Dragon Ball is a Japanese media franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. The original manga was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995 and collected in 42 volumes by Shueisha. Inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West and Hong Kong martial arts films, the series features protagonist Son Goku, who trains in various martial arts. Goku embarks on a quest with teen girl Bulma to find the Dragon Balls, which can summon a wish-granting dragon. Throughout his journey, Goku makes friends, discovers his alien origins, and battles numerous villains seeking the Dragon Balls.
1973: Release of Enter the Dragon
Bruce Lee's martial arts film "Enter the Dragon" was released in 1973 and later served as an inspiration for Akira Toriyama.
1978: Release of Drunken Master
Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" was released in 1978 and was among the kung fu films that inspired Akira Toriyama.
1983: Debut of Dragon Boy
Akira Toriyama debuted his one-shot manga "Dragon Boy" in 1983, which he later redeveloped into Dragon Ball.
December 3, 1984: Start of Dragon Ball Manga Serialization
Dragon Ball manga, written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama, began its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump on December 3, 1984.
1984: Creation of Dragon Ball
"Dragon Ball" was created by Akira Toriyama in 1984, inspired by Journey to the West and martial arts films.
1984: Start of Dragon Ball Serialization
In 1984, Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" began its serialization in the "Weekly Shōnen Jump" magazine. This marked the beginning of the series' remarkable journey in the world of manga.
September 10, 1985: Release of First Dragon Ball Tankōbon Volume
The first tankōbon volume of the Dragon Ball manga was released by Shueisha on September 10, 1985.
1985: Toriyama's Trip to Bali
Akira Toriyama, his wife, and his assistant visited Bali in mid-1985. The island served as inspiration for the location of the Tenkaichi Budōkai in the Dragon Ball series.
1985: Dragon Ball: Music Collection Released
The soundtrack for the original Dragon Ball anime, "Dragon Ball: Music Collection," was released in 1985. This soundtrack was later reissued in 2007.
February 26, 1986: Premiere of Dragon Ball Anime
February 26, 1986, marked the debut of the "Dragon Ball" anime on Fuji TV in Japan. This initial series, based on the first 194 chapters of the manga, laid the groundwork for a successful anime franchise spanning multiple series and films.
1986: Premiere of Dragon Ball Anime
The first Dragon Ball anime adaptation premiered in 1986, produced by Toei Animation.
1986: Premiere of Dragon Ball Anime
The "Dragon Ball" anime made its debut on television in 1986, marking the beginning of the series' long-running presence in the realm of animation. This initial series would lay the foundation for a sprawling metaseries that would continue to expand in the years to come.
April 19, 1989: End of Dragon Ball Anime
The "Dragon Ball" anime series, based on the early chapters of the manga, aired its final episode on April 19, 1989, concluding Goku's initial adventures.
April 26, 1989: Premiere of Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z, the highly anticipated sequel to Dragon Ball, made its debut on April 26, 1989. Premiering on Fuji TV, it took over the same time slot as its predecessor and went on to become a global phenomenon.
July 21, 1989: Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection Series Begins
The Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection Series began its release on July 21, 1989. Produced and released by Columbia Records of Japan, this series spanned the show's entire lifespan.
1989: Conclusion of Dragon Ball Anime & Start of Dragon Ball Z
In 1989, the inaugural "Dragon Ball" anime reached its conclusion, paving the way for the commencement of "Dragon Ball Z." This new series would pick up the narrative five years after the events of its predecessor, introducing new challenges, characters, and storylines to the "Dragon Ball" universe.
October 17, 1990: Premiere of Bardock – The Father of Goku
On October 17, 1990, a Dragon Ball Z special titled "Bardock – The Father of Goku" aired on Fuji TV in Japan. This special delved into the backstory of Goku's father, providing insight into his past and motivations.
December 1990: Unofficial Korean Live-Action Film
An unofficial live-action Korean film adaptation of Dragon Ball, titled "Dragon Ball: Ssawora Son Goku, Igyeora Son Goku," was released in December 1990.
