Dragon Ball Z: Revival of F Speculations
Big news about the 2015 Dragon Ball Z movie has been announced!! People are asking for my thoughts, so here we go!
The Official News
The movie is titled Doragon Bōru Zetto: Fukkatsu no “F” (ドラゴンボールＺ 復活の「Ｆ」, “Dragon Ball Z: Revival of “F””), it will premiere nationwide in Japan on April 18, 2015, and is speculated to be 2 hours long, in 2D and 3D.
According to Kanzenshuu.com and Anime News Network, there is no alternative English title provided, such as with “Battle of Gods” for the previous Kami to Kami film.
According to these sites, the general plot is this.
“An Earth where peace has arrived. However, remnants of Freeza’s army Sorbet and Tagoma arrive on the planet. Their goal is to revive Freeza with the Dragon Balls. Their dastardly wish is granted, and the “F” that plans its revenge against the Saiyans is revived…!”
Sorbet (ソルベ) is the shorty on the left and Tagoma (タゴマ) is the tall guy on the right.
These are food based puns, where sorbet is a type of frozen dessert and Tagoma is the rearranged katakana rendering of tamago (卵, “egg”).
The magazine says:
A mysterious pair of planetary warriors, equipped with the latest type of battle armor!! “Tagoma” in particular looks to be wearing a new type of Scouter!!
Then at the top of the image it says ‘Saranaru hen’ (更なる変, “further change”). But the image is cut off, so Kanzenshuu speculates that “This is likely the phrase ‘Saranaru henshin’ (更なる変身, “further transformation(s)”).
There’s no way to know whether this applies to Freeza, the Saiyans, or someone else.
No announcement has been made about an international release or foreign dub.
That’s it for the official news.
Speculation Time!!
This official teaser trailer has caused fans to speculate for months as to what “The worst wish in history could be.”
Well now we know…
It’s Freeza!
Wait, THAT is the worst wish in history? Freeza?!
Freeza is a weakling compared to Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo. Heck, I bet Goten and Trunks could beat him without fusing if they tried hard enough. Remember when Trunks sliced through Freeza and brutally murdered him? Yeah, me too. Not to mention Buu.
So something about this doesn’t seem right. Perhaps Toriyama is pulling a joke on us here, and this is just a façade for the REAL worst wish in history.
Or maybe Freeza receives a power up, or is also wished to have immortality?
Remember that the dragon balls grant 2 wishes now, not just one. So the first wish could be to resurrect Freeza, and the second could be to make him immortal or super strong.
For those of you who think that “This isn’t even my final form! MUWAHAHAHA!!” is going to happen. Think again.
Freeza’s final “form” on Namek is actually his normal body. All of the other forms he goes through are a ways for him to control his unbelievable power. So when he’s transforming he is actually returning to normal, not evolving to a higher level. That means there’s no transformations left.
His brother Cooler is anime movie content only, and one could argue that the same logic is being applied. Hard to say.
But in any case, according to Toriyama, the final Freeza IS Freeza, so it’s difficult to imagine him transforming and gaining enough power from this to be able to rival Goku and the gang. Even with a Cooler style transformation.
If you look at Freeza’s aura you’ll see that it looks just like the Super Saiyan God aura that Goku has in Battle of Gods. If this is intentional, then maybe it means that Freeza is going to become the new God of Destruction.
Or perhaps he’s the Freeza from a DIFFERENT universe altogether, who has much more power and isn’t defeated by the Saiyans. Because remember at the end of Battle of Gods, Beerus says that Gokū and the crew are in universe 7 of 12. This expands the scope and opens up new possibilities.
But really, I don’t think Freeza’s power level in this movie matters.
I believe that Dragon Ball is about more than power levels. It’s about heart and character development. It’s about seeing how worldviews collide, and how people change.
So Freeza could be the ideal villain for this film.
Vegeta’s Time to Shine?
Perhaps most important of all, this image shows us that Vegeta is going to be in the movie, and Toriyama said that Vegeta should be the hero
As for Vegeta, in the event that there’s talk of another animated film, then next time, I’d like him to play the main role. (Of course, this is nothing more than intentions, and I haven’t decided anything at all.)
This is the next movie and Vegeta is in it, so does that mean Vegeta will FINALLY get what he deserves? By fighting Freeza he’ll have a chance to avenge his Saiyan people and regain his pride.
So I suspect that this is why Toriyama is bringing back Freeza. He has to make the villain a character that matters. If he brings in a new guy then there won’t be enough emotional content to sink our teeth into. But with Freeza we get SO MUCH emotional content and psychological factors that it will help explain the plot and character growth.
