Dragon Ball: A thorough review of the Legend of Shenron - Rediscovering the power of the legend

"DRAGON BALL: The Legend of Shenron" - The origins of the legend and its appeal

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

December 20, 1986 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toei

■ Eirin Number

25148

■Frequencies

50 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Akira Toriyama

■ Director

Daisuke Nishio

■ Production

Toei (video)

■Works

©Bird Studio/Shueisha, Toei Animation

■ Story

There is a legend that has been passed down since ancient times. Seven dragon balls are scattered throughout the world, and if you collect them, Shenron will appear and grant you one wish. This is the Kingdom of Gurmes. The flowers are trampled, and the kind-hearted girl Panji is heartbroken. The villains Bongo and Pasta are trying to persuade King Gurmes to collect the dragon balls. Meanwhile, Goku meets Bulma, who is looking for the dragon balls, but Bongo and his friends steal Goku's dragon balls. Goku and Bulma chase Bongo and his friends. On the way, the two rescue Panji, who is being attacked by a demon in the forest. However, the demon's true identity is the weakling Oolong. Then the forest thieves Yamcha and Puar appear and duel with Goku, but Yamcha, who has a weakness for girls, runs away when he sees Bulma. Goku and his friends decide to help Panji after hearing his story, and go to meet the turtle hermit, who is said to be the strongest in the world. The Turtle Sage took a liking to Goku and his friends, and gave Goku the Cloud of Gold and Bulma the Dragon Ball that he had been wearing as a necklace. Finally, Goku and the others entered the Kingdom of Gurmes. Goku and the others were attacked by Bongo and his men, who had been lying in wait for them. Yamcha, who had learned the secret of the Dragon Balls, also went after the giant King Gurmes. Eventually, Bulma realized that the King had six Dragon Balls hidden in his stomach, and threw the last one at the King's mouth. Then, in a flood of light, Shenron appeared. Goku called out to Panji, "Make a wish!" "Restore my country to the way it was!" Then, flowers began to overflow all over the country, and King Gurmes regained his former kindness.

■Explanation

This is an animated film based on the original work by Akira Toriyama, depicting the adventures of Son Goku and his friends as they search for the Dragon Balls. The screenplay was written by Toshiki Inoue, who also worked on "Dr. Slump," and the director was Daisuke Nishio. This is the first time the world of Dragon Ball has been depicted on the big screen, making it a special work for fans. The story begins with the scene where Goku and Bulma first meet and begin their adventure to collect the Dragon Balls. While based on the early episodes of the original work, original characters and storylines have been added, giving it the appeal that only a film version can offer. The music and art have also been highly praised, and Kikuchi Shunsuke's music in particular has the power to strongly draw viewers in.

■Cast

Masako Nozawa Hiromi Tsuru Toru Furuya

■ Main staff

・Executive producer: Tomonori Imada ・Planning: Keizo Shichijo ・Original story: Akira Toriyama ・Screenplay: Toshiki Inoue ・Director: Daisuke Nishio ・Chief animation director: Minoru Maeda ・Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi ・Art: Yoshiyuki Yamamoto

■Detailed evaluation

"DRAGON BALL: The Legend of Shenron" is an animated film based on the original work by Akira Toriyama, and is known as the first work to depict the world of Dragon Ball on the big screen. While this work is based on the early episodes of the original work, it has its own unique appeal by adding original characters and storylines. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of this work.

Story and Characters

The story begins with the scene where Goku and Bulma first meet and begin their adventure to collect the Dragon Balls. This scene faithfully recreates an early episode from the original work, which will surely bring back memories for fans. The appearance of original characters such as the Gourmet Kingdom and Panji also adds new color to the story. Panji's purity and kindness in particular touch the hearts of viewers. Additionally, characters such as Yamcha and Oolong also appear, firmly retaining the worldview of the original work.

