- Evolution of a Classic: Originally released in 1993 as a Famicom visual guide, the story was fully remade in 2010 for the “Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2” video game, featuring updated digital animation and refined combat sequences.
- Legacy Lore Integration: The narrative introduces the Tuffle race and Dr. Raichi, establishing the foundational lore for the Tuffle revenge arc that later inspired the Baby Saga in Dragon Ball GT and thematic echoes in modern series.
- 2026 Accessibility: While the 1993 original remains a collector’s item on physical media, the 2010 remake is now standard in legacy digital bundles and select premium streaming tiers, often paired with the “Episode of Bardock” special.
For decades, the “lost” history of the Saiyans has been a cornerstone of Akira Toriyama’s universe, yet few entries delve as deeply into the consequences of their conquest as Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans. What began as a promotional visual guide for a Nintendo Famicom title has evolved into a cult classic, bridging the gap between the cel-animated grit of the 1990s and the polished digital fidelity of the modern era. As we navigate the 2026 landscape of the franchise, this OVA stands as a critical document for understanding the Tuffle-Saiyan conflict that continues to influence contemporary media like Dragon Ball FighterZ.
History and the 2010 Digital Remake
The original 1993 production, titled Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku, was unique in its conception. Unlike the theatrical films, it served as an “animated walkthrough” for the Famicom game of the same name. However, its significance grew when Bandai Namco Games decided to produce a high-definition remake, Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans, included as a built-in feature for the 2010 title Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2. This remake didn’t just update the visuals; it streamlined the narrative, removing tertiary monster encounters to focus on the psychological weight of Dr. Raichi’s revenge.
Key Release Milestone:
On February 3, 2012, the Japanese publication Saikyō Jump released a coupled DVD featuring the remake alongside Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock, marking the first time the updated animation was available as a standalone physical media product outside of a gaming console environment.
The 2026 Streaming Landscape & Accessibility
In 2026, fans frequently search for this special not by its historical release date, but by its digital availability. Currently, the 2010 remake is accessible through various legacy digital stores and is often bundled with high-definition remasters of the classic Z-movies. While the 1993 original remains largely confined to the “Dragon Box” DVD collections, the 2010 version has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its inclusion in modern gaming archives and seasonal rotations on major anime platforms. Much like the anticipation surrounding upcoming cinematic biopics, the community continues to advocate for a unified 4K restoration of these experimental specials.
Technical Comparison: 1993 vs. 2010
| Feature | 1993 Original | 2010 Remake |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Style | Traditional Hand-Drawn Cel | Modern Digital (16:9) |
| Audio Mix | Stereo / Mono | 5.1 Surround Sound |
| Character Roster | Includes Mr. Popo & Monsters | Condensed Cast / Focus on Ghost Warriors |
Plot Synthesis: The Tuffle Vendetta
The narrative centers on Dr. Raichi, the sole survivor of the Tuffle race—the original inhabitants of Planet Plant. After the Saiyans violently usurped the planet and renamed it Planet Vegeta, Raichi escaped to the Dark Planet with Hatchiyack, a machine capable of amplifying Tuffle hatred into physical energy. The plot kicks off when Raichi deploys “Destron Gas” emitters to Earth, designed to eradicate all life.
The Dragon Team—Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks, and Piccolo—must dismantle these emitters while facing “Ghost Warriors.” These are spectral recreations of former villains: Frieza, Cooler, Turles, and Lord Slug. The genius of the plot lies in the lore requirement: these ghosts can only be defeated by the exact methods used in their original deaths. This historical callback has been a fan-favorite element, recently mirrored in various gameplay loops found in titles like Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot.
“Hatchiyack isn’t just a machine; it is the manifestation of an entire civilization’s extinction, making it one of the most conceptually dark antagonists in the franchise.”
Voice Cast and Production Credits
The production maintained high continuity with the original series’ cast, though the remake saw one notable change due to the passage of time. According to the official Bandai Namco historical archives, the 2010 version saw Hiroshi Iwasaki step into the role of Dr. Raichi, replacing Shinji Ogawa.
- Goku / Gohan / Turles: Masako Nozawa
- Vegeta: Ryō Horikawa
- Piccolo: Toshio Furukawa
- Trunks: Takeshi Kusao
- Frieza / Cooler: Ryūsei Nakao
- Hatchiyack: Hideo Ishikawa
Directed by Yoshihiro Ueda—a veteran of Dragon Ball GT and films like Bojack Unbound—the special manages to capture the frantic energy of the Cell Games era. Its timeline placement is explicitly situated within the ten-day wait for the Cell Games, notably following the events of the first Broly movie, as Goku explicitly compares Hatchiyack’s power to that of the Legendary Super Saiyan.
Legacy Lore Integration
While often dismissed as “non-canon” in the strictest sense, the concepts introduced in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans have permeated the entire franchise. The Tuffle technology and their animosity toward the Saiyans provided the blueprint for the Baby Saga in Dragon Ball GT. In 2026, as the franchise continues to expand through new media, the “Ghost Warrior” concept remains a popular mechanic for explaining the return of classic villains in video games and spin-off manga, proving that Dr. Raichi’s plan, while failed, left an indelible mark on the series’ DNA.
