Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (ドラゴンボールＺゼット 龍りゅう拳けん爆ばく発はつ！！悟ご空くうがやらねば誰だれがやる, Doragon Bōru Zetto Ryū-Ken Bakuhatsu!! Gokū ga Yaraneba Dare ga Yaru, lit. Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won’t Do it, Who Will?), also known as Dragon Ball Z: Explosion of Dragon Punch,^[1] is the sixteenth Dragon Ball film and the thirteenth under the Dragon Ball Z banner.

It was originally released in Japan on July 15, 1995, with it premiering at the 1995 Toei Anime Fair. It was dubbed in English by Funimation and was released in the United States on September 12, 2006.

Summary[]

The movie begins with a young boy on a distant planet frantically searching his current area, sword at the ready. Suddenly a loud noise alerts him that the thing he was searching for is behind him. However, it is too late to react as the young boy is smashed under the foot of a giant creature. Off in the distance, a villainous laugh can be heard.

The movie then cuts to Earth as a bank robbery is taking place. The bank robbers are getting away when Great Saiyaman's superhero alter ego, stops the car with his foot and smashes the front end flinging the felons out the car to confront Great Saiyaman II's ("Great Saiyawoman" in the Funimation dub). They apprehend the felons and turn them into the police, all the while being spied on by some strange old man in the shadows. A short while later, they are summoned again from their school to rescue an old man who wants to commit suicide. When Gohan and Videl arrive on the scene, they discover that he is the same man who had been spying on them. After rescuing him, the old man introduces himself as Hoi and tells the two about the legendary warrior Tapion and that he needs their help in releasing him from the music box he is being held in, as the Earth would be endangered if he were not released. Gohan tries to open the box with his massive strength but to no avail. The old man tells them he knows of the Dragon Balls and advises the couple to use them to open the box. They agree to bring the box to Bulma's home first to see if there was another way to open the mysterious box, not knowing that Hoi had other plans on his mind.

They arrive at Bulma's house with Goku, Goten, and Krillin. After analyzing the box, Goku tries his hand at opening the box but he cannot open it either. So, it was decided to gather the Dragon Balls and summon Shenron to see if he can open it. After summoning Shenron, Tapion is released, and the music box shatters into pieces. Angry at the fact that he was released, Tapion demands that he be resealed in the box, which is impossible due to the damage done by his emergence. A furious Tapion storms off and isolates himself in a dilapidated building. The warrior is visited regularly by Trunks, who has taken a liking to him and brings him food, but Tapion refuses to eat and rebuffs Trunks' attempts to bond with him.

Shortly after Tapion is released, Hirudegarn's lower half starts to wreck West City. Gohan and Videl arrive at the scene to investigate, but shortly after they arrive, they are almost swept away by the monster's tail. They execute their Great Saiyaman poses, however Hirudegarn's legs are not impressed; he throws the two heroes to opposite sides of the street, causing Videl to lose her helmet, and Gohan losing his turban and sunglasses. Gohan, with Videl's support, immediately counterattacks. After Gohan powers up to his Ultimate form, Videl thinks Gohan has won, but Gohan says it isn't over yet. Tapion comes to aid Gohan and Videl by playing a magical tune on his Hero's Flute, weakening Hirudegarn's bottom half, causing it to vanish and leaves the battlefield.

Later on, while Trunks is again visiting Tapion, Hoi attempts to steal the Hero's Flute from Tapion and is confronted by Trunks. The devious Hoi tells Trunks that Tapion is the true monster. The young Saiyan doesn't believe him and instead gives the instrument back to Tapion. Tapion then befriends Trunks and asks him to dine with him. Tapion is invited by Trunks to stay at Capsule Corporation. While there, Tapion explains the whole story to Bulma.

Tapion starts his story beginning thousands of years ago. On planet Konats, a planet in the South Area of the universe, a group of black magicians, the Kashvar, use a spell on a statue to bring the monster it depicted to life, thus sparking a war on the planet. The monster, Hirudegarn, goes on a rampage and kills everyone who tries to get in his way, devastating the planet. Two young heroes, Tapion and his brother Minotia, manage to freeze the monster in his tracks by each playing their divine ocarinas, giving a wizard the opportunity to cut the monster in half with a divine sword. Since Hirudegarn can't be killed at the time, his upper half is sealed in Tapion and the other half in Minotia. However, fearing that the monster might reappear someday, the brothers are separated, each sealed in a music box and shot into opposite ends of the galaxy. After hearing Tapion's story, Bulma decides to create a room based on the broken music box design and the music the Hero's Flute produces so that Tapion can finally rest.

