View source for Dragon Ball (TV series)

{{Short description|Japanese anime television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
|name            = Dragon Ball
<!--|the logo or title card does not need a caption -->
|ja_kanji        = ドラゴンボール
|ja_romaji       = Doragon Bōru
|image           = Dragon Ball anime logo.png
|caption         = <!-- Per Infobox television, an image of the logo or title card does not need a caption -->
|genre           = {{ubl|[[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]<ref name="Funimation">{{cite web|title=Dragon Ball|url=https://www.funimation.com/shows/dragon-ball/|publisher=[[Funimation]]|access-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813080222/https://www.funimation.com/shows/dragon-ball/|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Fantasy comedy]]<ref name="Funimation"/>|[[Martial arts film|Martial arts]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dragon Ball, Vol. 1|url=http://www.viz.com/read/manga/dragon-ball-volume-1/product/104/digital|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=August 12, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812224045/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/dragon-ball-volume-1/product/104/digital|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
|type            = tv series
|director        = {{ubl|Minoru Okazaki|[[Daisuke Nishio]]}}
|producer        = {{ubl|[[Tokizō Tsuchiya]]|Kenji Shimizu|Jun'ichi Ishikawa}}
|writer          = {{ubl|[[Toshiki Inoue]]|[[Takao Koyama]]}}
|music           = [[Shunsuke Kikuchi]]
|studio          = [[Toei Animation]]
|licensee        = [[Crunchyroll]]{{efn|In North America through [[Crunchyroll, LLC]] (formerly known as [[Funimation]]), in the United Kingdom through [[Crunchyroll UK and Ireland]] (formerly known as [[Manga Entertainment]]) and in Australia through [[Madman Anime]].}}
|network         = [[Fuji Network System|FNS]] ([[Fuji TV]])
|network_en      = {{English anime network
|AUS = [[Cartoon Network (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)|Cartoon Network]]
|BI  = [[Cartoon Network (British and Irish TV channel)|Cartoon Network]], [[CNX (TV channel)|CNX]], [[Toonami (British and Irish TV channel)|Toonami]]
|HK  = [[TVB Pearl]]
|IN  = [[Cartoon Network (Indian TV channel)|Cartoon Network]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=Dragon Ball and My Hero Academia Are Anime Cornerstones for Cartoon Network India |url=https://in.ign.com/my-hero-academia/193822/interview/dragon-ball-and-my-hero-academia-are-anime-cornerstones-for-cartoon-network-india |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=IGN India |language=en-in}}</ref>
|PH  = [[GMA Network|GMA]]
|US  = [[Broadcast syndication#First-run syndication in the U.S.|First-run syndication]], [[Cartoon Network]] ([[Toonami]]), [[Toku (TV network)|Funimation Channel]]
}}
|first           = February 26, 1986
|last            = April 19, 1989
|episodes        = 153
|episode_list    = List of Dragon Ball episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
|title           = Media franchise
|content         = 
* [[Dragon Ball (manga)|''Dragon Ball'' (manga)]]
* [[List of Dragon Ball anime#TV series|List of all ''Dragon Ball'' series]]
* [[List of Dragon Ball films|List of all ''Dragon Ball'' films]]
* [[List of Dragon Ball video games|List of all ''Dragon Ball'' video games]]
* [[List of Dragon Ball soundtracks|List of all ''Dragon Ball'' soundtracks]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

