The Dragon Ball franchise was originally created as a manga that was written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. After the manga gained a significant amount of popularity, an anime adaptation was produced by Toei that eventually gained the attention of many people around the globe. Today, the franchise exists in many different kinds of media and merchandise such as manga, TV series, movies, video games, figures, apparel, card games, and even theme park attractions. The franchise has become so loved by the international community that they have come to love many of the characters of the series and even go so far as to write a plethora of fanfiction inspired by Dragon Ball. Fan-made projects like Dragon Ball Multiverse have also garnered the attention of many fans and have been translated into a myriad of different languages spoken around the world.
Series
Although the franchise got its start with the Dragon Ball manga, several other series, both canonical and non-canonical, were created afterward. The following list includes all of the individual series that have been released to date.
Dragon Ball
The original series. Dragon Ball, when compared to other series, has a more comedic focus, though fighting is still one of its core elements. When adapted into an anime, “Dragon Ball” covers the first half of the original manga.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is the anime adaptation of the second half of the manga. It takes place after most of the characters have grown into adults and has a much more serious tone than the first half. Dragon Ball Z also operates on a much larger scale, as many locations in the series take place on extraterrestrial planets whereas the first half largely took place on Earth.
Dragon Ball Kai
Dragon Ball Z Kai is the remastered, re-cut, and re-dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z. Many voice actors returned to voice their respective characters, though there are some exceptions. Kai also cut out a lot of filler content that was added to the original adaptation.
Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT is an original anime project created completely by Toei that takes place after the events of Dragon Ball Z. GT has no manga counterpart and Toriyama had little involvement in its creation, making it non-canon.
Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super is the most recent canonical series. It takes place soon after the Buu saga in Dragon Ball Z and follows the same characters as the original series. Although Toriyama creates the basic storyline and acts as an editor, the Dragon Ball Super manga is illustrated by his assistant and successor Toyotaro.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a web series that is based on the Dragon Ball Heroes arcade game. Episodes are released periodically and do not follow a set schedule, though the series is currently still ongoing.
Characters
Here is a list of significant characters in the Dragon Ball franchise.
Son Goku
Goku, is the main protagonist throughout most of the franchise. He is a Saiyan that was sent to the Earth as a child and was raised by his adoptive grandfather, Grandpa Gohan. After he grew up, he quickly became the Earth’s (and possibly the galaxy’s) strongest warrior to ever live. When not fighting, training, or eating an entire feast by himself, Goku has a friendly, happy-go-lucky personality despite having a heritage full of bloodthirsty killers. He is the first person in the Dragon Ball series to transform into a Super Saiyan.
Son Gohan
Gohan is Goku’s first son. His mother Chi-Chi often tries to keep him away from fighting by doing everything she can to educate him. Despite this, however, Gohan is shown to be an incredibly capable fighter. At times, Gohan is shown to have a temper, which causes his power to spike dramatically at times. Gohan is the first character to ever transform into a Super Saiyan 2.
Vegeta
Vegeta is the proud prince of all Saiyans, though most of them were annihilated by Frieza many years ago. He is incredibly arrogant and stubborn, but he is also incredibly powerful. Although Vegeta was once an enemy, many now see Goku and Vegeta’s relationship more like a rivalry.
Piccolo
Piccolo is a Namekian that was originally created by the Evil King Piccolo to continue his legacy, but ended up joining the Z Fighters later in Dragon Ball Z. As the son of Evil King Piccolo, he was originally called Piccolo Jr., but the suffix was later dropped.
Bulma
Bulma is a character that has existed nearly as long as Goku has. She is Goku’s first friend and is the one that convinces him to go on an adventure with her to find the Dragon Balls. Although she isn’t a fighter by any means, her intellect and engineering skills have helped Goku and his friends countless times.
Trunks
Trunks is the son of both Vegeta and Bulma. Although he is first introduced as a baby, Future Trunks appears shortly after. He appears several times as a messenger of sorts that warns the group of incoming danger. Present Trunks later grows into a kid during the Buu saga and becomes best friends with Goten.
