Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
While the Saiyan Paragus persuades Vegeta to rule a new planet, King Kai alerts Goku of the South Galaxy's destruction by an unknown Super Saiyan.
The film earned $21.7M at the global box office.
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 Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993) demonstrates precise plot construction, characteristic of Shigeyasu Yamauchi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 10 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Goku, Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, and Oshi train peacefully on Master Roshi's island. The Z-fighters are in their normal routine, enjoying a period of peace after previous battles.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 8 minutes when Vegeta accepts Paragus's invitation and departs for New Planet Vegeta, defying the Z-fighters' concerns. This decision pulls the heroes into Paragus's trap and sets the true conflict in motion.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 18 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Broly encounters Goku and his suppressed rage begins to surface, triggering violent outbursts. The truth begins to emerge that Broly is not what he seems, and the heroes realize they've walked into a dangerous situation with no easy escape., moving from reaction to action.
At 35 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Broly fully transforms into the Legendary Super Saiyan, breaking free from his father's control completely. The false hope that Broly could be contained is shattered, and the heroes face the full, unstoppable power of the legendary warrior. The stakes escalate dramatically as Broly declares his intent to kill Goku., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 53 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All the Z-fighters lie defeated and broken. Goku is battered and powerless, unable to stand against Broly's might. The comet is moments from impact, and death seems inevitable. Broly stands victorious over Goku, preparing the final blow, while Paragus desperately tries to escape in a space pod., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 56 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The Z-fighters, including Vegeta, give their remaining energy to Goku in a desperate final gambit. Goku synthesizes all their power, understanding that only unity can defeat Broly. This moment of selfless cooperation provides the strength needed for a final assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan against these established plot points, we can identify how Shigeyasu Yamauchi 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 Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Goku, Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, and Oshi train peacefully on Master Roshi's island. The Z-fighters are in their normal routine, enjoying a period of peace after previous battles.
Theme
King Kai warns Goku about the threat of a legendary Super Saiyan appearing in the South Galaxy, stating that this warrior's power is uncontrollable and destructive. The theme of overwhelming, unchecked power versus disciplined strength is introduced.
Worldbuilding
King Kai contacts Goku with news of a Super Saiyan wreaking havoc in the South Galaxy. Paragus arrives on Earth seeking Vegeta's help to stop the Legendary Super Saiyan on New Planet Vegeta. Vegeta is intrigued by the possibility of ruling the Saiyans again, while the other Z-fighters are suspicious of Paragus's true intentions.
Disruption
Vegeta accepts Paragus's invitation and departs for New Planet Vegeta, defying the Z-fighters' concerns. This decision pulls the heroes into Paragus's trap and sets the true conflict in motion.
Resistance
Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, and Oshi follow Vegeta to New Planet Vegeta using a spare spaceship. Goku uses Instant Transmission to join them. They arrive at a seemingly peaceful colony where Paragus presents his son Broly as a gentle, simple-minded warrior. The group debates whether to trust Paragus while exploring the planet and meeting the Shamoian slaves.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Broly encounters Goku and his suppressed rage begins to surface, triggering violent outbursts. The truth begins to emerge that Broly is not what he seems, and the heroes realize they've walked into a dangerous situation with no easy escape.
Mirror World
Paragus's true nature is revealed as he manipulates Broly with a control device. The father-son dynamic between Paragus and Broly mirrors the theme of power and control, showing how Broly has been enslaved and used as a weapon his entire life.
Premise
The heroes discover Paragus's deception: he lured Vegeta to the planet to be killed when the nearby Comet Camori destroys it. Broly's control device begins to fail as Goku's presence awakens his traumatic memories from their birth. The Z-fighters face increasingly violent outbursts from Broly while trying to survive and escape the doomed planet.
Midpoint
Broly fully transforms into the Legendary Super Saiyan, breaking free from his father's control completely. The false hope that Broly could be contained is shattered, and the heroes face the full, unstoppable power of the legendary warrior. The stakes escalate dramatically as Broly declares his intent to kill Goku.
Opposition
The Z-fighters engage Broly in combat but are completely outmatched. Gohan, Trunks, Piccolo, and Vegeta all attempt to fight but are systematically defeated. Goku battles alone as his allies fall one by one. Broly's power continues to grow as the comet approaches, and every strategy fails against the Legendary Super Saiyan's overwhelming might.
Collapse
All the Z-fighters lie defeated and broken. Goku is battered and powerless, unable to stand against Broly's might. The comet is moments from impact, and death seems inevitable. Broly stands victorious over Goku, preparing the final blow, while Paragus desperately tries to escape in a space pod.
Crisis
In the darkest moment, Goku lies defeated and calls out to his fallen comrades. Piccolo, Gohan, Trunks, and finally Vegeta struggle with their pride and fear. Vegeta must overcome his ego and terror of the Legendary Super Saiyan to help Goku.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Z-fighters, including Vegeta, give their remaining energy to Goku in a desperate final gambit. Goku synthesizes all their power, understanding that only unity can defeat Broly. This moment of selfless cooperation provides the strength needed for a final assault.
Synthesis
Empowered by his friends' energy, Goku punches through Broly's energy shield and strikes him in his weak point. Broly is consumed by the exploding Comet Camori as New Planet Vegeta is destroyed. The heroes barely escape in Paragus's space pod (after Broly killed Paragus by throwing him into the comet). They return to Earth victorious.
Transformation
The Z-fighters return to Earth safely, gathered together. The group that was divided by ego and doubt is now unified. Vegeta, who initially sought individual glory, fought alongside Goku as a team. The final image shows the heroes together, having learned that cooperation triumphs over raw power.