Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Earth is peaceful following the Tournament of Power. Realizing that the universes still hold many more strong people yet to see, Goku spends all his days training to reach even greater heights. Then one day, Goku and Vegeta are faced by a Saiyan called 'Broly' who they've never seen before. The Saiyans were supposed to have been almost completely wiped out in the destruction of Planet Vegeta, so what's this one doing on Earth? This encounter between the three Saiyans who have followed completely different destinies turns into a stupendous battle, with even Frieza (back from Hell) getting caught up in the mix.
Despite its small-scale budget of $1.0M, Dragon Ball Super: Broly became a runaway success, earning $125.0M worldwide—a remarkable 12400% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Tatsuya Nagamine's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Planet Vegeta in its final days: King Vegeta rules the Saiyan race under Frieza's tyranny, with elite warriors serving as conquering forces across the galaxy while lower-class Saiyans are dismissed as worthless.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Frieza's scouts Cheelai and Lemo discover Broly and Paragus on Vampa. Frieza, seeking revenge against the Saiyans and having heard rumors of a super Saiyan, recruits them to Earth, setting the collision course with Goku and Vegeta.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Paragus orders Broly to fight, and Broly reluctantly engages Vegeta in combat. The choice to cross into battle is made—not freely by Broly, but through his father's control collar and lifetime of conditioning, beginning the film's central conflict., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Broly transforms into his Wrathful form—accessing Great Ape power in human form—and the stakes explode. What seemed like a manageable fight becomes a genuine crisis as Broly's rage-fueled power begins overwhelming both Goku and Vegeta individually, forcing them to retreat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cheelai discovers Paragus's control collar remote and realizes Broly is being used. Frieza coldly murders Paragus to push Broly into Super Saiyan form, eliminating the one person who could stop him. The death of his father sends Broly into complete, uncontrolled rage., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Gogeta battles Broly across Earth and other dimensions in spectacular combat. Cheelai and Lemo, having grown to care for Broly, use the Dragon Balls to wish him back to Vampa. Gogeta's final Kamehameha is interrupted by Broly's transport, saving his life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dragon Ball Super: Broly's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Dragon Ball Super: Broly against these established plot points, we can identify how Tatsuya Nagamine utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dragon Ball Super: Broly within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Planet Vegeta in its final days: King Vegeta rules the Saiyan race under Frieza's tyranny, with elite warriors serving as conquering forces across the galaxy while lower-class Saiyans are dismissed as worthless.
Theme
King Vegeta declares that "blood and heritage determine destiny" as he examines baby Broly's abnormal power level, establishing the film's exploration of nature versus nurture and whether strength comes from birthright or bonds.
Worldbuilding
Extended prologue showing Planet Vegeta's destruction: King Vegeta banishes infant Broly to Vampa out of jealousy; Frieza destroys Planet Vegeta; Paragus pursues his son to the barren world where they remain stranded for 41 years while Goku and Vegeta escape to Earth.
Disruption
Frieza's scouts Cheelai and Lemo discover Broly and Paragus on Vampa. Frieza, seeking revenge against the Saiyans and having heard rumors of a super Saiyan, recruits them to Earth, setting the collision course with Goku and Vegeta.
Resistance
Broly and Paragus arrive on Earth; Goku and Vegeta are summoned by Bulma; characters meet and exchange backstories; Paragus explains Broly's exile and survival; tension builds as the true nature of the confrontation becomes clear and Frieza's plan unfolds.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Paragus orders Broly to fight, and Broly reluctantly engages Vegeta in combat. The choice to cross into battle is made—not freely by Broly, but through his father's control collar and lifetime of conditioning, beginning the film's central conflict.
Premise
The promised spectacle: escalating combat as Broly fights Vegeta then Goku, progressively transforming and growing stronger. The Saiyans trade opponents, power up through Super Saiyan forms, and the battle intensifies across Arctic landscapes with stunning animation and choreography.
Midpoint
Broly transforms into his Wrathful form—accessing Great Ape power in human form—and the stakes explode. What seemed like a manageable fight becomes a genuine crisis as Broly's rage-fueled power begins overwhelming both Goku and Vegeta individually, forcing them to retreat.
Opposition
Goku and Vegeta go Super Saiyan Blue but still struggle against Broly's uncontrolled ascending power. The heroes are pushed to their limits, teleporting across realms, as Broly achieves Super Saiyan transformation through pure rage, becoming virtually unstoppable.
Collapse
Cheelai discovers Paragus's control collar remote and realizes Broly is being used. Frieza coldly murders Paragus to push Broly into Super Saiyan form, eliminating the one person who could stop him. The death of his father sends Broly into complete, uncontrolled rage.
Crisis
Super Saiyan Broly rampages with godlike power, completely overwhelming both heroes. Goku and Vegeta face seemingly certain death as they're battered across dimensions. The situation appears hopeless—Broly cannot be reasoned with and cannot be defeated separately.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Gogeta battles Broly across Earth and other dimensions in spectacular combat. Cheelai and Lemo, having grown to care for Broly, use the Dragon Balls to wish him back to Vampa. Gogeta's final Kamehameha is interrupted by Broly's transport, saving his life.