Dragon Ball Animation

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Following the popularity of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga series, and Toei's success with his previously adapted Dr. Slump series, Toei Animation began to produce an animated adaptation of the series. The first episode of Dragon Ball aired on 26 February 1986, a little over a year after the manga series first premiered in Weekly Shōnen Jump. To this day the anime franchise has remained relevant globally, due in large part to the massive popularity of the Dragon Ball Z TV series.

Television Series

Dragon Ball and its sequel series Dragon Ball Z were based on the original manga series, but due to their overwhelming success, Toei Animation continued the franchise after the manga's completion by creating its own anime original series, Dragon Ball GT. All three television series aired on Fuji TV every Wednesday at 7:00PM. When Dragon Ball GT came to a close in late 1997, the franchise had been on television for 13 years and 9 months, with a combined total of 508 episodes.

In early 2009, Toei Animation rebooted the Dragon Ball Z TV series with a high-definition digital remastering in honor of its 20th anniversary. The series was re-titled Dragon Ball Kai (known as Dragon Ball Z Kai internationally) and touted as the "Akira Toriyama Original Cut Version". The series featured re-recorded dialogue, new music, updated sound effects, and new digital effects, but the majority of the footage was recycled from Dragon Ball Z. It debuted as part of Fuji TV's new hour-long Sunday morning anime block, "Dream 9", and aired at 9:00AM.

Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール / Doragon Bōru) Original Run: 26 February 1986 – 19 April 1989 Episodes: 153 (List of Episodes)

Dragon Ball Z (ドラゴンボールＺ / Doragon Bōru Zetto) Original Run: 26 April 1989 – 31 January 1996 Episodes: 291 (List of Episodes)

Dragon Ball GT (ドラゴンボールＧＴ / Doragon Bōru Jītī) Original Run: 07 February 1996 – 19 November 1997 Episodes: 64 (List of Episodes)

Dragon Ball Kai (ドラゴンボール改 / Doragon Bōru Kai) Original Run: 05 April 2009 – 27 March 2011 Episodes: 97 + 1 Unaired (List of Episodes)

Television Specials

The franchise has featured numerous special television productions, including those produced as a special addition to the series' actual story line and those created solely for special television programming events. The majority of the side story productions were broadcast in the series' allocated time slot, but had a running time twice as long as a regular episode.

Dragon Ball Z

Two side story specials were produced for the Dragon Ball Z series, one covering the history of Son Goku's father, Bardock, and the other focusing on Future Trunks' horrifying past, prior to him traveling back in time to heed a warning of the terrifying artificial humans. In addition to the two side story specials, a few recap specials were produced to help promote the series and its products. While the majority of these specials were produced and aired throughout the TV series' original broadcast run, in 2013 Dragon Ball Z was part of a crossover special between One Piece and Toriko in promotion of the three franchise's current theatrical films.

A Final, Solitary Battle: The Father of Z-Warrior Son Goku, who Challenged Freeza (たったひとりの最終決戦〜フリーザに挑んだZ戦士 孫悟空の父〜 / Tatta Hitori no Saishū Kessen ~Furīza ni Idonda Zetto-senshi Son Gokū no Chichi~) Air Date: 17 October 1990 (Between Dragon Ball Z Episodes 63 & 64) On Planet Vegeta, a Saiyan named Kakarrot is born. His father Bardock soon obtains the ability to see the future and discovers that Freeza has turned on the Saiyans. Bardock confronts him, but Freeza destroys Planet Vegeta and the Saiyans as Kakarrot is sent off to Earth. And so, the story of Dragon Ball begins...

Extreme Battle!! The Three Great Super Saiyans – Special (極限バトル！三大超サイヤ人 スペシャル / Kyokugen Batoru!! San Dai Sūpā Saiya-jin Supesharu) Air Date: Summer 1992 The seventh Dragon Ball Z movie is on its way! Goku and Gohan get all dressed up to review all of the prior movies (three from the first series, and six so far from the "Z" era). Who are some of the tough enemies they have come up against, and what can fans look forward to in the newest movie?

Defiance in the Face of Despair!! The Remaining Super-Warriors: Gohan and Trunks (絶望への反抗!!残された超戦士・悟飯とトランクス / Zetsubō e no Hankō!! Nokosareta Chō-Senshi · Gohan to Torankusu) Air Date: 24 February 1993 (Between Dragon Ball Z Episodes 175 & 176) The artificial humans have left the future in shambles, killing all of the Z Warriors but two... Gohan and Trunks. As the two battle to save the future, Gohan is killed and Trunks finally obtains the power of the Super Saiyan. However, even that isn’t enough to defeat such evil, so the young boy travels to the past in search of hope.

