Big-budget live-action remakes of anime and manga are tricky business. One one hand, you’ve got to please the fans, who you know will be sitting in the theater with pen and paper scrutinizing every scene. But you also have to make money, which often means watering down the source material to make it digestible for regular movie-goers. As a result, live-action remakes are usually denounced by fans (and critics), but still manage to turn a profit in the box office.
This is why we love DragonBall Z: Saiyan Saga, a live-action non-profit Dragon Ball Z trailer made by fans not because they want to make a buck, but because they love the series so damn much.
The 5 minute 44 second trailer was finally released on YouTube yesterday after months of production, and looks absolutely amazing. Check it out below!
Wait, no, first watch the teaser trailer to get yourself powered up for the real trailer (which is, remember, a fake trailer).
And now watch the full trailer, which is, incidentally, completely separate from the teaser trailer.
If this is your first time hearing of this fan trailer, it was started in May 2012 by UK-based video production studio, K and K Productions. The guys at K and K are huge DragonBall Z fans and were understandably horrified by Hollywood’s attempt at a live-action movie.
The trailer is completely non-profit and was made with a budget of nearly $20,000, three-quarters of which was raised by followers on Indiegogo.
The trailer covers the Vegeta Saga arc, in which Goku first learns about his Saiyan heritage and battles Raditz, Nappa, and Vegeta. The final production is incredibly faithful to the anime, however K and K refused to give in to fan demands to put in the infamous “over 9000” scene in order to maintain the “serious tone” of the trailer.
An honorable decision, to be sure, but after raising all that money from fans you’d think they could at least give us some bloopers… Ah well, here’s to hoping for a Freeza Saga in the future!

Updates on new Dragon Ball Z movie has fans excited but also asking plenty of questions!
Dragon Ball Z and Crocs team up to bring super Saiyan style to your feet【Photos】
There’s now an online portal for Dragon Ball’s Saiyans, for all their Saiyan needs
Unleash your Super Saiyan with motion-activated Dragon Ball Z toys
Achieve a super saiyan style with Dragon Ball Z hair wax
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Lawson adds doughnuts to its convenience store sweets range, but are they good enough to go viral?
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
It’s confirmed! New Dragon Ball Super movie will bring back Broly, the legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball creator pulls a George Lucas, dispels the mysticism of Super Saiyan transformations
Fan film ‘Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope’ – two years in the making, but well worth the wait【Video】
Dragon Ball Super fan unleashes tirade of criticism against the series in viral video
We are all Son Goku in this heartwarming, nostalgic Dragon Ball Z Kakarot commercial
Action figure stop-motion clip pits Goku against Vegeta in fight of Saiyan proportions【Video】
Goku’s new adventures begin! Dragon Ball Super begins airing amidst huge anticipation from fans
Momoiro Clover Z dress up as Dragon Ball Z characters in trailer for new track, “Z no Chikai”
Trailer for “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” promises a show filled with unforgettable turbocharged battles
Fan-made Dragon Ball film tells a better story than a Hollywood movie, has us wanting more【Video】
Vegeta to be the lead in a new Dragon Ball movie?!
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ opens – We attended screening with voice actors, Momoiro Clover Z
New Dragon Ball anime series announced, turns Goku and friends into babies【Video】
New Dragon Ball Z Movie Title Chosen, Limited Edition Tickets to Go on Sale
Pro player reaches top 8 in Dragon Ball FighterZ competition using piano keyboard as controller
Original model for Dragon Ball Z’s Android 16 resurfaces, sends Japanese Twitter into a frenzy