Overview
Dragon Ball is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation, adapted from Akira Toriyama's manga of the same name. It aired from February 1986 to April 1989, spanning 153 episodes. The series follows the adventures of Son Goku, a young boy with superhuman strength, as he searches for the seven magical Dragon Balls alongside his companions. Renowned for its action, comedy, and martial arts themes, Dragon Ball is a foundational shōnen series that spawned a global franchise.
Synopsis
Young Son Goku, a boy with incredible strength and a tail, lives alone in the mountains after the death of his grandfather. He meets Bulma, a city girl searching for the seven legendary Dragon Balls, which when gathered summon a dragon that grants a single wish. Joining forces, they embark on a journey to collect the Dragon Balls, encountering a cast of allies and enemies, including the shapeshifting Oolong, the bandit Yamcha, and the martial arts master Muten Roshi. Along the way, Goku trains in martial arts, participates in the World Martial Arts Tournament, and faces threats like the Red Ribbon Army and the demon king Piccolo. The series blends humor, adventure, and thrilling battles as Goku grows stronger and uncovers the secrets of his origin.
Characters and Voice Actors
Gokuu Son
Main character- Japanese: Barbara Goodson
- Japanese: Jeffrey Watson
- Japanese: Saffron Henderson
- Japanese: Sean Schemmel
- Japanese: Stephanie Nadolny
- Japanese: Zoe Slusar
- Japanese: Andrea Kwan
- Japanese: Dave Bridges
- English: Barbara Goodson
- English: Jeffrey Watson
- English: Saffron Henderson
- English: Sean Schemmel
- English: Stephanie Nadolny
- English: Zoe Slusar
- English: Andrea Kwan
- English: Dave Bridges
Bulma
Main character- Japanese: Wendee Lee
- Japanese: Tiffany Vollmer
- Japanese: Lalainia Lindbjerg
- Japanese: Claudia Thompson
- Japanese: Leda Davies
- English: Wendee Lee
- English: Tiffany Vollmer
- English: Lalainia Lindbjerg
- English: Claudia Thompson
- English: Leda Davies
Kuririn
Main character- Japanese: Sonny Strait
- Japanese: Laurie Steele
- Japanese: Mike Thiessen
- English: Sonny Strait
- English: Laurie Steele
- English: Mike Thiessen
Yamcha
Main character- Japanese: Christopher Sabat
- Japanese: Ted Cole
- Japanese: Darren Pleavin
- Japanese: Scott Evans
- Japanese: Victor Atelevich
- Japanese: Kerrigan Mahan
- English: Christopher Sabat
- English: Ted Cole
- English: Darren Pleavin
- English: Scott Evans
- English: Victor Atelevich
- English: Kerrigan Mahan
Muten Roushi
Main character- Japanese: Mike McFarland
- Japanese: Ian James Corlett
- Japanese: Michael Donovan
- Japanese: Dave Bridges
- Japanese: Dean Galloway
- Japanese: Clifton Wells
- English: Mike McFarland
- English: Ian James Corlett
- English: Michael Donovan
- English: Dave Bridges
- English: Dean Galloway
- English: Clifton Wells
Pu'ar
Supporting character- Japanese: Monika Antonelli
- Japanese: Dave Bridges
- Japanese: Kathy Morse
- Japanese: Cheryl Chase
- Japanese: Chris Simms
- English: Monika Antonelli
- English: Dave Bridges
- English: Kathy Morse
- English: Cheryl Chase
- English: Chris Simms
Piccolo
Supporting character- Japanese: Christopher Sabat
- Japanese: Mike Shepherd
- English: Christopher Sabat
- English: Mike Shepherd
Gyuumaou
Supporting character- Japanese: Kyle Hebert
- Japanese: Dave Pettitt
- Japanese: Dave Ward
- English: Kyle Hebert
- English: Dave Pettitt
- English: Dave Ward
Suno
Supporting character- Japanese: Carol Hope
- Japanese: Susan Huber
- English: Carol Hope
- English: Susan Huber
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan
characterUpa
Supporting character- Japanese: Susan Huber
- Japanese: Brett Bauer
- English: Susan Huber
- English: Brett Bauer
Dr. Slump
characterYajirobe
Supporting character- Japanese: Mike McFarland
- Japanese: Lucas Gilbertson
- English: Mike McFarland
- English: Lucas Gilbertson