{{nihongo|'''''Dragon Ball'''''|ドラゴンボール|Doragon Bōru|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[anime]] television series produced by [[Toei Animation]] that ran for 153 episodes from February 26, 1986, to April 19, 1989, on [[Fuji TV]].<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:アニメ様365日 第306回『DRAGON BALL』|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/365/365_306.shtml|website={{ill|Web Anime Style|ja|アニメスタイル}}|publisher=Studio You|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218120257/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/365/365_306.shtml|archive-date=February 18, 2010|date=February 15, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|script-title=ja:『ドラゴンボール』歴代主題歌を収録したテレビアニメ放送30周年記念“神”アルバムの収録曲全38曲を公開！|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201602/11099161.html|publisher=[[Nippon Columbia]]|via=[[Famitsu]]|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212083151/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201602/11099161.html|archive-date=February 12, 2016|language=ja|date=February 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:ドラゴンボール|url=https://lineup.toei-anim.co.jp/ja/tv/dragon/|publisher=[[Toei Animation]]|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104161851/https://lineup.toei-anim.co.jp/ja/tv/dragon/|archive-date=November 4, 2023|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref> The series is an adaptation of the first 194 chapters of the [[manga]] [[Dragon Ball (manga)|series of the same name]] created by [[Akira Toriyama]], which were published in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' from 1984 to 1995. It was broadcast in 81{{nbsp}}countries worldwide and is the first television series adaptation in the [[Dragon Ball|''Dragon Ball'' franchise]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Erickson|first=Hal|title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003|date=2005|edition=2nd|publisher=McFarland & Co|isbn=978-1476665993|pages=283–285}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|script-title=ja:深夜アニメの製作資金は約3億円…儲ける仕組みや製作委員会の構造とは 今こそ知っておきたいアニメビジネスの特徴を取材|url=https://gamebiz.jp/?p=163467|access-date=January 24, 2019|work=Social Game Info|date=June 17, 2016|language=ja|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903173320/https://gamebiz.jp/?p=163467|url-status=live}}</ref> The series follows the adventures of [[Goku]], a young [[Eccentricity (behavior)|eccentric]] boy with a monkey tail and exceptional strength who has a passion for fighting and battling evil-doers.

Film adaptations include: ''[[Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies]]'' (1986), ''[[Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle]]'' (1987), and ''[[Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure]]'' (1988). The series was followed by a sequel, ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]'', which had its own follow-ups with ''[[Dragon Ball GT]]'', ''[[Dragon Ball Super]]'', and ''[[Dragon Ball Daima]]''. The English dubbed version of the original ''Dragon Ball'' series released in the United States was edited for content and dialogue.

==Plot==
{{see also|List of Dragon Ball episodes{{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' episodes}}

=== Emperor Pilaf Saga ===
The series begins with a young monkey-tailed boy named [[Goku]] who lives alone in a forest befriending a teenage girl named [[Bulma]], who is in search of the seven mystical {{nihongo|Dragon Balls|ドラゴンボール}}, one of which is in Goku's possession. Together, they go on an adventure to find the balls, which summon the eternal dragon [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Shenron|Shenron]] and grants whoever summons him any wish. The journey leads Goku to meeting [[Master Roshi]] and a confrontation with the shape-shifting pig [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Oolong|Oolong]], as well as a desert bandit named [[Yamcha]] and his companion [[Pu'ar]], and the Ox-King, who all later become allies; [[Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball)|Chi-Chi]], whom Goku unknowingly agrees to marry; and [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Pilaf|Emperor Pilaf]], a blue-skinned imp who seeks the Dragon Balls to fulfill his desire for [[world domination]]. Oolong stops Pilaf from getting his wish by wishing for a pair of perfect [[panties]]. After each wish, all the Dragon Balls are scattered all over the world and take one full year to take on their distinctive appearance.

=== World Martial Arts Tournament Saga ===
After finding the Dragon Balls and using them, Goku undergoes rigorous training under world renowned martial artist [[Master Roshi]] in order to fight in the {{nihongo|World Martial Arts Tournament|天下一武道会|"Tenkaichi Budōkai"}}, a competitive fighting tournament that attracts fighters from all around the world. A monk named [[Krillin]] becomes Goku's training partner and rival, but they quickly become best friends. After training with Master Roshi for a few months, Goku and Krillin start in the tournament, which is held every five years. They battle through with various opponents and Yamcha fights a mysterious man named Jackie Chun, who looks and fights oddly similar to Master Roshi. As the tournament continues, Goku and Jackie Chun are the final fighters, and after hours of battle, Jackie Chun realizes Goku is mimicking all of his moves. Recognizing that Goku is shorter, he lunges a flying kick at Goku. Knowing that Goku will do one right back, Jackie Chun's longer leg can reliably reach Goku and knock him out, defeating him.

