The "The Cartel Loves Dragon Ball" meme is a fascinating internet phenomenon rooted in the massive, genuine popularity of Akira Toriyama's franchise across Latin America. The meme often jokingly claims that crime rates in Mexico plummet whenever a significant Dragon Ball event occurs or that cartel members are the series' biggest fans. This sentiment peaked following the passing of Toriyama in 2024, with various memes depicting fictional "truces" in his honor. It highlights the strange but wholesome cross-cultural impact of anime, using "hard" imagery of cartel life juxtaposed with the heroic, nostalgic world of Super Saiyans to create a uniquely absurd brand of humor.