With that in mind I think it’s a great choice for a villain. I have faith that Toriyama will figure out the power level issue and make an interesting conflict.
But here’s the thing!!
Toriyama always does the OPPOSITE of what you are expecting. He put that quote out there because it’s what he wanted to see in the story. But now everybody is EXPECTING Vegeta to be the hero.
So what’s Toriyama supposed to do?
Is he going to give people what they’re expecting and break his own storytelling rules, and at the same time let down a couple of fans who think this will feel forced?
Or is he going to follow his storytelling rule and have Vegeta get his ass kicked AGAIN?! Thereby disappointing everyone in the world, yet at the same time keeping things alive and interesting.
That to me is going to be the most fascinating part of the movie, and I can’t wait to see how he handles it.
Gokū’s New Dōgi
We’re seeing new designs in this image, and Goku’s new dōgi (“martial arts uniform”).
This dōgi is sleeveless, it’s a dark red color, almost rust-like, and it has a new symbol on the front.
This symbol isn’t kanji, so it’s very different from Goku’s usual. What could it be?
Could Goku be receiving training from the God of Destruction? Is he now the disciple of Beerus, or maybe Whis, since Whis is stronger than Beerus?
In any case I love that Toriyama is doing something different here. By adding a new symbol into the series it will carry with it a lot of meaning and depth, and anytime you can add depth to Goku, it’s a good thing.
I look forward to discovering its origin.
The Title of Fukkatsu no F
http://youtu.be/BnF7E9wV8b0
According to Anime News Network the V-Jump magazine says Akira Toriyama states that “the ‘F’ in the title in fact stands for “Freeza,” who will be revived in the film. Toriyama noted that he thought of the title while listening to the song “F” by band Maximum The Hormone, who he came to know personally through a friend. In fact, one of the members told him that they had been singing the song about Frieza.”
Posted above is what appears to be a fan made music video for their song, “F.” Fair warning that it’s rather intense and graphic, but it does have DBZ clips in it.
So Toriyama is paying tribute to this song which pays tribute to Dragon Ball. It’s a full pop culture circle.
Let me state for the record that fukkatsu (復活) means “revival.” It can also mean “return to life,” “resurgance,” or “comeback.”
Fukkatsu is the word used for fukkatsusai (ふっかつさい, “Easter”), the Christian holiday about “ressurection,” so this may explain why there are other sites translating the title as “Resurrection of F.”
But “revival” is the more accurate term.
Do I like the title? Well, yeah. I like that it’s short and sweet.
Is it a bit strange? Well, yeah. But this is Japan, and Toriyama does some strange things.
Freeza’s Companions
Sorbet and Tagoma. You’ve gotta love that they’re named after food.
I think Sorbet resembles one of Toriyama’s wizard or sorcerer designs from Dragon Quest and DBZ.
Tagoma has a smooth head like the shape of an egg and is wearing a dual-eye scouter.
Kanzenshuu says that the information about Tagoma’s new Scouter is reminiscent of Toriyama’s interview with Naho Ooishi in the July 2014 issue of Saikyō Jump:
If you’re a soldier in Freeza’s army, you can have one made to order to fit your ear. The different screen colors can be chosen to fit the peculiarities of different aliens’ eyes, or to suit one’s tastes. Also, dual-eye types exist as well.
I wonder if this Scouter works differently than the others. Of course, one can’t help but predict new dual-type Scouter toys!
And I like whenever Toriyama introduces characters in pairs, with opposite qualities of short and tall. It’ll be interesting to see if they have opposite personalities or how they work together.
Gohan and Krillin’s New Look
I suspect this is Gohan in the image, but it’s unclear. It could also be Goten, because Goten would be 3 years older by now if that’s how long it takes for Beerus to wake up.
If it’s Gohan, then this would make sense because these guys in the image are the ones who originally fight Freeza on Namek. So maybe the ‘old gang is getting back together again’?
Regarding his outfit, Akira Toriyama loves wearing tracksuits, and he even has Goku wear a tracksuit in Battle of Gods. So maybe it’s Gohan taking after his dad?
What’s up with Krillin shaving his head again?
I explain this practice in great detail in my upcoming book, Dragon Ball Culture. Suffice to say that Krillin letting his hair grow out during the Majin Buu arc is the indication that he has stopped training and become a family man. Same with no longer wearing his dōgi.
So the fact he has a shaven head and is wearing his dōgi again indicates that he is ready for training and combat. All the Krillin fans rejoice!!
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, all aboard the hype train!! This movie is going to be AWESOME!!
