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IMDbPro

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

Original title: Doragon boru zetto
  • 1989
  • Unrated
  • 41m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
Don Brown, Toshio Furukawa, Akira Kamiya, Stephanie Nadolny, Masako Nozawa, Christopher Sabat, Sean Schemmel, and Kenji Utsumi in Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
JapaneseAnimeDark FantasyHand-Drawn AnimationSuperheroActionAdventureAnimationFantasySci-Fi

Gohan is kidnapped by Garlic Jr.'s men so he can have Gohan's Dragon Ball to grant him immortality. Goku and his friends try to stop Garlic Jr. and save the world.Gohan is kidnapped by Garlic Jr.'s men so he can have Gohan's Dragon Ball to grant him immortality. Goku and his friends try to stop Garlic Jr. and save the world.Gohan is kidnapped by Garlic Jr.'s men so he can have Gohan's Dragon Ball to grant him immortality. Goku and his friends try to stop Garlic Jr. and save the world.

  • Director
    • Daisuke Nishio
  • Writers
    • Akira Toriyama
    • Takao Koyama
  • Stars
    • Masako Nozawa
    • Toshio Furukawa
    • Hiromi Tsuru
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    8.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Daisuke Nishio
    • Writers
      • Akira Toriyama
      • Takao Koyama
    • Stars
      • Masako Nozawa
      • Toshio Furukawa
      • Hiromi Tsuru
    • 24User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos113

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    Top Cast14

    Edit
    Masako Nozawa
    Masako Nozawa
    • Son Goku
    • (voice)
    • …
    Toshio Furukawa
    Toshio Furukawa
    • Piccolo Daimaoh
    • (voice)
    Hiromi Tsuru
    Hiromi Tsuru
    • Bulma
    • (voice)
    Mayumi Tanaka
    Mayumi Tanaka
    • Kulilin
    • (voice)
    Daisuke Gôri
    • Gyumaoh
    • (voice)
    Mayumi Shô
    Mayumi Shô
    • Chichi
    • (voice)
    Kôhei Miyauchi
    Kôhei Miyauchi
    • Kame Sen'nin
    • (voice)
    Takeshi Aono
    Takeshi Aono
    • Kami-Sama
    • (voice)
    Kenji Utsumi
    Kenji Utsumi
    • Shenlong
    • (voice)
    Akira Kamiya
    Akira Kamiya
    • Garlic Jr.
    • (voice)
    Kôji Totani
    Kôji Totani
    • Ginger
    • (voice)
    Yukitoshi Hori
    • Sansho
    • (voice)
    Shigeru Chiba
    Shigeru Chiba
    • Nicky
    • (voice)
    Jôji Yanami
    Jôji Yanami
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Daisuke Nishio
    • Writers
      • Akira Toriyama
      • Takao Koyama
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    6.78.7K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9DOGMANDADDY

    The best DBZ movie

    First let me say that compared to the other Dragonball Z movies, Dead Zone is the only one which can possibly fit in with the timeline set by the episodes. It takes place before the series, and thus runs no risk of contradicting anything. Although the translations of Japanese animation into English is usually poor, I found the character of Goku to be, as always, the perfect combination of super hero and down to earth dad. Gohan's hidden power, which even Goku is unaware of at this time, is amazing, and he is definitely his father's son in the way that it comes out when his friends and loved ones are suffering. A must see for DBZ fans.
    abstruse-2

    Kamehameha!

    Though not the first Dragonball movie despite what many people thing (there were movies based on the original TV series that tells of Goku's adventures with Bulma when he was still a child), this movie is a pretty neat romp for Goku and his friends, as long as you don't think TOO hard about it...because then you'd notice there's no way it could fit into the continuity of the TV series (since Goku has mastered obviously been to King Kai's already and mastered the techniques he taught him there, but is not yet a Super-Saiyan). But if you ignore this, it's a well-animated but badly dubbed fight. Any real fan of Dragonball Z should check this out as soon as possible.
    MARVELMANIAC69

    Pretty damn cool!

    I watched this feature length anime less than two hours ago and I must say I was impressed. I like "Dragonball Z" the series but I never really get round to watching it much (unlike my younger brother who is a huge fan), I found with this film even if you are not a fan of the show you may enjoy this, as its easy to follow.

    I must say I expected this movie to ponder on but I was wrong as it was only on for 45 minutes so it is very short and sweet and I thought that this was a spot on running time for this film.

    This film I think is suitable for people of all ages as children enjoy watching the show and older people also really enjoy to see the great action sequences.

    Adams Rating - 8/10
    Op_Prime

    The battle for our planet begins again.

    Hands down, Dead Zone is superior to Tree of Might and World's Strongest. The translation from Japanese to English is not too bad, way better than other anime series on today. Like the other Dragon Ball Z movies, the story is fast paced and exiting. The fight scenes are awesome and, as always, the best above all else. This is a must see, especially if you have already seen The Garlic Jr. Saga on the television series.
    9Sam_Gray

    a good introduction to the series

    More a long episode than anything else, Dead Zone is actually the beginning of the Dragonball Z series. Fans of the series who find themselves confused by the plot would do well to watch this (and the next view episodes) if they can find it. It establishes the fact that Goku and Piccolo, two of the show's most important characters, were once enemies, a fact that greatly affects later plot elements but is only occasionally referenced once the series gets underway. Of course, like the rest of the series, Dead Zone is light on substance and heavy on fight sequences, but that's what makes the show fun to watch, anyway. 9/10

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    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Cartoon Network aired this movie, they edited out all uses of the word "hell" and removed the pre-credits opening scene. But since the pre-credits segment sets up the rest of the movie, Piccolo's line "I'm gonna pay you back for what you did to me!" no longer makes sense.
    • Goofs
      Garlic Jr. wants the seven Dragon Balls to wish for immortality. Before he has his minions search for the Balls, he orders them to kill Piccolo at the beginning of the film because he knows it will also kill his arch-nemesis Kami. However, being a former candidate for Earth's guardian, Garlic Jr. should know that had the assassination plan succeeded, the Dragon Balls would have also ceased to exist, and thus he would have inadvertently foiled his own plan.
    • Quotes

      Piccolo: Goku... this time I'm gonna finish you off for good!

    • Crazy credits
      Just before the credits start, we see a glass shard that contains Garlic JR. and he is banging on the shard, trying to get out (Garlic JR. eventually does escape the dead zone).
    • Alternate versions
      The Cartoon Network version cuts out the begining where Piccolo is injured by the fighters. It also cuts Chi-Chi saying "What the hell do you want?" Also cut is the scene when Gohan is drunk and urinates on Krillin's head. The credit sequence includes new music.
    • Connections
      Edited into Dead Zone Abridged (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
      (Opening theme)

      Lyrics by Yukinojô Mori

      Music by Chiho Kiyooka

      Arranged by Kenji Yamamoto

      Performed by Hironobu Kageyama

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    FAQ2

    • Is it true that the movies were cropped for their American release?
    • Which versions of the movies should I buy?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 15, 1989 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone Vortex
    • Production companies
      • Bird Studios
      • Toei Animation
      • Toei Doga
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,060,335
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 41m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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