In 1993 Dragonball made its first official appearance in the US. It came in the form of the very first Dragonball feature movie. In 1996, Dragonball resurfaced, but the produces knew that the real action would not be at Dragonball, but at Dragonball Z. So the following year Dragonball Z was introduced to American audiences super charged and ready for consumption. Sadly however its ratings were not good as it was shown at 5:00 am in the morning. You wonder why it didn't do well! But in 1998 Cartoon Network began to air the show in the afternoon and as many of you know the rest is history.

     As Dragonball begins it's romp in the United States, it has long ended at the place were it all began: in the land of the rising sun (for all who don't understand, its Japan). Dragonball is the long running serialized Manga created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. The story began as a comedy based on the popular Chinese legend "The Monkey King". In the beginning, Dragonball was much like Toriyama's earlier stories (ie: Dr. Slump) filled with its "toilet" humor and silly antics. But as the story progressed it evolved into a adventurous, action packed, character motivated phenomenon, the likes which no one has ever seen. With 508 episodes, it has become a world wide phenomenon!

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DRAGONBALL
Number of episodes: 153
Dates first aired in Japan: Feb 1986-April 1989
Main Characters: Goku, Bulma, Olong, Krillin, Yamcha, Puar and Master Roshi

    This is where it all begins. The story starts with Goku at 12 when he first meets Bulma and is introduced to the legend of the Dragonballs: who ever gets all seven Dragonballs will have their wish granted by Shenron, the Dragon who resides within the balls. As Goku goes along his adventure he meets other characters such as Master Roshi, Krillin and others.

 

TV SAGAS

There are 3 sagas in this series:

  • The Palif saga
  • The Red Ribbon saga
  • Piccolo Daiomo (the demon) saga

MOVIES

There are 4 movies in this series:

  • The Legend of the Magic Dragon (Shenron no Himitsu) 12/86
  • The sleeping princess of the demon castle (Majinjou no Nimmuri Hemie) 7/87
  • The mysterious MAKA adventure (MAKA fushigi Diaboken) 7/88
  • Dragonball 10th anniversary special (a remake of the Dragonball series with the introduction and the battle against the Red ribbon army) ?/??

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DRAGONBALL Z
Number of episodes: 291
Dates first aired in Japan: April 1989-Feb 1996
Main Characters: Goku, Vegita, Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tein-Shinhan

    Part 2 of the Dragonball madness, this story starts when Goku is an adult and introduces him to his Saiyan origin.  The main theme of Dragonball Z is fighting although it still retains aspects of the humor and adventure from the previous Dragonball series. Characters develop as they grow, mature, and some even have children! Many of Goku's former enemies become his friend they band together to fight greater evils along the way.

 

TV SAGAS

There are 4 main sagas in this series:

  • The Saiyan saga: Introduces Goku to his true origin
  • The Freeza saga
  • The Android saga: The return of the red ribbon through the form of Dr. Gero
  • The Buu saga

TV SPECIALS

There are 2 specials in this series:

  • The lonely final battle (Tata Hitori no saishuu kessen). The story of Bardock and the destruction of the Saiyan planet. 10/17/90
  • The ultimate surviving fighters: Gohan and Trunks! (Nokosareta chou senshi. Gohan to Trunks). The story of Trunks alternate future. 2/24/93

MOVIES

Twice a year in Japan there would be a animation fair that had many diffent anime movies. There would be a new Dragonball movie at each fair.  Here are 13 movies in this series:

  • Dragonball Z movie 1 7/89
  • Movie 2: The worlds number one fighter (Kono yo de Ichiban tsuyoi yatsu) 3/90
  • Movie 3: Earth's Ultimate Battle (Chikuu Marugoto Chokessen) Called here the tree of might, introduces another Saiyan survivor Taurus. 7/90
  • Movie 4: Super Saiyan Son Goku!! (Supa Saiya-jin Son Gokuh da) 3/91
  • Movie 5: Ultimate strength vs.  ultimate strength: The fantastic battle! (Tobikkiri no Saikyou tai Saikyou) Cooler comes looking for the guy who defeats his brother Freeza. 7/91
  • Movie 6: Crash the 10 billion power fighters! (Gekitotsu! 100 Oku Pawa no senshi tachi) Cooler makes another appearance as a cyborg. 3/92
  • Movie 7: The battle limit! Three Super Saiyans! (Kyokugen Batoru!! Sandia Supa Saiya-jin) Shows the story of three different androids created by Dr. Gero: 13, 14, and 15. 7/91
  • Movie 8: Burn your spirits to the max! The close, violent, super bloody battle! (Moetsukiro! Nessen, ressen, chou gekisen) Introduces the high powered 'Legendary" Super Saiyan Brolli. 3/93
  • Movie 9: The most incredible guy in the universe! (Ginga Girigiri! Butchi giri no sugoi yatsu) Bojack comes to take over earth.  7/93
  • Movie 10: The dangerous pair! The super fighter cannot sleep! (Kikenna Futari! Supa Senshi wa nemurenai) Brolli somehow survived and comes looking for Goku. 3/94
  • Movie 11: Super fighter shootout! I will be the winner! (supa senshi gekiha! Katsu no ore da) Brolli cloned! 7/94
  • Movie 12: The fusion of Goku and Vegita!! (Fukkatsu no fushion! Gokuh to Vegita) 3/95
  • Movie 13: Dragon fist explosion, If Goku can't do it no one can! (Ryuken bakuhatsu! Gokuh ga Yaraneba dare ga Yaru) 7/95

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DRAGONBALL GT
Number of episodes: 64
Date first aired in Japan: Feb 1996-Feb 1997
Main Characters: Goku, Pan, Trunks

After the Buu saga ended in Dragonball Z, Toriyama wanted to end the series and start on another project. However Toei, the animation company wanted to continue the Dragonball series. Hence without Dragonball's main man, they developed a new series called Dragonball GT "Grand Tour." The story focuses on Goku, Pan and Trunks as they travel the galaxy in search of the universal black star Dragonballs. When the series started, it went back to a similar environment like Dragonball with humor and simplicity in mind. That proved un popular among fans. As such they went back to the old "beat or be beat"  type of series fans so much adored.

TV SAGAS

There are 3 sagas in this series:

  • The Babi saga
  • Super Android 17 saga ( Red Ribbon never dies!).
  • The evil Shenron saga (evil Dragonball dragon saga) 

TV SPECIALS

There is 1 special in this series:

  • Goku's great, great grandson, Goku Jr. 3/97

 

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Dragonball Worldwide!!

Did you know that Dragonball is not only popular here, but in other countries as well!  Before it came to the US there were Dragonball translations in German, Italian, Chinese and even in Spanish.

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