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: N-cha! Love Comes From Penguin Village
characterJinzouningen 8-gou
Supporting character- Japanese: Mike McFarland
- Japanese: Jeremiah Yurk
- English: Mike McFarland
- English: Jeremiah Yurk
Bora
Supporting character- Japanese: Dameon Clarke
- Japanese: Lucas Gilbertson
- English: Dameon Clarke
- English: Lucas Gilbertson
Chi-Chi
Supporting character- Japanese: Laura Bailey
- Japanese: Carol-Anne Day
- Japanese: Katie Rowan
- Japanese: Cynthia Cranz
- Japanese: Andrea Kwan
- Japanese: Andrea Libman
- English: Laura Bailey
- English: Carol-Anne Day
- English: Katie Rowan
- English: Cynthia Cranz
- English: Andrea Kwan
- English: Andrea Libman
Briefs Hakase
Supporting character- Japanese: Chris Forbis
- Japanese: Corby Proctor
- English: Chris Forbis
- English: Corby Proctor
Gohan Son
Supporting character- Japanese: Christopher Sabat
- Japanese: Michael Donovan
- English: Christopher Sabat
- English: Michael Donovan
Lunch
Supporting character- Japanese: Meredith McCoy
- Japanese: Onalea Gilbertson
- English: Meredith McCoy
- English: Onalea Gilbertson
Bulma no Mama
Supporting character- Japanese: Cynthia Cranz
- English: Cynthia Cranz
Oolong
Supporting character- Japanese: Bradford Jackson
- Japanese: Dave Mallow
- Japanese: Alec Willows
- Japanese: Corby Proctor
- English: Bradford Jackson
- English: Dave Mallow
- English: Alec Willows
- English: Corby Proctor
Tenkaichi Budokai Announcer
Supporting character- Japanese: Eric Vale
- English: Eric Vale
Baba Uranai
Supporting character- Japanese: Linda Young
- Japanese: Corby Proctor
- English: Linda Young
- English: Corby Proctor
Umigame
Supporting character- Japanese: Christopher Sabat
- Japanese: Dan Woren
- Japanese: Dave Pettitt
- Japanese: Doug Parker
- English: Christopher Sabat
- English: Dan Woren
- English: Dave Pettitt
- English: Doug Parker
Tama
Supporting character- Japanese: Barry Watson
- English: Barry Watson
Akkuman
Supporting character- Japanese: Justin Cook
- English: Justin Cook
Sanzoku Kuma
Supporting character- Japanese: Dameon Clarke
- English: Dameon Clarke
Production and Staff
Production Background
Dragon Ball was produced by Toei Animation and directed by Daisuke Nishio and Minoru Okazaki. The series adapted the first 194 chapters of Akira Toriyama's original manga, with character designs by Minoru Maeda. The music was composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi. The series ran for 153 episodes from 1986 to 1989 and was followed by the sequel Dragon Ball Z.
Franchise Context
Dragon Ball is the inaugural entry in the vast Dragon Ball franchise, which includes the direct sequel Dragon Ball Z, the revamped Dragon Ball Kai, multiple feature films, and spin-offs such as Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super. The series also shares character crossovers with Toriyama's earlier work Dr. Slump. As the starting point, Dragon Ball establishes the world, characters, and core concepts that define the franchise, including the Dragon Balls, martial arts tournaments, and the Saiyan race's origins.
Watch Order
Dragon Ball is the first anime in the main timeline. After completing the 153 episodes, proceed to Dragon Ball Z (or its condensed version Dragon Ball Z Kai) to continue the story. The four Dragon Ball movies (Curse of the Blood Rubies, Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle, Mystical Adventure, and The Path to Power) are alternative retellings of arcs from the series and can be watched any time after the related episodes. The manga by Akira Toriyama is the original source material and covers the same story.
Community Verdict
Quick reader and viewer signals from the Volluble community.
Would you recommend this to a first-time anime viewer?
Did the ending satisfy you?
Would you watch it again?
Related Titles
Sources
0 Comments
Be the first to comment.