Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (1993)
A haunting alternate-timeline TV special that strips Dragon Ball Z down to its emotional core — loss, legacy, and the birth of a hero.
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks - Movie Information
- Original Title: ドラゴンボールZ 絶望への反抗!! 残された超戦士・悟飯とトランクス
- Release Year: 1993
- Directed by: Yoshihiro Ueda
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 48m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 24, 1993 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Bola de Drac Z: En Son Gohan i en Trunks (ES), 드래곤볼 Z: 절망을 향한 대반격!! 남겨진 초전사 오반과 트랭크스 (KR), Dragon Ball Z: Defiance in the Face of Despair!! The Remaining Super-Warriors: Gohan and Trunks (US), Dragon Ball Z Téléfilm 2: L'Histoire de Trunks (FR), Dragon Ball Z: Los dos Guerreros del Futuro Gohan y Trunks (MX), ドラゴンボールZ・絶望への反抗!!残された超戦士・悟飯とトランクス (JP), Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (NL), Dragonball Z - Movie Special 2: Die Geschichte von Trunks (DE)
- Production Companies: Fuji Television Network, Toei Company
- Production Countries: Japan
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks - Plot
It has been thirteen years since the Androids began their killing rampage and Son Gohan is the only person fighting back. He takes Bulma's son Trunks as a student and even gives his own life to save Trunks's. Now Trunks must figure out a way to change this apocalyptic future.
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dystopian future that shaped a legend:
This is the story of the future that never was.
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Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yoshihiro Ueda
Main Cast
- Masako Nozawa
- Mayumi Tanaka
- Hiromi Tsuru
- Ryo Horikawa
- Takeshi Kusao
- Naoko Watanabe
- Daisuke Gori
- Naoki Tatsuta
- Kohei Miyauchi
- Shigeru Nakahara
Writers
- Hiroshi Toda
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks - FAQs
Is Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks based on a manga?
Yes. The special is based on a side story from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga, specifically the 'Trunks: The Story' chapter. It expands that brief manga chapter into a full narrative exploring the bleak alternate future timeline where Androids 17 and 18 have devastated humanity.
What is Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks about?
Set thirteen years after the Androids began their murderous rampage, the special follows Son Gohan — Earth's sole remaining fighter — as he mentors young Trunks. After Gohan sacrifices his life to protect his student, Trunks must find the strength and resolve to confront the Androids and change their apocalyptic future.
Who are the main voice actors in this special?
The principal voice cast includes Masako Nozawa as Son Gohan, Takeshi Kusao as Trunks, Hiromi Tsuru as Bulma, Shigeru Nakahara as Android No. 17, and Miki Ito as Android No. 18. Ryo Horikawa also appears as Vegeta in the Japanese-language production.
Does Gohan die in The History of Trunks?
Yes. One of the special's most emotionally devastating moments is Gohan's death at the hands of Androids 17 and 18. He sacrifices himself to protect Trunks, and his death serves as the catalyst that finally awakens Trunks's Super Saiyan transformation and drives the entire second half of the story.
How does Trunks become a Super Saiyan in this special?
Trunks achieves his Super Saiyan transformation through grief and rage following Gohan's death. Throughout the special he struggles to unlock the power despite intense training. Discovering Gohan's body in the rain triggers the emotional breaking point that finally unleashes the transformation, mirroring how Goku achieved it after Krillin's death.
When was Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks released?
The special originally aired on February 24, 1993, in Japan as a Fuji Television broadcast. It reached Western audiences considerably later, with its US release occurring on October 24, 2000, when it was dubbed and distributed for English-speaking markets.
Where can you watch Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks?
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks is available to buy or rent digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so checking your local platform listings is recommended for the most current options.
How long is Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks?
The special has a runtime of 48 minutes, making it a compact but emotionally rich standalone story. Originally broadcast as a TV special in Japan, its condensed length allows it to deliver a focused, self-contained narrative without the pacing demands of a full theatrical feature.
More About Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks
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