as a headstrong, [[tomboy]]ish vigilante who assists the police force of Satan City.<ref group=note>Known as Herculopolis in certain [[Editing of anime in American distribution|edited versions of the English dub]] and in Viz's English manga.</ref> [[Gohan]], her classmate at Orange Star High School,<ref group=note>Known as Herculopolis High in certain [[Editing of anime in American distribution|edited versions of the English dub]] and in Viz's English manga.</ref> soon learns that she is the daughter of Mr. Satan, who took credit for his defeat of the superpowered villain [[Cell (Dragon Ball)|Cell]] years ago and is celebrated worldwide as a hero. While she is raised with celebrity and fame surrounding her, her father is very protective of her, particularly with respect to her interactions with boys. She grew up learning martial arts in order to emulate her father, and uses her fighting abilities in her crimefighting activities.

She becomes suspicious of Gohan after she notices him at school, and tails him in order to learn more about him. Videl eventually discovers Gohan's secret identity as the Great Saiyaman; realizing Gohan is more powerful than he seems, she blackmails him into teaching her combat techniques using her knowledge of his secret identity. In a matter of days she learns how to fly by utilizing her ''[[qi|ki]]'' and surpasses her father in fighting ability. She also gradually develops a liking for Gohan, even cutting her hair at his innocuous suggestion that long hair may get in the way of a fight. Videl later enters the 25th [[Tenka'ichi Budokai]] martial arts tournament, but is brutally beaten to near-death by a magically empowered man named Spopovitch in a slanted match, enraging Gohan and sparking a chain of events which leads to the revival of the ancient primordial creature [[Majin Buu]].

Videl is devastated when she learns that Gohan is presumed dead as a result of his initial defeat by Buu. Along with the family members and associates of the series' main characters, Videl is relocated to Kami's Lookout after Buu goes on a murderous rampage throughout the world, but is later killed when Buu discovers and reaches the refuge. Videl is later returned to life through the power of the Namekian Dragon Balls, and is reunited with Gohan and her father. By the ending of the original series following a ten-year gap, Videl is married to Gohan and they have a daughter named [[Pan (Dragon Ball)|Pan]].{{gnr|ch|518}}

===''Dragon Ball Super''===
Videl's appearance is redesigned for ''Dragon Ball Super'', which takes place chronologically after the defeat of Majin Buu but prior to the ending of the original ''Dragon Ball'' series. During Bulma's birthday party, Videl reveals that she is pregnant, and participates in a ritual on behalf of her unborn daughter Pan to enable [[Goku]] to transform into a Super Saiyan God, where her hair briefly turns golden yellow like that of a Super Saiyan. Pan is born later in the series and makes recurring appearances as a minor supporting character cared for by her mother.

A noteworthy subplot in the anime version of ''Super'' involves Videl being coveted by famed actor Barry Kahn, who is corrupted by an alien organism and later defeated by Gohan who revives his Great Saiyaman gimmick.

=== In Akira Toriyama's films===
Videl appears as a supporting character in [[List of Dragon Ball films|multiple films with the ''Dragon Ball Z'' branding]].<ref name="btva"/> In ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming|Broly – Second Coming]]'', she accompanies Gohan, [[Goten]] and [[Trunks (Dragon Ball)|Trunks]] in their search for the Dragon Balls and encounters a revived [[Broly]]. In ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn|Fusion Reborn]]'' she assists [[Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball)|Chi-Chi]] with domestic chores, and later Gohan with fending off a horde of revived villains from the series' history; in ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon|Wrath of the Dragon]]'', she pursues criminals as a costumed vigilante alongside Gohan, and calls herself the "Great Saiyaman 2" or "Great Saiyawoman".

Her participation in the Super Saiyan God ritual in ''Dragon Ball Super'' is an adaptation of a similar scene from the 2013 film ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods]]''. In this version, Gohan discovers that Videl is pregnant with their child after she is accidentally injured by a pistol-wielding Mai from the [[Pilaf Gang]].

Videl makes a minor appearance in ''[[Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero]]'', in which she requests [[Piccolo (Dragon Ball)|Piccolo]] to pick up Pan from school as both she and Gohan were too busy.

