In addition to various books that later retroactively covered the movies — for example, Daizenshuu 6 (“MOVIES & TV SPECIALS”) — each major theatrical film received its own dedicated print publication. In the early days, this meant a pamphlet for that season’s Toei Anime Fair shared across the two or three films each being screened. In the modern era, this has resulted in at least one publication — generally available for purchase at the theater — dedicated to that single film filled with screenshots, summaries, interviews, and more.
Theatrical Pamphlets
As opposed to the modern films (starting with 2013’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods), the older films were screened as multi-feature presentations at Toei festivals during school breaks in Japan. Sometimes there would be special themes to the festivals; for example, Dragon Ball Z Movie 3 was part of the “Akira Toriyama: The World” exhibition, and played alongside animated adaptations of two other Toriyama works: Pink and Kennosuke-sama. Other times the additional features could be a Slam Dunk movie, a Ninku movie, etc. These festivals and movies were a chance for existing fans to have fun with the characters they knew, as well as a chance for new fans to get absorbed into the world without really having to know what was going on in the “real” story in the comic book or television series.
Beginning with 2013’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, each theatrical film received at least one dedicated informational/promotional booklet. Each film is largely unique in that some received multiple types of books, some received theatrical attendance bonus items, some received both a standard and special edition booklet, etc.
Though these publications do not sport traditional “titles” (beyond that of the event name they are printed for), they are often referred to — and, perhaps more importantly, listed in second-hand sales — as being a “pamphlet” (パンフレット).
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Winter 1986 Toei Cartoon Festival
Dragon Ball Movie 1: The Legend of Shenlong
| Released: | 20 December 1986 |
| Event: | Winter 1986 Toei Cartoon Festival |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | GeGeGe no Kitarō, Kinnikuman |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1987 Toei Cartoon Festival
Dragon Ball Movie 2: The Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle
| Released: | 18 July 1987 |
| Event: | Summer 1987 Toei Cartoon Festival |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | Saint Seiya, Hikari Sentai Maskman, Chōjinki Metalder |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1988 Toei Cartoon Festival
Dragon Ball Movie 3: A Mystical Great Adventure
| Released: | 09 July 1988 |
| Event: | Summer 1988 Toei Cartoon Festival |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | Tatakae!! Ramenman, Bikkuriman, Kamen Rider Black |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1989 Toei Cartoon Festival
Dragon Ball Z Movie 1: Dragon Ball Z
| Released: | 15 July 1989 |
| Event: | Summer 1989 Toei Cartoon Festival |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | Akuma-kun, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Mobile Cop Jiban |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1990 Toei Anime Festival
Dragon Ball Z Movie 2: The World’s Strongest Guy
| Released: | 10 March 1990 |
| Event: | Spring 1990 Toei Anime Festival |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | Akuma-kun, Sally the Witch |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1990 Toei Anime Fair — Akira Toriyama: The World
Dragon Ball Z Movie 3: A Super Decisive Battle for Earth
| Released: | 07 July 1990 |
| Event: | Summer 1990 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Kennosuke-sama, Pink |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1991 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 4: Super Saiyan Son Goku
| Released: | 09 March 1991 |
| Event: | Spring 1991 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Magical Taruruto-kun |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1991 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 5: The Incredible Strongest vs Strongest
| Released: | 20 July 1991 |
| Event: | Summer 1991 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Magical Taruruto-kun, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1992 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 6: Clash!! 10,000,000,000 Powerful Warriors
| Released: | 07 March 1992 |
| Event: | Spring 1992 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Magical Taruruto-kun, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1992 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 7: Extreme Battle!! The Three Great Super Saiyans
| Released: | 11 July 1992 |
| Event: | Summer 1992 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Rokudenashi Blues, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1993 Toei Anime Fair — Akira Toriyama: The World 2
Dragon Ball Z Movie 8: Burn Up!! A Red-Hot, Raging, Super-Fierce Fight
| Released: | 06 March 1993 |
| Event: | Spring 1993 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Dr. Slump |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1993 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 9: The Galaxy at the Brink!! The Super Incredible Guy
| Released: | 10 July 1993 |
| Event: | Summer 1993 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Dr. Slump, Yu Yu Hakusho |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1994 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 10: The Dangerous Duo! Super-Warriors Can’t Rest
| Released: | 12 March 1994 |
| Event: | Spring 1994 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 36 |
| Accompanying Films: | Slam Dunk, Dr. Slump |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1994 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 11: Super-Warrior Defeat!! I’m the One Who’ll Win
| Released: | 09 July 1994 |
| Event: | Summer 1994 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Slam Dunk, Dr. Slump |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1995 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball Z Movie 12: The Rebirth of Fusion!! Goku and Vegeta
| Released: | 04 March 1995 |
| Event: | Spring 1995 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Accompanying Films: | Slam Dunk, Marmalade Boy |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Summer 1995 Toei Anime Fair
DBZ Movie 13: Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won’t Do it, Who Will?
