Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is a live-action adaptation of the popular anime and manga series Dragon Ball created by Akira Toriyama. This Taiwanese film, released in 1989, is often regarded as one of the most bizarre and hilarious reinterpretations of the beloved series. The plot of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins revolves around the adventure of a young boy named Goku who possesses a magical staff and embarks on a journey to find the seven Dragon Balls. Along the way, he encounters various unique and comedic characters, including Bulma, Turtle Hermit (Master Roshi), Oolong, and Yamcha. One of the notable aspects of this adaptation is the introduction of a new villain named King Horn. He seeks to obtain the Dragon Balls to gain immortality and rule the world.
1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren t allowed to cheer nor sing along due to the sanitary restrictions when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move and maybe they really were. Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance Miku s tuning for this one was simply perfect.
He seeks to obtain the Dragon Balls to gain immortality and rule the world. However, Goku, armed with his staff and newly found friends, must stop King Horn and protect the Dragon Balls from falling into the wrong hands. Although Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins takes inspiration from the original manga and anime series, it diverges significantly in terms of the story, character depiction, and visual effects.
Inochi ni kirawarete Iru @ Magical Mirai 2020
This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.
Translating for those who have no idea what I’m talking about:
Hatsune Miku is a vocaloid synthetic software “singer” and one of Japan’s big three otaku cultural exports (the other two being Touhou and anime). She’s so popular these days that even mass media is catching up and trying to explain to your grandpa how the whole thing works. The company behind Miku, Crypton Future Media, annually holds live concerts in Japan called,
Magical Mirai, where Miku holographically “performs” on stage accompanied by a live band. It’s an exhibition of state-of-the-art holographic tech and audiovisual synchronization, besides looking incredible silly and fun. The concert’s setlist is comprised of songs written by vocaloid producers such as,
Kanzaki Iori, who happens to be the lyricist and composer of,
Inochi ni kirawarete Iru. (命に嫌われている。), transliterated “hated by life”, a gloomy vocaloid song with lyrics about depression and suicide. Arranged for Miku’s voice, while undeniably dark in theme, it has a hopeful message and ends in a comforting note.
So, back on topic, what makes this performance so special are the interesting coincidence of circumstances and the quality of every element involved.
Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru is, first of all, a beautiful anthem. It’s one of those upbeat high tempo melodies with sad lyrics -a trending style now being popularized by bands like Yoasobi and Yorushika. The lyrics are written from the singer’s perspective as he/she’s singing for someone angry at the hardships of life and the paradox of wanting it let it all go but hanging on for the sake of those around.
These lyrics are what makes the performance so amusing. Magical Mirai’s setlist is often comprised of happy, cheerful songs that, while varying in theme, never tend to the gloomy side. Not only unusual, it is quite surprising that it made to the list, especially considering, or perhaps it was precisely considering, the fact that 2020 was the year marked by the covid pandemic.
We may never know if they did include the song because of the virus or if it was just an unexpected coincidence. The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren’t allowed to cheer nor sing along (due to the sanitary restrictions) when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move –and maybe they really were.
Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance: Miku’s tuning for this one was simply perfect.
Whoever was responsible for it deserves some pats on the back. They did good.
Unlike the original song by Kanzaki Iori, which uses a more deep voice, the live performance takes advantage of the fact it’s accompanied by an actual piano and band instead of MIDI instruments and increases Miku’s pitch, while also slowing down the tempo. This turns the overall mood of the song, from a sorrowful rant to a despairing plea, that in my opinion makes the lyrics way more impactful.
Her tone fluctuates during the song, being more sad during the intro and bridge, then going all out in the high notes for the chorus. It’s emotional and real, perhaps more “human” than actual human performers.
What is more real, a hologram singing with a voice carefully tuned by someone passionate about it, or a flesh & blood musician relying on playback for live performances?
This hologram, that not only sings but also shows emotion through its expression and movements.
