- Created by:
- Akira Toriyama
- First Film:
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film:
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
- First TV Show:
- Dragon Ball
- Latest TV Show:
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date:
- April 26, 1989
- Latest Episode:
- 2019-10-05
- Cast:
- Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
- Current Series:
- Dragon Ball Super
- Related Articles
- Details
Summary
Dragon Ball is the labor of writer/illustrator Akira Toriyama, beginning with Dragon Ball back in 1984. The series originally started as a serialized manga back in Weekly Shonen Jump for nearly a decade until it expanded into the anime franchises it is most known for today. Dragon Ball was later adapted into two animes, with one being Dragon Ball Z, the most universally known series in the entire Dragon Ball canon. The franchise has continued to expand lore via films, video games, and additional sequel TV series, such as the more recent Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Dragon Ball centers mostly around Son Goku, a being known as a Saiyan, and his friends as they face off against intergalactic threats and seek out the titular dragon balls. When all seven of these balls are collected, they can be used to summon a legendary dragon that can grant the wishes of whoever so gathers them. The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be one of the most well-known and beloved animes of all time, with over forty different countries airing it, and has had a tremendous impact on Western culture as a whole.
10 Dragon Ball Characters Who Only Serve As Plot Armor
Characters across the original Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Super act as plot armor, solely driving other characters and the story forward.
The Dragon Ball Super Manga Finally Takes Advantage Of Hercule's Celebrity Status
Hercule's fame and celebrity status come into play in the latest Dragon Ball Super manga chapter which features developments for Piccolo and Pan.
Dragon Ball Super Director Expresses Interest in Rebooting the Series
A top-tier animator in the Toei Animations Dragon Ball franchise is aiming to reboot the classic Akira Toriyama shonen series.
10 Worst Anime Filler Arcs, According To Reddit
Filler is a contentious subject in anime, with many fans vehemently declaring their hatred for filler such as Dragon Ball's Garlic Jr. Arc.
Dragon Ball GT: Were Goku Jr. and Vegeta Jr. Actually Reincarnations?
Dragon Ball GT ended with Goku and Vegeta’s similar-looking descendants, but were these young Saiyans actually reincarnations of the originals?
10 Villains Who Defined Classic Anime
Only villains like DBZ's Frieza and Berserk's Griffith make it to the ranks of truly impressive anime antagonists that set the anime villain standard.
10 Anime Heroes With A Secret Soft Side
DBZ's proud Saiyan Prince Vegeta and MHA's explosive Katsuki Bakugo are only two of many anime characters who are secretly softies.
The 8 Funniest Dragon Ball Fights, Ranked
Dragon Ball is known for its humor even in fights, such as the tussle between Gotenks and Super Buu and Mr. Satan's bravado against Cell.
Dragon Ball Z Showed a Darker Side to Chi-Chi's Parenting - Luckily It's Not Canon
Chi-Chi once resorted to extreme measures to ensure Gohan remained focused on his studies. It could be considered an instance of bad parenting.
15 Best Anime With An Overpowered Main Character
Some satisfying anime feature exciting and OP main characters, like Vash from Trigun, Mob from Mob Psycho 100, and Saiki Kusuo from Saiki K.
Should Dragon Ball Retire Goku's Orange Dogi?
Goku's iconic gi is one of the most famous outfits in anime history, but has his main look worn out its welcome in the Dragon Ball franchise?
10 Strongest Dragon Ball Characters Who Aren't Super Saiyan
The Dragon Ball franchise features many characters who aren't Saiyans but are just as powerful, if only briefly.
15 Weirdest Details In Old Dragon Ball Episodes
The OG Dragon Ball series has plenty of episodes that have details that fans will find downright strange.
10 Best Dragon Ball Games You Didn't Even Know Existed
Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball has been around for over 30 years, so only superfans would be aware of obscure games like Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension.
Dragon Ball: When Was Goku's Tail Removed - And Could He Ever Get It Back?
Goku hasn't had a tail since the end of Dragon Ball. He got another one in Dragon Ball GT, and he could do it again in Dragon Ball Super.
10 Best Anime Filler Arcs, According To Reddit
Although filler is a contentious subject in anime, fans agree that some arcs are pretty good, from Kill La Kill: Recap to One Piece: G-8.
Did Dragon Ball Super Undermine This Fan-Favorite Character's Death?
Merus's sacrifice was a well-done scene and seemed like one of the few deaths that couldn't be undone, which makes his inevitable revival frustrating.
15 Best-Selling Manga Of All Time (& How Many Copies Were Sold)
The best-selling manga of all time cover a wide range of topics and genres, from cunning detectives to basketball players to shinobi warriors.
Dragon Ball Z's Most Disturbing Fight Was Between Two Humans, Not Saiyans
Dragon Ball Z had many incredible battles, but perhaps the most violent was one between a mostly helpless Videl and the vengeful Majin Spopovich.
10 Shonen Anime Heroes Who Almost Ruined Their Likability
Some popular shonen heroes toe the line of loved and hated, such as Naruto's Sasuke Uchiha, Eren Yeager from AoT, and JJBA's Joseph Joestar.