| Released: | 15 July 1995 |
| Event: | Summer 1995 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 24 |
| Accompanying Films: | Slam Dunk, Ninku |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Spring 1996 Toei Anime Fair
Dragon Ball: The Path to Ultimate Strength (10th Anniversary Movie)
| Released: | 04 March 1996 |
| Event: | Spring 1996 Toei Anime Fair |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Accompanying Films: | Gokinjo Monogatari |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Jump Super Anime Tour ’08
Heya! Son Goku and Friends Return!!
| Released: | 21 September 2008 |
| Event: | Jump Super Anime Tour 2008 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
| Pages: | 24 |
| Accompanying Films: | One Piece, Letter Bee, Bleach, Gintoki, Yu-Gi-Oh, Blue Dragon |
JAN 4988104038937
Dragon Ball Evolution
| Released: | 11 March 2009 |
| Pages: | 28 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
N/A: JAN/ISNB/UPC
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
| Released: | 21 March 2013 |
| Pages: | 44 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
UPC 4904941525164
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
| Released: | 18 April 2015 |
| Pages: | 50 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
UPC 4904941537549
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Regular Edition)
| Released: | 14 December 2018 |
| Pages: | 38 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
UPC 49049415357556
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Special Edition)
| Released: | 14 December 2018 |
| Pages: | 60 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
UPC 4904941553808
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Regular Edition)
| Released: | 11 June 2022 |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
UPC 4904941553792
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Special Edition)
| Released: | 11 June 2022 |
| Pages: | 54 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance purchase |
Special Jump Issues/Mooks/Magazines
Throughout Dragon Ball‘s run, Shueisha released a number of guides pertaining to the series in the form of special issues of Jump, known in Japanese as “mooks” (“magazine books”). While the Adventure Special and two Anime Special volumes served as contemporary guides to the manga and television series, several movie-related publications were also released. To coincide with the 1990 “Akira Toriyama: The World” festival, an expanded “Anime Special” mook was released with extensive information about that year’s three animated adaptations. Much later, the 12th and 13th Dragon Ball Z movies received their own dedicated “Jump Anime Library” and “Jump Anime Collection” volumes, which featured full plot summaries, numerous screen shots, character model sheets, and much more. In March 2013, Shueisha released yet another magazine guide, this time for the new theatrical film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, including interviews with the creator, cast, and staff, as well as character designs, model sheets, an overview of the movie’s story, and an exclusive poster. These four volumes all received traditional store shelf releases — albeit short ones — with standard pricing and general availability (i.e., did not require the buyer to attend the movie theatrically).
Akira Toriyama: The World Anime Special
Dragon Ball Z Movie 3: A Super Decisive Battle for Earth
| Released: | 10 October 1990 (effective publication date) |
| Availability: | General Sale |
| Pages: | 212 |
| Price: | ¥390 |
Jump Anime Library 1
Dragon Ball Z Movie 12: The Rebirth of Fusion!! Goku and Vegeta
| Released: | 03 June 1995 (effective publication date) |
| Availability: | General Sale |
| Pages: | 106 |
| Price: | ¥1,000 |
Jump Anime Collection 3
DBZ Movie 13: Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won’t Do it, Who Will?
| Released: | 21 October 1995 (effective publication date) |
| Availability: | General Sale |
| Pages: | 90 |
| Price: | ¥880 |
ISBN 4910299390439“Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” Official Movie Guide
| Released: | 21 March 2013 |
| Pages: | 48 |
| Retail: | ¥580 |
| Availability: | General Sale |
Promotional Newspaper Issues
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ and Dragon Ball Super: Broly (as well as the Sand Land film adaptation) received promotional “newspaper” (新聞) issues with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes information.
UPC 491085182015200370
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ Newspaper
| Released: | 18 April 2015 |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Retail: | ¥400 |
| Availability: | General Sale |
UPC 491085351128700463
Sports Nippon Dragon Ball Super: Broly Newspaper
| Released: | 12 December 2018 |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Retail: | ¥500 |
| Availability: | General Sale |
Attendee Bonus Items
Dragon Ball: Volume F is a small book provided alongside other bonus items to those who attended the theatrical premiere of the 2015 film Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ in Japan. The booklet is initially packaged in plastic wrapping with a suggestion not to open it until the viewer has seen the respective film, as it spoils the entire story with its coverage of character designs, behind-the-scenes comments, and Akira Toriyama’s full original script to the film. The cover and dust jacket of Volume F is stylized to look like Dragon Ball‘s 2009 revised tankōbon releases, featuring the large, green “D” and “B” letters on a white background, with the grid of nine character faces reminiscent of the forty-first tankōbon cover artwork.
UPC 5958510595851
Dragon Ball: Volume F
| Released: | 18 April 2015 |
| Pages: | 84 |
| Availability: | Theatrical attendance bonus item |