===Other appearances===
Videl appears in the 2008 ''[[Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!]]'' [[television special]], and the 2013 [[crossover (fiction)|crossover show]] ''[[Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special!!]]''. Videl plays a minor role in the ''[[Dragon Ball GT]]'' series, and is often seen in the company of her mother-in-law Chi-Chi. Videl and her husband are later possessed by [[Baby (Dragon Ball)|Baby]], and attack their daughter Pan when she attempts to help other civilians who are under Baby's influence, but they are intercepted by [[Uubu|Uub]] and are later cured from Baby's influence. She is last seen when Goku says goodbye to everyone and departs the mortal world with Shenron at the end of the series.

Videl has appeared in [[List of Dragon Ball video games|several ''Dragon Ball'' video games]], often as a playable character: examples include the ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]]'' series, the ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi]]'', ''[[Super Dragon Ball Z]]'', ''[[Dragon Ball Xenoverse]]'' and its [[Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2|sequel]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Videl |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dragon-Ball/Videl/|website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref> She appears in post-launch [[downloadable content]] DLC for 2018's ''[[Dragon Ball FighterZ]]'', initially as a match commentator in March 2018,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ: First DLC Characters Revealed|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/18/dragon-ball-fighterz-first-dlc-characters-revealed|website=IGN|date= February 18, 2018 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and later as a playable character in 2019. Videl's unique gameplay mechanics reflect her portrayal in the original source material as a skilled human martial artist who is underpowered compared to other recurring series characters, but nevertheless is bolstered by her partnership with Gohan.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web|title=Competitors See Potential in Dragon Ball FighterZ's New Characters|url=https://kotaku.com/competitors-see-potential-in-dragon-ball-fighterzs-new-1832373527|author=Ian Walker|date=February 6, 2019|website=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Extended">{{cite web|title='Dragon Ball FighterZ' Gets Extended Gameplay Footage Featuring Jiren and Videl|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dragon-ball-fighterz-season-two-confirmed-jiren-videl/|website=Comicbook.com|date=January 30, 2019 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Videl is the only character in ''FighterZ'' with an alternate appearance: players may toggle between her default short haired look and her original twin pigtail hairstyle.<ref name="Sketches">{{cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title='Dragon Ball FighterZ' Sneaks in Fan-Favorite Videl Look |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-fighterz-videl-alternate-costume-pigtails/ |website=Comicbook.com|date= February 1, 2019|accessdate=14 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==
Videl is one of the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise's most popular female characters.<ref name="Designs"/> In a 2004 popularity poll participated by Japanese voters, Videl was ranked the twentieth most popular character of the ''Dragon Ball'' series.<ref name=Forever>{{cite book|title=Dragon Ball Forever |year=2004 |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |isbn=4-08-873702-4|language=ja|last=Toriyama|first=Akira}}</ref> Videl remains a popular subject for cosplay activities and fan art by ''Dragon Ball'' fandom.<ref name="Cosplay1">{{cite web |last1=Valentine |first1=Evan|title=Dragon Ball Z Cosplay Gives Us Young Videl |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-z-cosplay-young-videl-best-anime-girls/|website=Comicbook.com|date= November 7, 2020 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Cosplay2">{{cite web |last1=Valentine |first1=Evan|title=Dragon Ball Z Cosplay Travels To The Past With Videl |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-z-videl-cosplay-best-anime-girl/|date= March 18, 2021 |website=Comicbook.com|accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Fanart">{{cite web |last1=Supovitz|first1=Ethan |title=Dragon Ball: 10 Fan Art Pictures Of Gohan & Videl That Are Totally Romantic |url=https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-gohan-videl-fan-art/ |website=Comic Book Resources |date=17 May 2020 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Cosplay3">{{cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title=Flirty Dragon Ball Cosplay Shows New Side of Videl|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-videl-pigtails-sexy-cosplay-flirty-best-anime/|date= July 7, 2020 |website=Comicbook.com |accessdate=14 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

