If you have grown up watching anime, then you definitely might have come across Dragon Ball Z. Thus you probably hold a vivid mental image of Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, and other characters. However, have you ever wondered how they would appear if they were actual people? Fortunately, with the help of AI, you no longer need to. A skilled artist has used a neural network to create lifelike portraits of these iconic anime characters and the outcomes are absolutely astounding.

AI has transformed Goku, the defender of Earth, into the appearance of a young Asian man. His spiky hair preserves its style, but it now has added texture and a lustrous shine. With expressive brown eyes, smooth tanned skin gives him a quality. The orange and blue attire now appears more akin to the real fabric. Goku’s defined and well-toned muscles complement his stature. The AI has successfully retained Goku’s charm and aura while enhancing his realism.

Vegeta, the prince of Saiyans, has been rendered a mature face. His hair is still dark and sharp, but it has more depth and contrast. Sharp and piercing eyes with pale and flawless skin. He wears his blue-golden armor, but it looks more real than ever before. His body is lean and muscular, and he has a confident smirk on his face. His pride and determination are spot on.

The Namekian Warrior, Piccolo, is made over with a face that looks like a green-skinned alien. He has a bare head with incredible detail and curvature. His eyes are yellow and slanted, and his skin is smooth and shiny. A tall and muscular body with pointed ears. There is a credible, serious expression on his face. It shows his wisdom and strength while making him look more believable.

If this was so good, then why not go a bit further?

The Future of Dragon Ball Z: An AI live-action movie?

The answer is not as straightforward as it may seem. Interestingly, back in 2009, Hollywood made an attempt to bring the Dragon Ball franchise to life on the big screen with a live-action film called Dragonball Evolution. Unfortunately, the outcome earned its place as one of the poorly executed adaptations in history. Here is where AI can step in. It has been used to generate lifelike portraits of Dragon Ball Z characters capturing the essence of the animes design, which is no easy feat. The results are truly breathtaking, showcasing the power of AI in bringing these animated characters to life.

It is important to acknowledge that AI still has its limitations when it comes to creating images and videos of subjects. Questions arise regarding how AI would handle the characters’ iconic transformations, such as Super Saiyan. How would AI accurately depict their movements, expressions, emotions, and interactions? One must also consider how to strike a balance between realism and maintaining the stylization of the anime. Addressing these queries is crucial before embarking on the endeavor of creating a live-action adaptation of Dragon Ball Z with AI. 

What did you think of these AI renditions of our favorite characters? And are you up for an AI live-action Dragon Ball Z movie? Let us know in the comments.