History

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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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:

MOVIES

There are 4 movies in this series:

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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:

TV SPECIALS

There are 2 specials in this series:

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:

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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:

TV SPECIALS

There is 1 special in this series:

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