Theme of Super Saiyan
|
|
| Theme of Super Saiyan | |
|---|---|
|
Setting  Intro  A1  A2  B1  B2  Outro  | |
|
| |
| Tonality | D Dorian |
| Length | 1:36 |
| BGM Data | |
| Catalog Number | S-201 |
| Composition | Norihito Sumitomo |
| Debut and Release | |
| Debut Year | 2014 |
| First Appears |
Dragon Ball Kai Episode 99 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 99 |
| Last Appears | Dragon Ball Super Episode 119 |
| Debut Release | Dragon Ball Z Kai The Final Chapters |
"Theme of Super Saiyan" was composed by Norihito Sumitomo for the Majin Boo arc of Dragon Ball Kai. Its Kanzenshuu catalogue number is S-201, and its track listing is #10 on the Dragon Ball Z Kai The Final Chapters original soundtrack, released digitally on 11 February 2015 in France.[1]
The track's first scene-wise usage is in Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 99, but it was first heard on the further-condensed Japanese domestic broadcast in Dragon Ball Kai Episode 99, which premiered on 06 April 2014.
Overview
"Theme of Super Saiyan" is used 32 times in Dragon Ball Z Kai and three times in Dragon Ball Super. The track's usage is usually consistent with its name: it is often used for important scenes revolving around the Super Saiyan form, or at least around characters who are capable of the Super Saiyan transformation. The track's mode is D Dorian (which has a minor root triad), and the instrumentation includes electric guitar, electric bass, acoustic piano, keyboard synthesizers, and drum set.
Compositional Analysis
"Theme of Super Saiyan" has a ternary form (ABA) with an introduction and a short outro. The layers of the A section are gradually built in the introduction.
The piece opens with a short drum solo followed by the base layer of Part A: a syncopated D-minor pentatonic ostinato motive: A-C-D, F-G, C-D-F-G on the low end of a distorted electric guitar, accompanied by drum set and varied background synth. The second layer, entering on the third iteration of the guitar motive, is an on-the-beat percussive high-register piano in quarters on an open 5-1-5 (A-D-A). The intro covers a total of 4 iterations of the guitar motive.
Part A proper (as reiterated after Part B) begins with the entrance of the final layer, a synth melody that follows the D Dorian scale (with B♮ instead of the B♭ native to the key of D Minor): A-C-B-A-G-E-F-E-D, A-C-D-B-A. This complete statement of the melody covers four full iterations of the guitar motive. Both the antecedent and consequent phrases of the melodic statement end with a downward slide. The second statement of the melody is the same as the first, except its consequent phrase ends on C instead of A, and with an upward slide. Part A covers a total of 8 iterations of the guitar motive of the base layer.
In Part B, the guitar takes the melody and the synth retreats to accompaniment. The tonality shifts from the static D Dorian of Part A to an E-flat Major chord acting as IV in B-flat Major. A fast electric bassline in straight eighth notes accompanies the chord progression without inversion, and the melody continues with a clear tone in the higher range of the guitar, following the same rhythmic pattern as Part A's melody with a similar melodic shape—G-B♭-A-G-F-D-E♭-D-C, G-B♭-C-A-G—this time over a IV-V-I--VI, IV-V-II progression (E♭-F-B♭-A♭, E♭-F-C). The F-B♭ (V-I) movement, while authentic, does not function as a cadence; the tonic chord is brief and the final resting point of that phrase is decidedly the borrowed A-flat major chord, which lasts nearly two full measures.
The second melodic statement of Part B similarly moves on quickly from its brief tonicization in B♭, but the bassline continues down to G with quartal harmonization above, retransitioning to end on E Major. The E-major chord functions similarly to a dominant through elision (it is V/V in D minor), but V itself is bypassed, going straight from E major to D minor at the beginning of the Part A recap. Overall, the tonal center of B♭ in Part B is weak and unstable, but there is no other tonal center. Development sections (like Part B in any ternary form) are typically characterized by tonal instability, but it is more typical for them to end on the dominant (V).
