One 36-Year-Old Dragon Ball Z Movie Is Incredibly Fun but a Major Controversy That Stops Hardcore Fans From Watching It

SUMMARY

• Dragon Ball series has many parts and fans often get caught up in the canon-filler debate, stamping every movie and spin-off with their rightful status.
• Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone movie sparked a similar debate when it was released back in 1989, and the sequel anime arc added fuel to the fire.
• Irrespective of the controversy, the movie is undeniably fun and has a lot to offer to hardcore fans who refuse to watch it due to its filler status.

For a series as widely spread out as Dragon Ball, it can be quite challenging to figure out the canon and filler parts. While some fans can’t get enough of their favorite series and watch everything it has to offer, others strictly follow a ‘no-fillers policy’. Whichever group you belong to, one Dragon Ball movie that would inevitably entertain you is Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone. 

Garlic Jr. in Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

Released in 1989, the mention of Dead Zone rings a bell of nostalgia for die-hard fans of the series. The movie revolves around Gohan’s abduction by Garlic Jr. He was a silly villain, who managed to achieve a goal many iconic villains in the series dreamt of. Dead Zone was released shortly after the original series ended. It was quintessential Dragon Ball in every shape and form possible. 

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is controversial but enjoyable nonetheless 

Back in the day, filler content was an integral aspect of many popular anime series, whether the purpose was to cushion the important parts or extend the content to draw in more profits. Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone qualifies as a filler addition to the series, which made it a controversial topic among fans.

Gohan gets concerned after Chi Chi tries to save him and gets injured in the process | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

Among the hardcore fans, it’s common knowledge that most of the movies, at least early on in the series, are filler. What made Dead Zone controversial for fans was its mention in the anime. In Dragon Ball Z, Garlic Jr. Saga, which is a sequel to Dead Zone, was a part of Frieza Saga. Going through the anime, some fans would wonder if it was necessary to watch the movie, as the anime featured a follow-up arc.

However, similar to the anime movie, the arc was also filler as none of it was a part of Akira Toriyama‘s manga. Another aspect that made fans doubt Dead Zone’s filler/canon status was its placement in the timeline. The movie simultaneously affirmed and defied the canon storyline.

Goku fights Garlic Jr.’s henchmen | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

While it fits perfectly between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z by exploring uncharted territory, Krillin being aware of Gohan’s existence was a contradiction to the canon content. So, in a lot of ways, every discussion about Dead Zone’s status was sure to get murky. 

Here’s why you should watch Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone 

Despite this slightly controversial aspect, the movie is a must-watch for many fans. From exciting fights to the animation, Dead Zone is remarkable. The movie shows Goku in a positive light as a family man, as he gets overly concerned about Gohan’s abduction and returns as soon as he senses something has gone wrong. Moreover, Piccolo’s involvement in the movie is a treat for his fans.

Piccolo in Dead Zone | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

At its core, the movie has all the elements that make the original series appealing to fans. The fight sequences involve brawls heavily dependent on martial arts and less reliant on strong power-ups. Most importantly, the movie is just 40 minutes long, so anyone who is intrigued by it can watch it without spending too much time. 

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

Written by Laveena Joshi

Articles Published: 422

Laveena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism with a keen interest in entertainment journalism. Known to defend Naruto with her life, her love for anime has turned into great appreciation for the Japanese Culture. Besides considering herself a veteran weeb, she's also a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. Better if the perfect brew is paired with a random video essay from YouTube. Blending her love for anime with the know-hows of content writing, she is now an anime content writer at FandomWire.