Unveiling Dragon Ball's Most Spectacular TV Special: A Must-Watch Highlight
The History of Trunks is an exceptional two-part TV special that brilliantly showcases the depth of Future Trunks' character while shifting the focus to Gohan With a captivating Super Saiyan transformation and seamless setup for the Cell Saga, it represents the true highlight of the Dragon Ball series
Highlights
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The special places its attention on Gohan and Trunks, diverting the storyline from the rivalry between Goku and Vegeta, and delves into the bond between Gohan and Trunks as they battle against the Androids.
In this special, Trunks experiences a deeply emotional and captivating moment of transforming into a Super Saiyan, which powerfully portrays the weight of his sorrow and stands out as one of the most unforgettable transformations across the entire series.
Future Trunks has been a core member of the Z Fighters since his introduction in the Androids Saga of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball. He played a crucial role in the battles against Androids 17 and 18, as well as Cell in his Imperfect and Perfect forms. However, he was absent during the Majin Buu Saga as he returned to his original timeline through Bulma's Time Machine. Future Trunks made his comeback in Dragon Ball Super's Future Trunks Saga, where he explained his background to the Z Fighters. Despite this, there were still unanswered details regarding his time travel.
The circumstances of his journey back in time greatly shaped Future Trunks as a character, setting him apart from his main timeline counterpart. Fortunately, these events were covered in a TV special called Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks, which adapted a chapter from the Dragon Ball manga. The special condensed the best aspects of the series into a double episode, allowing fans to fully understand the hardships faced by Future Trunks. This special exemplifies why Dragon Ball Z is so beloved as a shonen battle series and exceeds certain aspects of the original series. It truly stands out as a pinnacle moment in its respective saga and the overall narrative.
Shifting The Focus To Gohan And Trunks
The content opens in a post-apocalyptic setting, where the Z Fighters have all perished except for Gohan, Trunks, and Bulma. Goku succumbed to a rare heart disease before the Androids' arrival, weakening the team's ability to resist Dr. Gero's creations. Upon the entrance of Androids 17 and 18, Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, and the rest of the main characters were defeated, leaving only a small group of resistance fighters. Piccolo's death not only kills Kami but also destroys the Dragon Balls, preventing resurrection.
In this world, the Androids unleash terror on civilians, who are defenseless against their overwhelming power. This scenario shifts the focus away from Goku and Vegeta's rivalry, allowing their sons Gohan and Trunks to take center stage. The bond between the two is developed quickly as they rely on each other to fight the Androids. Gohan becomes a Super Saiyan after witnessing the death of his friends, making him the only hope against the Androids, while Trunks continues his training to reach a similar level.
A Stirring Super Saiyan Transformation
After a few initial clashes, Gohan and Trunks confront the Androids as they attack Super World, an amusement park in this timeline. During the intense battle, Gohan loses his left arm in a powerful blast from the Androids. Trunks brings him back to the Capsule Corporation for medical care. Once Gohan recovers, he continues to train Trunks, who has been making significant progress in his development. However, despite his efforts, Trunks is unable to transform into a Super Saiyan. The Androids soon launch an attack on Pepper Town, and Gohan knocks Trunks unconscious in order to protect him, despite Trunks' protests to fight.
Unfortunately, due to his missing arm, Gohan proves to be no match for the Androids. Though he puts up a valiant fight and gains control at times, the Androids overwhelm him and deliver a series of energy blasts that ultimately kill him. Sensing the disappearance of his mentor's energy, Trunks awakens and races outside, only to find Gohan's lifeless body lying in the rain. Consumed by grief, Trunks succumbs to anger and finally achieves his Super Saiyan transformation for the first time. His newfound power, however, comes at the cost of Gohan's life, as he unleashes a single blow that cracks the ground with tremendous force.
Super Saiyan transformations are a crucial aspect of most story arcs in Dragon Ball Z, and this particular one is undeniably one of the series' best. Set against the backdrop of an urban dystopia, marked by the vibrant reds and blues of police sirens, the dark and moody imagery sets the stage for Trunks' discovery of Gohan's remains. As the music reaches a crescendo, Trunks' rage erupts and he undergoes a powerful transformation. The gravity of Trunks' grief is palpable as he repeatedly calls out Gohan's name, desperately hoping for his revival. The tension rises to new heights as it becomes evident that there is no one capable of matching the might of the Androids. However, when Trunks finally transforms, his scream drowns out everything else, his anger over Gohan's demise becoming an unstoppable torrent. This particular moment is exceptionally immersive, ticking all the boxes for a truly unforgettable transformation.
Setting Up The Cell Saga
Fast forward three years in the future, the tale resumes as Trunks witnesses Bulma constructing the Time Machine, which transports him back to the past. As a Super Saiyan, Trunks makes another valiant attempt to combat the Androids but suffers a crushing defeat, narrowly escaping with his life. Recognizing the urgency of seeking assistance from the Z Fighters, Trunks decides to journey back in time to forewarn them of the impending peril. Equipped with the vital medication needed to cure Goku's heart ailment, this pivotal moment sets the stage for the subsequent Cell Saga.
The FUNimation release of this special includes noteworthy additions in the form of the score and soundtrack. Featuring music from bands like Dream Theater, Slaughter, Bootsy Collins, Buckethead, and Tendril, the soundtrack adds a heavy and modern touch to the dystopian world portrayed in the narrative. It effectively heightens tension and creates a more immersive experience. The History of Trunks condenses the most powerful themes and concepts of Dragon Ball Z into a gripping two-part episode, leaving fans captivated by the fast-paced action. This special exemplifies the series' universal appeal and is a must-watch for fans. Dragon Ball Z can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