=== Red Ribbon Army Saga ===
After the tournament, Goku sets out on his own to recover the Dragon Ball his deceased grandfather left him and encounters a terrorist organization known as the [[Red Ribbon Army]], whose diminutive leader, Commander Red, wants to collect the Dragon Balls so he can use them to become taller. Goku mostly single-handedly defeats the entire group, including [[Taopaipai|Mercenary Tao]], a feared assassin the Red Ribbon hired; whom Goku originally loses to, but after training under the [[hermit]] [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Karin|Korin]], easily beats. After defeating Tao, Goku sets his sights on the [[Red Ribbon Army]] headquarters, where he plans to take the two Dragon Balls in the army's possession. After defeating the [[Red Ribbon Army]], Goku reunites with his friends and they go to [[Uranai Baba|Fortuneteller Baba]] to locate the last remaining Dragon Ball in order to resurrect Upa's father, who was defeated by Tao, but they have to defeat all five of Baba's fighters first. After defeating Baba's fighters and finding the last Dragon Ball, Goku resurrects Upa's father, Bora, and sets out on his own to train for three years.

=== King Piccolo Saga ===
Goku and his friends reunite at the World Martial Arts Tournament three years later and meet Master Roshi's rival and Tao's brother, Master Shen, and his students [[Tien Shinhan]] and [[Chaozu|Chiaotzu]], who vow to exact revenge for Tao's apparent death at the hands of Goku. Krillin is murdered after the tournament and Goku tracks down and is defeated by his killer, Tambourine, and the evil [[Piccolo Daimao|King Piccolo]], who was freed by Emperor Pilaf after being sealed away by Master Mutaito for destroying and trying to take over the world. Goku meets the overweight samurai [[Yajirobe]], who takes Goku to Korin after being defeated by King Piccolo and receives healing and a power boost. Meanwhile, King Piccolo kills both Master Roshi and Chiaotzu, and uses the Dragon Balls to give himself eternal youth before destroying Shenron, which results in the Dragon Balls' destruction. As King Piccolo prepares to destroy West City as a show of force, Tien Shinhan arrives to confront him, but is defeated and nearly killed by one of Piccolo's spawns. Goku arrives in time to save Tien and then kills King Piccolo by blasting a hole through his chest with the Great Ape Fist.

=== Piccolo Junior Saga ===
Just before King Piccolo dies, he spawns his son, [[Piccolo (Dragon Ball)|Piccolo Junior]]. Korin informs Goku that [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Kami|Kami]], the creator of the Dragon Balls, might be able to restore Shenron and the Dragon Balls so that Goku can wish his fallen friends back to life, which he does. He also stays and trains under Kami for the next three years, now-adult Goku once again reuniting with his friends for the World Martial Arts Tournament, as well as a now-adult Chi-Chi and a revived cyborg Mercenary Tao. Piccolo Junior enters the tournament to avenge his father's death, leading to the final battle to death between him and Goku. After Goku narrowly wins and defeats Piccolo Junior, he leaves with Chi-Chi and they get married, leading to the events of ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''.

==Production==
{{listen|filename = Hiroki Takahashi - Makafushigi Adventure!.ogg|title = "Makafushigi Adventure!"|type = music|description = Sample of "Makafushigi Adventure!" performed by Hiroki Takahashi, the opening theme song for the show.}}

[[Kazuhiko Torishima]], Toriyama's editor for ''[[Dr. Slump]]'' and the first half of ''Dragon Ball'', said that because the ''Dr. Slump'' anime was not successful in his opinion, he and [[Shueisha]] were a lot more hands on for the ''Dragon Ball'' anime. Before production even began, they created a huge "bible" for the series detailing even merchandise. He himself studied the best way to present anime and its business side, discussing it with the [[Shogakukan]] team for ''[[Doraemon]]''.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/10/15/kazuhiko-torishima-on-shaping-the-success-of-dragon-ball-and-the-origins-of-dragon-quest/#1b1b1ac8d9ab|title=Kazuhiko Torishima On Shaping The Success Of 'Dragon Ball' And The Origins Of 'Dragon Quest'|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=2016-10-15|access-date=2016-10-23|archive-date=October 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017001412/http://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/10/15/kazuhiko-torishima-on-shaping-the-success-of-dragon-ball-and-the-origins-of-dragon-quest/#1b1b1ac8d9ab|url-status=live}}</ref>

