For a long time, Bojack Unbound was thought to be one of the few canon Dragon Ball Z films, but Super may have changed that.
Many anime series have movie spin-offs, and most of them aren’t considered canon to the original series. Almost all of the Dragon Ball Z movies are like this, with many of them contradicting or simply not fitting into the anime’s storyline. But, at least in the opinion of fans, there is one exception.
Bojack Unbound is one of the few DBZ films that might be considered part of the series’ continuity. It not only continues the events of the show, but it also does not appear to contradict them in any manner. Unfortunately, further material from a successor series may contradict this, making Bojack more confined than some would like.
What Makes You Think Bojack Unbound Is Canon?
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound was the ninth DBZ film, and it was released in 1993. It is set after the events of the Cell Games. To this end, Goku is still alive and well, hanging out with King Kai, Vegeta has lost his love for fighting, and Future Trunks has returned from his alternate timeline after defeating the Androids. The film’s plot revolves around Bojack and his extraterrestrial family competing in a martial arts tournament on Earth, alongside Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo, and the other Z Fighters. Unfortunately, they quickly see Bojack’s menace and pledge to foil his goals for galactic dominance.
The film was well-received by fans, and the fact that it appears to be canon to the program helps. It builds on notions from the “Cell” storyline rather than outright contradicting anything in the show. Goku’s death, Gohan’s transformation into a Super Saiyan, and Vegeta’s refusal to fight without his competitor Goku to challenge him are among them. It feels like an addition to the “Cell Games” plot arc, with Future Trunks returning to the “past.” As a result, it’s difficult to claim that the movie isn’t in continuity with the program at this point, yet a later show does just that.
Bojack Unbound is a non-canon character in Dragon Ball Super.
Bojack Unbound’s canonicity is best explained by the fact that it might have been a part of the anime’s story until Dragon Ball Super. Future Trunks said in this sequel series that replaced Dragon Ball GT that whatever period of time that passes in the future would also occur in the past. Trunks didn’t return to the alternate timeline until he destroyed Android 17 and 18, which took three years, according to this series. As a result, he would have returned to visit his pals three years after the Cell Games.
Bojack Unbound is clearly set shortly after the Cell Games, especially as Chi-Chi makes no mention of her second child Goten. As a result, Bojack Unbound cannot be considered a true continuation of the Dragon Ball Z anime or its sequel. There’s also the fact that anything Toriyama didn’t work on isn’t considered canon. He did, however, create the character of Bojack, which partially negates this criterion. However, Toriyama also designed the Super Saiyan 4 form in GT, so this doesn’t rule out the film. Sadly, Bojack Unbound is no longer part of the official Dragon Ball Z anime canon, despite the fact that it may have been at one point.