Visuals and Music

Visually, the beautiful artwork by animation director Maeda Minoru shines. In particular, Goku's battle scenes and Shenron's appearance scenes have a great visual impact and have the power to draw the viewer in. Kikuchi Shunsuke's music also adds to the appeal of this work. In particular, the background music that heightens the tension in the battle scenes and the magnificent music in the scenes where Shenron appears have the power to strongly draw the viewer's heart. Furthermore, Yamamoto Yoshiyuki's art has also been highly praised, with the beautiful scenery of the Gourmet Kingdom and the fantastical backgrounds of the scenes where Shenron appears enriching the worldview of the story.

Director and scriptwriter

Director Nishio Daisuke and screenplay by Inoue Toshiki also contributed greatly to the success of this work. Nishio Daisuke has firmly inherited the worldview of the original work, but by adding a unique directing style that is unique to the theatrical version, he has achieved storytelling that viewers will not tire of. Inoue Toshiki's screenplay, while based on the early episodes of the original work, skillfully combines original characters and storylines to provide viewers with fresh surprises. In particular, the scene in which Panji's wish comes true is a touching scene that warms the hearts of viewers.

■Recommendation details

"DRAGON BALL: The Legend of Shenron" is a work recommended not only to Dragon Ball fans, but also to those who like anime and adventure stories. In particular, the story based on the early episodes of the original work and the addition of original characters and storylines will provide viewers with fresh surprises. The beautiful drawings, music, and art have also been highly praised, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally. Furthermore, the director Daisuke Nishio and the script by Toshiki Inoue also enhance the appeal of this work. We hope you will watch this work and enjoy the world of Dragon Ball on the big screen.

■ Related works

"DRAGON BALL: The Legend of Shenron" is the first movie in the Dragon Ball series and has had a major impact on subsequent series. In particular, the encounter between Goku and Bulma and their adventure to collect the Dragon Balls are the basis of the entire series. In addition, some of the original characters that appeared in this work have reappeared in later series and are beloved by fans. Below, we will introduce other Dragon Ball series works related to this work.

Dragon Ball Series

・"Dragon Ball": A TV anime series based on the early episodes of the original work. It depicts the story of when Goku and Bulma first meet and begin their adventure to collect the Dragon Balls.
・"Dragon Ball Z": The story depicts Goku's growth and his battles against powerful enemies such as the Saiyans and Frieza. It is particularly appealing in that it depicts Goku's growth and the bonds he forms with his friends.
・Dragon Ball GT: This series depicts Goku's adventure to collect the Dragon Balls once again. The scenes where Goku turns back into a child and the adventures set in space are particularly appealing.
・"Dragon Ball Super": The story depicts Goku fighting a new powerful enemy. It is particularly appealing in that it depicts the battle between gods and Goku's new transformation.

■Other information

Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenron was released on December 20th, 1986, and is a 50-minute short film. It was distributed by Toei and its Eirin number is 25148. The executive producer was Imada Tomonori, the planner was Shichijo Keizo, the original story was by Toriyama Akira, the script was by Inoue Toshiki, the director was Nishio Daisuke, the animation director was Maeda Minoru, the music was by Kikuchi Shunsuke, and the art was by Yamamoto Yoshiyuki. The cast included Nozawa Masako, Tsuru Hiromi, and Furuya Toru. This is the first time the world of Dragon Ball has been depicted on the big screen, making it a special work for fans.

Conclusion

"DRAGON BALL: The Legend of Shenron" is the first work to depict the world of Dragon Ball on a big screen, and while it is based on the early episodes of the original work, its appeal lies in the addition of original characters and storylines. The beautiful drawings, music, and art have also been highly praised, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally. Furthermore, the director, Nishio Daisuke, and the script, written by Inoue Toshiki, also enhance the appeal of this work. This work is recommended not only for Dragon Ball fans, but also for those who like anime and adventure stories. We hope you will watch this work and enjoy the world of Dragon Ball on a big screen.