Screen Rant

Dragon Ball

From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s.

Dragon Ball Franchise Image
Created by
Akira Toriyama
First TV Show
Dragon Ball
Latest TV Show
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
First Episode Air Date
April 26, 1989

Latest Episode
2019-10-05
Cast
Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
Current Series
Dragon Ball Super
Video Game(s)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

latest

Chi-Chi holding Goku's arm at their wedding during Dragon Ball.
Bulma and Vegeta May Be Cute, But Dragon Ball's Best Relationship Clearly Belongs to Goku and Chi-Chi

Dragon Ball boasts one of the best couples in anime with Bulma and Vegeta, though one of its other couples is secretly the series' best.

Beast Gohan on the left, Ultra Ego Vegeta standing in the center and Ultra Instinct Goku on the right
Dragon Ball: Every Z Fighter Ranked From Weakest to Strongest

The Z Fighters have always been some of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball, but their standings have changed significantly over the years.

9
Feature header for some of Dragon Ball's best fights
Dragon Ball: Ranking the Best Fights From Each Anime Series

Few anime have ever come close to matching Dragon Ball's amazing fights, and here are the fights that are easily the best of the bunch.

2
Goku giving a thumbs up next a manga  of Goku and Vegeta preparing for a fight.
7 Times the Dragon Ball Anime Did Things WAY Better Than the Manga

Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime and manga series ever, and though its source material is celebrated, the anime did some things better.

1
Why Didn't Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta Show Up in Dragon Ball Super The Answer Has Been Staring Us In the Face for Years
Why Didn't Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta Show Up in Dragon Ball Super? The Answer Has Been Staring Us In the Face for Years

Dragon Ball DAIMA is the latest installment in the Dragon Ball franchise, but why didn't one of its biggest introductions appear in Dragon Ball Super?

17
Goku and Vegeta's sons sured them.
After 36 Years, Dragon Ball Reveals Akira Toriyama's Designs For the Original Saiyans, and They're Unrecognizable

The Saiyans have become an absolutely iconic part of Dragon Ball history, but their original designs were very different.

14
Majin Buu looking angry on a yellow background.
Dragon Ball Daima Introduced a Major Majin Buu Retcon, and Ruined My Favorite Part of the Character

Daima made a radical change to the origins of Majin Buu, and the nature of the retcon absolutely ruined part of what made Buu a fascinating villain.

2
Goku with an energy field around him.
Dragon Ball Is the Definition of Unserious, And That's Exactly Why It's The Coolest Anime Ever

Part of what makes Dragon Ball the classic that it has become is that it has never taken itself too seriously, something that's cemented its coolness.

Dragon Ball - Gohan and Goku in Buu Arc
Dragon Ball Fans May Not Like It, But Goku Taking Over For Gohan During the Buu Arc Made Perfect Sense

Some fans were disappointed that Dragon Ball didn't fully spotlight Gohan during the Buu Saga, but bringing back Goku was ultimately the best decision

9
King Vegeta as he appears in Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
1 Dragon Ball Super Saiyan Retcon Completely Redefines the Original Anime's' Biggest Tragedy

King Vegeta's pride led him to make a short-sighted decision that ultimately cost him the best chance he ever had at defeating Frieza.

Gohan in Beast Form during the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie.
Gohan Is the Most Powerful Saiyan in Dragon Ball, But the Series Still Hasn't Realized Part of His True Potential

Gohan is one of the most underutilized characters in all of Dragon Ball, but there's a surprisingly easy way for the series to give him his due.

33
Dragon Ball - Goku and Vegeta looking scared
Yes, the Anime Studio Behind Dragon Ball Wants to Use More AI, But It's Not the Only One

AI is becoming more involved in the production of anime, and now the studio behind Dragon Ball is planning to use it, and they're not the only one.

Goku Ultra Instinct
How Strong Is Dragon Ball's Goku? We Did the Math and Can't Quite Believe the Answer

Goku is among anime's most powerful heroes, but how strong is he truly? The answer is beyond impressive.

5
Goku in a fighting stance while holding his power pole from Dragon Ball.
Missing OG Dragon Ball? Then You Need to Binge These 10/10 Anime on Netflix ASAP

Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime franchises ever, and there aren't many like it, but these Netflix shows will scratch the same itch.

Vegeta stands silently in the rain
Éric Legrand, 1 of Vegeta's Most Beloved Voice Actors, Has Died

Éric Legrand, the voice of Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z in the French dubbing, has ed away at the age of 66 on May 19, 2025

Dragon Ball Super hints that Goku's father Bardock actually achieved Ultra Instinct before Goku did in chapter 85.
Dragon Ball Fans Really Love Bardock, But the Saiyan's Popularity Hurts the Best Thing About Goku

Bardock is one of Dragon Ball's most popular characters, but his return ultimately went against everything that makes Goku the character he is.

1
Goku standing in his Super Saiyan 3 form while looking at the viewer. Behind him a background of sapce with broken glass at the sides can be seen.
Super Saiyan 3 Is Dragon Ball's Worst Form, But That's What Makes It So Genius

Super Saiyan 3 might not be as iconic, but the transformation still holds a special meaning in the Dragon Ball universe.

Collage image featuring Dragon Ball Z's Buuhan on the left and a smiling Majin Buu on the right.
It's True, There's More to Majin Buu's Forms Than Dragon Ball Z Fans Realize

Majin Buu is one of anime's most iconic villains, but Dragon Ball has never exactly been clear about the differences in his many forms.

Dragon Ball - Porunga and Shenron
Dragon Ball: Every Eternal Dragon, Ranked From Weakest to Strongest

Dragon Ball is known for its wish-granting dragons, from Shenron to Daima's Porunga, but their limitations and differing strengths set them apart.

2
One Piece - Luffy looking shocked
After Drawing Ire With New AI Plans, Toei Animation Is Breaking Its Silence On the Controversy

Toei Animation recently announced a major investment in AI technology, and after backlash from fans, have clarified its potential use in their anime.

3
See More