Toriyama had some involvement in the production of the anime. When it began he did mention to the staff that they seemed to be making it too colorful by forcing the color palette of ''Dr. Slump'' on it.<ref name="GokuDensetsu">{{cite book|title=DRAGON BALL Z 孫悟空伝説|trans-title=Son Goku Densetsu|language=ja|publisher=Shueisha|year=2003|pages=90–102|isbn=978-4-08-873546-7}}</ref> He also listened to the voice actors' audition tapes before choosing [[Masako Nozawa]] to play Goku. He would go on to state that he would hear Nozawa's voice in his head when writing the manga.<ref name="Animation1">{{cite book|title=DRAGON BALL 大全集 3 TV ANIMATION PART 1|year=1995|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|pages=202–207|isbn=4-08-782753-4}}</ref> Toriyama specified Kuririn's voice actress be [[Mayumi Tanaka]] after hearing her work as the main character Giovanni in ''[[Night on the Galactic Railroad (film)|Night on the Galactic Railroad]]''.<ref name="Animation1"/> [[Tōru Furuya]] remarked that there were not many auditions for the characters because the cast was made up of veteran voice actors.<ref name="Animation3">{{cite book|title=DRAGON BALL 大全集 補巻 TV ANIMATION PART 3|year=1996|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|pages=107–113|isbn=4-08-102019-1}}</ref> Performing the roles was not without its difficulties, [[Toshio Furukawa]], the voice of Piccolo, said it was difficult to constantly perform with a low voice because his normal lighter voice would break through if he broke concentration.<ref name="Animation3"/>

[[Shunsuke Kikuchi]] composed the score for ''Dragon Ball''. The opening theme song for all of the episodes is {{nihongo|"[[Makafushigi Adventure!]]"|魔訶不思議アドベンチャー！|Makafushigi Adobenchā!|"Mystical Adventure!"}} performed by Hiroki Takahashi in Japanese and [[Jimi Tunnell]] in English. The ending theme is {{nihongo|"[[Makafushigi Adventure!|Romantic Ageru yo]]"|ロマンティックあげるよ|Romantikku Ageru yo|"I'll Give You Romance"}} performed by Ushio Hashimoto in Japanese and Daphne Gere in English.

Feeling that the ''Dragon Ball'' anime's ratings were gradually declining because it had the same producer that worked on ''Dr. Slump'', who had a "cute and funny" image connected to Toriyama's work and was missing the more serious tone, Torishima asked the studio to change the producer. Impressed with their work on ''[[Saint Seiya]]'', he asked its director Kōzō Morishita and writer [[Takao Koyama]] to help "reboot" ''Dragon Ball''; which coincided with the beginning of ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''.<ref name="Forbes"/>

===English localization and broadcasting===
In 1989 and 1990, [[Harmony Gold USA]] licensed the series for an English-language release in North America. In the [[dubbing (filmmaking)|voice dubbing]] of the series, Harmony Gold renamed almost all of the characters, including the protagonist Goku, who was renamed "Zero."<ref>''Dragon Ball'' [[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] dub</ref> This dub consisting of 5 episodes and one movie (an 80-minute feature featuring footage of movies [[Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies|1]] and [[Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure|3]] edited together) was cancelled shortly after being [[test market]]ed in several US cities and was never broadcast to the general public, thus earning the fan-coined term "The Lost Dub."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templeotrunks.com/media/lost_dub/|title=The Lost 80s Dragonball Dub|publisher=Temple O'Trunks|access-date=2013-10-23|archive-date=December 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207200157/http://www.templeotrunks.com/media/lost_dub/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A subtitled Japanese version of the series was first broadcast in the United States by the Hawaii-based [[Nippon Golden Network]]. The series aired in a 6AM slot on Tuesdays from 1992 to 1994, before the network moved on to ''Dragon Ball Z''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kanzenshuu.com/features/the-dragon-ball-z-american-debut-date/|title=Feature &#124; the Dragon Ball Z American Debut Date|access-date=September 2, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920230055/https://www.kanzenshuu.com/features/the-dragon-ball-z-american-debut-date/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, [[Funimation]] (founded a year earlier in California) acquired the license for the distribution of ''Dragon Ball'' in the United States as one of its first imports. Licensing director Bob Brennan firmly believed he had found the Japanese equivalent of [[Mickey Mouse]] but had trouble convincing Americans of this.<ref name=":montgomery">{{Cite news|title=Dragon Ball: Japanese cartoon aims to capture young viewer|work=[[The Montgomery Advertiser]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-dragon-ball-j/144482944/|last=Parrish|first=Becca|date=September 5, 1995|access-date=April 5, 2024|pages=1C–[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-dragon-from-p/144482980/ 2C]|publication-place=Montgomery, Alabama|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> They contracted Josanne B. Lovick Productions and voice actors from [[Ocean Productions]] to create an English version for the anime and first movie in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]]. The dubbed episodes were edited for content,<ref name="Return of DB" /> and contained different music. Thirteen episodes aired in [[broadcast syndication|first-run syndication]] during the fall of 1995 before Funimation canceled the project due to low ratings and moved on to ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''.

