Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon is the thirteenth and final Dragon Ball Z theatrical film, introducing Tapion — a hero from a thousand years past who sealed half of the monstrous being Hirudegarn within himself at the cost of eternal imprisonment in a music box. When well-meaning but misguided efforts free Tapion, Hirudegarn threatens to fully reconstitute and destroy the Earth. The film is notable for introducing Tapion's sword — a weapon that, in the anime's non-canonical continuity, Tapion gives to Trunks, explaining why Trunks uses a sword in his future timeline. This detail, though itself non-canonical to the manga, became one of the most referenced pieces of fan lore for years.

Wrath of the Dragon features one of the more emotionally resonant original characters in the DBZ theatrical catalog. Tapion's isolation, his burden of containing a monster within himself, and his reluctant friendship with Trunks give the film a melancholic depth. Hirudegarn as a villain is less interesting than Janemba but makes for a physically imposing threat. The film's action climax showcases Dragon Fist — a technique unique to the theatrical timeline — in spectacular fashion. As the capstone of the DBZ theatrical era before the franchise went on hiatus, Wrath of the Dragon provides a satisfying, emotionally complete conclusion to the classic film lineup.