SAND LAND, one of Akira Toriyama’s other works not titled Dragon Ball, is now getting the adaptation it legitimately deserves. This world may not have Saiyans, but it does have plenty of battles with inhuman beings. The world is barren, and water is the key to survival. One of its best hopes for survival is a demon.
This movie is set to premiere on August 18th, 2023. Until that time comes, here’s a trailer.
Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and Anima, the studios working on this SAND LAND adaptation, which uses an amount of CGI, have set up both Japanese and Western Twitter pages, a promotional home page, an Instagram page, and a TikTok page of all things. Series information and extras (such as key visuals below featuring Beelzebub, Sheriff Rao, and Thief) can be found there.
A World Without Water, a King Without Humanity
SAND LAND is set in a world ravaged by war and natural disasters. People now struggle to obtain water to survive. A corner of that world (called Sand Land for very descriptive reasons) is ruled by a greedy and heartless King. He owns a water supply and sells increasingly expensive water bottles, which results in people turning on one another. They will steal water and money from one another. This leads Sheriff Rao, an older man full of regrets, to appeal to the demons of Sand Land to help locate another water supply. Demon Prince Beelzebub, and his friend Thief, agree to his request and join him on his journey.
SAND LAND Origins
SAND LAND began as a short story Akira Toriyama thought of that merely entertained him. He had an idea about a guy who stole a tank. He had trouble drawing a tank but insisted on drawing everything alone, leading to difficulties. Though he regretted it, he had the plot already set up and felt compelled to finish it. Shueisha published the series from May 22nd, 2000, to August 28th, 2000, and released a single volume.
If you’re a fan of Akira Toriyama, then you’re definitely a fan of Dragon Ball. In that case, the J-List shop has you covered. The 30th Anniversary Dragon Ball DX ―SUPER HISTORY BOOK― is packed with specially made art and historical notes about the Dragon Ball series.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming SAND LAND animated movie? Are you surprised that it’s even getting an adaptation? How would the Z Warriors have handled the King and Sand Land’s troubles? Let us know in the comments below.
