Dragon Ball Super, the highly anticipated continuation of the legendary Dragon Ball franchise, often stumbled where it should have soared, particularly in its animation quality. Initial production constraints, rushed schedules, and inconsistent outsourcing ultimately led to widespread criticism of the visual presentation, tarnishing the series’ overall reception.
A Dragon Ball’s Worth of Missed Potential
Dragon Ball, a name synonymous with explosive action and dynamic visuals, set a high bar for its successor. Yet, from its debut, Dragon Ball Super faced animation woes that proved more devastating than a Spirit Bomb to a Saiyan’s pride. The early episodes, especially during the Battle of Gods and Resurrection âFâ arcs, were plagued with off-model characters, stiff movements, and poorly rendered action sequences. This wasn’t merely a case of stylistic choice; it was a clear indication of budgetary constraints and rushed production timelines.
The fundamental problem stemmed from a convergence of factors. Toei Animation, the studio behind Dragon Ball Super, committed to a weekly release schedule without adequately adjusting the production pipeline. This meant delegating significant portions of the animation work to various outsourcing studios, some of whom lacked the experience or resources to consistently deliver high-quality animation. This reliance on outsourcing resulted in a patchwork of visual styles, further exacerbating the inconsistency.
While the series did see improvements later on, particularly during the Tournament of Power arc, the initial damage was done. Many fans struggled to reconcile the iconic visuals of Dragon Ball Z with the sometimes-lackluster animation of Dragon Ball Super, leading to widespread disappointment and criticism. The legacy of Dragon Ball demanded excellence, and for a considerable period, Dragon Ball Super simply failed to meet those expectations.
Deeper Dives: Unpacking the Animation Issues
The Tyranny of Weekly Production
The decision to adhere to a strict weekly release schedule placed immense pressure on the animation teams. Quality animation requires time, and the relentless demand for new episodes often forced animators to cut corners. This resulted in simplified character designs, less detailed backgrounds, and a reduction in the number of frames per second, leading to choppy and less fluid movements. The lack of adequate pre-production planning further compounded the problem, leaving animators scrambling to meet deadlines.
The Outsourcing Gamble
Outsourcing animation is a common practice in the anime industry, allowing studios to manage workload and meet deadlines. However, the quality of the outsourcing studio is crucial. In Dragon Ball Super’s case, the reliance on numerous studios, some with varying levels of experience and expertise, led to a significant disparity in animation quality. The lack of consistent oversight and quality control further exacerbated this issue, resulting in jarring transitions between scenes and episodes animated by different studios.
Budgetary Battles
While Dragon Ball is a massive franchise, animation budgets are not always unlimited. It is believed that Dragon Ball Super was initially produced with a relatively modest budget compared to other anime series of its scale. This meant that the animation teams had fewer resources to work with, leading to compromises in animation quality. While the budget likely increased as the series gained popularity, the initial financial constraints undoubtedly contributed to the early animation issues.
The Legacy of “Yamamuro Faces”
Tadayoshi Yamamuro, the animation supervisor and character designer for much of Dragon Ball Super, became a controversial figure due to his consistent character designs. His style, often referred to as “Yamamuro faces,” was criticized for being overly simplistic and lacking the dynamic range of emotion seen in previous Dragon Ball series. While Yamamuro is a talented animator, his style was perceived by many fans as a step down from the more expressive and detailed character designs of the earlier Dragon Ball Z.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dragon Ball Super’s Animation
FAQ 1: Was all of Dragon Ball Super’s animation bad?
No, not all of it. As the series progressed, the animation quality improved significantly, particularly during the Tournament of Power arc. There were also moments of brilliance throughout the series, showcasing the potential of the animation team. However, the early episodes suffered from more noticeable animation flaws.
FAQ 2: What are some specific examples of “bad” animation in Dragon Ball Super?
Examples include:
- Off-model character designs: Characters looking noticeably different from their established designs.
