Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

In this fantasy adventure, a hungry king named Gurumes hunts for the Dragon Balls to satisfy an endless appetite. A nearby village girl named Pansy has had enough of the scheming and danger and seeks help from Muten Rōshi. A band of heroes, including Son Goku, Bulma, and their friends, join her quest as they race across villages and forests to reach the stones before Gurumes can unleash his army. The trek tests loyalty and courage as the team dodges traps, encounters playful dangers, and learns the power of teamwork. Along the way they stumble upon talking creatures and traps that challenge their wits and patience. The mission remains to prevent Gurumes from using the Dragon Balls for personal gain.

Released in 1986, the film is directed by Daisuke Nishio and produced by Toei Animation. It adapts material from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga, offering a standalone adventure that expands the early universe beyond the TV episodes for fans worldwide.

Toei Animation produced the film, rooted in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga. Directed by Daisuke Nishio, it features Masako Nozawa voicing Son Goku alongside Hiromi Tsuru as Bulma, Toru Furuya as Yamcha, Naoko Watanabe as Pûaru, and Naoki Tatsuta as Oolong, delivering the familiar energy and humor fans expect.

Reception framed the film as a breezy family outing that preserves the light humor of early Dragon Ball. Critics note the emphasis on teamwork and courage while it critiques greed as a tyrant pursues the Dragon Balls for personal gain, delivering solid animation for the era.

Even as the franchise's first feature, Curse of the Blood Rubies helped cement Dragon Ball's cinematic approach and broaden the appeal beyond the weekly episodes. It reinforced the dynamic between Goku and Bulma and contributed to fan anticipation for future film adventures in markets outside Japan.