We'll Show You Everything: Forget the Year's Cares with Dragon Ball Z (全部見せます 年忘れ ドラゴンボールＺ / Zenbu Misemasu Toshi Wasure Doragon Bōru Zetto) Air Date: 31 December 1993 (Between Dragon Ball Z Episodes 211 & 212) Goku, who is dead, decides to teleport back to Earth to spend New Years with his family, and while he is there they decide to take a look back at what all had happened in Dragon Ball Z that year (covering the Cell Games and the Ano-yo'ichi Budōkai).

Toriko × One Piece × Dragon Ball Z: Super Collaboration Special!! (トリコ×ONE PIECE×ドラゴンボールＺ　超コラボスペシャル!! / Toriko × Wan Pīsu × Doragon Bōru Zetto　Chō-Korabo Supesharu!!) Air Date: 07 April 2013 The International Gourmet Organization is hosting a "World's Best Eating Tournament" (Tenka'ichi Shokuōkai), a no-holds-bar race to the finish line. The tournament's championship prize is the luxuriously rare Carat Sizzled Cattle! The showdown may determine the strongest of the three franchises' leads.

Dragon Ball GT

The Dragon Ball GT series had one side story special produced that takes place 100 years after the events of Dragon Ball GT.

Goku's Side Story! The Proof of his Courage is the Four-Star Ball (悟空外伝!勇気の証しは四星球 / Gokū Gaiden! Yūki no Akashi wa Sūshinchū) Air Date: 26 March 1997 (Between Dragon Ball GT Episodes 41 & 42) One hundred years after Dragon Ball GT, the only surviving character is Pan, who is now an old grandma. After Pan falls ill, Goku Jr. ventures out to Mt. Paozu to find the Dragon Balls. Along with his school friend Pack, he must face evil and his own fears, while learning how to be brave and courageous like his namesake!

Theatrical Films

During the original syndication of the television series on Fuji TV in Japan, 17 theatrical films were produced by Toei Animation. Each of these films premiered at a seasonal animation festival, or fair, which was a tradition established by Toei in 1969 as a way to showcase their popular children's series as theatrical films during seasonal breaks in the school year: spring vacation, summer vacation, and winter vacation. In Japan, almost all schools below the university level run a three-term school year (trimester system) with a vacation period of several weeks to a month at the end of each trimester. The movies were screened together back-to-back in various cities across Japan, with a typical total running time of roughly three hours. Most festivals would last roughly one month, or as long as the seasonal vacation allowed. Tickets could be purchased at the theater, or discount tickets could be purchased in advance which covered the cost of admission, as well as a bonus item such as a promotional pamphlet describing the featured movies, and various other special presents, such as posters, paper hats, cards, and toys. Additional items, including the official theatrical pamphlet and a variety of other commemorative goods, were available for purchase at cinemas or by mail during this period.

Unlike the franchise's previous films, the 18th theatrical film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, was a singular film not associated with any seasonal event hosted by Toei. This allowed the movie to have a relatively longer run-time than the previous films. Not only was it the franchise's first full-length theatrical film in 17 years, but it was the first one to have significant involvement from series creator Akira Toriyama, an aspect that was heavily marketed leading up to the film's premiere.

Dragon Ball

The Dragon Ball series had three theatrical films during its original television syndication from 1986 to 1989 and another shortly after the start of Dragon Ball GT. The fourth film, The Path to Ultimate Strength, was produced in honor of the anime franchise's 10th anniversary in 1996, and was the final film produced during the franchise's original broadcast run.

Dragon Ball – The Legend of Shenlong (ドラゴンボール ・ 神龍の伝説 / Doragon Bōru · Shenron no Densetsu) Air Date: 20 December 1986 ("Toei Cartoon Festival") The great King Gurumes is searching for the Dragon Balls in order to put a stop to his endless hunger. A young girl named Pansy who lives in the nearby village has had enough of the treachery and decides to seek Muten Rōshi for assistance. Can our heroes save the village and put a stop to the Gurumes Army?

The Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle (魔神城のねむり姫 / Majin Jō no Nemuri Hime) Air Date: 18 July 1987 ("Toei Cartoon Festival") Before Kame-Sen'nin will accept Goku and Kuririn as students, he sends them on a quest to a castle in the far east. There they will find the legendary, and pretty, "Sleeping Princess". Whomever brings back the Sleeping Princess will become his student. The two boys set out, but what devilish demons await them?

