Year: 1987
Runtime: 45 mins
Language: Japanese
Director: Daisuke Nishio
Goku and Kuririn receive an assignment from Kame‑Sen’nin: retrieve the sleeping princess held by Lucifer, and in return they will become his students. The duo enters the devil’s castle, only to discover the mission far more dangerous than anticipated, confronting peril at every turn.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Long ago, in an era when darkness still roamed the Earth, a mysterious castle rises among the five mountains known as the Devil’s Hand, whispered in legends to guard the Sleeping Princess. The castle’s shadowy master, Lucifer, rules from within, a vampire-like figure whose plans hinge on waking the princess with a power that could change the world. The legend promises that whoever frees the Sleeping Princess will earn a coveted place in a powerful master’s training.
Years later, eleven-year-old Goku [Masako Nozawa] arrives at Kame House to seek training with Master Roshi Kohei Miyauchi, drawn by stories of combat mastery and the chance to deepen his skills. Roshi watches an exhibit of training routines while pondering a future student, then the scene broadens as a tiny monk named Krillin Mayumi Tanaka paddles in by rowboat, begging for instruction. Roshi’s stubborn pride clashes with Krillin’s persistence, and Krillin wins his way in only after trading bizarre bribes—magazines that catch Roshi’s eye and curiosity. The two boys soon discover the legend of the Sleeping Princess and the castle that lies to the west, and a new, shared quest begins with a single rule: the one who brings back the Sleeping Princess will become Roshi’s student.
Meanwhile, a blonde, impulsive girl named Launch Mami Koyama stumbles onto the tale and vows to claim the prize for herself. Alongside the two hopeful pupils, Bulma Hiromi Tsuru, Oolong Naoki Tatsuta, Yamcha Toru Furuya, and Puar Naoko Watanabe are on summer vacation adventures of their own, and they converge with Roshi’s crew as they set course toward the fabled fortress. The group boards Bulma’s Capsule jet and soars toward danger, chasing rumors of a princess trapped behind the Devil’s Hand.
Night falls as the jet nears the castle, and peril erupts when ogres strike, bringing the ship down and abducting Bulma. Inside a sunlit bedroom, Bulma encounters Lucifer himself and his eerie butler Igor, who treat her as a guest while guiding her toward the bizarre ogre convention that honors the Sleeping Princess. Lucifer’s true nature surfaces as he binds Bulma with vines, preparing to drain her blood to awaken the princess, a ritual that seethes with menace and dark intent.
Hearing Bulma’s cries, Yamcha Toru Furuya, Oolong Naoki Tatsuta, and Puar Naoko Watanabe mount a rescue, disguising themselves as ogres with the help of Oolong’s shapeshifting and Puar’s transformations. Goku Masako Nozawa and Krillin Mayumi Tanaka simultaneously collide with ogres and the swamp-brute Ghastel Daisuke Gori, facing ordeals that test their resolve as they stumble into the Sleeping Princess’s chamber, where a colossal jewel seems to house the coveted prize. Launch arrives on her motorcycle, seizing the relic and breaking away, while the others’ disguises falter as five minutes pass and Oolong’s illusion fades, revealing their ruse.
As the chase unfolds, Launch’s sudden arrival delivers a twist: she changes into a blue-haired version of herself after a sneeze, the result of a magical curse that briefly flips her mood and allegiance. The combined group – Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Bulma, Oolong, and Puar – pursues Launch but finds themselves outmatched as Launch bolts away with the Sleeping Princess. In the ensuing chaos, Goku recovers the princess only to confront Lucifer again, who threatens Krillin’s life unless Goku yields. Goku refuses, taking a heavy beating from the ogres and a pink demonic bite that leaves him momentarily paralyzed and bare, Krillin’s distress palpable as his friend fights for breath and hope.
The night crescendos under a full moon’s pale light when Lucifer channels moonlight to power a deadly weapon aimed at destroying the rising sun. Goku and Krillin rally as the others press a desperate defense, and a wounded but defiant Yamcha knocks Igor out of the picture, freeing Bulma from captivity. Goku channels the Kamehameha, shattering the cannon’s energy core and triggering a collapse that dooms Lucifer’s fortress. The castle buckles and falls; the Sleeping Princess vanishes into the dawn, and the Devil’s Hand lies broken, its ominous shadow finally lifted as sunlight pours over the land.
With the danger vanquished, the crew regroups on a bruised but victorious front. Krillin’s remorse for his earlier actions toward his comrade lingers, even as the group poses for a peaceful moment to celebrate survival. They return to Kame House, where Roshi’s pride brightens at the sight of his two would-be pupils, Launch and the two boys, ready to embrace their training under his tutelage. Yet the day ends with a small, comic twist: Launch hardens into her bad self and fires at Roshi and the group, prompting a sneeze that flips her back to good, and she apologizes as the crew steps away from danger, the sun rising and a new chapter in their training about to begin.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:20
Don't stop at just watching — explore Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Dragonball: Evolution (2009) Full Movie Breakdown
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990) Complete Plot Breakdown
Dragon Ball The Magic Begins (1991) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (1000) Film Overview & Timeline
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986) Movie Recap & Themes
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993) Movie Recap & Themes
Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! (2008) Complete Plot Breakdown
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995) Full Summary & Key Details
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994) Film Overview & Timeline
Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996) Plot Summary & Ending Explained