Movie
Description
Gourmeth, also known as King Gurumes, is the main antagonist in the 1986 animated film Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies. He is the monarch of the Land of Gurumes, a territory that was once prosperous before his reign led to its decline. The character originates from a curse tied to a massive discovery of valuable blood rubies beneath his kingdom. As he began mining these jewels to fund his lifestyle, Gourmeth underwent a physical mutation into a grotesque, obese creature with an insatiable and painful hunger that could only be temporarily alleviated by consuming increasingly exquisite and expensive food. This constant, ravenous appetite drove his personality to become corrupt and selfish, as he cared only for finding his next meal and disregarded the well-being of his subjects and his land, which became desolate from over-mining.
Gourmeth's primary motivation throughout the story is to find a permanent cure for his endless hunger. Concluding that no earthly food could satisfy him, he decides to use the wishing dragon Shenron to have his hunger removed. To this end, he orders his two most trusted henchmen, Raven and Bongo, to locate the seven Dragon Balls. By the time the film's main plot begins, Gourmeth has already collected four of them. His role in the story is that of an obstacle for the protagonist, Goku, and his companion Bulma, who are also seeking the Dragon Balls. Gourmeth himself does not engage in direct combat for most of the film, instead relying on his army and his lieutenants to do his bidding. He is a reclusive figure, largely remaining in his castle and gorging himself until a climactic confrontation.
In terms of relationships, Gourmeth commands a small but capable force. His chief subordinates are Raven, a sharp-witted and skilled female fighter, and Bongo, a large and physically strong enforcer. While their relationship is purely professional based on his authority and their loyalty, he shows little personal regard for them or anyone else, focusing solely on his own suffering. His other significant connection is to the land itself; his actions have actively destroyed the kingdom he rules, directly impacting people like a young girl named Penny, whose village has been ruined by his mining operations.
Throughout the film, Gourmeth demonstrates a notable physical transformation. Initially appearing as a very large but humanoid figure, he later mutates into a colossal, rampaging giant with purple, warty skin, sharp fangs, and mismatched eyes. In this enhanced state, he possesses immense strength and durability, easily shrugging off a direct Kamehameha wave from Goku, an attack that had previously destroyed tanks and boulders. His primary ability is this superhuman resilience and raw physical power, which he uses to devastating effect against his enemies. Despite his monstrous strength, his defining characteristic is his perpetual hunger, which acts as both his motivation and a critical weakness.
Development occurs for Gourmeth only at the film's conclusion. During the final battle, Bulma throws the last Dragon Ball into his mouth, joining the six he had already swallowed. When the seven balls are gathered inside his stomach, Shenron is summoned, and the dragon emerges from Gourmeth's body. After Penny uses the wish to restore the land, the energy released reverts Gourmeth to a more normal, human-like appearance. More importantly, his curse is broken when Penny offers him a simple apple. He finds it delicious, demonstrating that his supernatural hunger has been cured, and he is able to appreciate ordinary food once more. Notably, unlike many film antagonists, Gourmeth survives the events of the story.
Gourmeth's primary motivation throughout the story is to find a permanent cure for his endless hunger. Concluding that no earthly food could satisfy him, he decides to use the wishing dragon Shenron to have his hunger removed. To this end, he orders his two most trusted henchmen, Raven and Bongo, to locate the seven Dragon Balls. By the time the film's main plot begins, Gourmeth has already collected four of them. His role in the story is that of an obstacle for the protagonist, Goku, and his companion Bulma, who are also seeking the Dragon Balls. Gourmeth himself does not engage in direct combat for most of the film, instead relying on his army and his lieutenants to do his bidding. He is a reclusive figure, largely remaining in his castle and gorging himself until a climactic confrontation.
In terms of relationships, Gourmeth commands a small but capable force. His chief subordinates are Raven, a sharp-witted and skilled female fighter, and Bongo, a large and physically strong enforcer. While their relationship is purely professional based on his authority and their loyalty, he shows little personal regard for them or anyone else, focusing solely on his own suffering. His other significant connection is to the land itself; his actions have actively destroyed the kingdom he rules, directly impacting people like a young girl named Penny, whose village has been ruined by his mining operations.
Throughout the film, Gourmeth demonstrates a notable physical transformation. Initially appearing as a very large but humanoid figure, he later mutates into a colossal, rampaging giant with purple, warty skin, sharp fangs, and mismatched eyes. In this enhanced state, he possesses immense strength and durability, easily shrugging off a direct Kamehameha wave from Goku, an attack that had previously destroyed tanks and boulders. His primary ability is this superhuman resilience and raw physical power, which he uses to devastating effect against his enemies. Despite his monstrous strength, his defining characteristic is his perpetual hunger, which acts as both his motivation and a critical weakness.
Development occurs for Gourmeth only at the film's conclusion. During the final battle, Bulma throws the last Dragon Ball into his mouth, joining the six he had already swallowed. When the seven balls are gathered inside his stomach, Shenron is summoned, and the dragon emerges from Gourmeth's body. After Penny uses the wish to restore the land, the energy released reverts Gourmeth to a more normal, human-like appearance. More importantly, his curse is broken when Penny offers him a simple apple. He finds it delicious, demonstrating that his supernatural hunger has been cured, and he is able to appreciate ordinary food once more. Notably, unlike many film antagonists, Gourmeth survives the events of the story.