[[File:Stephanie_Nadolny.jpg|right|thumb|[[Stephanie Nadolny]] became the voice actress for young [[Goku]] in 2001 for Funimation's dub of ''Dragon Ball'']]
[[File:On_stage_performing_in_Austin_Texas_2013-04-07_15-55.jpg|right|thumb|[[Tiffany Vollmer]] became the voice actress for [[Bulma]] in 2001 for Funimation's dub of ''Dragon Ball'']]
In March 2001, due to the success of their dub of ''Dragon Ball Z'', Funimation announced the return of the original ''Dragon Ball'' series to American television, featuring a new English version produced in-house with slightly less editing for broadcast (though the episodes remained uncut for home video releases), and they notably left the original background music intact.<ref name="Return of DB">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-03-09/rough-air-date-for-dragonball|title=Rough Air Date for Dragon Ball|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 9, 2001|access-date=2008-07-19|archive-date=August 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822162725/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-03-09/rough-air-date-for-dragonball|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-05-02/dragonball-on-cn-debut-date-confirmed|title=Dragon Ball on CN debut date confirmed|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 2, 2001|access-date=2008-07-19|archive-date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821033326/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-05-02/dragonball-on-cn-debut-date-confirmed|url-status=live}}</ref> The re-dubbed episodes aired on [[Cartoon Network]] from August 20, 2001,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-08-21/dragonball-re-dub|title=DragonBall Re-dub|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=August 21, 2001|access-date=2008-07-19|archive-date=August 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822103109/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-08-21/dragonball-re-dub|url-status=live}}</ref> to December 1, 2003. Funimation also broadcast the series on Colours TV and their own [[Funimation Channel]] starting in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-12/dragon-ball-returns-to-us-tv|title=Dragon Ball Returns to US TV|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 12, 2006|access-date=2008-07-19|archive-date=September 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919014442/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-12/dragon-ball-returns-to-us-tv|url-status=live}}</ref> This English dub was also broadcast in Australia and New Zealand. In Canada and Europe, an alternative dubbed version was produced by [[AB Groupe]] (in association with [[Blue Water Studios]]) and was aired in those territories instead of the Funimation version.

====Content edits====
The US version of ''Dragon Ball'' was aired on Cartoon Network with numerous digital cosmetic changes, which were done to remove nudity and blood, and dialogue edits, such as when [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Puar|Puar]] says why [[List of Dragon Ball characters#Oolong|Oolong]] was expelled from shapeshifting school, instead of saying that he stole the teacher's panties, it was changed to him stealing the teacher's papers.<ref name=censor1>{{cite book|title=The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture: From Godzilla to Miyazaki|publisher=Scarecrow Press|author=West, Mark|year=2008|pages=203–208}}</ref> Some scenes were deleted altogether, either to save time or remove strong violence. Nudity was also covered up; for Goku's bathing scene, Funimation drew a chair to cover his genitals where it was uncensored previously.<ref name=censor1 /> References to alcohol and drugs were removed, for example, when Jackie Chun (Master Roshi) uses [[Drunken boxing|Drunken Fist]] [[Kung Fu]] in the 21st ''Tenkaichi Budokai'', Funimation called it the "Mad Cow Attack." Also, the famous "No Balls!" scene was deleted from episode 2, and when Bulma places panties on the fishing hook to get Oolong (in fish form), they digitally painted away the panties and replaced it with some money.

