Is Another Battle of Gods Necessary for Dragon Ball?
Get ready to dive back into the world of Dragon Ball, as we prepare for a fresh look at Beerus, the God of Destruction, in a new six-episode series titled Dragon Ball Super: Beerus. Announced during the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri event, this remaster of the Battle of Gods arc is set to bring back the iconic introduction of Beerus and Whis. While it’s exciting to revisit this pivotal moment that reignited the franchise in the 2010s, one has to wonder if we really need to experience it all over again.
Beerus first made his appearance in the game Dragon Ball Heroes: Galaxy Mission 6, just two months before the release of the movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. In that game, players faced off against Frieza’s army, and if they failed to defeat Frieza quickly, Beerus would show up to obliterate Planet Vegeta. At that time, he was a complete enigma, with only a few promotional images hinting at his terrifying presence—one that even Frieza feared. His debut in Battle of Gods expanded the Dragon Ball universe, introducing a new level of power that challenged Goku and Vegeta’s quest to become the strongest.
The movie’s storyline was later adapted into the Dragon Ball Super anime, which premiered in 2015, albeit with some notorious animation issues. However, it made sense to create a cohesive narrative for this new chapter in the franchise. The Dragon Ball Super manga also followed suit with the same story, and now we find ourselves revisiting the God of Destruction yet again. Each return of Beerus seems to lose some of its impact; his once-mysterious aura has faded, and we’re well-acquainted with his character.
It’s starting to feel reminiscent of those overplayed origin stories in superhero films—like watching Martha Wayne’s pearls scatter or Uncle Ben’s tragic fate. We’ve seen it all before, so what’s the fresh angle here? For starters, the anime adaptation of Battle of Gods in Super is often criticized for its quality, so the promise of “newly added and redrawn cuts,” as highlighted during the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri livestream, could enhance the experience for both returning fans and newcomers. While the Battle of Gods film is solid, it does have its meandering moments, particularly with the Emperor Pilaf subplot.
The upcoming adaptation promises a reimagined narrative with “extensive new cuts, revisions to existing scenes, a complete re-rendering of all footage, newly recorded dubbing with added score and sound effects, and a full reconstruction of the story,” as described in the trailer. This could lead to a more cohesive experience, especially as we gear up for the Galactic Patrol arc from the manga.
For those who will be meeting Beerus for the first time in Dragon Ball Super: Beerus this fall, here’s the setup: Years after the defeat of Majin Buu, Earth is enjoying a well-deserved peace—until Beerus awakens from his long slumber. Feared by the Kai and Supreme Kai for his ability to erase entire planets, Beerus is on the hunt for a Saiyan rumored to have defeated Frieza, who might just be the legendary Super Saiyan God. His arrival puts Earth in immediate danger, leading to an epic showdown between Goku, his allies, and the most powerful being in existence, igniting a cosmic battle that could change everything.
Revival ‘F’ is also set to receive the same remaster treatment as Battle of Gods, with another six-episode anime adaptation. It’s unfortunate that the original anime adaptations of these films were handled poorly. However, a remaster utilizing modern technology could be a visual delight, much like the successful remake of One Piece’s Fish-Man Island arc. Still, fans will have to wait a bit longer for entirely new Dragon Ball Super content. But hey, better late than never!