A Mystical Great Adventure (摩訶不思議大冒険 / Makafushigi Dai Bōken) Air Date: 09 July 1988 ("Toei Cartoon Festival") The Emperor of Miphan, Chiaotzu, is hosting the next Tenka'ichi Budōkai, but can't find his lost doll, "Ran-Ran". Tsuru-Sen'nin and Tao Pai-pai are searching for the Dragon Balls and promise to use them to locate Ran-Ran, but are actually planning to take over the country. Can Goku and friends save Chiaotzu before it's too late?

The Path to Ultimate Strength (最強への道 / Saikyō e no Michi) Air Date: 04 March 1996 ("Toei Anime Fair") Goku and friends are in search of the Dragon Balls, and so is the ruthless Red Ribbon Army. With his friends lives at stake, Goku takes on the entire Red Ribbon Army. Unfortunately, for Commander Red and his army, Goku is no ordinary boy. Who will win the fight of ultimate strength and obtain all seven Dragon Balls?

Dragon Ball Z

The Dragon Ball Z series had thirteen theatrical films during its original television syndication from 1989 to 1996, with roughly two movies produced per year. The most recent film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, was the franchise's fourteenth theatrical film and the first produced in 17 years.

Dragon Ball Z – Return My Gohan!! (ドラゴンボールＺ ・ オラの悟飯をかえせッ!! / Doragon Bōru Zetto · Ora no Gohan o Kaese!!) Premiered: 15 July 1989 ("Toei Cartoon Festival") Garlic Jr. gathers the Dragon Balls and wishes for immortality, and in the process he kidnapped Gohan, who had the Four-Star Ball. Garlic Jr. seeks the title of God, after his father was denied previously. Piccolo and Goku must join forces once again to save the Earth, God, and Gohan!

The World's Strongest Guy (この世で一番強いヤツ / Kono Yo de Ichiban Tsuyoi Yatsu) Premiered: 10 March 1990 ("Toei Anime Festival") Oolong steals Bulma's Dragon Radar, and finds that Dr. Kochin has wished for Dr. Uiro's lab to be released from ice. Kame-Sen'nin is soon captured by Dr. Uiro, as he is thought to be the strongest warrior in the world. Goku must defeat friends and foes to save Kame-Sen'nin and the Earth from destruction!

A Super Decisive Battle for Earth (地球まるごと超決戦 / Chikyū Marugoto Chōkessen) Premiered: 10 March 1990 ("Toei Anime Fair" / "Akira Toriyama: The World") The Saiyan warrior, Tullece, and his minions are scouting Earth to locate Kakarrot. His minions plant a seed for the "Tree of Godly Might", which grows very quickly and threatens to destroy the Earth. Goku and friends face off against the Saiyan, but can Goku's new Genki-Dama technique save the Earth?

Super Saiyan Son Goku (超サイヤ人だ孫悟空 / Sūpā Saiya-jin da Son Gokū) Premiered: 09 March 1991 ("Toei Anime Fair") Slug's planetoid crashes into Earth, and a weather satellite is launched, releasing a cloud to cover the planet and freeze it over. He gathers the Dragon Balls and regains his youth and strength once again. With his friends defeated, Goku must face the Super Namekian and save the Earth once again.

The Incredible Strongest vs Strongest (とびっきりの最強対最強 / Tobikkiri no Saikyō tai Saikyō) Premiered: 20 July 1991 ("Toei Anime Fair") After receiving a report that his younger brother Freeza had been killed by a Super Saiyan, Coola heads to Earth to see Goku's true strength for himself. Coola displays a fifth transformation, that Freeza had never obtained. Can Goku once again reach Super Saiyan and save the Earth from Coola and his men?

Clash!! 10,000,000,000 Powerful Warriors (激突!!１００億パワーの戦士たち / Gekitotsu!! Hyaku-Oku Pawā no Senshi-tachi) Premiered: 07 March 1992 ("Toei Anime Fair") A metal planetoid lands on the new Planet Namek and Dende sends Goku and friends to investigate... only to find that Coola has returned! Goku and Vegeta face-off against Coola, but are no match and get captured. Can the Saiyan spirit of the two fallen warriors overpower Coola and the Big Gete Star?

Extreme Battle!! The Three Great Super Saiyans (極限バトル!!三大超サイヤ人 / Kyokugen Batoru!! San Dai Sūpā Saiya-jin) Premiered: 11 July 1992 ("Toei Anime Fair") After Dr. Gero is killed by No. 17, his computer activates his earlier creations. No. 13, No. 14, and No. 15 have orders to kill Goku, who is shopping with the family. As the battle ensues, No. 13 undergoes a terrifying transformation. Can the three Super Saiyans stop No. 13 from completing his mission?!

