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 Dragon Ball Z follows the exploits of Goku, a powerful Super-Saiyan warrior originally sent to destroy Earth. Goku forgets his true purpose and instead becomes Earth's defender. The story begins as Goku's brother Raditz arrives to finish his job, setting in motion a chain of events that will involve every great warrior on two planets and almost destroy the universe.
Other defenders of Earth include: Goku's one–time enemy Piccolo, a warrior from the planet ‘Namek’; Vegeta (another Super–Saiyan); and Goku's son Gohan, perhaps the most powerful warrior of all.
The name of the series, Dragon Ball Z, refers to the seven mystical balls that when brought together give the possessor the power to summon the Eternal Dragon. Once the Dragon arrives, whoever brought the balls together is granted one wish — any wish within the Dragon's power. Once this wish is granted, the balls are scattered to the corners of the planet to be gathered up once more. Goku spends much of his time keeping the balls from getting into the wrong hands. As the world's strongest warrior, he is destined to protect our world, and frequently risks his life to do just that. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Goku is the hero of Dragon Ball Z, a good-natured and trusting soul. He is also the most powerful warrior on Earth and the first Super Saiyan in over 1,000 years. Having honed his skills and strengthened his spirit to a level never achieved by any being on Earth, Goku is able to fly, shoot energy beams from his hands, move at incredible speeds and, in a pinch, power up to a fighting level so high it creates an energy aura around his body. Goku hasn't learned these skills just for fun: his life is forced down this path as he battles the evil Saiyans in the final battle to save Earth.
When the Saiyans arrive it is a total shock in more ways than one. Not only does Goku meet his deadliest foe ever but he learns the mysterious secret of his own past: he is a Saiyan formerly named Kakarot who was sent to destroy Earth. Goku's destiny is altered, however, when he is discovered in the wilds as an infant and raised by a peaceful wise man. A near-fatal head injury scrambles Goku's programming. Instead of growing up to become a destructive super-warrior, he becomes innocent and pure of heart, fighting only for good.
Goku is very protective of his family and friends and is always there to help them. If he has a weakness, it is his trusting nature. Goku is always looking for the good in people and can often find it where others do not. This costs him dearly when be believes that the Saiyan named Raditz has turned away from evil. Goku later pays the ultimate sacrifice to rid the Earth of Raditz. Fortunately for our hero and for Earth, it's not the end of Goku. He is taken to the Upper World to train under King Kai in preparation for the coming of two even stronger Saiyans. The Dragon Balls will summon him when the Saiyans approach Earth.
Goku has many powerful fighting techniques including the powerful Kamehameha wave and the Kaio-Ken, which he learns from King Kai. His most powerful weapon is an immensely powerful energy ball. This ball can only be used once and must be guided carefully, for it can destroy the planet if used inappropriately.
Gohan is Goku and Chi-Chi's four-year-old son, who was named after his adoptive grandfather. Physically, he resembles a young Goku, right down to his tail and his propensity to become a raging Giant Monkey when he looks at a full moon. Spiritually, he is good and pure of heart.
Because of his protective mother, Gohan begins life as something of a wimp, but when the Earth is threatened, he reveals his tremendous potential as a fighter. Soon Gohan is forced into training in preparation for the eminent arrival of the evil Saiyans. As a result, he becomes a formidable fighter in his own right under the guidance of Piccolo (the former archenemy of Gohan's father, Goku).
Gohan first masters survival training. He is abandoned for six months in the wilderness, where he must battle hunger, scorpions, saber tooth tigers and dinosaurs, among other things. Next comes intense fighting against Piccolo to train Gohan in the art of war. His mission: "to kill the Saiyans and save Earth”. Gohan learns many lessons under Piccolo, such as "don't see the enemy, feel him”. Their special bond results in Piccolo stepping in front of Nappa's mighty blast to save Gohan's life.
Once Goku's arch enemy, Piccolo is the second strongest being on Earth. He wears an extremely heavy cape that constantly trains his muscles. He is renowned for his powerful energy blasts as well as his ability to split into separate entities. Green like a lizard, Piccolo has the ability to regenerate limbs lost in battle, a capability that comes in handy more than once.