Hirudegarn's lower half is once again wreaking havoc, as he draws many men and women into his tail to devour their life energy. At the same time, Tapion tries sleeping inside the new chamber, but he has a terrible nightmare that causes him to destroy the chamber. The next morning Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Videl arrive at Bulma's house to inspect the destroyed chamber. Tapion appears suddenly, warning everyone the lower half of the creature is on the loose. To stop the creature from uniting its body, he asks the group to kill him, in turn killing the creature's upper half. However, Hoi and the lower half of the Hirudegarn appear to stop anyone from killing Tapion. When Tapion is about to play the Hero's Flute, the power of the lower half causes the upper half in Tapion's body to react and release itself. Hoi succeeds in his plans, and with the monster back together, he believes nothing can stop him. A battle begins as Goku transforms into his Super Saiyan 2^[2] form, Goten transforms into his Super Saiyan form, and Gohan powers up his maximum potential.

They launch their counterattack but are quickly beaten since the monster can easily dodge by teleporting and countering their attacks. Gohan is grabbed and just before he is about to be squeezed into a pulp by Hirudegarn, Vegeta saves him by firing a Ki Blast at Hirudegarn's arm and proceeds to fight. He transforms into a Super Saiyan,^[3] angry at Hirudegarn for wrecking his house in Capsule Corporation. After a brief fight, Vegeta is thrown into a nearby building but is knocked out after he saves the people in the building from Hirudegarn's flame attack by using all his powers to create a barrier strong enough to withstand the assault. Goku comes in to help but still is unable to beat the monster, squeezed very badly and is knocked out. Goten and Trunks fuse into Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks and fires his Continuous Die Die Missile at the monster. Hirudegarn is believed to be defeated, but the attack only causes him to evolve into his second, more powerful form. Now in his new insect-like form, Hirudegarn mows Gotenks down to the ground and splits him back into Goten and Trunks. Gohan and Videl are then thrown into a building and Goku into some rubble. However, Goku isn't out and keeps on fighting with all his might.

Just then, Tapion plays the Hero's Flute again and manages to seal Hirudegarn inside himself. He then asks Trunks to kill him with his own sword, which will destroy the trapped monster. Trunks hesitates at first, but just as he is about to do it, Hirudegarn breaks free, and the Hero's Flute is destroyed in the process. Hoi mocks Tapion for being so foolish but is killed as Hirudegarn steps on and crushes him. Just then, Goku reappears as a Super Saiyan 3 battles Hirudegarn again while Trunks cuts off Hirudegarn's tail with Tapion's sword. Goku stops Trunks while Gohan yells at Goku about Hirudegarn's weakness, which Goku has already seen. He then uses Dragon Fist to pierce through Hirudegarn, obliterating the monster. With the monster gone for good, Tapion uses Bulma's Time Machine to go back to his own planet, after giving his sword to Trunks.

Timeline placement[]

This film is set after the conclusion of Majin Buu's defeat and peace has returned to Earth.^[4] According to Daizenshuu 7, it takes place in approximately Age 774.

Releases[]

Wrath of the Dragon was originally released on VHS and Laserdisc in Japan. In 2006, Toei Animation released Fusion Reborn as part of the final Dragon Box DVD set, which included all four Dragon Ball films and thirteen Dragon Ball Z films. These were presented in a new widescreen transfer from the original negatives with a 16:9 aspect ratio that was matted from the original 4:3 aspect ratio. Wrath of the Dragon is the only film in the set that features a stereo mix.

There was a VCD of the film released in Malaysia by Speedy Video which is considered very rare.

Funimation released Wrath of the Dragon for DVD on September 12, 2006 in uncut form.^[5] As was the case with all previous releases, the movie was released in an unmatted 4:3 aspect ratio. The DVD featured an English dub with an original score done by Nathan M. Johnson (miscredited to Mark Menza for the remastered releases). Johnson learned to play the ocarina as he was composing Tapion's theme.

Funimation re-released Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon on DVD and Blu-ray on May 19, 2009 as part of their "Double Feature" line.^[6] This new set featured a brand-new widescreen transfer from Video Post & Transfer and a new audio mix for the English dub featuring the original Japanese score done by Shunsuke Kikuchi in addition to the old mix featuring the Johnson score.

Funimation repackaged the Double Feature DVDs into three new thinpak sets, the third of which was released on January 3, 2012 and included Broly - Second Coming, Bio-Broly, Fusion Reborn, and Wrath of the Dragon. These three sets were also released together in the Canada-only Dragon Ball Z: Complete Movie Collection featuring reversioned artwork of Goten and Trunks from Bio-Broly on the cover.