Burn Up!! A Red-Hot, Raging, Super-Fierce Fight (燃えつきろ!!熱戦・烈戦・超激戦 / Moetsukiro!! Nessen · Ressen · Chō-Gekisen) Premiered: 06 March 1993 ("Toei Anime Fair") Vegeta travels to the planet New Vegeta in search of the Legendary Super Saiyan, who has been destroying planets. Goku is also in pursuit of the Legendary Super Saiyan, teleports to the planet, and Broli goes berserk. Goku must defeat the Legendary Super Saiyan... to save the universe!!

The Galaxy at the Brink!! The Super Incredible Guy (銀河ギリギリ!!ぶっちぎりの凄い奴 / Ginga Giri-Giri!! Butchigiri no Sugoi Yatsu) Premiered: 10 July 1993 ("Toei Anime Fair") The Money Family is hosting a Tenka'ichi Budōkai, but everything goes terribly wrong when Bojack and his minions show up in the final stages. The Z Warriors are handily defeated, leaving Gohan to face off against Bojack all alone. Can Gohan's newly obtained Super Saiyan 2 transformation save the day?

The Dangerous Duo! Super-Warriors Can't Rest (危険なふたり!超戦士はねむれない / Kiken na Futari! Sūpā Senshi wa Nemurenai) Premiered: 12 March 1994 ("Toei Anime Fair") Goten, Trunks, and Videl are searching for the Dragon Balls, when a spaceship crashes to Earth. They investigate, and find Broli, who mistakes the young Goten for Kakarrot. As the battle ensues, Gohan arrives and joins in. Will the brothers be able to save the Earth without the help of their father?!

Super-Warrior Defeat!! I'm the One Who'll Win (超戦士撃破!!勝つのはオレだ / Sūpā Senshi Gekiha!! Katsu No wa Ore da) Premiered: 09 July 1994 ("Toei Anime Fair") After being blackmailed, Mr. Satan and No. 18 travel to battle some bio-warriors. Fortunately, Goten and Trunks were hiding in their trunk, and along with No. 18, the three battle the bio-warriors. After the fight Goten and Trunks find a Bio-Broli, and they accidentally awaken him. Can the fearless duo stop this biological monster?!

The Rebirth of Fusion!! Goku and Vegeta (復活のフュージョン!!悟空とベジータ / Fukkatsu no Fyūjon!! Gokū to Bejīta) Premiered: 04 March 1995 ("Toei Anime Fair") The oni responsible for watching the soul-cleansing machine is taken over by an evil spirit, and the afterlife succumbs to his will. All across Earth, dead villains come back to life! Goku and Vegeta attempt to defeat Janenba while their families deal with the chaos up on Earth. Their only chance to win? Fusion!

Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won't Do it, Who Will? (龍拳爆発!!悟空がやらねば誰がやる / Ryū-Ken Bakuhatsu!! Gokū ga Yaraneba Dare ga Yaru) Premiered: 15 July 1995 ("Toei Anime Fair") Goku and friends are tricked into using the Dragon Balls to release Tapion, who contains the demon Hildegarn within himself. Hildegarn eventually escapes and begins to destroy everything around him. Tapion tries to harness the demon, but it's of no use. Can anyone but Goku defeat the demon and restore peace?

Battle of Gods (lit. "God and God") (神と神 / Kami to Kami) Premiered: 30 March 2013 Beerus, God of Destruction, has awoken early after a 39 year slumber. Having had a dream about "Super Saiyan God", he sets out in search of this mysterious Saiyan. After visiting with Kaiō, and eventually ending up on Earth, Goku and friends soon find they are powerless to stop the irritable Beerus. Can our heroes find the "Super Saiyan God" before Beerus destroys the Earth?

Festival Features

Every year Shueisha, sometimes in collaboration with animation companies and studios, holds various festivals celebrating and promoting some of its most popular franchises. These festivals are often held during annual school vacation periods and many feature vendor booths, new merchandise, stage presentations, industry announcements, and much more. On occasion some festivals will host screenings of animation specials and films from popular series, or even animation tour events. In 2008, Shueisha's annual Jump Festa hosted a "Jump Super Anime Tour", which toured 10 cities across Japan in honor of Weekly Shōnen Jump's 40th anniversary. The tour screened seven newly-animated specials from popular series serialized in various Jump anthologies, one of which was Dragon Ball. Following the completion of the tour, Jump streamed three of the specials online for a limited time, including Heya! Son Goku and Friends Return!!, free of charge on their website.

The Episode of Bardock feature is based on the three part spin-off manga by Naho Ooishi which ran in the August to October 2011 issues of V-Jump and was produced as a collaboration between Saikyō Jump and V-Jump as part of the "Dragon Ball SSSS (Saikyō Super Saiyan Secret) Project". An advanced preview of the feature was shown at Shueisha's Jump Festa '12 on 17 December 2011 and was subsequently streamed online free for a limited time.