Master Roshi
Master Roshi is the master of the Kame School of martial arts. Despite being an elderly old man, he is an incredible fighter, though he is well past his prime. Since the other Z Fighters long surpassed him, Roshi often stays on his island and passes the time by ogling women on TV and in erotic magazines.
Other Characters
Movies and Specials
A variety of movies based on the original Dragon Ball manga have been produced throughout the years. A majority of them are animated, though a small number of live-action films have also been created as well. Furthermore, several specials have been created by Toei as well.
Dragon Ball Movies
Specials
Video Games
As one of the most popular anime and manga series in recent history, it should be no surprise that the franchise has spawned a number of video games. Most of these entries are fighting games, though each generally has its own battle system, roster, mechanics, and so on. Games have been developed on a variety of consoles starting the Famicom. Dragon Ball games are still being developed today and are even all made for the most recent generation of consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PS4.
Merchandise
As with any popular franchise, a wide variety of merchandise has been created and sold all across the world. Products like figures and Funko Pops are quite commonly found, but other products like Dragon Ball themed apparel, toys, costumes, card games, and many more can all be found online. Dragon Ball has even collaborated with companies like Uniqlo and Adidas to bring new, fashionable merchandise to many customers.
Table of Contents
Dragon Ball is Toei’s animated adaptation of the highly successful hit manga Dragon Ball by renowned manga author Akira Toriyama. Beginning it’s televised run in 1986 and ending in with an incredible 153 episodes in 1989, Dragon Ball became a pop culture phenomenon in Japan. It w...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z is the anime continuation of the hit anime series Dragon Ball based on the manga of the same name by Akira Toriyama. The show ran originally in Japan on television from 1988 to 1995 over a total of 325 episodes. It was Dragon Ball Z that helped push anime into the s...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Kai is a recut and remastered version of the highly successful Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z. While there is debate as to what the Z in Dragon Ball Z refers to, the term “Kai” refers to renewal or modification of something. Dragon Ball Kai was produced for the 20th ann...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Super is the continuation of the extremely popular Dragon Ball series by award winning manga author Akira Toriyama. Airing from 2015 to 2018. With a total of 131 Episodes, Dragon Ball Super led to the production and release of the latest Dragon Ball movie Dragon Ball ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball GT is a TV anime-only continuation of the Dragon Ball franchise that ran from February 7, 1996 until November 19, 1997. It featured 64 episodes all originally designed and animated for television by Toei Animation. The production was overseen by Akira Toriyama, though...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a promotional animated web-series for the Dragon Ball Heroes video game. It follows the story of Dragon Ball Heroes and is based on the original franchise series created by Akira Toriyama. The story line is completely different to the original Dragon B...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Son Goku is the protagonist (and at times arguably an antagonist) of the Dragon Ball series and appears in all iterations of the franchise. He is based on Sun Wukong, the main character of the Chinese novel ‘Journey to the West’. The character has been consistently voiced by Masa...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Son Gohan is the first child of the protagonist Son Goku. He is kind and loving and generally doesn’t seem to enjoy fighting, contrary to his Saiyan heritage. From a young age, Gohan was forced by his mother Chi-Chi to study and martial arts were generally forbidden. Reluctantly,...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Son Goten (often simply referred to as Goten) is the second and youngest child of the protagonist Son Goku. He appears mostly in the latter half of the Dragon Ball Z series and some of Dragon Ball Super, with minor roles in Dragon Ball GT. He is also voiced entirely by Masako Noz...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Vegeta is the son of King Vegeta of the Saiyan warrior race. He appears as an antagonist early in the Dragon Ball Z series, but eventually becomes part of the Z Fighters and, by Dragon Ball Super, a close friend of Son Goku’s. As prince of the Saiyan race and Planet Vegeta, he is...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Piccolo is a recurring character in the Dragon Ball franchise. He debuts as the reincarnation of the Evil King Piccolo in the Dragon Ball Z series, making him, at the time, a primary antagonist and enemy of Son Goku. It is later discovered that Piccolo is, in fact, a member of th...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Krillin is a supporting protagonist in the Dragon Ball franchise, making his debut in Episode 14 of the original series and is voiced by Mayumi Tanaka throughout. Though he was initially a rival of Son Goku under the tutelage of Master Roshi, they quickly became best friends. Kri...