It’s official: we’re getting an “Enhanced” version of the Frieza’s Resurrection anime in “Dragon Ball Super,” and that means the chance to fix several of the most serious issues the saga had in its original release. Specifically, there are 3 elements that absolutely must be addressed in some way.
The production, in general, needs a complete overhaul
This is the most obvious issue and likely the easiest to fix; it wasn’t just the Beerus arc that looked rough at the start of “Dragon Ball Super.” This also affected the Frieza’s Resurrection arc, leaving certain animation moments far below what’s expected in the series.
Therefore, there are a number of NECESSITIES that must be addressed in the new version of the story:
- More solid animation, with better overall execution of the action-packed moments.
- Improved artwork that more accurately captures the character designs, moving away from inconsistent or unattractive models.
- A change in color; darker tones are needed to replace an overly vibrant palette that didn’t help at the time.
The reality is that this “1.7” version of “Frieza’s Resurrection” has a task that is as simple as it is absolutely essential: to make the anime look simply better. That should be something easily within the reach of Toei Animation, which has drastically changed its way of working since “Dragon Ball Super” first aired.
After all, we mustn’t forget that “Dragon Ball Super” had one of the worst animation schedules imaginable when it first aired. Now that Toei is working with much more reasonable timelines—especially on this “remake,” which has been in production for quite some time—expectations are naturally higher.
Gohan’s appearance needs to be fixed no matter what
Yes, we already know what happens to Gohan: if he stops training, his power plummets, but the moment he returns, it skyrockets like a NASA rocket. Within that irrationality lies the power logic that has governed the character for many years… but that doesn’t erase his ridiculous performance in “The Resurrection of Frieza.”
We’re talking about a Gohan who was forced to transform into a Super Saiyan just to stand up to Captain Ginyu. Yes, Ginyu himself, whose power was already vastly outdated in “Dragon Ball Z.” In other words, the implication was as ridiculous as suggesting that, in his base form, the Gohan from “Dragon Ball Super” would have contributed almost nothing on Namek.
No, it’s not a matter of asking that “Dragon Ball Super: Frieza” (I’m going to call it that even though the anime doesn’t have an official title yet) completely rewrite the story and make Gohan the winner. That wouldn’t make any sense, but we do have to ask that it not feel like a humiliation or such a step backward for Gohan.
In fact, that was another of the biggest criticisms “Super” received at the start of the anime; it had completely destroyed Gohan. Because it’s one thing for him not to achieve victory in “Dragon Ball Z” against Buu despite being the most powerful Z Warrior at the time, but it’s quite another for “Dragon Ball Super” to come along and have him unable to even defeat what amounts to a minion.
And yes, Gohan needs to lose so he can resume his training, which ultimately leads to his definitive awakening in “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.” But there are ways and ways, and the memory of that moment is certainly very grim.
A Better Treatment of Super Saiyan God
Super Saiyan God arrived as a whole new revelation of power in “Dragon Ball Super: Beerus” only to be completely sidelined within a matter of episodes. Because, in fact, during the course of “The Resurrection of Frieza,” his role couldn’t have been more minor.
In the “Dragon Ball Super” manga, we know that wasn’t the case, and Super Saiyan God continued to have its moments, even in story arcs like the Future Trunks arc. That’s exactly why Toei should find a way to give Super Saiyan God some screen time in this new anime adaptation.
Ultimately, Toei Animation’s goal is crystal clear: to make the Frieza arc look better, to ensure that Gohan’s moment doesn’t feel quite so humiliating, and to give Super Saiyan God the respect it deserved back then. With all that, “Dragon Ball Super: Frieza” is going to be a truly top-notch anime.