- Stiff and unnatural movements: Lacking fluidity and realism.
- Recycled animation sequences: Repeating the same animation frames to save time and money.
- Inconsistent art style: Variations in the visual presentation between different episodes or scenes.
- Poorly rendered backgrounds: Lacking detail and depth.
FAQ 3: Did the animation quality affect the story of Dragon Ball Super?
While the story itself remained largely unaffected, the animation quality undoubtedly impacted the overall viewing experience. Poor animation can detract from the emotional impact of a scene or diminish the excitement of a fight sequence. Many fans felt that the subpar animation prevented them from fully enjoying the series.
FAQ 4: Why did Toei Animation not invest more in the animation?
This is a complex issue with no definitive answer. Potential factors include:
- Budgetary constraints: As mentioned previously, the initial budget may have been limited.
- Prioritization of schedule over quality: The pressure to meet weekly deadlines may have taken precedence over ensuring high-quality animation.
- Management decisions: Differences in opinion regarding animation style and resource allocation within Toei Animation.
FAQ 5: How did fans react to the animation problems?
The fan reaction was largely negative, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration on social media and online forums. The animation issues became a major point of criticism, overshadowing other aspects of the series. Many fans even created humorous memes and videos poking fun at the animation flaws.
FAQ 6: Did Toei Animation acknowledge the criticism of the animation?
Yes, to some extent. While they didn’t explicitly apologize, Toei Animation did seem to address the criticism by improving the animation quality in later episodes. The studio also brought in new animation directors and supervisors to oversee the production process.
FAQ 7: Is the animation in Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie better than the series?
Absolutely. The Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie features a significantly higher level of animation quality than the Dragon Ball Super television series. The movie utilized a different animation team and a larger budget, resulting in stunning visuals and fluid action sequences.
FAQ 8: What can be done to prevent similar animation issues in future Dragon Ball projects?
- Adequate pre-production planning: This ensures that the animation teams have sufficient time and resources to produce high-quality animation.
- Investing in a strong core animation team: A dedicated and experienced team can maintain consistency and quality throughout the production process.
- Careful selection and oversight of outsourcing studios: Choosing outsourcing studios with a proven track record of delivering high-quality animation and providing them with clear guidelines and supervision.
- Prioritizing quality over schedule: Allowing sufficient time for animation teams to complete their work without rushing or cutting corners.
- Increased budget: Allocating sufficient financial resources to ensure that the animation teams have the tools and support they need to produce high-quality animation.
FAQ 9: Are there specific episodes of Dragon Ball Super with noticeably better animation?
Yes. Episodes in the Tournament of Power arc (specifically those animated by Naotoshi Shida and Yuya Takahashi) are often cited as examples of high-quality animation in Dragon Ball Super. The final fight between Goku and Jiren, for example, features some of the most visually stunning animation in the entire series.
FAQ 10: Has the improved animation quality in later episodes changed fan perception of Dragon Ball Super?
To some extent, yes. While the early animation problems remain a significant point of contention, many fans acknowledge that the series improved considerably over time. The improved animation helped to redeem the series in the eyes of some viewers and contributed to a more positive overall reception.
FAQ 11: Is there a specific animation style that Dragon Ball Super should have adhered to?
This is subjective. Many fans preferred the more detailed and expressive animation style of Dragon Ball Z, but others appreciated the modern aesthetic of Dragon Ball Super. Ultimately, consistency and quality are more important than adhering to a specific style.
FAQ 12: Will the upcoming Dragon Ball: Daima learn from the mistakes of Dragon Ball Super’s animation?
Hopefully. Based on promotional material, Dragon Ball: Daima appears to be prioritizing animation quality and visual appeal. Given the criticisms leveled at Dragon Ball Super, it’s likely that Toei Animation is taking extra precautions to ensure that the animation in Dragon Ball: Daima meets the high expectations of fans. Only time will tell if they succeed.