Originally from the faraway planet (although Piccolo doesn't know this for a long time), Piccolo begins battling Goku to rule the world. When the Saiyans arrive, however, Piccolo joins forces with Goku to defeat a greater evil. At first their alliance is uneasy, but as the story progresses their bond grows stronger. Piccolo trains Goku's son, Gohan, for the upcoming battle against the Saiyans. Piccolo is unsure of his own motivations in assisting his one time enemy and helping to raise his son. Gohan sees the good within Piccolo and their relationship brings this good out in him.
As a young boy, Krillin studied martial arts with Goku under Master Roshi. Originally he and Goku were fierce rivals, but now they've become the best of friends.
Krillin realises that the Power of Light is very strong within Goku and holds him in very high respect. A short, bald warrior, Krillin provides comic relief in tense situations as he tries to keep up with Goku and the other powerful warriors. But don't get the idea that he's a helpless buffoon. A good fighter on his own accord, Krillin is always there to help Goku. He has saved the lives of his friends on more than one occasion. In fact, Krillin can unleash an incredibly powerful energy blast shaped like a flying disk that literally slices through mountaintops.
Krillin is incredibly dedicated to his friends, especially Goku, and holds friendship in high regard. He is willing to fight against the Saibaimen and Saiyans even though he knows that he can never be brought back to life by the Dragon Balls. Goku constantly encourages Krillin to have confidence in his own abilities. For an Earthling, Krillin learns to become a remarkable fighter.
Bulma was once a mixed-up teenager with blue hair, a pink outfit and a personality quirk that wouldn't allow her to stop talking for a second. She was immature, emotional, self-centred, impatient, argumentative, boy-crazy and given to fits of hysterics. Now she's blossomed into a mixed-up woman. She may have a new hairstyle and outfit, but she still has that same personality quirk. For that matter, she's also still emotional, self-centred, impatient, argumentative and given to fits of hysterics. Fortunately, she's also incredibly talented and determined. She will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, and she won't let anything stand in her way - not mountains, not alien invaders, not even pride.
As a mechanical genius who can operate and fix anything, Bulma is very important to the team. She discovers the capabilities of the Saiyan Scouter and enhances it for their use. It enables her to save the day more than once for the rest of our heroes. Still, the team concept doesn't always sink in and her independence sometimes flies in the face of her friends' aspirations to work together.
A white skinned red checked little being who is a master of telepathy.
Lone survivor of the planet Namek, Dende was rescued by Krillin and Gohan.
A three-eyed man intent on training to be strong. Originally trained by the other side he switched and became a Z fighter for the challenge.
The son of Bulma and Vegeta, Trunks is a visitor from a very dark future. In Trunks' timeline, Goku contracts a fatal heart disease just when Earth needs to be saved from a terrible fate. Trunks time travels in order to prevent this tragedy, but is drawn into battle before he can warn Goku. Turning Super Saiyan, Trunks first defeats Frieza, and then crushes King Cold. Proving that he is one of the most powerful fighters in the universe, Trunks explains Earth's danger and administers Goku's medicine. Having accomplished his mission, Trunks returns to the future. Trunks later returns to help the Z Warriors battle the Androids.
Along time friend and ally of Goku, though he was once a notorious bandit. He is sometimes accompanied by Paur, his devoted cat companion.
Vegeta is the most powerful and feared of all the Saiyans. He bears the name of the planet from which he hails. Cunning, ruthless and cruel in battle, he enjoys toying with those helpless creatures who dare oppose him. He is a "Super Elitist," the highest class of Saiyans, and believes he and Nappa can conquer Earth in three days.
As the mightiest Saiyan warrior, Vegeta has no tolerance for failure. In fact, he has eliminated his own men for showing weakness.
Like all Saiyans who still possess their tails, Vegeta metamorphoses into a Giant Monkey when he sees the full moon, increasing his strength tenfold. This is when a Saiyan is at his fullest potential.
Physically smaller than Goku, Vegeta has wild black hair that is pushed back by a receding hairline. Nevertheless, he can power up to unbelievable levels and destroy entire planets.
When he gathers all the Dragonballs his wish is simple: immortality.
Freiza is probably one of the three most important villains during all of the DBZ series; Freiza is an alien bent on controlling the entire universe, and wanted to make himself immortal using the Dragon Balls. He is also the leader of a large fighting squadron.
Cell is Dr. Gero's "Ultimate Artificial Human." He is completely organic, made up of the cells of Goku, Vegita, Piccolo, and Freiza, all collected during their various battles on Earth by a spy robot. He has a long tail with which he can absorb humans and take their energy.
