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For a series as widely spread out asDragon 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, oneDragon Ballmovie that would inevitably entertain you isDragon Ball Z: Dead Zone.
Released in 1989, the mention ofDead 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 Zonewas released shortly after the original series ended. It was quintessentialDragon Ballin every shape and form possible.
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zoneis 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 Zonequalifies as a filler addition to the series, which made it a controversial topic among fans.
Among the hardcore fans, it’s common knowledge that most of the movies, at least early on in the series, are filler. What madeDead Zonecontroversial for fans was its mention in the anime. InDragon Ball Z, Garlic Jr. Saga, which is a sequel toDead 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.
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However, similar to the anime movie, the arc was also filler as none of it was a part ofAkira Toriyama‘s manga. Another aspect that made fans doubtDead Zone’s filler/canon status was its placement in the timeline. The movie simultaneously affirmed and defied the canon storyline.
While it fits perfectly betweenDragon BallandDragon Ball Zby 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 aboutDead Zone’s status was sure to get murky.
Here’s why you should watchDragon 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 Zoneis 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.
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 Zoneis available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Laveena Joshi
Anime Writer
Articles Published :926
Laveena is an anime content writer at FandomWire. Having written more than 800 articles, she’s an expert in mainstream shonen series, ranging from the bizarre world of JoJo’s to the expansive worldbuilding of One Piece.With her formal education in Journalism and Mass Communication, she explores entertainment journalism through the lens of anime and manga, from mainstream and classic titles to niche and obscure ones.
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