In his review of the DVD compilation of the original anime's season 8, [[Anime News Network]]'s Theron Martin criticized the naming convention of the daughter of a man named Mr. Satan as "corny" and part of the series' "grating jokes".<ref name=Season8>{{cite web |first= Theron|last= Martin|title=Dragon Ball Z DVD - Season 8 Uncut |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball-z/dvd-season-8|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=25 November 2008|access-date= February 7, 2019}}</ref> Martin found that Videl's voice actress for the Funimation English dub, Kara Edwards, were among the few weak performances in the series, which surprised him as he considered her performance as Goten to be vastly superior.<ref name=Season8/>

Some commentators have discussed Videl's role within the context of the overall portrayal of female characters in the ''Dragon Ball'' series. Antonio Sánchez-Migallón from ''[[HobbyConsolas]]'' lamented that Videl went from a strong heroic character who is determined to defend her city as a vigilante to emulating her mother-in-law as a domesticated housewife whose only function is to look after Pan and her home.<ref name="HobbyConsolas">{{cite web |last1=Sánchez-Migallón|first1=Antonio|title=¿Dragon Ball es machista? El rol de la mujer en la serie|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/opinion/dragon-ball-es-machista-rol-mujer-serie-98378|website=[[HobbyConsolas]]|language=Spanish |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |date=May 12, 2017}}</ref> Similarly, Martin said Videl is too underutilized to make much of an impact.<ref name=Season8/> Conversely, Valdez praised Videl's characterization as a supportive wife to Gohan and dedicated mother to Pan during the Barry Kahn subplot in ''Super''.<ref name="Wife">{{cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title='Dragon Ball Super' Proves Videl is True Wife Goals |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dragon-ball-super-gohan-videl-wife-goals/|website=Comicbook.com|date= August 7, 2018 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In response to a [[Valencia]]n television network's decision to ban the airing of ''Dragon Ball'' due to allegations of its [[exploitation of women in mass media|sexist content]], Maigo Gomez from ''GeeksTerra'' argued that Videl is one of several examples of a strong female character with agency in the series, as opposed to a [[damsel in distress]] who is in need of rescuing.<ref name="Cancelar">{{cite web |last1= Gómez  |first1=Maigo|title=¿Cancelar Dragon Ball tras acusaciones de sexismo? Bulma al rescate|url=https://geeksterra.com/zona-geek/bulma-rescate-dragon-ball-tras-acusaciones-sexismo/|website=GeeksTerra|language=Spanish |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |date=March 27, 2021}}</ref>

Ian Walker from ''Kotaku'' reported that multiple professional [[esports]] competitors praised Videl's playable appearance in ''Dragon Ball FighterZ'' for her “fast, tricky” style as well as her strong "mix ups", which refers to a combination of different attacks that require the opposing player to employ specific defenses to guard against.<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name=Esports>{{cite web |first= Jared|last= Wynne|title=The fighting games glossary |url=https://dotesports.com/general/news/fighting-games-glossary-2106|publisher=[[Dot Esports]]|date=July 15, 2015|access-date= April 9, 2021}}</ref> On the other hand, Kevin Cardignan from ''PC Invasion'' claimed that Videl is one of the worst characters in ''FighterZ'' as she lacks a standard reflect mechanic and could only dodge instead, rendering her "susceptible to levels of pressure" which can be easily ignored by other characters.<ref name=PCInvasion>{{cite web |first= Kevin|last= Cardignan |title=Master Roshi V Jump scans reveal surprising details about his gameplay |url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/master-roshi-v-jump-movelist-leak/|publisher=PC Invasion|date=August 19, 2020|access-date= April 9, 2021}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Dragon Ball}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Animated human characters]]
[[Category:Anime and manga sidekicks]]
[[Category:Anime and manga characters introduced in 1993]]
[[Category:Dragon Ball characters]]
[[Category:Female characters in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Female superheroes]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can levitate]]
[[Category:Fictional housewives]]
[[Category:Fictional socialites]]
[[Category:Fictional murdered people]]
[[Category:Fictional resurrected characters]]
[[Category:Martial artist characters in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Superheroes in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Superheroes with alter egos]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Vigilante characters in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional parents or guardians]]