Changes also led to confusing context and the content of the scenes; such as when Bulma helps Goku take a bath. In the Japanese version, the two characters do not cover their privates because Goku is innocent of the differences in gender and Bulma believes Goku to be a little boy. While bathing Bulma asks Goku his age and only when Goku reveals himself to be fourteen does Bulma throw things at Goku before kicking him out of the bath.<ref name=censor1 /> In the BLT and Funimation versions, the dialogue was changed; with Goku remarking that Bulma did not have a tail and it must be inconvenient for her when bathing.<ref name=censor1 />

==Other media==

===Home media===
In Japan, ''Dragon Ball'' did not receive a proper home video release until July 7, 2004, fifteen years after its broadcast. [[Pony Canyon]] announced a remastering of the series in a single 26-disc DVD box set, that was [[made-to-order]] only, referred to as a "Dragon Box". Since then, Pony Canyon content of this set began being released on mass-produced individual 6-episode DVDs on April 4, 2007, and finished with the 26th volume on December 5, 2007.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

==== Original releases ====
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Dragon Ball Funimation logo.svg|thumb|left|Logo of Funimation's release of the show]]
''Dragon Ball'''s initial VHS release for North America was never completed. [[Funimation]] released their initial dub, the edited and censored first thirteen episodes, on six tapes from September 24, 1996, to February 28, 1998, together with [[Trimark Pictures]]. These episodes and the first movie were later released in a VHS or DVD box set on October 24, 2000. Funimation began releasing their in-house dub beginning with episode 14 by themselves on December 5, 2001, in both edited and uncut formats, only to cease VHS releases two years later on June 1, 2003, in favor for the DVD box sets. Including the initial 1996-1998 releases with Trimark, 86 episodes of ''Dragon Ball'' across 28 volumes were produced on VHS for North America.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Funimation released their own in-house dub to ten two-disc DVD box sets between January 28 and August 19, 2003.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=New to Video / DVD|date=January 2003|publisher=[[Right Stuf]]|url=http://www.rightstuf.com/news/press_releases/pdf/mang0103c.pdf|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422125359/http://www.rightstuf.com:80/news/press_releases/pdf/mang0103c.pdf|archive-date=April 22, 2003|format=PDF|page=1|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=New to Video / DVD|date=August 2003|publisher=[[Right Stuf]]|url=http://www.rightstuf.com/news/press_releases/pdf/mang0803c.pdf|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112161448/http://www.rightstuf.com/news/press_releases/pdf/mang0803c.pdf|archive-date=January 12, 2006|format=PDF|page=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each box set, spanning an entire "saga" of the series, included the English and Japanese audio tracks with optional English subtitles, and uncut video and audio. However, they were unable to release the first thirteen episodes at the time, due to [[Lions Gate Entertainment]] holding the home video rights to their previous dub of the same episodes, having acquired them from Trimark after the company became defunct. After Lions Gate Family Entertainment's license and home video distribution rights to the first thirteen episodes expired in 2009, Funimation has released and remastered the complete ''Dragon Ball'' series to DVD in five individual uncut season box sets, with the first set released on September 15, 2009, and the final on July 27, 2010.

Funimation's English dub of ''Dragon Ball'' has been distributed in other countries by third parties. [[Madman Entertainment]] released the first thirteen episodes of ''Dragon Ball'' and the first movie uncut in [[Australasia]] in a DVD set on March 10, 2004. They produced two box sets containing the entire series in 2006 and 2007. [[Manga Entertainment]] began releasing Funimation's five remastered sets in the United Kingdom in 2014.

''Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!'' (ドラゴンボール オッス！帰ってきた孫悟空と仲間たち！！ Doragon Bōru: Ossu! Kaette Kita Son Gokū to Nakama-tachi!!) is the second ''Dragon Ball Z'' OVA and features the first ''Dragon Ball'' animation in nearly a decade, following a short story arc in the remade ''Dr. Slump'' anime series featuring Goku and the Red Ribbon Army in 1999. The film premiered in Japan on September 21, 2008, at the Jump Super Anime Tour in honor of Weekly Shōnen Jump's fortieth anniversary. ''Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!'' is also in the extra DVD included in the ''Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods'' limited edition, which was released on September 13, 2013.

