K-27

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K-27
Setting Score Pilaf's desert palace.
Tonality	F Major
Length	0:29
BGM Data
Catalog Number	K-27
Composition	Shunsuke Kikuchi
Debut and Release
Debut Year	1986
First Appears	Dragon Ball Episode 2
Debut Release	Ongakushū (1986 vinyl) Daizenshuu (1994 CD)
BGM Suite	The Mystery of the Dragon Balls

K-27 is the Kanzenshuu catalogue number assigned to a piece of background music (BGM) composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi for the Dragon Ball anime in 1986. The piece debuted in Dragon Ball Episode 2 which was broadcast on 05 March 1986.

Overview

K-27 was not given an official catalogue number; it was assigned this Kanzenshuu catalogue number based on its placement in the series. The full composition is part b of the suite entitled "The Mystery of the Dragon Balls", which is track #05 on both the Ongakushū record and disc #2 of the Daizenshuu.

The [second] piece is properly the theme of Great King Pilaf's palace towering in the desert, but here, it is probably being used in a sense of the divine.
— Dragon Ball & Dragon Ball Z Daizenshuu (2:5b)

K-27 is given the title "Pilaf's Desert Palace" on The Suburbs of kenisu's Magicant, the most common source for fan titles of Kikuchi's compositions.

Form and Analysis

K-27 is in 4 at approximately 66 beats per minute. The tonality features a major third and a minor sixth over an open fifth drone, giving the piece a minor-key feel despite its major third, a common feature of music that is intended to be vaguely Oriental.

Part	Bars	Details
Intro	1	open 5th drone on half notes is introduced
A1	2	violins come in; drone continues
B	3	flute melody; top trombone alternates 5 and 6
A2	2	A is repeated but the drone holds in the 2nd bar; slight ritardando

The drone is layered with several instruments, some of which are synthesized and might have been recorded separately to add gentle thiccness. During the first two bars of the flute portion (B), the top trombone that usually plays the 5th alternates between 5 and 6.

Usage and Variations

Below is a table of every instance where K-27 is used in Dragon Ball. It is not used in Dragon Ball Z.

Durations are approximate and do not necessarily include the fade times normally included in the full track's duration.

Scene	Length and Variations	Setting
Dragon Ball Episode 2 At Pilaf's castle, Pilaf berates Shuu for not finding the Dragon Balls fast enough.	0:37: After B, returns to A1, then skips to A2.
Dragon Ball Episode 3 Pilaf daydreams about ruling the world. All his imaginary subjects bow down as he passes.	0:25: The first bar of A2 is cut.
Dragon Ball Episode 7 Mai and Shuu return to Pilaf's castle after yet another failure.	0:11: After the first bar of A1, skips to the final bar of A2.
Dragon Ball Episode 9 Bulma, Oolong, and Goku enter the Rabbit Gang's territory.	0:14: After A1, skips to the final bar of A2.
Dragon Ball Episode 11 Mai and Shuu search the Dragon Team's car.	0:14: After A1, skips to the final bar of A2.
Dragon Ball Episode 61 While Tao Pai-Pai waits for his new clothes, some villagers notice a poster advertising a 20th anniversary assassin sale.	0:25: The first bar of A2 is cut.
Dragon Ball Episode 84 Yamcha and Kuririn arrive at the 22nd Tenka'ichi Budōkai.	0:29: Full track.
Dragon Ball Episode 103 Panput fights someone called "Rook Chomper" (we think) in a kickboxing match.	0:17: Begins with B and fades out at the end.
Dragon Ball Episode 112 Pilaf once again dreams of ruling (part of) the world, which he hopes Demon King Piccolo will grant him.	0:22: The second bar of A1 is cut. Fades out in the final bar.