“Sometimes life is too uncertain to have regrets.” Son Goku
When DragonBall appeared in the magazine Shonen Jump, Akira Toriyama presented an incredible saga. Spanning tens and tens of volumes. Following the martial arts prodigy Songoku; from his childhood to his adulthood. Encountering allies, rivals, and antagonists that would change his life. Alongside those he met, and those who published or read his story. Which would be adapted in various forms. In video games, figurines, collectible cards, movies, and animated series. Such as this one Toei Animation initiated while the manga was still in publication.
Directed by Daisuke Nishio and Minoru Okazaki, this television adaptation of DragonBall manga doesn’t follow the entire manga series. For this production, we see the evolution of the martial artist Songoku from his early childhood till 18 years old. Meeting the smart and determined Bulma, who wants to collect all Seven DragonBalls to summon a Dragon Genie that shall fulfill her wish. Then the various trainings Goku does with Master Muten Roshi, alongside tournament participations at the Tenkaichi Budokai; alongside confrontations Goku has with other antagonists. Whether they are delusional madman named Pilaf, who wishes to dominate the world, or an army of terrorist soldiers called Red Ribbon Army, or a demonical being named Piccolo Daimao. Overall, a rainbow of adventures for the young prodigy who becomes stronger as he always meets more powerful enemies. Making this series an incredible Bildungsroman for viewers. Whether they have read or not the original manga.
Therefore, the series’ development was done to accomodate fans and newcomers. For the latter, the story follows every plot point in the manga. Making sure that nothing was neglected, even adding new points to the story that will please manga readers. Scenes enriching certain characters’ interactions or new plot points that happened between year long training arcs, as Goku trains by himself. New episodes involving other protagonists and antagonists the fighter will confront or befriend. Making this series a worthy show for manga fans who don’t want to waste time on a carbon copy of the original manga.
Now as the story was still in publication, the anime had to keep a good pace with the manga. Never try to over pass it or add unnecessary moments that would stretch for too long the show. So there are episodes where an event that got concluded in two manga chapters would be stretched in two or three episodes. Playing with the fights’ tension or Goku’s conflicts, while enriching further the folklore and universe of this legendary story. Set once upon a time, in a long ago past of dinosaurs according to the narrator, but with so many futuristic & technological feats, alongside elements of modern culture that we realize the narrator is unreliable and displaying an anachronistic reality.
In its arcs, the anime presents beautiful moments such as the first DragonBalls search with the original group. Through adventure episodes that I always find memorable. With characters that would be tossed aside at times, such as Yamcha who became not as popular as Tenshinhan or Piccolo. A reality maybe due to the various popularity votes during the publication which pinpointed out to Toriyama and his editor which character readers prefered. Though with the arcs we got, all of them share well-written adventures. At the exception of one, which would be the encounter with the antagonist General Blue during the Red Ribbon saga.
In the Red Ribbon arc, Goku and his friends fight various soldiers such as General Red, Purple, Black, their machines, and goons like the assassin Tao Pai Pai. But among them is the General Blue. Known for his powerful strength and psychokinetic powers, the general also happens to be gay. Homosexuality which is not at all portrayed in a positive light. In the first instance, when Bulma and Krillin find out he is gay, they react to his sexual orientation with hostility, saying that everyone in the Red Ribbon army is gay, with Krillin even using a very homophobic slur at one instance. Worse, during a scene set at Penguin village that was not present in the manga, the anime literally portrays General Blue as a pedophile. Which is a really offensive and homophobic moment since the show is implying there that gays are all pedophiles and predatorial perverts. A presentation that happens again since at the final chapter of the manga, a gay man is among the competitors and behaves like a pervert as he sexually craves for Trunks in a disturbing way.
So when the only two homosexual characters in DragonBall are rendered as perverts/sexual predators/creeps, I find it sad that the series had to display such homophobic presentation. Now of course, one must remember that the series is a product of its time period. Of the 1980s and early 1990s, at a time when homosexuality was not well-viewed in Japan, country which the mangaka Osamu Tezuka denounced as one of the most homophobic in the world. So in no way do I think the anime series should be boycotted or censored, nor do I think the individuals who wrote those scenes are mean people, whether they are Akira Toriyama or the anime showrunners. To me, I think they are very good people who nevertheless had prejudices over homosexuality back then, which they probably do not have anymore as mangas like Gengoroh Tagami’s My Brother’s Husband, Yoshihiro Togashi’s Level E and Yu Yu Hakusho, Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon, Moto Hagio’s mangas, and Clamp’s series have helped bring out a more positive and accurate presentation of homosexuality. But I think it is important to remember that this adaptation of Dragonball, alongside its original manga, was produced at a time when people back then did not have a well-educated view on the LGBT reality. So if the series had to be readapted in a new anime show, it is evident that the homosexuality of General Blue would either have to be presented more respectfully; or just not even mentionned at all; since, when looking back, I found its presence completely unecessary to the story’s development.
On another note, the animation is 1980s cell production. So you won’t see in it any computer effects or 3D models like in today’s shows. Instead, good old traditional 2D animation on acetate cells and traditional multiplane cameras. And as a Toei Animation production, most of their shows have a habit of offering more limited animation. But here, I found Toei’s work offering more fluid animation movements than in other shows. Which I think has to do with the various summaries they do at the start of each episode, or in reminescent flashbacks the characters might have. Very good initiative as it allows the team involved to use the time frame of those moments (either 30 seconds or even one minute) to intersparse fluid animation at specific key scenes. Such as cool martial arts moves or great fire/water/thunder effects. Alongside really detailed drawings in some caricatural, funny or frightening moments. Worthy to watch out if you are fond of very artistic animations.
Now for the voice actors, as I watched to the show in Japanese, it is a joy to recognise figures I know from other shows. Such as Toru Furuya who does Yamcha in DragonBall, but also Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon and Seiya in Saint Seiya. But also Masako Nozawa, known in the DragonBall series for her role as Son Goku while I also know she did the Japanese voice of Esteban for the anime Mysterious Cities of Gold. A great actress doing both Goku in his youth and his adult age.A move that annoyed soome fans, but which I think does work well as it helps reinforce the naivety and innocence of the character. And knowing that Son Goku has become the Olympic Mascot for Tokyo 2020, I do hope she will get to be part of the Olympic ceremonies as well.
As for the music, Shunsuke Kikuichi is at the helm. And he composes here a soundtrack as amazing as what he did in UFO Robot Grendizer. With oriental music at certain locations, orchestral horns and violins for dramatic showdowns, and even 1980s J-Pop rock music at other moments. Including songs praising the martial arts skills of the characters. So for fans of Anime music, I encourage you all to purchase on Amazon the anime’s soundtrack albums as their tracks are amazing. Displaying further the richness of the DragonBall world, but also the emotional trials of these characters.
Finally, as the series is 153 episodes, I can understand that some viewers might find that a lengthy and difficult task to perform. But if you take the time to see 3 episodes each day, you can enjoy the entire run in 51 days. Which is how I got to see the series in over two months.
In conclusion, even though certain elements in the show have badly aged, DragonBall series remains an excellent anime worthy to see again and again. A great classic of the 1980s.
Omnes's Oasis 