Dragon Ball Super (DBS), despite its massive popularity, often suffers from animation quality inconsistencies due to a combination of tight production schedules, budgetary constraints, and a reliance on outsourcing. This confluence of factors frequently results in episodes that fall short of the visual standards expected by fans familiar with the franchise’s legacy.
The Core Issues: A Perfect Storm of Production Problems
Dragon Ball Super’s animation issues are less a singular failing and more the result of a confluence of interconnected pressures weighing down the production pipeline. While the series boasted a large budget compared to some anime, it wasn’t necessarily large enough given the scope and ambition of the project, coupled with the demanding weekly release schedule.
The Speed vs. Quality Dilemma
The most immediate pressure cooker is the weekly release schedule. Unlike seasonal anime productions that have months to polish each episode, DBS was churning out episodes at a relentless pace. This inherently limits the time available for animators to refine their work. When deadlines loom, corners are often cut. This can manifest in simplified character designs, less detailed backgrounds, and less fluid movement, especially during action sequences.
The Budgetary Battlefield
While Dragon Ball is a lucrative franchise, the budget allocated to each episode is a complex calculation. A significant portion goes towards voice acting, music, licensing, and marketing, leaving a potentially smaller slice for animation. While specifics are understandably private, it’s plausible that Toei Animation, the studio behind DBS, faced budgetary constraints that impacted the overall animation quality. Higher budgets allow for more experienced animators, longer production times, and greater attention to detail.
The Outsourcing Ogre
To meet the demanding schedule and potentially manage costs, outsourcing animation to other studios, often based overseas, became a common practice. While outsourcing can be a valuable tool, it also introduces the risk of inconsistent quality. Different studios have different styles, skill levels, and quality control standards. When episodes rely heavily on outsourcing, the visual inconsistencies can become jarring, even within the same episode. This lack of unified artistic direction is often cited as a primary contributor to the perceived “bad animation.”
The Infamous Episode 5: A Case Study in Animation Errors
Episode 5 of Dragon Ball Super, featuring the fight between Goku and Beerus on King Kai’s planet, remains the most frequently cited example of the series’ animation shortcomings. The episode was plagued by anatomical inaccuracies, off-model character designs, and stiff, unconvincing movements. It sparked widespread criticism and online mockery, forcing Toei Animation to publicly acknowledge the issue and promise improvements. While the series did improve in subsequent episodes, the shadow of Episode 5 continues to linger.
This episode serves as a stark reminder that even within a well-established animation studio, external pressures and production challenges can lead to significant drops in quality. It also highlights the power of the internet and fan feedback in holding studios accountable for the quality of their work.
Finding the Gems Amongst the Rough: Peaks of Animation Excellence
It’s important to note that Dragon Ball Super wasn’t always plagued by poor animation. Certain episodes and story arcs featured genuinely impressive animation, showcasing the potential of the series when given the proper time and resources. The Tournament of Power arc, in particular, saw several episodes with outstanding visuals, especially during key fights like Goku vs. Jiren. These peaks of excellence demonstrate that Toei Animation is capable of delivering high-quality animation when conditions allow. The challenge lies in consistently replicating that quality throughout the entire series.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly and The Future
The success of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie proves that Toei Animation can produce visually stunning work within the Dragon Ball universe given a theatrical budget and schedule. The film’s animation style, a blend of traditional 2D and CGI, set a new benchmark for the franchise. This fuels hope that future Dragon Ball projects, especially those with longer production cycles, will consistently meet higher visual standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions addressing the animation quality concerns surrounding Dragon Ball Super:
FAQ 1: Was Dragon Ball Z’s animation always perfect?
No, Dragon Ball Z also had animation inconsistencies. However, the problems were less pronounced and less frequently discussed, possibly due to the lack of readily available internet critique and the different standards of animation during its original run. Nostalgia also plays a role, often overlooking flaws in older series.
FAQ 2: Why didn’t Toei Animation just hire more animators?
Hiring more animators is not a simple solution. Finding skilled animators is a challenge, and even with a larger team, ensuring consistent quality and effective communication within the production pipeline can be difficult. Training and integrating new animators also takes time and resources.
FAQ 3: Did Toei Animation ever address the animation issues directly?
Yes, Toei Animation did acknowledge the criticism surrounding certain episodes, particularly Episode 5. They promised to improve the animation quality in future episodes and took steps to address some of the production issues. However, the improvements were not always consistent or universally perceived.
FAQ 4: Are there specific animators who are known for their work on Dragon Ball Super?
Yes, several animators are highly regarded for their contributions to Dragon Ball Super. Naotoshi Shida is particularly renowned for his dynamic and impactful action sequences. Following his work can provide insight on the production team’s strengths and weaknesses.
FAQ 5: Is the animation quality better in the Blu-ray releases of Dragon Ball Super?
In some instances, Blu-ray releases feature minor corrections and improvements to the animation. However, these changes are not always significant enough to completely rectify the issues present in the original broadcast versions.
FAQ 6: Does the manga adaptation of Dragon Ball Super have similar visual problems?
The manga adaptation of Dragon Ball Super, illustrated by Toyotarou, has its own distinct art style. While it follows the same general storyline, the visual execution is entirely different. The manga generally receives praise for its art quality, although artistic preferences are subjective.
FAQ 7: How does CGI animation affect the overall quality of Dragon Ball Super?
Dragon Ball Super utilizes CGI in some instances, particularly for transforming characters or large-scale battles. While CGI can be effective in certain situations, it often clashes with the traditional 2D animation style. The integration of CGI is a point of contention among fans, with some finding it distracting or visually unappealing.
FAQ 8: Was the original animation of Dragon Ball Kai improved?
Dragon Ball Kai, a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z, aimed to improve the visuals. It involved removing filler content and digitally remastering the original footage, although its impact on overall animation style was minor. However, some fans still lament the change in color palette and visual effects used in the remaster.
FAQ 9: Will future Dragon Ball anime projects have better animation?
The positive reception of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie suggests that future Dragon Ball projects will prioritize higher animation quality. However, the extent of the improvement will likely depend on the specific production budget, schedule, and overall creative vision. The Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie also showed significant improvement, but that was also a movie project, with the TV anime return yet to be seen.
FAQ 10: Where can I find more information about the Dragon Ball Super animation process?
Searching online anime forums and communities, especially on platforms like Reddit (r/dbz and r/DragonBallSuper), can provide valuable insights into the production of the series. Keep an eye out for reputable anime news sites that may report on industry developments.
FAQ 11: Does the animation quality affect the overall enjoyment of Dragon Ball Super?
This is subjective. Many fans are able to overlook the animation inconsistencies and still enjoy the series for its story, characters, and action. Others find the visual flaws to be too distracting and detrimental to their viewing experience. It really depends on each individual’s tolerance.
FAQ 12: Is there anything fans can do to improve the animation quality of future Dragon Ball projects?
Supporting official releases (Blu-rays, merchandise) and voicing concerns through respectful and constructive criticism can influence the decisions of the production team. Fan feedback, when communicated effectively, can play a role in shaping the future direction of the franchise.
In conclusion, while Dragon Ball Super suffered from inconsistent animation quality, the issues stemmed from a complex interplay of production challenges. By understanding these challenges, fans can gain a more nuanced perspective on the series and appreciate the moments of animation brilliance that shine through. The future of Dragon Ball animation looks brighter, driven by the success of recent films and the continued demand for high-quality visual storytelling.