Overview
Dragon Ball is a multimedia franchise represented in Volluble by 59 connected works across 7 media categories. This hub organizes the franchise by release chronology and gives newcomers a clear starting point.
Synopsis
Dragon Ball follows Son Goku, a cheerful, impossibly strong boy with a monkey tail who lives alone in the mountains until he meets Bulma, a brilliant inventor hunting the seven Dragon Balls—mystical orbs that summon a dragon able to grant a single wish. Their search draws in a growing circle of allies and rivals, including the desert bandit Yamcha, the monk Krillin, and eventually Goku's mentor-turned-ally Piccolo, as Goku hones his martial arts in world tournaments.
As Goku grows up, the stakes widen from treasure hunts and tournaments to the defense of Earth itself. He discovers his Saiyan heritage, confronts galactic tyrants, androids, and gods of destruction, and the story shifts from earthly adventure toward cosmic-scale battles across Dragon Ball Z, GT, Super, and DAIMA.
Across manga, anime, films, and specials, the franchise keeps expanding—new transformations, new generations of fighters such as Gohan and Trunks, and alternate tellings—while staying centered on Goku's relentless drive to grow stronger and protect the people he loves.
Anime, Manga & Related Material
Browse the connected catalog from the earliest release forward, newest first, or alphabetically.
Where Should You Start?
Volluble Recommended Start
Start with Dragon Ball. It gives newcomers a practical first look before committing to the wider franchise.
Source-Material Route
If you prefer the original source, begin with Dragon Ball and follow the source-material branch from there.
Core Franchise Path
- MangaDragon Ball1984 · Manga · 520 chapters
- AnimeDragon Ball1986 · Anime · 153 episodes
- AnimeDragon Ball Z1989 · Anime · 291 episodes
- SpecialDragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks1993 · Special · 1 episodes
- AnimeDragon Ball GT1996 · Anime · 64 episodes
- SpecialDragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy1997 · Special · 1 episodes
- AnimeDragon Ball Z Kai2009 · Anime · 97 episodes
- SpecialDragon Ball Z Kai: Peace for the Future! The Spirit of Goku is Forever2011 · Special · 1 episodes
- MovieDragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods2013 · Movie · 1 episodes
- MangaJaco the Galactic Patrolman2013 · Manga · 12 chapters
- MangaDragon Ball Minus: The Departure of the Fated Child2014 · Manga · 1 chapters
- AnimeDragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters2014 · Anime · 69 episodes
Volluble Test Drive
Use the recommended starting point above. If its characters, world and pacing click with you, continue into the core path or move to the source material for more detail.
Should You Get Into It?
Try it if you enjoy…
- A large catalog gives you multiple ways into Dragon Ball, from core series to movies and side material.
- The franchise can be explored chronologically or by following only the core continuity.
- Anime-first viewers can sample the recommended start before deciding whether to move into the source material.
It may not suit you if…
- A large franchise can make watch order and continuity choices confusing at first.
- Alternate versions, recuts, movies and side stories may overlap with the core story.
- Completion can require a significant time commitment if you choose to explore every connected work.
Franchise Background
Dragon Ball traces its Volluble catalog back to Dragon Ball (1984). The catalog above separates core works, adaptations, alternate versions, movies, specials and other connected material so the release history remains understandable as the franchise grows.
Join the Dragon Ball Community
Discussion groups, polls, reviews and fan activity will plug into this franchise hub through Centropy Community.
Editorial Notes
Release details and franchise relationships are maintained as structured records and can be reviewed or corrected by Volluble editors.