DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS in March 2013

The mysterious Wiss and the God of destruction Bills loom large as DRAGON BALL returns to movie screens. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Bird Studio/ Shueisha. © 2013 Dragon Ball Z Production Committee

Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan)

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie.

On December 3, 1984, Weekly Shonen Jump (????????, Shuukan Shonen Janpu) debuted the manga Dragon Ball (???????, Doragon Booru). Created by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball`s battle action and flashy, compelling characters quickly built up a strong and devoted fanbase, making the series a top draw throughout it`s 10 year run. It also became tremendously popular overseas, with the collected editions having sold more than 230 million volumes worldwide. In 1986, Toei Animation began their DRAGON BALL anime television and movie series, which also became an international hit. Seventeen years after the manga ended, Dragon Ball continues to entertain a new generation of enthusiastic fans. And in 2013, DRAGON BALL will be revived on the big screen with a brand-new story... DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami). BATTLE OF GODS will be the 18th anime movie in the series, and the first to receive a theatrical release since DRAGON BALL: THE PATH TO POWER (??????? ?????, Doragon Booru Saikyoo e no Michii) in 1996. To the delight of DRAGON BALL fans, series creator Akira Toriyama has signed on to this historic project to craft an original story and provide character designs. Toriyma heads an all-star crew of director Masahiro Hosoda, production supervisor Kazumi Fujioka and special effects director Nao Ota -- all from the DRAGON BALL Z television series -- who have come together to bring (in Toei`s words) the "real" DRAGON BALL back to life. This past July 17th, Toei Animation issued a press release providing details for the upcoming film... The global phenomenon DRAGON BALL is being made into a movie using Toei Animation’s latest technology, with the original author Akira Toriyama himself deeply involved from the script stage for the first time. An episode from between the animation series DRAGON BALL Z and DRAGON BALL GT, or in other words from the blank decade between the end of the battle with Majin Buu in chapter 517 of the manga and chapter 518, will be depicted for the first time.

Such well-known and charming characters as Krillin, Piccolo, and Vegeta will all make an appearance. A new story in the official history of DRAGON BALL is born; neither a spin-off nor a side-story, but one that can be enjoyed by both children and parents, manga fans and anime fans. DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS is set a few years after the fierce battle between Goku and Majin Buu -- which risked the fate of the entire universe -- Bills, the God of Destruction, awakens from his long sleep in order to restore balance to the universe. Hearing rumors that Galactic Overlord Frieza was defeated by a Super Saiyan from the North Quadrant of the universe, Bills begins the search for Goku. Goku is ecstatic that, for the first time in many years, a formidable opponent has surfaced to challenge him. Over the objections of his mentor King Kai he vows to fight Bills, declaring, "With the overwhelming power of my hands and feet I will not lose." But when the battle commences, Goku is quickly and soundly defeated. Bills leaves his fallen foe with the spooky remark, "I hope there is someone here on Earth more worthy of being destroyed." How can the heroes hope to stop this God of Destruction? Spring 2013... do not miss the dawn of a new DRAGON BALL legend!

CREDITS

Running Time: tba Japanese Release Date: March 30, 2013 (nationwide) Voice Cast Goku, Goten: Masako Nozawa Bills: Koichi Yamadera Wiss: Masakazu Morita Master Roshi: Masaharu Sato Bulma: Hiromi Tsuru Krillen: Mayumi Tanaka Vegeta: Ryo Horikawa Piccolo: Toshio Furukawa Yamcha: Tohru Furuya Tien: Midorikawa Hikaru Trunks: Takeshi Kusao Narrator, King Kai: Jouji Yanami Crew Original Story and Character Designs: Akira Toriyama Screenplay: Yusuke Watanabe Director: Masahiro Hosoda Animation Director: Tadayoshi Yamamuro Art Director: Hiroshi Kato CG Director: Naoki Miyahara Music: Norihito Sumitomo Color Design: Teppei Horita Special Effects Director: Nao Ota Production Supervisor: Kazumi Fujioka Theme Song: "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" Performer: FLOW (Ki/oon Music) Animation Production: Toei Animation Production: "2013 Dragon Ball Z" Production Committee (Toei, 20th Century Fox Japan, Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, Toei Animation, Bandai, Bandai Namco) Distributor: Toei International Sales: Toei © "2013 Dragon Ball Z" Production Committee