Have you ever wondered about how the Dragon Ball series started? Who are the intial characters? What is the initial storyline? How did it end up to run for 11 years with remakes and adaptations? Have you also wondered how and when Goku started all his incredible transformations? Are you trying to figure out which one came first? For the many Dragon Ball fanatics out there, these are the things that should not be missed at all.
Goku went through various transformations in the whole series run of the entire Dragon Ball saga. In fact, apart from the various story arches inside different sagas, this is something audience is looking for and is a major part of the entire series’ timeline. Dragon Ball introduced villains with backstories as well as characters with various storylines that are equally interesting.
Let us sit together and revisit where it all started in this brief timeline for the Dragon Ball series.
Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
In this very first series of Dragon Ball, Goku was introduced as a young monkey-tailed boy who was accompanied by Bulma, a young teenage girl. This is all about Goku’s adventure to find the seven Dragon Balls. When you collect all the seven Dragon balls, it has the ability to summon a powerful dragon named Shenron. This dragon can grant the summoner his greatest wish or desire. Other main characters were introduced along with Goku on this journey. Also, in this series, the Dragon Ball the World Martial Arts Tournament was establish and other powerful characters compete for a title.
Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
Dragon ball Z is the sequel of the very first Dragon Ball series. Here, Goku already has his own family with Chi-Chi and his son Gohan. Dragon Ball Z is the series where the origin of the Super Saiyan is explained. It also narrates the history of Goku.
Raditz, one of the first villains, represents the first story arc in Dragon Ball Z. He was the biological brother of Goku. Raditz’ objective is to continue the main mission and purpose of Goku “to conquer the earth”. Initially, Goku suffered a brain injury and had a memory loss after his arrival on earth that is why his mission to conquer the earth did not materialized. With a shift of heart and perspective, Goku refused to help Raditz to continue the mission, pushing Raditz to kidnap Gohan, the son of Goku. Another trivia in this series is that Goku and his brother Raditz are member of a near-extinct warrior race called “Saiyan”.
Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997)
The Dragon Ball GT is one of the most exciting series of Dragon Ball. There are so many heartbreaking scenes in this series. This is the series wherein Goku turned back into child by ultimate dragon ball used by Emperor Pilaf and Goku forced to retrieve the ultimate dragon balls together with Pan and Trunks. Along with the journey they met Baby, a tuffle parasite that intend to kill Saiyans as a revenge for his race. Many characters have died during this season including the main character, Krillin. Eventually Goku and his allies once again collected the dragon balls and Shenron grant Goku’s last wish, to revive those who have been killed.
Dragon Ball Kai (2009–2011; 2014–2015)
Dragon Ball Kai, is a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z. The production team works on how they improve and correct the series from its original. Dragon Ball Kai version is now revised for HDTV. The creator Toriyama refuse to recreate or make a whole new story, so the objective is to nearly follow the manga.
Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
After the chaos done by Majin Buu in previous Dragon Ball, Goku settled to be a farmer that supports his family, and everyone was living peacefully. But they didn’t know that another threat was coming. And Beerus appeared who also known as God of Destruciton, the second most powerful being in universe seven. God level is the race of Beerus, that makes him most terrifying character in Dragon Ball. Goku have no choice but to unlock his full potential and make his Saiyan a God called “Super Saiyan God” with the help of Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, Pan and Videl. Beerus was impress because of how powerful Goku was. After Goku defeated Beerus, the God of destruction decide to spare the earth. In Dragon Ball Super, Frieza’s revival was introduced because of his soldier that efforts to find the dragon ball to revive him. Frieza evolve into Golden Frieza but eventually defeated by Vegata and Goku who mastered the Super Saiyan Blue transformation. Thanks to Whiz the right hand of Beerus, who help Vegata and Goku to destroy the insane Frieza once again.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018–)
The events in this adaptation happened after the tournament created by Zeno which is known as Tournament of Power that involves many fighters in different universe. Another major Cooler, a villain that is the brother of Frieza was introduced.Cooler is the one who controls the Prison Planet, the planet that shown on the last episode of Dragon Ball Super. Prison Planet it the place where Future Trunks is being held, and there was a cyborg Zamasu in Prison Planet who wants to eliminate Zenu. This is also the series that Goku is trained and mastering the Super Saiyan Instinct with help of the Grand Minister. Dragon Ball Heroes is all about the Prison Planet and introducing the evil Saiyan.
Feeling amazed recalling the past? It is easy to feel nostalgic especially if you grow up watching Dragon Ball. Apart from the main television series, there were also Dragon Ball specials that were shown. There were 3 of them: Bardock (The father of Goku) which aired on the year 1990, The History of Trunks that aired on 1993, and A Hero’s Legacy which was aired on 1997.
The television series ran for 11 years but even at present, the Dragon Ball franchise is still very much alive releasing shows, movies, shirts, and even dragon ball z figures from the Bandai Company.
