Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies - Prototype or Missed Potential?

Alright folks, just finished re-watching Curse of the Blood Rubies and I'm still wrestling with it. It's such a weird beast. On one hand, it's undeniably Dragon Ball, hitting those familiar beats of adventure, goofy humor, and nascent martial arts. But on the other, it feels...rough. Like a really early prototype of what the series would become. The animation, while charming in its retro way, is inconsistent even for its time. And honestly, King Gurumes is a pretty weak villain. He's basically just a fat, whiny dude obsessed with food. Not exactly Frieza, is he? Pansy's motivations are understandable, but she falls into that classic 'damsel in distress' trope a bit too readily for my liking. I did appreciate the introduction of Yamcha and Puar, though. Their dynamic with Goku felt immediately natural and provided some genuinely funny moments. The whole sequence in Gurumes' castle with Launch switching personalities was classic early Dragon Ball chaos, and a definite highlight. But even then, the fight choreography is a little clunky. It's missing that kinetic energy that later Dragon Ball fights would be known for. What I find most interesting about Blood Rubies is how it retells the initial Dragon Ball story arc, condensing and remixing elements. It's definitely a more streamlined narrative, but maybe too streamlined? You lose some of the character development and world-building that made the original so engaging. Seeing Bulma reduced to a fairly minor role felt like a real disservice. I can't help but wonder if they could have woven her in more effectively, even within the constraints of a movie adaptation. So, overall, I'd say it's a decent watch for dedicated fans who want to see the series' beginnings. It's not exactly essential viewing, but it provides an interesting historical context. It's like looking at a sketch of a painting. You can see the potential there, even if the final product is still a ways off. Ultimately, I'll give it a tentative 6/10. Fun, but flawed.