Double feature Movie 4 Pack Dragon Ball Z Complete Movie Collection

Cast[]

A second English version produced and released exclusively in Malaysia by Speedy features an unknown voice cast.

Music[]

• Ending Theme (ED): "Ore ga Yaranakya Dare ga Yaru"

Battles[]

• Minotia vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation)
• Gohan (Great Saiyaman) and Videl (Great Saiyawoman) vs. Bank Robbers
• Gohan (Great Saiyaman/Ultimate) and Videl (Great Saiyawoman) vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation)
• Tapion vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation)
• Konatsian Wizard vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation) (Flashback)
• Goku (Base/Super Saiyan 2), Goten (Base/Super Saiyan), and Gohan (Base/Ultimate) vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation)
• Vegeta (Base/Super Saiyan) vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation)
• Gotenks (Super Saiyan 3) vs. Hirudegarn (Pre-Transformation/Post-Transformation)
• Gohan (Ultimate) and Videl vs. Hirudegarn (Post-Transformation)
• Goku (Super Saiyan 2) vs. Hirudegarn (Post-Transformation)
• Tapion vs. Hirudegarn (Post-Transformation)
• Goku (Super Saiyan 3) and Trunks vs. Hirudegarn (Post-Transformation)

Reception[]

IGN gave the movie a 7/10.^[7] When Wrath of the Dragon was released on DVD in North America, it sold more than 50,000 copies in the first week of its release^[8] and more than 59,000 copies the following week.^[9] Wrath of the Dragon sold 331,604 DVD copies during the entire original DVD run in North America, generating $4,751,416^[10] in profit for FUNimation Entertainment. This makes Wrath of the Dragon one of the best selling and most profitable anime movies ever released on DVD by FUNimation Entertainment.

Trivia[]

• Unlike the other movies, this one does not have an opening credits sequence. Instead, the credits are played over the first part of the movie following the "teaser" scene at the beginning.
• In the English dub, when Shenron is summoned, he states that he will grant one wish. This is a mistake, since this movie takes place after the Majin Buu Saga.
• The moon appears in the sky in one scene, despite having seemingly been destroyed by Piccolo over a decade prior.
• King Nikochan makes a cameo appearance as one of Trunks' toys.
  • Additionally, Sideswipe from Transformers (in his vehicle form) makes a cameo appearance as one of Trunks' toys.
• This movie shows that a fusion can be ended if the fused character takes too much damage.
• At the end of the Japanese version of this movie, as the Dragon Team bid their final farewell to Tapion, they mention that they will gather the Dragon Balls and wish everyone back to life who was caught in the crossfire during their battle. The English version features no such dialogue.
• At the beginning of the ending credits, Future Trunks is shown fighting Mecha Frieza, slicing him with his sword, which is a strong hint that the sword that Tapion gave to Kid Trunks somehow got to the hands of his future self.
• The 23^rd Shunsuke Kikuchi music package for the franchise starts here. The cues were designated "M21XX" codes, and this package would make its series debut in "Granddaughter Pan". This was the final package of music he composed for the franchise.
• The events of this movie are referenced in both the opening of Dragon Ball GT (where Trunks uses the Brave Sword) and in an episode of the Dragon Ball Super anime, where Kid Trunks states he will slice up Frieza (which is a reference to both his future counterpart and his acquisition of the Brave Sword from Tapion).
• The timeline of Wrath of the Dragon is shown to have a Super Dragon Ball Heroes game world equivalent in Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, though during the game's story, its timeline is altered by an anomaly created by the rouge former Galactic Patrolman and Time Patroller Sealas. The DBH Team, Tapion, and Minotia confront Hoi and his allies, where they defeat Hirudegarn and the Villainous Mode empowered villains. As a result, Minotia survives this alternate timeline, allowing him and Tapion to live in peace with Hirudegarn destroyed.
• In the original Funimation DVD Single, the end credits video clips were accompanied by their respective voice audio (in addition to the credits theme). In the Funimation remastered releases that followed, the end credits video clips no longer have voice audio and only have the credits theme playing.

