Dragon Ball Z, a sequel to one of many successful Manga series created by Akira Toriyama, is a much-loved and influential Anime show noted for its well-rounded characters, slick visual storytelling, and unbelievable plot twists. As a matter of fact, it is so popular it inspired a purely fan-made manga filled with crazy concepts called Dragon Ball AF. Its theme song and opening credits are no exception. They are regarded by many fans worldwide as unparalleled, iconic, and exhilarating not only in the anime sector but also in the realm of the music industry at large.
A solid intro has the capability to catapult the viewer into the world of the show itself and in this case, make sure the viewer is up to date with all the different arcs DB has. More often than not, intros provide hidden spoilers, a glimpse into the characters’ psyche, outline the narrative framework, or merely set the tone. Dragon Ball Z’s theme song and openings succeed in producing a visual, emotional, and kinetic display of a nature that most anime shows lack.
10 Cha-La Head-Cha-La became a top hit in Japan
Cha-La Head-Cha-La graces the opening credits of the show. It is the fifteenth single by Japanese musician Hironobu Kageyama.
The song, released in 1989, became a top hit in Japan and has been re-recorded in several languages. Kageyama even performed an English version. In 2005, he agreed to come back to record a new variant of the song.
9 Hironobu Was Not The Only One To Perform The Song
The song has been covered by a multitude of artists, since its release in 1989. The Italian band Highlord, Animetal, and many others recorded an iteration of Cha-La Head-Cha-La.
A remix appeared on the 2005 compilation album, Anime Speed and 2006’s Speed Buyuden. In episode 5 of the anime adaptation, "Lucky Star," the song was even sung by the lead character Konata.
8 Japanese composer Shunsuke Kikuchi created the score for Dragon Ball Z
The well-known and highly-respected Japanese composer Shunsuke Kikuchi created the score for Dragon Ball Z. His extensive work ranges from anime children productions to R-rated films.
When anime shows and tokusatsu like Dragon Ball Z and Abarenbō Shōgun became long-running hit shows, fans started chanting "if Kikuchi Shunsuke is in charge of the music, the show will be a hit."
7 The US version drew inspiration from the punk/metal music genre
Unlike the antecedent pop-based Japanese and international openings, the US version of the song Rock the Dragon drew inspiration from the punk/metal music genre.
It was composed by Ron Wasserman in 1996 with Jeremy Sweet providing the vocals for Haim Saban. In 2001 Bruce Faulconer radically flipped the script with his own composition that was used in the opening till 2005.
6 A Nod To Kid Goku From Dragon Ball. Gohan Takes Over The Spotlight... Or Does He?
The first of the series’ opening animations is an homage to the establishment of the series, specifically of Goku’s infant son Gohan.
It would form the foundation for every other Cha-La Head-Cha-La infused opening animation used during the first 199 episodes of the TV series.
5 Whose Penetrating Glare Is That? Is He A Doctor? Is He An Android? He's Both: Dr. Gero!
There were more substantial changes that occurred in the third animation, including the Saiyans being replaced by Doctor Gero's menacing stare and Super Saiyan Vegeta and Trunks taking over Tien and Yamcha's spot.
The last group scene was revamped with more pertinent characters like Piccolo, Vegeta, and Future Trunks to show how important they become to the storyline.
4 The Addition of Vegeta And Nappa's Grand Entrance.
The two noteworthy changes made in the second opening were the addition of Gohan running on Shenron’s back (which becomes a trademark of the show) and the Saiyans' silhouettes walking through a wall of fire.
This new opening animation accords with Vegeta and Nappa’s initial arrival on Earth in the previous episode which officially marks the beginning of the Saiyan Saga.
3 Yukinojo Mori's Lyrics Were As Explosive As Goku's Spirit Bomb
Yukinojo Mori, the Japanese lyricist/poet created the lyrics to several songs used in Dragon Ball Z, with the most prominent ones being: Cha-La Head-Cha-La, We Gotta Power, and Bokutachi Wa Tenshi Datta (the show's ending).
In 2009, he returned to the Dragon Ball universe and penned Kuu Zen Zetsu Go as the opening theme for Dragon Ball Z Kai which introduced the new generation to the series in a new style.
2 Yamamoto's Score Got Him In Big Copyright Trouble With Toei Animation
The Japanese studio Toei Animation proclaimed that due to Yamamoto's score’s copyright infringement in 2011, the music for the remaining episodes and reruns of Dragon Ball Z Kai would be substituted.
Later reports from the company substantiated that Yamamoto's score with the exclusion of the series’ opening and closing songs, as well as eye catches, was swapped with Shunsuke Kikuchi's from Dragon Ball Z.
1 An Opening With A Whole Lotta Power
We Gotta Power usurped the throne of the original opening theme song, Cha-La Head-Cha-La. Yukinojo Mori wrote the lyrics and Keiju Ishikawa composed the music.
A rendition of the song was performed in English by the original artists. There are even Mexican, Brazilian, and German versions of it performed by Adrián Barba, Anísio Mello Júnior, and Fred Röttcher respectively.