Why don't the movies fall in line with the series?

[TheLegendary117]

It seems almost impossible to connect the dots between the movies and the Dragonball series. Does anyone care to explain this to me? If this thread has already been made, my bad. Noobie here

[Fox666]

Like the fillers, the movies are not made to connect to the series. They are made to expand the series, especially the revenue.

The movies can't be connected in the main series for several reasons:
• They are forced to make the movie fill in the saga which the anime is (i.e. Bojack follow the Cell saga)
• Plot re-writen from the main series (i.e. Coola → Freeza)
• Cliché opening for the story (i.e. the main characters having a party)
• Choosing popular characters (i.e. future Trunks has been in a lot of movies).
• Etc...

If you use that formula, of course you end up having tons of plot holes.

[Perfect]

Like the fillers, the movies are not made to connect to the series. They are made to expand the series, especially the revenue.

The movies can't be connected in the main series for several reasons:
• They are forced to make the movie fill in the saga which the anime is (i.e. Bojack follow the Cell saga)
• Plot re-writen from the main series (i.e. Coola → Freeza)
• Cliché opening for the story (i.e. the main characters having a party)
• Choosing popular characters (i.e. future Trunks has been in a lot of movies).
• Etc...

If you use that formula, of course you end up having tons of plot holes.

Besides the fact that's not the formula. There generally isn't a set formula for the movies, but ones can always be made up.
Certain movies fit while others don't. Take the Dragon Ball movies for instance, they're "retellings" of the actual story, the only plausible explanations are alternative time lines and what ifs. Toei clearly knew the events wouldn't fit in the mainstream time line, since well, they're retelling the time line with an altered plot. Case in point, it's generally intentional. It's debatable however, that the whole first Dragon Ball Z movie with Goku going to the Kame house and Krillin seeing Gohan was intended (Toei could have known that it would conflict, but went with a "This a what if scenario", or something of the sort, it could also be it just slipped under their noses).

[Gaffer Tape]

I think the more accurate question is, "Why would they?" I already thought it was a mistake to base a filler arc (namely Garlic Jr.) after the plot of a movie because, well, besides the obvious fact that that movie isn't able to fit into continuity, it also makes it completely confusing for anyone who only follows the TV series. And for such a serialesque series, you're shooting yourself in the foot by forcing fans to have to look all over the place to find the next part of the story (pay attention, US comics industry). Not that I necessarily mind when franchises do that. In Star Trek, they kept their movies and multiple shows in continuity with one another, and it's usually all the richer for it. But with Dragon Ball it's different. Toei's already adapting a story that isn't their own, so it's not as though they really have all that much room to maneuver the story in significant and interesting ways worthy of a movie. And if you can't tell an interesting and significant story, why make a movie about it? And besides, since they were always having to add new material to make sure their series stayed far enough behind the manga, it would be extremely counterintuitive to waste those story ideas in a movie that wouldn't help them accomplish that goal. At the end of the day, it seems much more advantageous to just have fun and tell a new story, or, in the case of the DB movies, create their own similar continuity adaptation of the actual story to tell on the big screen.

[Super Vegito]

^

Actually, that's kind of an ingenious way to get someone to buy the movie, if they want to know what happened. But yeah, I see your point.

[Zarathustra]

I always thought that the movies were intended for anime festivals and whatnot, so they were't canon/made sense in order for the audience (who may not have been familiar with the series) be able to follow it better.

I probably have that ass-backwards though.

[Piccolo Daimao]

They're not supposed to fit with the main series. They're like side-stories; taking one arc as a basis and running with it. Sometimes they refer to past events (like DBZ Movie 5 referring to Freeza's death), but it's not as if they care about whether it can make sense in a timeline or not. DBZ Movie 4 obviously couldn't ever fit into the main series, but it mirrors the Ginyu portion of the Freeza arc. Only DBZ Movie 9 & 13 just happen to fit in.

[the_abberration]

I've always saw it as an attempt for them to breakaway from the mold, of making a movie adaption of the series that was a retelling of the same story the audience could see on TV. Take a show like Star Blazers for example. While they made great movies, often times the movie was basically a clip show of the series, or the series was a retelling of the movie. A lot of anime shows are guilty of that technique of making a recap "movie" of a series (or vice versa)so to speak (Blue Gender, Death Note, Armitage III to name a few). While they all may not have went to the theater mind you, it seemed to be a common formula of anime shows. Escaflowne on the other hand, actually made a movie that told a slightly different story using the shows characters.

IMO, the DBZ movies while a retelling of certain arcs, were different enough that the audience wouldn't feel like they spent their money on an one hour recap of the show. But then again, I'm personally speaking from an American standpoint, so I don't know how they really would have felt. While they may have dipped into the bucket by making the Garlic Junior sequel episodes, one could basically ignore those episodes without missing too much (if anything) from the series itself. Personally I feel as though you could treat them as an unofficial sequel movie if you want.

[B]

It's not a huge concern for them. If they had to slightly fudge up the continuity to earn whatever they can off Toriyama's work, they were willing to. I agree with whoever said the movies are more of an expansion than anything to be taken as a true part of the story.

[Hellspawn28]

Most of the movies are not made to connect to the series as they where made as cash ins for the anime series of DBZ at the time from 1989-1995. I also remember AT saying that he views the movies as "animated fan fictions" as well. You can say the DBZ movies are what If stories similar what Marvel does with their "What If's".

