Dragon Ball’s Earliest Movies Are Now Easier to Watch Than Ever

Dragon Ball’s Earliest Movies Are Now Easier to Watch Than Ever

As a film enthusiast who can still remember the days of waiting eagerly for Dragon Ball to air on TV after school, I must say that the recent announcement of several original Dragon Ball movies being available on iTunes has brought forth a wave of nostalgia!


Fans of anime are revisiting the original storylines of the Dragon Ball franchise following the release of Dragon Ball Daima. This new work by Akira Toriyama represents a nostalgic return to the spirited supernatural adventures found in the early Dragon Ball manga/anime, featuring a young Goku grappling with the intrigues of the Demon Realm and its denizens.

Many fans, including myself, initially became acquainted with “Dragon Ball” by accidently coming across some of the timeless anime movies that the series released during its initial phase. It’s now easier than ever to watch these early Dragon Ball films due to their increased accessibility!

How to Stream Some of the Original Dragon Ball Movies Right Now

Toei Animation has just shared the news that some classic Dragon Ball films can now be streamed on iTunes! In their announcement, they encourage fans to re-experience the excitement of the original series by checking out this unique movie collection, now accessible through @iTunes.

Here is the list of Dragon Ball films are Apple currently has available for streaming:

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)

Dragon Ball’s Earliest Movies Are Now Easier to Watch Than Ever

King Gurumes, initially known for his kindness, turned greedy upon finding a vast trove of blood rubies beneath his realm. His newfound covetousness led him to destroy his subjects’ farms and homes in pursuit of more riches. This reckless behavior brought about a curse that transformed him into a monster. Now, he roams the world in search of the seven dragon balls. When gathered, these balls summon an immensely powerful dragon capable of granting one wish – a wish that might alleviate his insatiable hunger. However, King Gurumes’ minions soon realize they cannot easily steal the dragon ball from Goku. Once he becomes aware of the kingdom’s distress, Goku decides to liberate the land from the king’s tyranny.

This is the original Dragon Ball animated movie that sets up the entire storyline for the series, encompassing Goku’s abilities, his friends (Krillin, Bulma, Roshi, Yamcha), and the entire Dragon Ball mythology. It was this movie that sparked a global fandom for Dragon Ball; I remember watching Curse of the Blood Rubies when it premiered on WPSG Philly 57 in Philadelphia back in December of 1989, and I can confidently say it had a profound impact on my life. I plan to rewatch it, and I encourage you to do the same.

Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)

Dragon Ball’s Earliest Movies Are Now Easier to Watch Than Ever

Goku and Kuririn were tasked by Master Kame-Sen’nin with a mission: “Go get the sleeping princess from Lucifer, and I’ll accept you as my pupils.” However, this seemingly straightforward assignment turned out to be far more dangerous than initially anticipated.

As a die-hard Dragon Ball fan, I’d like to recommend you revisit the second animated feature, a timeless masterpiece that unfolds during Son Goku and Krillin’s initial training days under Master Roshi. Unlike its predecessor, this movie delves deeper into the supernatural and fantastical elements of the Dragon Ball Universe, featuring characters like Lucifer, some werewolf-esque beings, and the enigmatic Sleeping Princess. It’s one of those lesser-known Dragon Ball films, so don’t miss out on this hidden gem!

Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988)

Dragon Ball’s Earliest Movies Are Now Easier to Watch Than Ever

Master Roshi has accomplished his most cherished task: preparing Goku and Krillin to be unrivaled fighters. To put their abilities to the test, he organizes a contest for them at Emperor Chiaotzu’s gathering. However, not all participants are following the rules faithfully, as one member of the imperial family conspires to exploit the Dragonballs for personal gain and influence.

The continuity of Dragon Ball is notoriously complex, with movies like “Mystical Adventure” contributing significantly to this complexity. This movie presents an alternate account of the Dragon Ball saga, starting with Goku and Krillin training under Master Roshi for a World Martial Arts tournament. However, they are drawn into a quest for mystical orbs known as the Dragon Balls, with various groups such as Bulma’s team and The Red Ribbon Army all scrambling to obtain these powerful artifacts. Characters like Tien and Chiaotzu make their first appearances in this movie, and the film primarily focuses on the martial arts aspects of the series.

Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)

Goku and his companions embark on a quest to find the mythical Dragon Balls. Along the way, they encounter battles with the Red Ribbon Army.

In simple terms, “Path to Power” is a standalone film that compresses the initial story arc from the Dragon Ball manga/anime into one movie. This movie rehashes Dragon Ball’s beginning, covering events such as Goku’s first encounter with Bulma, his introduction to the Dragon Balls, Capsule Corporation technology, and adversaries like the Red Ribbon Army and its lethal androids. If you’re looking for a concise overview of Dragon Ball’s origin story and characters, this is an excellent starting point!

The Dragon Ball movies are available on iTunes.

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2024-11-18 22:39