Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

Lore & Background

The plot begins on an unknown world where a young humanoid is crushed by a gigantic monster, which then vanishes as an unseen entity announces it is headed for Earth. On Earth, Gohan and Videl, as Great Saiyaman and Great Saiyaman 2, stop an elderly man named Hoi from committing suicide. Hoi presents them with an enchanted music box containing a hero named Tapion, who is released via a wish to Shenron. Tapion is angry, revealing that inside him is half of the monster Hirudegarn, which the box was keeping at bay. Tapion flees but is befriended by Trunks. The lower half of Hirudegarn attacks, and Tapion's ocarina weakens it. Hoi tries to steal the ocarina, but Trunks sides with Tapion. Tapion explains that a thousand years prior, alien sorcerers awakened Hirudegarn; a priest cleaved it in half with an enchanted sword, and the halves were sealed inside Tapion and his brother Minotia, who were locked in music boxes. Hoi killed Minotia and now seeks Tapion's half.

Reader's Guide

The film is significant as the thirteenth Dragon Ball Z feature film, released in 1995 at the Toei Anime Fair. It introduces the characters Tapion and Minotia, designed by series creator Akira Toriyama. The film's plot involves the revival of the monster Hirudegarn, which is ultimately defeated by Goku using the Dragon Fist attack. The film features an insert song 'Yūsha no Fue ~Tapion no Tēma~' and an ending theme 'Ore ga Yaranakya Dare ga Yaru'. The English dub score was composed by Nathan Johnson, who learned to play the ocarina for Tapion's theme. The film sold 2.4 million tickets in Japan and earned ¥1 billion in net distribution rental income. Its legacy includes multiple home video releases in Japan and North America, including a double feature set with Fusion Reborn.

Did You Know?

• The film's Japanese title translates to 'Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won't Do It, Who Will?'
• Series creator Akira Toriyama designed the Tapion and Minotia characters.
• The English dub composer Nathan Johnson learned to play the ocarina for Tapion's theme.
• In the ending credits, Future Trunks is shown slaying Frieza with a sword similar to Tapion's.