November 1991: Unofficial Taiwanese Live-Action Film
Another unofficial live-action adaptation, "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins," premiered in Taiwan in November 1991.
1991: Dragon Ball's Influence on Video Games
French video game designer Éric Chahi cited Dragon Ball as an influence on his 1991 game "Another World," demonstrating the anime's early impact on video game design.
1991: Dragon Ball: Complete Song Collection Released
The expanded soundtrack for the original Dragon Ball anime, "Dragon Ball: Complete Song Collection," was released in 1991. It was later reissued in 2003.
February 24, 1993: Premiere of The History of Trunks
"The History of Trunks", a Dragon Ball Z special exploring the backstory of Future Trunks, premiered on February 24, 1993, on Fuji TV. This special provided a glimpse into a future timeline where Trunks faces a formidable adversary and his journey to alter the course of events.
1993: Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans Released
In 1993, Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans was released as a two-part original video animation (OVA) serving as a strategy guide for the Famicom video game of the same name.
1994: Bandai's Dragon Ball Earnings
In 1994, Bandai earned $140 million annually in Japan from the sales of Dragon Ball licensed merchandise, which includes toys, video games, and various character goods.
June 5, 1995: End of Dragon Ball Manga Serialization
The Dragon Ball manga concluded its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump on June 5, 1995.
August 4, 1995: Release of Final Dragon Ball Tankōbon Volume
Shueisha released the 42nd and final tankōbon volume of the Dragon Ball manga on August 4, 1995.
1995: End of Dragon Ball Serialization
After an 11-year run, Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" concluded its serialization in "Weekly Shōnen Jump" in 1995, marking the end of an era for the manga.
1995: Conclusion of Dragon Ball Manga Serialization
After running for 11 years, the Dragon Ball manga concluded its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump on June 5, 1995.
1995: Dragon Ball Films Achieve Box Office Success in Japan
By 1995, the first sixteen Dragon Ball anime films, up to Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon, had sold 50 million tickets and grossed over ¥40 billion ($501 million) at the box office in Japan.
1995: Jackie Chan's Interest in Dragon Ball
In 1995, action film star Jackie Chan, a known fan of Dragon Ball, expressed interest in adapting the series into a live-action film. However, he acknowledged the need for a significant budget and advanced special effects to do it justice.
1995: Motorola Processors Named After Dragon Ball
Motorola released its Freescale DragonBall and DragonBall EZ/VZ microcontroller processors in 1995, named after the popular anime series Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, respectively.
1995: Dragon Ball: The Complete Illustrations Published
The first volume of the Daizenshuu series, "Dragon Ball: The Complete Illustrations," was published in Japan in 1995. It is the only volume in the series to receive an English release, published by Viz Media in 2008. This volume includes all 264 colored illustrations created by Akira Toriyama for Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine covers, bonus giveaways, specials, and all 42 tankōbon covers. It also features an interview with Toriyama about his work process.
January 31, 1996: Conclusion of Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z concluded on January 31, 1996, after a successful seven-year run, marking the end of a significant chapter in the Dragon Ball saga.
February 7, 1996: Premiere of Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT, a new addition to the Dragon Ball anime series, premiered on February 7, 1996. Unlike its predecessors, this series wasn't directly based on Akira Toriyama's manga but served as a sequel, or as Toriyama termed it, a "grand side story" to the original Dragon Ball.
March 20, 1996: Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection Series Ends
On March 20, 1996, Columbia Records of Japan concluded the Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection Series, marking the end of the soundtrack series that ran throughout the anime's run.
June 1996: Children's Musical in the Philippines
A children's musical titled "Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z: Myth, Magic, Music" was staged in the Philippines in June 1996, demonstrating the global reach and influence of the franchise.
