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!
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) ?/??
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
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)
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.
