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The Viral Controversy: 5 Shocking Facts Behind The 'Hold Your Fire, This Man Isn't Black' Meme

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The phrase "Hold your fire, this man isn't Black" has transcended its origins in animated television to become one of the most polarizing and instantly recognizable internet memes of the last decade. Originating from the English dub of the globally popular anime series *Dragon Ball Super*, this single line of dialogue—delivered by the character Future Trunks—sparked a massive online debate, fueling discussions about cultural translation, racial sensitivity in media, and the creative liberties taken by dubbing companies like FUNimation (now part of Crunchyroll). As of late December 2025, the meme continues to circulate on platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, serving as a shorthand for misidentification, poor script choices, and the unintended consequences of localization efforts. The line is a pivotal moment of accidental comedy and controversy from the Future Trunks Saga, an arc that introduced the formidable villain Goku Black. The context of the line—a direct mistranslation or poor choice of wording—is key to understanding why it became such a viral sensation, permanently etching itself into the history of anime dubbing blunders.

The Profile of the Man Behind the Line: Future Trunks and Voice Actor Eric Vale

The character responsible for uttering the viral phrase is Future Trunks, one of the most beloved and complex figures in the *Dragon Ball* franchise. The voice that delivered the line in the English dub belongs to veteran voice actor Eric Vale. Understanding the profile of the character and the actor provides necessary context for the scene's production.
  • Character: Future Trunks (also known as Trunks Briefs, Future Warrior)
  • First Appearance (DBZ): *Dragon Ball Z* Episode 119 ("The Mysterious Youth")
  • Role in DBS: Hero of his timeline, a survivor of an apocalypse caused by the villain Goku Black.
  • Voice Actor (English Dub): Eric Vale (Christopher Eric Johnson)
  • Other Notable Roles (Eric Vale): Sanji in *One Piece*, Tomura Shigaraki in *My Hero Academia*, and America/Canada in *Hetalia: Axis Powers*.
  • Dubbing Company: FUNimation Productions (now Crunchyroll)
  • Saga/Arc: Future Trunks Saga (Dragon Ball Super)
  • Episode of Origin: *Dragon Ball Super* Episode 56 ("Rematch With Goku Black! Introducing Super Saiyan Rosé...")
Eric Vale has been the consistent voice of the character since the *Dragon Ball Z* era, bringing a unique blend of stoicism and urgency to the heroic figure. His delivery of the line, while technically accurate to the script he was given, became the unfortunate vehicle for the controversy.

1. The Exact Scene and The Original Japanese Context

The infamous line occurs in *Dragon Ball Super* Episode 56, a key episode in the Future Trunks Saga. Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks have traveled to the desolate future to confront the powerful new enemy, Goku Black, a mysterious figure who looks exactly like Goku but possesses a terrifying, malevolent energy. In the scene, the heroes arrive in the ruined future city. A surviving soldier from the resistance spots Goku and, mistaking him for the villain who has terrorized their world, prepares to open fire. This is when Future Trunks, recognizing his ally, yells the line. The controversy stems from the translation of the villain's name. In the original Japanese, the villain is simply referred to as Goku Black (Goku Burakku). The Japanese word "Black" (Burakku) is used as a defining moniker, similar to "Goku X" or "Dark Goku," and has no racial connotation. The soldier's line in the Japanese version is closer to: "Don't shoot! That's not Black!" or "Hold your fire! He's not Black!" The English dubbing team at FUNimation chose the highly literal, yet culturally tone-deaf, translation: "Hold your fire, this man isn't Black!" This choice immediately injected a racial element into a scene that was only about character misidentification, turning a simple plot point into a cultural flashpoint.

2. The Cultural Backlash and The Birth of a Meme

The moment the English dub of *Dragon Ball Super* Episode 56 aired, the line was met with a mixture of disbelief, laughter, and serious criticism across social media platforms. * The Shock Value: The line's sudden, explicit use of the word "Black" in a context entirely divorced from the character's race created instant shock value. Fans immediately recognized the poor judgment of the dubbing scriptwriters, who failed to consider the racial implications in a Western context. * The Memeification: The phrase quickly became a viral copypasta and an image macro. Its popularity skyrocketed because it could be used ironically to comment on any situation involving mistaken identity, especially those with a humorous or exaggerated undertone of panic. It became a commentary on the absurdity of quick-to-judge situations. * The Dubbing Debate: The controversy reignited long-standing debates about the quality and cultural sensitivity of anime localization, specifically the work done by FUNimation. Critics pointed to the line as an example of "dub-isms"—instances where translators take unnecessary liberties or insert culturally specific language that clashes with the original intent. Other entities involved in the saga, such as the introduction of Super Saiyan Rosé and the true identity of Goku Black being the Kai Zamasu, were overshadowed by the single, highly quotable line.

3. The Lingering Topical Authority in Anime Localization

Even years after its debut, the "Hold your fire, this man isn't Black" line holds significant topical authority within discussions of anime localization and cultural translation. It is frequently cited alongside other infamous dubbing controversies, serving as a cautionary tale for the industry. * The Translator's Dilemma: The incident highlights the complex job of anime scriptwriters. They must balance fidelity to the original source material (the character's name is "Black") with the need for a script that resonates naturally and appropriately with the target audience. In this case, the decision to use the literal "Black" without any contextual rephrasing (e.g., "Hold your fire, that's not the Black guy!") was a critical failure in cultural awareness. * LSI Keywords and Entities: The meme's longevity is tied to the enduring popularity of *Dragon Ball Super* and its core entities: Goku, Vegeta, Future Mai, and the various Saiyan transformations. The line acts as a cultural bridge, connecting the serious themes of the Future Trunks Saga (e.g., time travel, existential threat, Potara Fusion) to a lighthearted, yet critical, commentary on media production. * Current Industry Standards: Following this and other similar incidents, many major localization companies, including Crunchyroll (which absorbed FUNimation), have reportedly implemented stricter checks and balances, employing sensitivity readers and cultural consultants to prevent such gaffes. The rise of simulcasting and the increased scrutiny of global fandoms mean localization errors are now instantly broadcast and analyzed, making the need for careful scripting paramount. The phrase remains a powerful, if uncomfortable, reminder of how a single word choice in a voice-over booth can irrevocably alter a piece of global media. It is a testament to the internet's ability to isolate, amplify, and immortalize a moment of creative misjudgment, ensuring that the legacy of the Future Trunks Saga will forever be tied to the soldier who almost shot Goku.
hold your fire this man isn't black
hold your fire this man isn't black

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