===Manga===
{{main|Dragon Ball (manga){{!}}''Dragon Ball'' (manga)|List of Dragon Ball chapters (series){{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' chapters (series)}}

===Films===
{{further|List of Dragon Ball films{{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' films|List of Dragon Ball anime{{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' anime}}

During the anime's broadcast, three theatrical animated ''Dragon Ball'' films were produced. The first was ''[[Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies|Curse of the Blood Rubies]]'' in 1986, followed by ''[[Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle|Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle]]'' in 1987, and ''[[Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure|Mystical Adventure]]'' in 1988. In 1996 ''[[Dragon Ball: The Path to Power|The Path to Power]]'' was produced in order to commemorate the anime's tenth anniversary.

===Video games===
{{further|List of Dragon Ball video games{{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' video games}}
Several video games based on ''Dragon Ball'' have been created, beginning with ''[[Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō|Dragon Daihikyō]]'' in 1986. ''[[Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo|Shenlong no Nazo]]'', produced that same year, was the first to be released outside Japan. 1988's North American version was titled ''Dragon Power'' and was heavily [[Americanized]] with all references to ''Dragon Ball'' removed; characters' names and appearances were changed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/virtually-overlooked-dragon-power/|title=Virtually Overlooked: Dragon Power|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=2008-03-27|access-date=2015-12-18|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027040744/https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/virtually-overlooked-dragon-power/|url-status=live}}</ref> Additional games based on the series include ''[[Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure|Advanced Adventure]]'', ''[[Dragon Ball: Origins]]'', [[Dragon Ball: Origins 2|its sequel]], and ''[[Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo|Revenge of King Piccolo]]''.

===Soundtracks===
{{main|List of Dragon Ball soundtracks{{!}}List of ''Dragon Ball'' soundtracks}}
''Dragon Ball'' has been host to several soundtrack releases, the first being ''[[Dragon Ball: Music Collection]]'' in 1986. ''[[Dragon Ball: Saikyō e no Michi Original Soundtrack]]'' is composed entirely of music from the tenth anniversary film. In 1995 ''[[Dragon Ball: Original USA TV Soundtrack Recording]]'' was released featuring the music from the Funimation/Ocean American broadcast.

==Reception==
The show's initial U.S. broadcast run in 1995 met with mediocre ratings.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Behind the Screens|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=98|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=September 1997|page=118}}</ref>

In 2000 satellite TV channel [[Animax]] together with ''[[Brutus (magazine)|Brutus]]'', a men's lifestyle magazine, and [[Culture Convenience Club|Tsutaya]], Japan's largest video rental chain, conducted a poll among 200,000 fans on the top anime series, with ''Dragon Ball'' coming in fourth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-09-11/gundam-tops-anime-poll|title=Gundam Tops Anime Poll|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 12, 2000|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-date=February 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220020326/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-09-11/gundam-tops-anime-poll|url-status=live}}</ref> [[TV Asahi]] conducted two polls in 2005 on the Top 100 Anime, ''Dragon Ball'' came in second in the nationwide survey conducted among multiple age-groups and third in the online poll.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2|title=Part 2 - TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 23, 2005|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730225630/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime|title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 23, 2005|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-date=June 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621064503/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime|url-status=live}}</ref> On several occasions the ''Dragon Ball'' anime has topped Japan's DVD sales.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-20/japanese-animation-dvd-ranking-september-10-16|title= Japanese Animation DVD Ranking, September 10–16|work= [[Anime News Network]]|date= September 20, 2008|access-date= January 4, 2017|archive-date= October 23, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023182925/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-20/japanese-animation-dvd-ranking-september-10-16|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-14/japanese-animation-dvd-ranking-august-6-12|title= Japanese Animation DVD Ranking, August 6–12|work= [[Anime News Network]]|date= August 14, 2008|access-date= January 4, 2017|archive-date= October 23, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023183153/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-14/japanese-animation-dvd-ranking-august-6-12|url-status= live}}</ref>

