Anime
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.