1996: Dragon Ball Z Merchandise Sales
By 1996, Dragon Ball Z grossed $2.95 billion in merchandise sales worldwide. It's worth noting that by early 1996, over 100 companies outside Japan sought to obtain licenses for character goods.
1996: End of Dragon Ball Z Anime Broadcast and Start of Dragon Ball GT
The Dragon Ball Z anime finished its broadcast in 1996, the same year that Dragon Ball GT, a sequel series, began airing.
1996: Dragon Ball: The Path to Power Released
In 1996, Dragon Ball: The Path to Power was released in Japan as a full-length feature film to commemorate the anime's 10th anniversary. It was a re-imagining of the first few arcs of the series.
1996: Dragon Ball Films Sell Over 500,000 Home Video Units in Japan
By 1996, the first sixteen Dragon Ball anime films had sold over 500,000 home video units in Japan.
1996: Premiere of Dragon Ball GT
"Dragon Ball GT", an anime series that diverged from the main continuity established by Akira Toriyama's manga, premiered in 1996. This series, developed by Toei Animation, served as an alternate sequel to "Dragon Ball Z," exploring storylines not found in the original manga.
March 26, 1997: Premiere of A Hero's Legacy
"A Hero's Legacy", a special episode for Dragon Ball GT, aired on March 26, 1997, between episodes 41 and 42 of the main series. This special served as a precursor to the series' epilogue, providing a glimpse into the future of the Dragon Ball universe.
November 19, 1997: Conclusion of Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT, the anime series created by Toei Animation as a sequel to Dragon Ball Z, concluded on November 19, 1997, after airing 64 episodes.
December 1997: Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files Released
Shueisha's Jump Comics Selection imprint released the Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files in December 1997, providing information on the series, illustration galleries, behind-the-scenes insights, and more.
1997: Conclusion of Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT concluded its run in 1997.
1997: Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout Released
The first Dragon Ball game to be released in the United States, Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, became available on PlayStation in 1997.
1998: Bandai's Dragon Ball Carddass Sales
Bandai had sold over 2 billion Dragon Ball Carddass cards in Japan by 1998.
November 1999: Toys "R" Us Ban
In November 1999, Toys "R" Us made the decision to remove Viz's "Dragon Ball" from its stores nationwide. This action was taken in response to a parent from Dallas who raised concerns about the series containing "borderline soft porn" after purchasing it for their four-year-old son. This incident highlighted cultural differences and led Viz to initially censor the series for wider distribution.
1999: Tabletop RPG Released
A tabletop role-playing game based on Dragon Ball Z, "Dragon Ball Z: The Anime Adventure Game", was published in 1999 by R. Talsorian Games.
1999: Release of Neko Majin
In 1999, Akira Toriyama debuted a short comedic manga series titled "Neko Majin." This series served as a parody of his renowned work, Dragon Ball.
1999: Dragon Ball Z Season 3 Premiere Sets Cartoon Network Record
In 1999, the premiere of Dragon Ball Z season 3, dubbed by Funimation, achieved the highest viewership rating ever recorded on Cartoon Network.
2000: Burger King Dragon Ball Z Toy Promotion
In 2000, Burger King sponsored a toy promotion in North America, distributing 20 million Dragon Ball Z figures.
2000: Dragon Ball Tops Anime Polls in Japan
In 2000, Dragon Ball was voted No. 1 in two polls conducted by Oricon in Japan: "Japanese anime that I think is world-class" and "world-class Manga & Anime." In another poll conducted by Animax, Brutus, and Tsutaya, Dragon Ball was voted fourth among the top anime series.
2001: Reversal of Censorship
In 2001, Viz Media, the publisher of the English version of "Dragon Ball," made a significant announcement: the series would revert to its uncensored form and be reprinted. This decision came after the company had previously censored the manga for three volumes to address concerns raised by some retailers and parents. The overwhelming backlash from fans, who valued the original artistic integrity of the series, played a pivotal role in Viz's decision to reverse the censorship.