Part A (sans intro) repeats exactly, ending with three emphatic statements of D (no third) with a suspended 4th (G) in the distorted guitar. These statements of Dsus4 constitute the short outro.
Usage and Variations
The table below presents a scene-wise account of this track's usage in Dragon Ball Kai and Dragon Ball Super. Note that some usages in the international version (called "Dragon Ball Z Kai") are not reciprocated in the Japanese domestic version (called "Dragon Ball Kai"), and vice-versa. The total number of usages can therefore be expressed in several ways: as a total of each version of Kai and Super added together, or as a total of distinct scene-wise usages.
The order is scene-wise, regardless of episode debut date, and the terms used to describe the usage variations are contextualized in the Compositional Analysis section above. The officially-released BGM track is 1:36 in length. The usage lengths given under "Length and Variations" in the table are estimates and do not include extended taper times.
| "Theme of Super Saiyan" Usage and Variations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Ball Kai | |||
| Episodes | Scene | Length and Variations | Setting |
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 99 (International version only) 🌍 |
Recap: from the beginning of Dragon Ball through the end of Goku's battle with Freeza on Planet Namek. | 1:11: The consequent phrase of Part B's first melodic statement is omitted, skipping straight to the 2nd statement of the Part B melody. The first statement of the melody in the return of Part A is omitted. The outro is shortened to one statement of Dsus4. |
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 99 (Japanese version only) 🇯🇵 |
On the way to his first day of school, Gohan attacks bank robbers in Satan City using his Super Saiyan form as a disguise. | 0:43: The introduction and a single iteration of Part A are followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 99 (International version only) 🌍 |
The music comes in just a tick later than in the Japanese version above. | 0:52: The introduction is shortened and the second melodic statement of Part B is omitted; from there, it skips straight to the ending, starting with the consequent phrase of Part A's second melodic statement. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 100 (International version only) 🌍 |
Gohan confronts reckless drivers in Satan City. This is his first appearance disguised as Great Saiyaman. | 0:45: After a full intro, there is one complete iteration of Part A followed by the outro, with four statements of Dsus4 (one more than the released OST track). Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 100 (Japanese version only) 🇯🇵 |
Videl looks out the window and sees that Great Saiyaman has caught the bus she just saved from hijacking. He returns everyone to safety and introduces himself. | 0:27: The acoustic piano layer comes in on the second iteration of the guitar motive instead of the third. There is only one statement of the Part A melody, and it is the second statement, followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 101 (International version only) 🌍 |
As Videl tries to save a burning building, Great Saiyaman intervenes to save her from a falling water tower. | 0:55: The full intro and the first melodic statement of Part A are followed by the return of Part A (in full) and the full outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 103 (International version only) 🌍 |
Gohan tries to focus on his training while Goten plays. The track is interrupted twice as Goten tries to get his brother's attention. | 0:11: The third iteration of the guitar motive, just after the piano enters, does not quite finish. 0:21: Starting over from the beginning, the first statement of the melody in Part A is cut off after the antecedent phrase. |
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 103 (International version only) 🌍 |
Goten transforms into a Super Saiyan. | 0:21: The acoustic piano layer enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive instead of the third, and the melody of Part A enters on the third iteration instead of the fifth. The outro follows the antecedent phrase. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 103 (International version only) 🌍 |
Gohan and Goten spar as Super Saiyans. | 0:21: The melody of Part A enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive instead of the fifth; it is the second melodic statement of the recap, followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 104 (International version only) 🌍 |
Trunks transforms into a Super Saiyan while training with Vegeta in the Gravity Room. | 0:26: The melody of Part A enters on the fourth iteration of the guitar motive instead of the fifth; it is the second melodic statement of the recap, followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 101 (Japanese version only) 🇯🇵 |
The track enters slightly later in the Japanese version, just before Vegeta's reaction is shown the second time. | 1:25: Two beats omitted from the very end of Part B. In the recap of Part A, the antecedent phrase is omitted in the second statement of the melody. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 105 (International version only) 🌍 |