''[[Otaku USA]]''{{'}}s Joseph Luster called ''Dragon Ball'' "one of the most memorable animated action/comedy series of all time." He cited the comedy as a key component to the show, noting that this might surprise those only familiar with ''Z''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Anime/Public/News1/Dragon_Ball_Season_One_1612.aspx|title=Dragon Ball Season One|publisher=[[Otaku USA]]|access-date=2015-03-09|author=Luster, Joseph|date=September 23, 2009|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724120739/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Anime/Public/News1/Dragon_Ball_Season_One_1612.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Todd Douglass of [[DVD Talk]] referred to it as "a classic among classics [that] stands as a genre defining kind of show." and wrote that "It's iconic in so many ways and should be standard watching for [[otaku]] in order to appreciate the genius of Akira Toriyama."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43490/dragon-ball-season-5/|title= Dragon Ball: Season 5|publisher= [[DVD Talk]]|author= Douglass Jr., Todd|access-date= 2015-03-10|archive-date= April 2, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164355/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43490/dragon-ball-season-5/|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40874/dragon-ball-season-3/|title= Dragon Ball: Season Three|publisher= [[DVD Talk]]|author= Douglass Jr., Todd|access-date= 2015-03-10|archive-date= April 2, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402202735/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40874/dragon-ball-season-3/|url-status= live}}</ref> He had strong praise for the "deep, insightful, and well-developed" characters, writing "Few shows can claim to have a cast quite like Dragon Ball's, and that's a testament to the creative genius of Toriyama."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/38538/dragon-ball-season-one/|title= Dragon Ball: Season One|publisher= [[DVD Talk]]|author= Douglass Jr., Todd|access-date= 2015-03-10|archive-date= July 24, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150724120532/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/38538/dragon-ball-season-one/|url-status= live}}</ref>

[[THEM Anime Reviews|T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews]]' Tim Jones gave the show four out of five stars, referring to it as a forerunner to modern fighting anime and still one of the best. He also stated that it has much more character development than its successors ''Dragon Ball Z'' and ''[[Dragon Ball GT]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=565|title=Dragon Ball|publisher=[[THEM Anime Reviews|T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews]]|access-date=2013-09-12|author=Jones, Tim|archive-date=July 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713023707/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=565|url-status=live}}</ref> Carl Kimlinger of [[Anime News Network]] summed up ''Dragon Ball'' as "an action-packed tale told with rare humor and something even rarer—a genuine sense of adventure."<ref name="DBseason2">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball/dvd-season-2|title=Dragon Ball DVD Season 2 Uncut Set|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2009-12-14|access-date=2013-07-10|archive-date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711082231/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball/dvd-season-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Kimlinger and Theron Martin, also of Anime News Network, noted Funimation's reputation for drastic alterations of the script, but praised the dub.<ref name="DBseason2"/><ref name="DBseason3">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball/dvd-season-3|title=Dragon Ball DVD Season 3|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2009-12-14|access-date=2013-07-10|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922163426/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dragon-ball/dvd-season-3|url-status=live}}</ref>

The positive impact of ''Dragon Ball'''s characters has manifested itself in the personal messages Masako Nozawa sent to children as taped messages in the voice of Goku.<ref name="Animation3"/> Nozawa takes pride in her role and sends words of encouragement that have resulted in children in comas responding to the voice of the characters.<ref name="Animation3"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Portal|Anime and manga|Japan|1980s}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Dragon Ball}}
* {{Anime News Network|anime|243|Dragon Ball}}

{{Dragon Ball anime}}
{{Toei Animation}}
{{Authority control}}
<!-- Do not place additional category genres such as Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, etc. WP:MOS-AM tells us to use the most well-known categories! Any extra ones added without community consensus on the talk page will be reverted and the user will receive a test warning! -->

[[Category:Dragon Ball anime]]
[[Category:1986 Japanese television series debuts]]
[[Category:1986 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:1989 Japanese television series endings]]
[[Category:Adventure anime and manga]]
[[Category:Bruceploitation]]
[[Category:Comedy anime and manga]]
[[Category:Crunchyroll anime]]
[[Category:Fantasy anime and manga]]
[[Category:Fantasy comedy television series]]
[[Category:Fiction about size change]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:Fuji Television original programming]]
[[Category:Funimation]]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts television series]]
[[Category:Japanese mythology in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Shunsuke Kikuchi]]
[[Category:Television shows based on Journey to the West]]
[[Category:Toei Animation television]]