Gallery[]

Cover Art Wrath of the Dragon poster Wrath of the Dragon Movie Pamphlet Wrath of the Dragon DVD cover Dragon Ball The Movies: Volume 13 Wrath of the Dragon Anime comic cover DBZ Movie 13 artwork Character Artwork Tapion artwork Goku and Gohan Movie 13 design Goten and Trunks Movie 13 Design Videl, Bulma and Vegeta Movie 13 Design Tapion and Minotia Design Hirudegarn Design Minotia seconds before meeting his end Gohan stops a criminal's car with his foot One of the thieves Videl in her Saiyawoman costume Gohan and Videl posing together Gohan and Videl posing Orange Star High School Miss Hamilton, the English teacher of Gohan's class Erasa and Gohan The Great Saiyamen Hoi telling about the music box Goku tries to open the music box Krillin at the carnival Gohan and Videl search for a Dragon Ball Videl finds a Dragon Ball A Dragon Ball on a Snowman Goku and Hoi A Dragon Ball in a lion's mouth Lions in a zoo A Dragon Ball shown to Hoi Goku gets the Dragon Ball from the lions At Capsule Corporation The Dragon Balls are gathered The group summons Shenron Hoi at Capsule Corporation The Dragon Balls rise The Dragon Balls scatter Hoi using his magic Tapion appears Tapion Tapion playing his ocarina Tapion Tapion angered by Hoi releasing him Videl and Bulma Trunks Goku eating Bulma annoyed by Master Roshi Roshi knocked-out Gohan and Videl Hirudegarn's lower half appears when faced by Gohan and Videl Gohan throws a Ki Blast at Hirudegarn Gohan confronts Hirudegarn Gohan confronts Hirudegarn Gohan powers up Gohan powers up Gohan fires energy blasts at Hirudegarn Gohan attacks Hirudegarn Gohan blasts Hirudegarn The explosions created by Gohan's attack Tapion playing his ocarina Tapion with his ocarina Tapion's blade Tapion's blade A cat in Tapion's hideout Trunks in Tapion's hideout Hoi attacking Trunks Hoi asking Trunks to give him Tapion's Hero's Flute The evil wizard, Hoi Minotia (flashback) The King Nikochan figure in Trunks' right hand Hirudegarn on Konats in a flashback Hirudegarn as a statue in a flashback Hirudegarn being unsealed by the Kashvars The Konatsian wizard prepares his Brave Sword attack The Konatsian wizard launches his assault on Hirudegarn Trunks, Tapion, and Gohan Hoi's blast fired at Tapion's hand Tapion hallucinates his own death Ultimate Gohan Hirudegarn attacks Z Fighters with his tail Hirudegarn uses his Genma Flame Hirudegarn's Genma Flame Hirudegarn attacks Goku with his Genma Flame attack Hirudegarn's Genma Flame hits Videl Hirudegarn crushes Hoi Hirudegarn avoids Goku's kick Hirudegarn appearing as mist Hirudegarn blasts Goku again with his Genma Flame Vegeta's energy blast on Hirudegarn Vegeta attacks Hirudegarn Vegeta attacks Hirudegarn with a charged Ki Blast Vegeta charges a Ki Blast against Hirudegarn Vegeta shields innocent workers in an office building Vegeta protects people from Hirudegarn's flame breath Gotenks unleashes his Continuous Die Die Missile attack Gotenks' Continuous Die Die Missile hits Hirudegarn Gotenks' Continuous Die Die Missile hits Hirudegarn Gotenks with Goku and Gohan Hirudegarn hardens Hirudegarn's shell cracks Hirudegarn starts to emerge Hirudegarn emerges from its shell Hirudegarn in its new form Hirudegarn roars Tapion with Goku and Gohan Goten, Goku, Bulma, and Videl Z Fighters facing Hirudegarn Hirudegarn uses his Genma Flame on Tapion Tapion's flute protects him from Hirudegarn's Genma Flame Closeup of Tapion playing his ocarina against Hirudegarn Tapion tries to stop Hirudegarn Hirudegarn's face melts when Tapion uses his flute Goku and his sons face Hirudegarn Super Saiyan 2 Goku fires a Kamehameha at Hirudegarn Hirudegarn avoids Goku's Kamehameha Super Saiyan 2 Goku firing an Energy Wave Hirudegarn uses his Genma Flame Trunks wields Tapion's sword Trunks cuts off Hirudegarn's tail Super Saiyan 3 Goku Super Saiyan 3 Goku uses his Dragon Fist The Dragon piercing through Hirudegarn Goku after his victory over Hirudegarn. Super Saiyan 3 Goku Trunks and Bulma Trunks holding the Brave Sword

References[]

External links[]

• Movie page on Anime News Network
• Daizex.com explanation for Trunks' sword

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