Dragon Ball fans are waiting with bated breath for the North American release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the franchise's 21st motion picture and a great example of how much it has evolved over time. However, the very first Dragon Ball movie, Curse of the Blood Rubies, is a fascinating tale to watch now due to its story and place in history. Does it still hold up today or is it merely a relic of an earlier time?
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies hit screens in 1986. Interestingly, it launched at the Toei Manga Matsuri Film Festival, as part of a triple feature with Gegege no Kitarō Gekitotsu!! Ijigen Yōkai no Dai Hanran and Kinnikuman - Seigi Choujin vs. Senshi Choujin. This alone may be odd to modern viewers; the idea of a series as famous and influential as Dragon Ball being relegated to a single part of a triple-feature feels wrong -- especially now that its films have massive hype-filled launches that sell out in hours. However, the Dragon Ball anime had just launched in 1986 while the manga had only been running for a few years. So while it was popular, it wasn't the legendary franchise it is today.
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies is an alternative retelling of the manga's first arc -- but with some massive alterations to the story. The most immediately noticeable one is that the manga's original villain, Emperor Pilaf, has been replaced with a new antagonist named King Gurumes. Gurumes' men are ransacking the land, searching for the Blood Rubies. This ransacking is damaging the crops, which angers the local citizens.
However, Gurumes isn't having a good time; he has been turned into a constantly-hungry monster by the Blood Rubies. No matter how much food he gets, it isn't enough. Because of this, Gurumes is trying to track down the Dragon Balls hoping they can cure his hunger.
Gurumes sends out two of his men, Pasta and Bongo, to grab the four-star Dragon Ball. It is currently in Goku's possession, but the young boy doesn't fully understand the object's power. At the same time, Bulma ends up meeting Goku once the Dragon Radar informs her that the strange boy has a Dragon Ball. When Pasta and Bongo steal the ball, Goku and Bulma form an uneasy alliance to recover it and put a stop to Gurumes. They make many new friends on their travels, including meeting with Yamcha and Master Roshi.
The show retains the sillier, more comedic feel that defines the early parts of the Dragon Ball anime and manga. While this tone would always be a part of the franchise's formula, it has become diluted with time, making it quite striking today -- especially if you've recently been watching Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Super. However, those who enjoy Akira Toriyama's sense of humor will get a fair few laughs from Curse of the Blood Rubies. The animation is also good quality. While it is noticeably cheaper than later films, it isn't distracting as it retains a cohesive aesthetic. In fact, the film looks great for its age and is a cut above a lot of other material released around that time.
The only downside of Dragon Ball's first film is the story. While the plot is fun and packed with plenty of adventure and drama, it doesn't deviate that far from the original version of the arc, making it feel superfluous. On top of this, Gurumes is a less memorable villain than Emperor Pilaf, especially in retrospect as the latter has become a longstanding fixture of the franchise. Having this alternative retelling feels a little pointless, especially for those who want to watch the rest of Dragon Ball after finishing this movie.
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies is a fun film that shows just how far the franchise as a whole has come. It features a story trying to find its footing and cement itself as a property people should pay attention to. While the alternative-universe story feels a little weak now, it is still a fun film to watch for those seeking a quick, condensed shot of Dragon Ball fun that can be finished in an evening.
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies is now streaming on Funimation.