The Dragon Ball franchise is a truly global phenomenon, beloved by fans of all ages since its creation by Akira Toriyama in 1984. The Dragon Ball universe has expanded far beyond the original manga, including a number of adaptations animated series that helped solidify its place in the Dragon Ball universe. pop culture. With stories ranging from Goku’s initial journey as a child to epic battles between warriors from different universes, Dragon Ball has already explored a variety of themes and concepts.
Each of the series brought new characters, transformations, and adventures that captivated audiences around the world, becoming milestones in the shonen genre. Whether you’re a beginner or a longtime fan, it’s fascinating to learn about each animation that helped make Dragon Ball the icon it is today. Below we explore the main series and films that make up this vast universe.
All Dragon Ball animations
Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
The original Dragon Ball series aired in 1986 and followed Goku’s early adventures in search of the legendary Dragon Balls. With 153 episodes, the narrative is inspired by the first chapters of the manga, bringing a mix of action, comedy and adventure.
Goku, still a child, meets allies such as Bulma, Master Roshi and Krillin, while learning and developing his martial arts skills. The series created the initial Dragon Ball universe, with a lighter style and full of humor, setting the stage for the intense confrontations that would come in subsequent sagas.
Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
Considered the series that popularized Dragon Ball globally, Dragon Ball Z continues the story of Goku, as an adult, facing enemies of great power. With 291 episodes, the series introduced iconic villains such as Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu, as well as explored the concept of Saiyans, the race to which Goku belongs.
Here we witness for the first time the transformation into Super Saiyan, a milestone in the Dragon Ball universe and one of the most memorable sequences of the anime. Dragon Ball Z is known for its epic battles, which expanded the original universe and introduced concepts that are still part of the franchise today.
Dragonball GT (1996-1997)
Dragon Ball GT was an original Toei Animation production, not based on Akira Toriyama’s manga, and generated controversy among fans. The series begins with Goku transformed into a child due to a wrong wish made with the Dragon Balls. He, Trunks and Pan embark on a new journey into space, facing new enemies and discovering mysteries.
GT brought the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, one of the most iconic in the series, as well as introducing unique villains, such as Baby and Super Android 17. Although it has divided opinions, the series has left a legacy and some concepts that remain popular among fans fan, but despite it also not being considered a canonical animation of the franchise.
Dragon Ball Kai (2009-2015)
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dragon Ball Z, Toei released Dragon Ball Kai, a remastered version of the Z saga. This version removed many filler episodes and was condensed into 167 episodes, with new dubbing and high definition remastering, beyond. having many of the most violent scenes in the anime they were censored.
Kai brought a more streamlined and direct experience to the original story arcs, making the series easier for new viewers to get into. Additionally, it allowed longtime fans to revisit the episodes with improved audio and picture quality, keeping the nostalgia of Goku and his friends’ adventures alive.
Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
After almost 20 years, Dragon Ball Super brought the franchise back into vogue with an all-new series that continues Goku’s story after the events of Dragon Ball Z. With 131 episodes, Super explores new concepts such as the Multiverse, introducing iconic characters such as Beerus , the God of Destruction and Whis, as well as transformations such as Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue.
The “Tournament of Power” story arc became one of the most popular, featuring breathtaking battles between warriors from different universes and introduced the Ultra Instinct transformation, one of Goku’s most complex and powerful abilities.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018–present)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a promotional series based on the popular Japanese arcade game. With short, non-canon episodes, the series features alternate versions of characters and explores scenarios that would be impossible in the official timeline. It is primarily aimed at hardcore fans of the franchise and features epic battles, unprecedented transformations and new forms of famous characters. Although the narrative does not follow the official canon, Dragon Ball Heroes offers extra content full of action and nostalgia.
Dragon Ball: Daima (2024)
Recently announced, Dragon Ball: Daima is the latest addition to the franchise and will debut in 2024 on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Set between the events of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, Daima features a plot in which Goku, Vegeta, and other characters are transformed into children due to a request made using the Dragon Balls. With Akira Toriyama’s direct involvement in the creation of the story and characters, Daima captures the spirit of the classic adventures while bringing something new to both new and old fans of the franchise.
Main films of the franchise
In addition to the TV series, Dragon Ball has several films that expand the universe and offer independent or complementary adventures to the main story:
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Z
Dragonball GT
Dragon Ball Super
These films introduce new villains and transformations, as well as memorable moments for fans, making them an essential addition for those looking to further explore the Dragon Ball universe.
Dragon Ball’s trajectory is a testament to the lasting impact a franchise can have on the world of entertainment. From its opening adventures to epic tournaments and interdimensional clashes, Dragon Ball continues to delight and attract fans of all generations. With new series like Dragon Ball: Daima on the horizon, the universe created by Akira Toriyama proves that it still has much to offer and that the journey of Goku and his friends is far from over.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