It’s 2 hours of Dragon Ball Z on the big screen, in 3D, with an original, canonical plot written by Toriyama himself. And it’s guaranteed to have a lot of comedy, action, and new twists.
What more could you ask for?
I’m also excited that Dragon Ball Z is getting the big Hollywood treatment marketing approach, where they release these teasers and news tidbits to keep the fans talking. It’s what this franchise deserves!
So those are my thoughts and speculations on Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F.
What do you think of this movie and the character changes?
Does the wish match up with what you thought it would be?
Update on Nov. 19
Kanzenshuu.com has an update and confirmation on the recent news.
They state that the transformation IS for Freeza. Even though:
“This is reminiscent of Freeza’s line in Chapter 303, where he says, “As a special privilege, allow me to show you!! My final transformation… My true form!!!” (大サービスでごらんにいれましょう!! わたくしの最後の変身を… わたくしの真の姿を!!!) What this new form or forms will entail is unclear.”
So how can there be a new form if the one we all know and love is his final, true form?
We’ll have to wait and see!
Personally, I was a tad confused at first but the more I read into it, the more excited I get. Frieza was by far my favorite villain in Dragon Ball, and I trust in Toriyama’s storytelling enough to know this will be a really unique experience and one I certainly cannot wait for!
Agreed. Toriyama is a genius and he always leaves you satisfied yet still wanting more. So I have faith that he’s going to pull this one off.
I think the people who are upset the most about this news are the ones who focus on debating power levels. They think that power is all that matters, so they want a big strong guy for Goku and Vegeta to fight. They’re forgetting (or don’t realize) that Dragon Ball is about heart.
Plus bringing back Freeza is the last thing anyone expected since he’s been dead for over 1 year. There has to be a twist we don’t know about yet.
It definitely leaves a lot of questions, but finding answers is half the fun. Besides, if they do go with Vegeta as the main protagonist this time around, who’s to say he won’t wind up in a similar situation to what Goku did on Namek, and he’s left with a decision that could forever change his character as we know it? It’s exciting to speculate
iam trying to watch this film w/ you, Toriyama, Japanese/North American licensing Teams, & any Dragon Ball fan who would like to share Enlightening insights!
Now there’s two DBZ related things i’m hyped about this and Dragon Ball Culture
Hey, it’s me. I signed up for Disqus. XD Anyway, I’m curious as to when the movie will take place specifically. I know it’s after Battle of Gods and all that, but could it really be three years after? That will mean that Pan will be either two or three since Videl was pregnant with her (most likely in the early stages of pregnancy since we couldn’t tell this was happening without her or Dende saying) during the former movie. Or, I theorize that it could happen even earlier, as I’m making a manga that is pure speculation about what Beerus and Whis might think about the situation during the plot.
What I’m gonna portray (as linked within my theory) is that Beerus is gonna sense a disturbance and wake up early, making it important and all, that even Whis will be concerned. Then he uses his staff to look into the conflict at hand, informs the God of Freeza’s revival, and then he orders that they go to Earth.
So all in all, I think Freeza’s gonna to come back before the expected three-year time frame and grab the attention of our awesome and hilarious deities.
What would be your take on such a speculation?
It’s a logical train of thought. There’s not enough evidence available about the movie for me to say yes or no to it, so I think it’s a valid speculation.
We’ll have to wait and see.
Noticed the lightning next to Goku and Vegeta? And how the one next to Goku is reddish like his Super Saiyan God form. Whereas the other lightning is blue, which could mean Vegeta will also be a god and his Super Saiyan God form could have blue hair, blue eyes and a blue flaming aura.
Yeah, I think that’s a bit of a stretch as well. These are their colors, so it makes sense to alter each side to match their red versus blue polarity. But what you said is what everyone has been speculating in regard to Vegeta’s potential Super Saiyan God form.
Yeah, to be honest, I never really did understand why everyone believed Vegeta to have blue colors as a Super Saiyan God.
lol, it’s due to the fact that Son Gokū’s Kaiōken Aura is Red/Crimson similar to SSJ4 Kamehameha10x & that Bejīta Sama wears a Blue/Navy Game of Death similar jumpsuit beneath his Saiyajin armor. the color Orange subconsciously resembles Red but is symbolic of the Hindu Rage Spirits known as Asuras. Son Gokū is seen throughout Dragon Ball w/ Blue/Rainbow Aura that varries based upon his emotions. interesting that Bejīta Sama wears a red tank-top in Dragon Ball GT & Son Gokū’s Dōgi is Blue w/ Pink wristbands.
