Dragon Ball Poster
Action
Adventure
Fantasy

Dragon Ball (1986) Review in 2025

6.5/10
Flop

Dragon Ball is an anime film based on the popular manga series by Akira Toriyama. The movie follows the adventures of Goku, a young boy with superhuman strength, as he searches for the seven Dragon Balls to grant any wish.

1 hour 30 minutes
Japanese (Dubbed: English)
Age group: 10-25, Interests: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director:
Daisuke Nishio
Budget: 100 million yen
Gross: 1.2 billion yen

Family-Friendly Rating

Is this movie suitable for family viewing?

This movie is suitable for family viewing, but it may not be suitable for very young children due to some mild violence and action scenes.

CineReview Recommendation

This movie is worth watching for fans of action-adventure anime, but it may not be suitable for very young children due to some mild violence and action scenes.

Spoiler Alert!

Hover to reveal spoiler summary

The movie takes place in a world where powerful creatures known as dragons are said to possess incredible strength. Goku, a young boy with a tail, is on a quest to gather the seven Dragon Balls to fulfill his wish. Along the way, he meets Bulma, a genius inventor, and Oolong, a shape-shifting pig, who join him on his journey. However, they are pursued by the evil Emperor Pilaf, who also seeks to gather the Dragon Balls to become the most powerful being in the world.

Review Details

story7.00/10

The story is engaging and exciting, with a clear goal for the protagonist to achieve. However, the pacing is a bit slow, and some scenes feel repetitive.

acting8.00/10

The acting is good, with the voice actors bringing the characters to life. However, some scenes feel a bit overacted.

characters8.00/10

The characters are well-developed and memorable, with Goku being a particularly likable protagonist. However, some characters feel a bit one-dimensional.

direction6.00/10

The direction is solid, but some scenes feel a bit disjointed, and the pacing could be improved.

cinematography7.00/10

The cinematography is colorful and vibrant, with some impressive action sequences. However, some scenes feel a bit dark and hard to see.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Engaging story, well-developed characters, and some impressive action sequences.

Cons

Slow pacing, some scenes feel repetitive, and the direction could be improved.

Notable Quotes

"I'm going to find all seven Dragon Balls and make my wish!"
"You're not going to get away with this, Pilaf!"

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