Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone opens with Piccolo training in the wastelands. He’s ambushed by Garlic Jr and his men, Ginger, Nicky and Sansho. Their goal is to kill Kami by killing Piccolo since their connected. However, Kami is merely weaken, meaning they failed to kill Piccolo. Later Gohan is studying when his grandfather (Ox-King) arrives with presents. Suddenly, Ox-King is attacked by Ginger. He collapses. Chi Chi tries and fails to protect Gohan, who’s kidnapped for his dragon ball. Goku sensing something is going wrong, rushes home but is to late. Chi Chi tells him what happened to Gohan. With 5 dragon balls in his possession, Garlic Jr reveals that he hopes to wish for immortality and “plunge all living creatures under misery and despair.”

Goku comes to rescue Gohan

Goku uses the Dragon Radar to locate Gohan. Garlic Jr’s henchmen final the last two dragon balls and he summons Shenron. Now blessed with immortality, Garlic Jr. plans to punish humanity and rule over Earth. Goku and Kami arrive to stop Garlic Jr. and rescue Gohan. Kami explains that Garlic Jr’s father was passed over for the position of Guardian of Earth. However, the evil intentions of his father was his undoing. He rebelled against the previous Kami, but was sealed away. Anxious to find Gohan, Goku rushes past Garlic Jr. Ginger, Nicky and Sansho give chase. To confront Goku the three power up, increasing their size and strength. Overwhelmed by the three, Goku is aided by Krillin. At the same time Piccolo arrives to get his revenge against Garlic Jr’s henchmen.

While Krillin takes care of Gohan, Piccolo defeats Sansho and Goku kills Ginger and Nicky with a Kamehameha. Now only the immortal Garlic Jr. remains. He battles Goku and Piccolo together after transforming into a more powerful form. Goku and Piccolo have no choice but to work together. The “defeat” Garlic Jr. but he can no longer die. He opens a portal to the Dead Zone. Gohan awakens, enraged he overpowers Garlic Jr. knocking him into the Dead Zone. Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone is dated but the animation still holds up. That is all that really does however. The plot is uninspired and while there are always plot holes, I noticed several. Maybe, it just because I’m older and it’s easier to spot, but a lot of the conflict could be avoided if Gohan had just given Garlic Jr. his hat.

Plot holes and traditional martial arts

Obviously, Garlic Jr. still would need to have been stopped, but Gohan didn’t need to be kidnapped. Actually, if Gohan wasn’t kidnapped Garlic Jr. would have succeeded. Garlic Jr. wanted to kill Kami through Piccolo but if they had succeed the dragon balls would have disappeared. Krillin apparently took his sweet time leaving with Gohan, it seemed like there was enough time for him to leave. The fight between Goku, Piccolo and Garlic Jr. is just like the fight between Goku, Piccolo and Raditz. I did like the action that centered more on the martial arts than simply power ups. Goku had to be more clever in battle, even using his famous Power Pole. I loved when the non-saiyan characters, like Piccolo mattered in battle. Overall, Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone is entertaining, but largely mediocre.

I will be reviewing all the Dragon Ball Z Movies in order. Having not seen them in years, I think that I would have a different perspective. Have you seen Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone? Did you like it? What series or movie would you want to re-watch with fresh eyes?

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