Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is the fourth Dragon Ball movie, and the first under the Dragon Ball Z banner produced. Dead Zone is the only film that takes place after the end of Dragon Ball and before the beginning of Dragon Ball Z. This is made clear due to the fact that Goku, who dies in the battle with Raditz, is alive. Therefore this must be an event that occurred before Raditz attacked. However, there are discrepancies, such as Krillin’s meeting the young Gohan in the film (when in the series, he is later surprised to learn that Goku has a child), which prevent it from fitting in completely with the main series timeline.

Upon its theatrical release in 1989 by Toei Animation, it was titled simply Dragon Ball Z: the Movie. It was then dubbed into English by the Canadian company Ocean Group for the American company FUNimation Entertainment, and the title was changed to Dead Zone. It was then re-dubbed by FUNimation itself in 2005.

The movie premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on February 12, 1999. The movie also aired on Toonami on six other occasions: May 29, 1999, as part of DBZ20XL, February 21, 2000, as part of the DBZ President's Day Movie Marathon, April 8, 2000, as part of Toonami: Full Cycle , December 29, 2000  , May 4, 2001 , and December 7, 2001.

Synopsis
Far off, in a remote location, Piccolo is training for his next battle with Goku. Without warning, he is attacked by a mysterious group of powerful fighters. Back on Mount Pao-tzu, the mysterious group easily defeats Ox King and Chi-Chi, and kidnaps Gohan, who has the Four-Star Ball. Goku returns home to find Chi-Chi beaten up, and learns that Gohan has been taken. Using the Dragon Radar, Goku determines his location and heads out to retrieve his son.

Elsewhere, the leader of the mysterious group is revealed to be Garlic Jr., whose goal is to obtain the seven Dragon Balls and be granted immortality so he can take the throne of Kami. Nicky is charged with taking care of Gohan, but Gohan is quite a handful. Gohan says he’s hungry, and pulls out a piece of fruit, which he took from a tree outside. Nikki tells him not to eat it, but it’s too late: Gohan has eaten the whole thing. A musical scene with an intoxicated, hallucinating Gohan follows, before he eventually passes out on Garlic Jr.’s throne.

Having gathered all of the Dragon Balls, Garlic Jr. calls forth Shenlong and is granted immortality. Goku arrives and demands they return Gohan, but Garlic Jr. refuses. Goku prepares to fight them, but Kami suddenly appears. Kami explains that Garlic Jr.’s father, Garlic, was a man who had previously vied for the position of Guardian of Earth, but the former Guardian of Earth saw his evil intention and sealed his power away. Goku leaves Garlic Jr. to Kami, and heads into the palace to find Gohan. Garlic Jr.’s underlings follow Goku to intervene in his search. Krillin runs in to help Goku find Gohan, but then Piccolo also appears. Garlic Jr.’s underlings are shocked that he’s alive.

Garlic Jr. is having an easy time with Kami, who has grown old and is not the fighter he once was. Kami realizes this and decides to take his own life to stop him, but before he can go through with it, Goku and Piccolo arrive on the scene, having defeated Nicky, Sansho, and Ginger. Garlic Jr. transforms, undergoing a massive power up. The battle begins and the two are no match for the transformed Garlic Jr. They shed their weighted clothing and begin to push Garlic Jr. to his limits. Meanwhile, as Krillin is running away carrying Gohan, he becomes collateral damage in the fierce fight and faints. Gohan falls deep into the bottom of the palace….

Thinking they’ve defeated Garlic Jr., Piccolo and Goku turn to begin their own personal battle, but Garlic Jr. emerges, unscathed. He’s had enough, and opens a Dead Zone portal to finish everyone off. Gohan hears his father and begins to cry from the rubble. An angry Gohan emerges, revealing his terrifying hidden power. Garlic Jr. can’t believe it, and tries to suck him into the Dead Zone, but it’s no use. Enraged, Gohan blasts Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone, sealing him inside forever. Goku rushes over to Gohan, who wakes up with no memory of what has transpired (he thinks his father has saved him). Having rescued Gohan, the two fly off on the Flying Nimbus back to Mount Pao-tzu.

Characters
Heroes=

Toonami Broadcast History

 * February 12, 1999 at 4:00 PM
 * May 29, 1999 at 3:00 PM (DBZ20XL)
 * February 21, 2000 at 7:00 PM (DBZ President's Day Movie Marathon)
 * April 8, 2000 at 5:00 PM (Toonami: Full Cycle)
 * December 29, 2000 at 6:00 PM
 * May 4, 2001 at 4:00 PM
 * December 7, 2001 at 6:00 PM