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Trunks is the son of Vegeta and Bulma. He appears in the series in two forms, his future teenage form (often called Future Trunks) and his child form. He is usually shown with blue or purple hair and a sword (future). He is voiced by Takeshi Kusao as a child and adult in all form...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Yamcha first appears as a bandit in the desert along with his shape-shifting friend, Puar in the Dragon Ball series. He has long hair and a Chinese style outfit and sword. His main ambition is to find a girlfriend, but hopelessly passes out when confronted by beautiful women. He ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Tien is one of Son Goku‘s enemies turned friends. Hailing from the Crane School of martial arts, he was taught a number of offensive and defensive techniques by Master Shen and General Tao respectively. His best friend is Chiaotzu with whom he spends all of his time training. He ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Master Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit and the God of Martial Arts, is a master of martial arts who trained Gohan (Goku’s adopted father), Ox-King, Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha. He has a sister named Fortuneteller Baba. He is a hermit and a pervert.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Bulma is the daughter of Dr. Briefs and his wife. She has a genius-level intellect and, even from a young age, skipped school because she found it boring. Bulma can be caring and will do her best to help and protect her friends, however, she is also very headstrong and will do wh...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Chi-Chi is the wife of the protagonist Son Goku and appears in most of the Dragon Ball series in minor roles. She is often seen wearing a variation of Chinese and Korean clothes. She is voiced by Mayumi Shō in Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z Seasons 1-2, and Dragon Ball Z Movies 1-3, ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Android 18 is a young woman with blonde medium-length hair and clothes featuring the red ribbon army logo. Though seemingly cold and often unimpressed, unlike her future counterpart, Android 18 is in fact capable of compassion and has a softer side. This is slightly different wit...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Lord Beerus is a Dragon Ball character created by Akira Toriyama. His first appearance is in the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods movie in the 2013 film feature as the main antagonist and returns as a supporting character in the Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' movie and as a...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Whis is a Dragon Ball character created by Akira Toriyama. His first appearance is in the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods movie in the 2013 film feature as the attendant of the main antagonist Lord Beerus and returns as a supporting character in the Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection '...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Broly is the main antagonist of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie. He is Universe 7’s legendary Super Saiyan. He is silent and shy, but very caring and pure of heart. His upbringing left him with weak social skills, however, he is shown to care about those who are kind to him. H...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Gogeta is a fusion character that is created when both Goku and Vegeta correctly perform the Metamoran Fusion Dance. He is considered to be one of the most powerful characters in the entire Dragon Ball series. Although he was largely considered to be a non-canon character for man...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Gotenks is the successful fusion of Goten and Trunks after performing the Metamoran Fusion Dance properly. Although he is a combination of two characters, Gotenks seems to be stronger than their individual strengths combined and can accomplish feats that neither of them can achie...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Vegetto (sometimes also spelled Vegito or Vegerot) is a character that is created after Goku and Vegeta fuse together using Potara earrings. Although his Fusion Dance counterpart Gogeta is likely equally as strong as Vegetto, Gogeta didn’t make a canonical appearance until Dragon...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Here is a list of some other significant and supporting characters from the Dragon Ball manga and anime series.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Here is a list of some other significant and supporting characters from the Dragon Ball Z manga and anime series.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Here is a list of some other significant and supporting characters from the Dragon Ball GT anime series.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Here is a list of some other significant and supporting characters from the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime series.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Fusion refers to a number of various methods of two characters combining to become a stronger character. There are a number of ways to fuse.
