Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies | |
---|---|
![]() Japanese film poster
|
|
Japanese | ドラゴンボール (original title) ドラゴンボール 神龍の伝説 |
Hepburn |
Doragon Bōru (original title) Doragon Bōru Shenron no Densetsu |
Directed by | Daisuke Nishio |
Produced by | Chiaki Imada[] (executive producer) |
Screenplay by | Toshiki Inoue |
Based on |
Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama |
Starring | see below |
Music by | Shunsuke Kikuchi |
Cinematography | Motoaki Ikegami |
Edited by | Shin'ichi Fukumitsu |
Production
company |
|
Distributed by | Toei Company, Ltd. |
Release date
|
|
Running time
|
50 minutes |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Box office |
¥1.25 billion (US$7.8 million) |
¥1.25 billion
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, known in Japan as Dragon Ball during its initial theatrical release and later retitled Dragon Ball: Shenron no Densetsu (ドラゴンボール 神龍の伝説 Doragon Bōru Shenron no Densetsu?, lit. Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong) for its home video release, is the first in a series of Japanese animated feature films based on the manga Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama.
It was originally released in Japan on December 20, 1986 at the "Toei Manga Matsuri" film festival, where it was shown as part of a triple feature along with Gegege no Kitarō Gekitotsu!! Ijigen Yōkai no Dai Hanran and Kinnikuman - Seigi Choujin vs. Senshi Choujin.
Curse of the Blood Rubies is a modified adaptation of the initial story arc in the Dragon Ball manga, with the original character King Gurumes substituting Emperor Pilaf's role as the main antagonist. Like in the manga, Curse of the Blood Rubies depicts how Goku meets up with Bulma. During their travel Goku meets Oolong, Yamcha, Puar and finally Master Roshi during his first search for the Dragon Balls.
The movie starts with King Gurumes' soldiers destroying the homes and lands of farmers within his kingdom to look for blood rubies. His two main enforcers are Pasta and Bongo (Raven and Major Domo in the 1995 dub), whom he has also tasked with finding the Dragon Balls. Since finding the blood rubies, King Gurumes has fallen under a curse that makes his hunger insatiable. He hopes to wish the curse away with the Dragon Balls. A little girl named Pansy decides to go and find help.