The Word "Saiyan" Was Literally Conjured Up From The Word "Vegetable?"

[Sovran Nila]

"For example, the one in control of the Saiyans and other villainous aliens is Frieza. Strictly speaking, Frieza is “freezer”, but I envisioned a refrigerator when I named him. So, I grouped the names according to foods that go inside it. The Saiyans are vegetables [yasai, “vegetables”], and the Ginyu Force are dairy products [gyūnyū, “cows’ milk”], like that."
— Akira Toriyama - Super Exciting Guide: Character Volume interview

Is this considered genius and creative, or dull and lazy?

 

[Cirno777]

I'd say it's a more interesting or fun way to name characters, it's now my favourite way to name characters, I just go into my kitchen & pick items on the counter & in the cupboards & inside the fridge at random.

 

[Warmmedown]

It's hard to come up with loads of names from nothing. I think it's fine, although names based on something more profound might be cooler. But it did teach me that gohan means rice/dinner.

You could choose what to eat based on DB/Z/GT/Super characters. https://spinthewheel.app/dragon-ball-characters
I got Launch/Lunch lol. That's not useful.
Got Master Roshi. Turtle for dinner, or maybe I can use that one to decide to go to the aquarium.

 

[Sovran Nila]

It's hard to come up with loads of names from nothing. I think it's fine, although names based on something more profound might be cooler. But it did teach me that gohan means rice/dinner.

You could choose what to eat based on DB/Z/GT/Super characters. https://spinthewheel.app/dragon-ball-characters
I got Launch/Lunch lol. That's not useful.
Got Master Roshi. Turtle for dinner, or maybe I can use that one to decide to go to the aquarium.

 

[Warmmedown]

Vegetables and bananas (Goku/Sun Wukong). Then go for a zoo outing and throw broccoli at the monkeys.

 

[Hector]

"For example, the one in control of the Saiyans and other villainous aliens is Frieza. Strictly speaking, Frieza is “freezer”, but I envisioned a refrigerator when I named him. So, I grouped the names according to foods that go inside it. The Saiyans are vegetables [yasai, “vegetables”], and the Ginyu Force are dairy products [gyūnyū, “cows’ milk”], like that."
— Akira Toriyama - Super Exciting Guide: Character Volume interview

Is this considered genius and creative, or dull and lazy?

It is what someone like Majin Nila would do.