Gohan and Goten take advantage of Videl's absence to train. | 0:28: The melody of Part A enters on the fourth iteration of the guitar motive instead of the fifth; it is the second melodic statement of the recap, followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 103 (Japanese version only) 🇯🇵 |
Goten and Trunks make their bows before the championship round of the Junior Division of the 25th Tenka'ichi Budōkai, and then the fight begins. | 1:20: The first melodic statement is omitted in the first iteration of Part A. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 107 (International version only) 🌍 |
The music starts a little later scene-wise than it does in the Japanese version (where everything between the bows and the beginning of the fight was cut). | 1:33: The track is used in its entirety, with five statements of Dsus4 in the outro instead of three. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 108 (International version only) 🌍 |
Trunks takes a handicap and fights Goten without the use of his left hand. | 1:40: The track is used in its entirety. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 109 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 116 🇯🇵🌍 |
Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan while fighting Yakon on Bobbidi's simulation of the Planet of Darkness. | 1:29: Two bars are omitted from the very end of Part B. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 110 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 117 🇯🇵🌍 |
Goten and Trunks fight No. 18 as Mighty Mask, ignoring Mister Satan. | 1:01: The first melodic statement in Part A is omitted. The second melodic statement in Part B is omitted. In the recap of Part A, the antecedent phrase of the second melodic statement is omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 111 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 118 🇯🇵🌍 |
Trunks and Goten transform into Super Saiyans. In this disguise, no one will know! | 0:55: Part B cuts in at the very beginning of the second melodic statement in Part A. After the first melodic statement in Part B, Part A resumes in the exact same spot, just a tick shortened at the beginning of the second melodic statement, which is followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 119 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 126 🇯🇵🌍 |
Vegeta attacks Majin Boo after destroying Bobbidi's spaceship. | 0:33: The acoustic piano layer enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive instead of the third. The antecedent phrase is omitted in Part A's second melodic statement, which is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 120 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 127 🇯🇵🌍 |
Trunks steps in to save Vegeta from Majin Boo. | 0:36: The antecedent phrase of Part A's second melodic statement is omitted, and the consequent phrase is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 127 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 134 🇯🇵🌍 |
Super Saiyan 3 Goku distracts Majin Boo while Trunks retrieves the Dragon Radar from Capsule Corporation. | 1:00: The first melodic statement in Part B is omitted. In the recap of Part A, the antecedent phrase of the first melodic statement is followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 130 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 137 🇯🇵🌍 |
Piccolo and Kuririn demonstrate the Fusion pose for Goten and Trunks. | 0:20: The second melodic statement of Part A enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive and is followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 131 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 138 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks takes off to find Majin Boo after his first successful fusion, while Piccolo begs "Trunten" to stop. | 0:41: The intro and one full iteration of Part A are followed by a single statement of the outro's Dsus4. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 133 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 140 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks flies around the world a few times before going after Boo again. He announces his arrival at Boo's house just before the Fusion splits. | 0:24: The second melodic statement of Part A enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive and is followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 137 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 144 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks faces Majin Boo inside the Room of Spirit and Time. | 0:44: The first iteration of Part A is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 138 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 145 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks is plotting something with his Super Kamikaze Ghost Attack. | 0:41: The intro has five iterations of the guitar motive instead of four. It is followed by the second statement of Part A's melody, but the final iteration of the guitar motive is shortened leading into the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 139 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 146 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks transforms into Super Saiyan 3 in order to escape the Room of Spirit and Time. | 1:01: The first melodic statement in Part A is omitted. The second melodic statement in Part B is omitted. In the recap of Part A, the antecedent phrase of the second melodic statement is omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 140 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 147 🇯🇵🌍 |