Yes, another department which should also get a bonus is the one responsible for Miku’s choreography and facial expressions in this song.
You can feel her angst, her movements aren’t just for show, they match the stages of the lyrics. She complains about society while punching her fist in the air; she pleads for the audience while facing forward and pointing at them; she reaches a realization about her song with an arm wide open. Just like her voice, her movements are dynamic and emotional.
And not only Miku, but the musicians accompanying her are also grooving to the song, when the cameras focus on them or we get glimpses of the stage, they always seem invested into it (brother on the guitar was really feeling it).
Finally, perhaps the most unique aspect of this performance is that it is actually …unique.
Magical Mirai 2020 was held in two separated times, first in Osaka, then in Tokyo. This song was only played as an encore in the Osaka leg of the tour, in Tokyo it was replaced with a different one. Not only that, but the concert footage from the DVD/BD release is recorded from Tokyo, and Osaka footage is only available as bonus content on the “special limited edition” of the BDs. What this all means is that unless you were in Osaka in November 2020, had a virtual ticket, or own a physical limited edition BD, the only way you can see this magical performance is through Youtube/torrent rips, uploaded by blessed anons. And even that risks extinction as these days DMCA takedowns are one report away.
Like a shooting star, it shines beautifully and brightly but is only seen by few and, in a brief instant, it’s gone again.
Hatsune Miku is one of humanity’s greatest treasures and there’s nothing that can convince me otherwise.
This song and this performance are the perfect soundtrack for the SNAFU of covid-ridden years.
If you have 5 minutes to spare, please go and watch it.
1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.
The film features a mix of traditional martial arts, fantasy, and slapstick comedy to create an entertaining and uniquely bizarre experience for fans of the franchise. The film's production values are often criticized, with low-budget special effects and imperfect costumes. However, it is precisely these elements that contribute to the film's appeal and cult following. Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is celebrated for its unintentional comedy, over-the-top action sequences, and absurd dialogue. Despite the numerous deviations from the source material, this live-action adaptation of Dragon Ball retains the essence of the original series and captures the adventurous spirit and humor that fans love. The film's campy charm and its attempt to bring the fantastical elements of Dragon Ball to life have made it a memorable entry in the franchise's history. In conclusion, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins may not be the most faithful adaptation of the beloved anime and manga series, but its unique blend of martial arts, fantasy, and comedy has earned it a special place in the hearts of Dragon Ball fans. Its hilarity, campiness, and quirky charm have made it an enjoyable and entertaining experience for viewers looking for a different take on their favorite characters and storylines..
Reviews for "The Journey of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins - From Obscurity to Cult Classic"
1. John - 1/5
I cannot express enough how much I disliked "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins". The film seemed like a poor imitation of the original Dragon Ball series, with terrible acting and cheap special effects. The plot was all over the place and lacked any cohesion, making it difficult to follow. The characters seemed shallow and portrayed poorly, with none of the charisma and depth that fans of the franchise are accustomed to. Overall, this film was a massive disappointment and did not do justice to the Dragon Ball legacy.
2. Sarah - 2/5
As a fan of the original Dragon Ball series, I was excited to watch "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins". However, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment. The film felt like a B-grade production with low-budget special effects and cringe-worthy dialogue. The storyline was convoluted and poorly executed, leaving me confused and bored. The acting was subpar, with the actors failing to capture the essence of the beloved characters. While it may be considered a nostalgia trip for some, I personally would not recommend this film to any true Dragon Ball fan.
3. Alex - 1/5
I have to admit, "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" was a complete disaster. The acting was so bad that it was painful to watch, and the special effects were laughably cheap. The film attempted to recreate the magic of the original Dragon Ball series but failed miserably. The plot was nonsensical and felt rushed, with important character development and story arcs being glossed over or omitted entirely. It felt like a cheap cash-grab trying to cash in on the popularity of Dragon Ball. Do yourself a favor and skip this one entirely.