http://40.media.tumblr.com/cf9e3c47a76a79d9603446e7d72aebc8/tumblr_mfdlgyi5LI1qfp0n5o1_1280.jpg
http://40.media.tumblr.com/b8fbaa5fc0398f5ed4cfda574ecbf6f2/tumblr_muceq4L9Uq1qfp0n5o2_1280.jpg
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d273b04ad8e579534bc31e2b2b8451f7/tumblr_mjxca1IPK91qfp0n5o2_1280.jpg DBZ Kai is now on Toonami in Honor of 30th anniversary! :+)
Us release please
I know there will be American fans who can live with the original Japanese dub, and I could watch it. But there are a lot of us that watched the show in English growing up and that’s dragon Ball z for me and this is an amazing set up so it needs to get the English release.
It’s not even out in japan yet..geez..
Goku gave Frieza sayian power. I think frieza could of mixed a form with super sayian. Or maybe now he can absorb the energy from the sayians like goku did…
What I think is, he’ll do what he did on Namek, when he went FULL POWER against Goku in SSJ, I think the second wish will be for unlimited power or something like that. So Freeza can go ALL OUT and give Goku a tough time.
vegeta is my favourite character, he has by far the most depth and best character transformation throughout the series, i hated the fact that goku was always shoehorned in as the hero making everyone useless , having all the z warriors get their asses beat and just wait for goku to save the day. i am super pumped for the new movie ressurection of frieza and i heard akira toriyama will make vegeta the hero this time. it makes perfect sense as the history between the 2 and there would be alot of emotion between them as well. it would be far more epic to have vegeta defeat or kill frieza but i fear like usual goku will once again be shoehorned in as the hero and save the day. because of goku all other characters are sidelined and do nothing of any real importance barring a few minor exceptions.i hope akira toriyama keeps his promise of making vegeta the hero this time. i am still afraid he wont because he apparently hates vegeta and has said so, yet all the fans like him more. also christopher sbat is totally right universally vegeta voted by fans is the best charcater and with good reason. goku has no depth and only cares about eating and fighting. !
I think i am the biggest bejita fan on earth, but i know already that goku like always, will be the hero, and bejita get defeated like always :(
Fuck you toriyama make us hope for a great vegeta win in a db movie…
Vegeta is Toriyama’s least favorite character
while Piccolo is his favorite, so of course Piccolo will have some sort of minor sacrifice in this movie, while Vegata be like: “Yeah you totally didnt promise ill take God form this time, Kakarot-in-hell.”
Personally I think Freeza was the worst villain in DBZ. He was pure evil and had the intelligence to match, he almost completely destroyed the saiyan race. I’m just confused as to how he can be wished back, isn’t there a one year stipulation on the Dragon Balls? Either way I’m excited to hopefully see the prince of saiyans destroy Freeza.
You said not to count on Frieza getting a new form, and tossed out the transformation that Cooler discovered because it was movie content, however, I think it’s important to note, this IS movie content. And when Beerus opened up the parallel universe idea, I think that kind of opened up the possibility of tying up loose strings in the movie universe.
That being said, I don’t necessarily think that Frieza will transform any further, but I do believe the possibility to be there. As stated, Shenron and now grant two wishes. One will clearly revive Frieza. The other will do one of two things, make Frieza the God of Destruction, or turn Goku. I believe the latter to be erelevent however, due to the fact that Frieza has such an outspoken presence in this film. In other words, how is Frieza such a threat of he just turns goku. I believe Frieza will ask to become the God of Destruction, and I believe that is when Beerus and Whis get involved, as Beerus’ role has been reversed. I believe that is when Beerus will Challenge Frieza, believing that Frieza can’t fittingly use the power, and Goku (whose been training with Beerus) and Vegeta have to step in to stop him. Maybe the possibility of a fusion which would require Vegeta to meet new heights in power if he is going to fuse with Goku.
Now, there is no basis for this, let’s just say I’ve had a lot of time to consider the possibilities.
lol so freeza trains for 4 months and surpasses all the super saiyan transformations, cell buu and super saiyan ‘god’ form just like that ?? this movie kinda retcons the whole of dbz .. pointless. 4 months only cmonnn….
super saiyan god form has to be the worst idea dbz has ever had :/ 6 saiyans lend their energy to one and they power up that much ?? everyone always lends energy to goku but if it happens they are all saiyans it unlocks a transformation ?? sureley many would have done this back when planet vegeta was still around
lol this derek padula face
I’ve seen a new Frieza. He looks pretty cool. I don’t have a problem with him. You guys should follow me on Wattpad too. My name is HossBoy.