Gotenks has Boo surrounded with his Super Kamikaze Ghost Attack. | 1:05: Part B cuts in at the very beginning of the 2nd melodic statement in Part A. The antecedent phrase of Part B's 1st melodic statement is followed by the consequent phrase of its 2nd statement. The recap of Part A includes both statements, but the last iteration of the guitar motive is cut short by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 141 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 148 🇯🇵🌍 |
Kibito changes Gohan's clothes to Goku's signature dogi, and Gohan takes off to fight Majin Boo in his Ultimate state. | 0:38: The acoustic piano layer enters on the second iteration of the guitar motive instead of the third, and Part A's melody enteres in the fourth instead of the fifth. The single iteration of Part A is followed by two statements of the outro's Dsus4. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 146 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 153 🇯🇵🌍 |
Vegetto faces off against Majin Boo. | 0:55: Part A's first melodic statement is omitted. Part B's second melodic statement is omitted. In the recap of Part A, the first melodic statement is omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 147 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 154 🇯🇵🌍 |
Majin Boo faces Vegetto, the world's strongest candy. | 1:25: In the recap of Part A, the antecedent phrase of the second melodic phrase is interrupted by the outro two beats before its end. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 151 (Non-Funimation versions) 🇯🇵🌍 (🚫🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺) |
Goku fights Boo in the Kaiōshin Realm. In the Funimation version, the insert song "Let It Burn" is used here. All other versions of this episode omit the insert song. | 0:42: The first iteration of Part A is followed by the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 152 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 159 🇯🇵🌍 |
Goku transforms into Super Saiyan 3. | 0:40: The first iteration of Part A is followed by a single statement of the outro's Dsus4. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 153 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 160 🇯🇵🌍 |
Vegeta takes a turn against Majin Boo so Goku can gather energy. | 1:05: Part A's second melodic statement is omitted. Part B's second melodic statement is omitted. In the recap of Part A, the second melodic statement is cut short by the outro at the beginning of the final iteration of the guitar motive. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 155 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 162 🇯🇵🌍 |
Goku begins gathering energy for the Genki Dama (which cannot be done in a Super Saiyan state). | 0:51: The melody of Part A enters on the 4th iteration of the guitar motive instead of the 5th. The 2nd melodic statement of Part B cuts in at the very beginning of the 2nd statement in Part A. The 1st statement is omitted in both Part B and the recap of Part A. There are only two statements of Dsus4 in the outro. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Kai Episode 158 Dragon Ball Z Kai Episode 166 🇯🇵🌍 |
The contestants for the 28th Tenka'ichi Budōkai are announced, including Goku vs Oob, the reincarnation of Majin Boo. | 0:24: The first melodic statement of Part A enters on the third iteration of the guitar motive instead of the fifth, and it is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Super | |||
| Episode | Scene | Length and Variations | Setting |
| Dragon Ball Super Episode 79 🇯🇵🌍 |
Majin Boo attacks Basil of Universe 9. | 0:30: The intro is followed by the second melodic statement of Part A, which is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Super Episode 92 🇯🇵🌍 |
Cabba demonstrates Super Saiyan for Caulifla in order to recruit her for the Tournament of Power, while Kale, the third Saiyan of Universe 6, watches from a distance. | 0:30: The acoustic piano layer enters on the 2nd iteration of the guitar motive instead of the 3rd, and the melody of Part A enters on the 3rd iteration instead of the 5th. The 1st melodic statement of Part A is followed by the consequent phrase of its 2nd melodic statement, which is followed by the outro. Part B is entirely omitted. | 
|
| Dragon Ball Super Episode 119 🇯🇵🌍 |
Piccolo and Gohan face the illusions of Shantsa of Universe 4, and Piccolo eliminates Shantsa from the Tournament of Power. | 0:15: The third iteration of the guitar motive in the intro is followed by the outro. All melodic statements are omitted. | 
|
External Links
- Amazon France - Dragonball Z Kai The Final Chapters
- Kanzenshuu: Music Database - Dragon Ball Kai CDs
Notes
References
- ↑ "'Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters' Official Soundtrack" (04 March 2015). Kanzenshuu.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||