Hollywood’s track record with live-action adaptations of beloved anime and manga series has been less than stellar, and one glaring example of this is the live-action adaptation of the iconic franchise, Dragon Ball. Fans of Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece were left disappointed and outraged as the 2009 live-action movie, “Dragonball Evolution,” failed to capture the essence of the source material, leading to a list of grievances that tarnished the legacy of the beloved anime and manga. Here are 10 big ways Dragon Ball’s live-action movie ruined the original anime and manga:

1. Character Butcherings: The live-action movie altered fundamental character traits, turning beloved characters like Goku into unrecognizable caricatures. Goku went from a lovable, naive warrior to a high school student with no resemblance to his anime counterpart.

2. Lack of Diversity: Dragon Ball is known for its diverse range of characters, yet the live-action film whitewashed many key roles, ignoring the source material’s rich cultural backgrounds and leaving fans feeling alienated.

3. Weak Storytelling: The plot of “Dragonball Evolution” was riddled with plot holes, inconsistencies, and a lack of depth. It failed to capture the complex narratives and character arcs that made the original series so captivating.

4. Mishandling of Iconic Villains: The live-action movie mishandled iconic villains like Piccolo and Lord Slug, reducing them to generic, forgettable antagonists. These characters lacked the depth and charisma that fans cherished.

5. Missing Iconic Elements: The film omitted crucial Dragon Ball elements like the Dragon Balls themselves, the Capsule Corporation, and the iconic tournament arcs, robbing the adaptation of its unique charm.

6. Poor Visual Effects: The special effects in “Dragonball Evolution” were subpar at best, making the fight scenes feel lackluster and failing to capture the awe-inspiring power of the original anime’s battles.

7. Cringeworthy Dialogue: The movie’s dialogue was often cringe-inducing, filled with cheesy one-liners and awkward exchanges that undermined the serious moments of the story.

8. Lack of Martial Arts Mastery: Dragon Ball is renowned for its intricate martial arts battles. However, the live-action adaptation lacked the martial arts finesse that characterized the anime and manga, resulting in bland fight sequences.

9. Disrespecting the Source Material: The live-action film demonstrated a clear lack of respect for the source material, as evidenced by the many creative liberties taken with character designs, backstories, and overall world-building.

10. Negative Impact on the Franchise: Perhaps the most significant damage was the negative impact the live-action movie had on the Dragon Ball franchise. It left a lasting stain on the legacy of the beloved series, making it difficult for fans to forget the disappointment.

In conclusion, “Dragonball Evolution” serves as a cautionary tale for Hollywood’s treatment of beloved anime and manga properties. While fans of the original series hoped for an epic live-action adaptation, they were met with a film that failed to capture the magic of Dragon Ball and instead tarnished its reputation. Hopefully, future adaptations will learn from these mistakes and do justice to the source material.