

Bardock, Son Goku's father, is a low-ranking Saiyan soldier who was given the power to see into the future by the last remaining alien on a planet he just destroyed. He witnesses the destruction of his race and must now do his best to stop Frieza's impending massacre.
Direction
Hashimoto compresses epic scale into 48 relentless minutes.
Score
Shunsuke Kikuchi's brass swells as planets burn.
Acting
Nozawa's dual performance: Bardock's gravel, Goku's first cry.

Director
Mitsuo Hashimoto
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Toriyama initially rejected Bardock; he became canon after fan response to this TV special, which outperformed theatrical Dragon Ball films.
Bardock's design—bandana, scar, lone wolf attitude—codified the 'cooler dad than the protagonist' archetype that influenced shonen for decades.
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