Raditz is the first villain to appear in the second series. He is Goku's older brother, and travelled to Earth to see whether or not his brother Kakarott had conquered the planet.
The evil scientific genius and creator of the Androids. Android #20 is actually Dr. Gero’s himself.
Evil scientist Dr. Gero created the Androids for his own nefarious purposes. In an attempt to defeat the Z Warriors and destroy the Earth, Dr. Gero even goes so far as to turn himself into an Android.
Big and powerful, Android 16 prefers to let his muscles do the talking for him. Android 16 joins 18 in the fight against Cell.
Android 17 is a dark-haired youth with a major attitude problem. He later contributes to the threat against Earth that forces Trunks to travel back in time.
Android 17's "sister," the beautiful Android 18 has a real mean streak, but she does help our heroes make a final stand against the power-hungry Cell.
The first Android to arrive on Earth, Android 19 is a clever, overweight warrior with a love for exotic weapons.
In an attempt to become more powerful than ever, Dr. Gero commands Android 19 to turn him into Android 20. As an Android, Dr. Gero lets nothing get in his way.
Cell.
These are two of Freezers top two henchmen. Dodoria is a fat, pink spiky-headed alien.
He is a massive monster with evil ambitions. He is Frieza’s father and simillar to Frieza in many ways.
A fellow wariior and Saiyan with Vegeta. Nappa comes to Earth with Vegita to destroy it.
A small guy who is both evil and intelligent. He resembles a blue dwarf with big pointed ears and has devilish plans to take over the universe. He can and does transform into a large monstrous tyrant.
- Dragonball is inspired from an old Chinese legend – Son Goku is the King of the Monkeys. Dragon Ball Z is inspired from Superman – the saga of the Trunks and the Cyborgs are from Terminator.
- The first volume taken from the Dragon Ball cartoon was first published in September 1985. Today there are 42 volumes of 200 pages each – still under the name of Dragon Ball.
- A: Super Saiya-jin is a form reached by Saiya-jins (Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Goten, Trunks) when they become very powerful.
- Super Saiya-jin 1: In this stage the saiya-jin changes almost completely. His eyes change to green or blue and get a little bigger. Then his hair turns blonde and spikes up. He also gets a lot stronger.
- Super Saiya-jin 2: In this stage few changes occur. His hair grows a little longer and it remains blonde. His eyebrows grow get a little smaller. He gets stronger.
- Super Saiya-jin 3: In this stage a big change occurs. His hair is extremely long but still blonde. He has no eyebrows, they're gone. He gets very strong. You can see muscles every where.
- Super Saiya-jin 4: A very big change occurs. He grows hair every where but it's not gold, it's black. He grows his tail back. His eyes look evil looking. He looks more like a half monkey half Saiya-jin. This stage first comes in DBGT and is said not to be a true Super Saiya-jin stage.
When a Saiya-jin turns into a Super Saiya-jin his hair turns blonde.
Toei Animation created the animated designs. Dragonball was first shown on the Japanese channel Fuji TV on 26th February 1986.
The Dragonball Z series followed on Fuji TV in April 1989. 291 episodes and 24 minute formats were created. The fact that the manga had finished its run while the TV series was running made the series even more popular, so much so that Toei Animation decided to create a new series – Dragonball GT in 1997. 64 episodes were then made for TV.
Akira Toryama, the author of Dragonball Z was born in April 1955 in Nagoya, Japan. He studied Advertising Design but in 1977 he decided to become a Manga designer. He started working for Shueisha, the biggest Japanese publisher who went on to publish his first work (Wonder Island) in 1978 in a weekly review called Shonen Weekly Jump (5 million copies sold).
In January 1980, Akira had his first great success under the name of “Doctor Slump and Arale”. This manga would be published in 18 issues and made into 243 TV episodes and 10 films. In 1997, he re-created a colour, cartoon version which would go on to become a new TV series. Before getting to the final version of Dragon Ball he created a number of short stories, then in June 1983 a short story featuring Dragon Boy came to life – this was to be the base of the future Dragon Ball.
Akira has also created successful video games, such as Dragonwest and Tobali. It was in November 1984 in issue 51 of Shonen Weekly Jump that he had Dragon Ball published for the first time.
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