Heya! Son Goku and Friends Return!! (オッス!帰ってきた孫悟空と仲間たち!! / Ossu! Kaette Kita Son Gokū to Nakama-tachi!!) Premiered: 21 September 2008 ("Jump Super Anime Tour 2008") Two years after the defeat of Majin Buu, a new battle takes place on Earth. Vegeta's younger brother, Tarble, arrives to ask for help in defeating Avo & Cado, two of Freeza's former henchmen that have been terrorizing his planet. Do the heroes of Earth stand a chance against such mighty foes?!

Episode of Bardock (エピソードオブバーダック / Episōdo Obu Baadakku) Premiered: 17 December 2011 ("Jump Festa 2012") As Freeza destroys Planet Vegeta, Bardock is engulfed and killed in the attack and explosion... or is he? Bardock awakes in what appears to be the past on "Planet Plant", and faces off against a new foe named Chilled, who seems to be related to Freeza in some way. Will Bardock be able to save the planet and his new friends, and will he truly, finally become... a Super Saiyan?!

Video Game Features

Gather Together! Goku World (あつまれ!!悟空ワールド / Atsumare! Gokū Wārudo) Released: 1992 ("Terebikko" Interactive Feature) Join Goku and the others for an interactive telephone-and-video special feature where you travel into the past to see special events and fights from an all-new perspective. Can you answer all of the quiz questions correctly, and guide Goku into his final battle against Cell?

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Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (サイヤ人絶滅計画 / Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku) Released: August 1993 ("Official Visual Guide" Side-Story) The Earth is under attack by the evil Tsufruian, Dr. Raichi, and his Destron Gas. Goku and the others are forced to do battle against "Ghost Warriors" of past villains, all the while destroying the gas machines and protecting life on their home planet. Goku and the others take off into space to find Dr. Raichi, but the true villain appears to be Hatchihyack, a machine that has collected all of the spite against the Saiyans and brought it together into a formidable enemy. Can the heroes work together to destroy the hate-filled machine and save the day yet again?

Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (超サイヤ人絶滅計画 / Sūpā Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku) Released: 02 November 2010 ("Raging Blast 2" Special Feature) Newly produced for the PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 fighting game, Raging Blast 2, this updated remake of the "Official Visual Guide" feature finds Earth under attack from a Tsufruian hellbent on revenge for their deaths at the hands of the Saiyans.

Public Service Videos

Goku's Fire Fighting Regiment
(悟空の消防隊 / Gokū no Shōbō-tai)

Released: June 1988

Don't play with fire kids, it's dangerous! This public service video was released as an educational film to help teach and inform children about fire safety. Always have an escape plan, ask your parents if you don't!

Goku's Traffic Safety
(悟空の交通安全 / Gokū no Kōtsū Anzen)

Released: June 1988

Goku and friends hit the road... and learn how to cross the street? That's right, this public service video was released as an educational film to help teach and inform children of proper traffic safety in Japan.

Live-Action Films

New Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong
(新七龍珠　神龍的傳說 / Xin Qi long zhu　Shen long de chuan shuo)

Released: 1989

The evil Niu Mówáng (Gyūmaō), along with his powerful minions, has set out to gather the Dragon Balls to conquer the world. On their search they soon run into the mysterious Sūn Wù-Kōng (Son Goku), who holds one of the balls they seek. Can Sūn Wù-Kōng and his ragtag group of friends stop Niu Mówáng from reaching his goal?

Dragon Ball: Fight, Son Goku! Win, Son Goku!
(드래곤볼 싸워라 손오공 이겨라 손오공 / Deuraegonbol Ssawora Son Ogong Igyeora Son Ogong)

Released: 12 December 1990

The great Emperor Pilaf is set on world domination, but to do so he must first gather the seven magical Dragon Balls. Unfortunately, he must compete with the unnaturally strong Son Goku and his friends, who are also in search of the Dragon Balls. Who will find all seven first and summon Shenlong to get their wish granted?

Dragon Ball Evolution
(ドラゴンボール　エボリューション / Doragon Bōru Eboryūshon)

Premiered: 11 March 2009 (Japan) / 10 April 2009 (United States)

On his 18th birthday, Goku is sent to collect the seven Dragon Balls in order to save the world from the evil alien Piccolo and his minions. Along the way he meets Bulma, and even the desert bandit Yamcha, who join in his quest. Can Goku and friends stop Piccolo from gathering the Dragon Balls and save the world?