[Piccolo Daimao]

I also remember AT saying that he views the movies as "animated fan fictions" as well.

Did he really say that? I can't imagine Toriyama saying that he viewed the movies as "fan fictions", since they're nothing alike. Kind of the same way I can't imagine him saying "canon".

[dbgtFO]

I also remember AT saying that he views the movies as "animated fan fictions" as well.

Did he really say that? I can't imagine Toriyama saying that he viewed the movies as "fan fictions", since they're nothing alike. Kind of the same way I can't hear him saying "canon".

Didn't he say that they were in another dimesnion, than the manga and the animated adaption? I don't recall him saying anything about it being "fan fiction", that would seem a little harsh don't you think(@Hellspawn28)?

[CODii]

I really don't believe Toriyama would use the term "fan fiction" in any capacity. If you don't have a source, zit was never said.

[Bussani]

Didn't he say that they were in another dimesnion, than the manga and the animated adaption? I don't recall him saying anything about it being "fan fiction", that would seem a little harsh don't you think(@Hellspawn28)?

I think he said something like that about Dragon Ball Evolution.

[dbgtFO]

Didn't he say that they were in another dimesnion, than the manga and the animated adaption? I don't recall him saying anything about it being "fan fiction", that would seem a little harsh don't you think(@Hellspawn28)?

I think he said something like that about Dragon Ball Evolution.

Yeah you're right http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... nball-film

[mister yummy]

All of the Dragonball Z can be fanwanked into continuity if one is inclined to try. Some easier than others. Here are some examples:

Movie 1 could be a year before Radditz. Kurillin didn't realise Gohan was Goku's son, or he simply forgot.

Movie 2 could be an alternate timeline where no one died fighting the saiya-jin OR it's in the 3 years peace before the androids, and Goku doesn't go SSJ just because.

Movie 3 is eather in the same AU as movie 2 OR there are numerous animation errors where halos aren't drawn, and everyone's back with Baba for the day OR it's in the 3 years before the androids, and Goku doesn't go SSJ just because.

Movie 4 is the same as 3.

Movie 5 fits flawlessly in the 3 years before the androids, if you don't nitpick about hairstyles, tails, and character design.

Movie 6 fits flawlessly in the 3 years before the androids if you say the narrator is lying about Dende already being Kami. Only Goku saw SSJ Vegita, and Goku didn't see him transform against #19. Also, they forgot where New Namek was or they were sent a pre-programmed ship.

Movie 7 can be wedged into the 3 years as well. Trunks is back for some reason. Does anyone but Goku and Trunks see SSJ Vegita? An alternate timeline works better.

Movie 8 is in the 10 days before the Cell Games. Goku stops being SSJ because ChiChi made him for the school interveiw. Gohan simply goes out of character and cheats.

Movie 9, which I've never seen, fits flawlessly into the 7 years peace after the Cell Games. Trunks is back for some reason.

Movie 10 is after Gohan teaches Videl to fly, but before the Budokai. Videl was asked to babysit Gotan and Trunks for the weekend while Vegita and Bulma went into space for some reason. Chi-chi and Yamcha may be there as well. Why not. The Dragonballs were never used, and Goku wasn't really there any more than he was when Gohan killed Cell.

Movie 11 would be after the Buu Saga.

Movie 12 would be after the Buu Saga. Goku and Vegita killed each other to enter the Annoyoichi Budokai. Vegita was sent to hell because Yenma was having a bad day.

Movie 13 fits flawlessly after the Buu saga.

Yeah, none were actually meant to fit, and it's all fanwank, but it's fun.

[Tanooki Kuribo]

Turn your brain off and just be entertained. Don't question it. That's how you watch a DragonBall movie.

[EnmaDaiou]

I really don't believe Toriyama would use the term "fan fiction" in any capacity. If you don't have a source, zit was never said.

For Movies, GT or Filers, Akira use the term "Side Story".
He uses the term in english.
In Japanese, "Side Story", basically means that it don't have connection with canonical story.
It's like a paralel unniverse.
But the term may be used to refer to FANFICS too in japanese..

You can see Akira using this term on DBGT's DVD BOX.

[dbgtFO]

I really don't believe Toriyama would use the term "fan fiction" in any capacity. If you don't have a source, zit was never said.

For Movies, GT or Filers, Akira use the term "Side Story".
He uses the term in english.
In Japanese, "Side Story", basically means that it don't have connection with canonical story.
It's like a paralel unniverse.
But the term may be used to refer to FANFICS too in japanese..

You can see Akira using this term on DBGT's DVD BOX.

What I wrote in an old thread about DBO being canon and what not:

GT is stated by Toriyama to be "Dragonball's Great Side Story"(note that he says DB and not DBZ).
The Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans's full name is:
Doragonbôru Z Gaiden: Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku or in english:
DragonBall Z Side Story: The Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans as seen on Daizex
The Plan to eradicate the Saiyans can't possibly be placed in the same continuity as DBZ, and if words always mean the same, then GT can't possibly be placed into the same continuity of Dragonball(the manga) and it is therefore a continuation of the anime rather than one of the manga.

[Herms]

@dbgtFO: Except Toriyama describes GT using the actual English term "side-story", not gaiden like with the OVA.

I'm sure I've seen the "Trunks: the Story" manga chapter described with the English term "side-story" somewhere. I'll have to check.