Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Note: This is not a movie, but a set of tapes with episodes of the Dragon Ball Z show on them.

Runtime: about 3 hours

Ok, here’s the intro part:

Background: Dragon Ball Z (DBZ) is a Japanese cartoon (anime) that was created by Akira Toriyama. DBZ is a show of super-powerful beings that fight evil – most of the conflict centered around magical items called dragonballs. Dragonballs can only be created by Nameks, powerful alien beings (of which the character Piccolo is one). The idea? Collect all seven dragonballs and a dragon will appear and grant anywhere from 1-3 wishes (depending upon which set of dragonballs one is using – there are about 4 sets throughout the entire DBZ existence). The main hero of the entire series is Goku. Goku is a Saiyan – an alien race that thrives on battle (Goku is the exception) and was destroyed many years ago.

By this time (saga wise) there have been five previous sagas; The Saiyan Saga, the Namek Saga, the Captain Ginyu Saga, the Frieza Saga, and the Garlic Jr. Saga. At this point in time, it is possible to start watching DBZ from here, but there is still a lot you would not know that could be helpful for certain instances.

On to the actual review.

The Trunks Saga is kind of short and a little slow as well. It’s more like down time between large fights and such. There really isn’t too much to this saga at all. My best description of it? Filler.

Everyone is living a normal life – even Vegeta is back and being somewhat civil. But then they get some startling news – Frieza and his father are on their way to earth! However, joining them this time is a strange young man named Trunks. Trunks is also a Super Saiyan. *gasp!* How could this be? Where did Trunks come from? How is it possible for another Super Saiyan to exist? Trunks has special news he wishes to tell only to Goku…and so they wait because according to Trunks, Goku should be showing up sooner or later…

So after we see Frieza and his father and their men dealt with (joy), the wait begins (not so joy). If you get the English version it’s quite ridiculous some of the lines the characters say. A couple of times I was slapping my forehead in a, “Oh my goodness, he did not just say that,” type of way. Even when Goku does arrive there are only a few interesting things before it’s slow and chilled again. Not really much of a saga in the terms of saga…more like just a small series. The “Trunks Series.” Yea, that works better. Aside from Trunks’s appearance and what he has to tell Goku, there’s nothing much else going on for this set.

Once again, these volume sets are generally $5 per tape, but if you shop around, you might be able to get it for less. And as I’ve said for everything; English uncut is good, Japanese uncut subtitles is better – especially with some of the ridiculous lines in these shows…ugh.

NT

Episode List:

#103 Frieza’s Counterattack
#104 The Mysterious Youth
#105 Another Super Saiyan?
#106 Welcome Back Goku
#107 Mystery Revealed
#108 Goku’s Special Technique
#109 Z Warriors Prepare
#110 Goku’s Ordeal

Other DBZ reviews:

The Series:
Sagas before this one:
Dragon Ball Z - Saiyan Saga: 8-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Namek Saga: 9-Volume Set
Dragon Ball Z - Captain Ginyu Saga: 2-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Frieza Saga: 10-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Garlic Jr. Saga: 3-Volume Box Set

Sagas after:
Dragon Ball Z - Androids Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Perfect Cell Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - World Tournament Saga: 3-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Babidi Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Majin Buu Saga: 7-Volume Box Set

The Movies:
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The World's Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Cooler’s Revenge
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Super Android 13
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Bojack Unbound

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older