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
The Dragon Ball manga is a series illustrated and written by Akira Toriyama, it is the original Dragon Ball manga series that boosted the Dragon Ball franchise into a global phenomenon. The manga series was initially published in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1984 to 1995...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
The Dragon Ball manga is a series illustrated and written by Akira Toriyama, and the Dragon Ball Z manga is the second part of the original Dragon Ball franchise. The manga series was initially published in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1984 to 1995, totalling 519 chapters...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
The Dragon Ball Super manga series is a sequel to the original manga and television series Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. The manga is written by Akira Toriyama and illustrated by Japanese manga artist Toyotaru and began production in the weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2015. The ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
As the canonical legitimacy of many works within the Dragon Ball franchise is questioned, it’s no wonder that there is a lot of controversy facing the various manga releases. Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro are responsible for creating what fans consider to be the true Dragon Ball ca...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
The Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (originally just called Dragon Ball) is the first film based on the Dragon Ball franchise originally created by Akira Toriyama. It was first shown in Japan on December 20th, 1986 at the Toei Manga Matsuri Film Festival. The Curse of the ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle is the second fantasy and martial arts anime feature film based on the Dragon Ball manga by Akira Toriyama. The film originally premiered in Japan on July 18th, 1987 at the Toei Manga Matsuri Film Festival. Funimation later rel...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure is a Japanese animated fantasy and martial arts film that follows an alternate telling of the Dragon Ball series that was originally written by Akira Toriyama. The movie premiered in Japan on July 9th, 1988 at the Toei Manga Matsuri Film Festival a...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball: The Path to Power is a Japanese animated fantasy and martial arts film that originally released on March 2nd, 1996 and is based on Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. The Path to Power adapts the Red Ribbon Army and Dragon Ball Search Arcs of the original story. The ...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is a 1989 Japanese fantasy and martial arts anime film that was originally shown at the Toei Manga Matsuri Film Festival and later released on VHS and Laserdisc. It was directed by Daisuke Nishio and composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi while cinematography and e...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest is a Japanese animated fantasy and martial arts movie based on the Dragon Ball franchise that was originally created by Akira Toriyama. It is the second feature film in the Dragon Ball Z series and was first released in Japan on March 10th, 19...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might is a Japanese animated fantasy and martial arts movie that was released in 1990. It is the third Dragon Ball Z film and was premiered at the Toei Anime Film Fair Festival as a triple feature that was named Toriyama Akira: The World. The film was p...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (or Dragon Ball Z: Son Goku the Super Saiyan) is a Japanese animated martial arts, science fiction film. It is the fourth Dragon Ball Z movie feature that was released in Japan in 1991 at the Toei Anime Film Fair. The Lord Slug movie is directed by Mitsuo...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
The Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge movie, also known as “Dragon Ball Z: The Incredible Mightiest vs. Mightiest” (ドラゴンボールZ とびっきりの最強対最強) is a Japanese anime fiction martial arts movie and the fifth film based on the Dragon Ball Z series movie franchise. The movie was first release...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler is a Japanese animated fantasy and martial arts film that first premiered on March 7th, 1992. It is the sixth movie based off the Dragon Ball Z series franchise. The Return of Cooler was directed by Daisuke Nishio and produced by Chiaki Imada a...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! is a Japanese anime martial arts and fantasy film that premiered at the Toei Anime Fair on July 11th, 1992. The film was directed by Daisuke Nishio, produced by Chiaki Imada and Tomio Anzai, written by Takao Koyama, and composed by Shunsuke Kikuch...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan is a Japanese animated martial arts and fantasy film that is the eighth entry into the Dragon Ball Z series of movies. The movie premiered at the Toei Anime Fair on March 6th, 1993. The film was directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi, pro...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound is a Japanese fantasy and martial arts film that is based on Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. It debuted on July 10th, 1993 at the Toei Anime Film Fair. Bojack Unbound is the final film to feature Kohei Miyauchi as Master Roshi, as he later passed...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming is a Japanese anime martial arts and fantasy film that is based on Akira Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball manga. It is the tenth feature-length film in the Dragon Ball Z series and first premiered at the Toei Anime Film Fair on March 12th, 1994...
Last updated at, 12 Jan 2021
