You are here:

Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

Name: Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!
Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Released: 2008
Duration: 35 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

2008

Director

Yoshihiro Ueda

Runtime

35 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This special serves as an extension of the Dragon Ball mythos, emphasizing high-energy action and fan service over social commentary. The narrative structure relies on established character types to drive episodic comedy and combat. By focusing on maintaining franchise continuity, it reinforces conventional social hierarchies. The creative direction favors genre-standard formulas, resulting in a production that lacks intentionality regarding diverse representation or progressive narrative experimentation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. The interpersonal dynamics stay within traditional heterosexual relationships.

How does Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! portray gender?

Limited

Male characters dominate the narrative, which is typical of the Shonen genre. Female characters like Bulma play supporting roles that reinforce existing gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?

Fair

Diversity is shown through alien species rather than real-world ethnicities. These alien species like Tarble, Abo, and Cado serve as genre clichés rather than nuanced metaphors for multiple aspects of identity.

How does Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! represent religion and culture?

Limited

The storyline follows a conventional good versus evil morality without challenging social structures or institutions. It upholds the status quo through traditional heroic figures.

Does Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no depictions of physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are portrayed as peak physical specimens without any disability-related themes.

Present on Screen

Effective use of established character types to drive high-energy, kinetic action.
Successful execution of genre-standard comedic clichés for fan engagement.

Limited or Absent

Lack of meaningful representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight characters.
Heavy concentration of narrative ability to act within a male ensemble, limiting gender diversity.
Absence of nuanced depictions regarding disability or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Following the defeat of Majin Buu, Son Goku and friends travel to Mr. Satan's newly-opened hotel for an all-you-can-eat banquet, when they are paid a visit by Vegeta's younger brother Tarble. They are informed by Tarble that the terrible brother duo of Abo and Cado have terrorized his planet and are on their way to Earth.

How are these scores produced? →