2001: Dragon Ball Z Website Records 4.7 Million Daily Hits
In 2001, the official Dragon Ball Z website recorded an impressive 4.7 million hits per day and boasted a membership of over 500,000 registered fans. Dragon Ball Z also topped the Lycos 50 list of "most searched" items for the second consecutive year, marking the first time any topic had achieved this.
December 4, 2002: Start of Dragon Ball Kanzenban Release
A re-release of the Dragon Ball manga chapters in kanzenban volumes began on December 4, 2002.
2002: Dragon Ball Z Dominates Television Ratings
During the week ending September 22, 2002, Dragon Ball Z secured the top spot as the #1 program of the week across all television demographics including tweens 9-14, boys 9-14, and men 12-24. Furthermore, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday broadcasts of Dragon Ball Z ranked among the top three programs across all of television.
2003: Dragon Ball: Complete Song Collection Re-release
"Dragon Ball: Complete Song Collection," the comprehensive soundtrack for the first anime, was re-released in 2003.
2003: New Dragon Ball Guidebooks Released
Coinciding with the 34-volume kanzenban re-release of the manga and the complete DVD release of the series in Japan, four new guidebooks were released in 2003 and 2004. These guidebooks covered the manga and anime respectively, with a notable inclusion of previously unpublished design sketches of Goku's father Bardock by character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru.
2003: Dragon Ball Influence on The Matrix
The 2003 films "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" incorporated elements of Dragon Ball Z, specifically in their fight scene choreography and visual style, demonstrating the anime's impact on action cinema.
2003: Dragon Box DVD Release Begins
The release of the Japanese "Dragon Box" DVD sets for the Dragon Ball series and movies began in 2003. These sets included a "Dragon Book" guide with details about the content and new interviews with cast and staff.
April 2, 2004: End of Dragon Ball Kanzenban Release
The release of the Dragon Ball manga in kanzenban volumes concluded on April 2, 2004.
2004: New Dragon Ball Guidebooks Released
Coinciding with the 34-volume kanzenban re-release of the manga and the complete DVD release of the series in Japan, four new guidebooks were released in 2003 and 2004. These guidebooks covered the manga and anime respectively, with a notable inclusion of previously unpublished design sketches of Goku's father Bardock by character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru.
2005: Dragon Ball Ranks High in TV Asahi Anime Polls
In 2005, Dragon Ball was voted second in a nationwide survey and third in an online poll conducted by TV Asahi, both focused on the Top 100 Anime. It also won first place in TV Asahi's "Decision! This is Japan's Best" survey for "100 Best Anime in Japan that has advanced to the world."
2005: Dragon Ball Remains Highly Searched
In 2005, LYCOS revealed that Dragon Ball ranked second overall in their search number ranking for the past decade.
2005: Conclusion of Neko Majin
The comedic manga series "Neko Majin", a self-parody of Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama, concluded in 2005.
April 2006: Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files Re-release
The Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files, which had been out of print for a significant time, were re-released in April 2006, coinciding with the Japanese DVD release of Dragon Ball GT. This edition remains in print.
September 20, 2006: Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection Re-release
Columbia Records of Japan re-released the Dragon Ball Z Hit Song Collection on September 20, 2006 as part of their Animex 1300 series.
2006: Dragon Box DVD Release Concludes
The release of the Japanese "Dragon Box" DVD sets concluded in 2006, marking a significant point in the availability of high-quality Dragon Ball media for fans.
2006: Dragon Ball Voted Third Greatest Manga
At the 10th anniversary of the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2006, fans in Japan cast their votes to determine the greatest manga of all time, with "Dragon Ball" securing the third-place position.
2006: Kochikame and One Piece Crossovers
Two notable crossovers involving Dragon Ball emerged in 2006. The first was a collaborative effort between Akira Toriyama and Osamu Akimoto, the creator of "Kochikame", resulting in a crossover manga featured in "Super Kochikame". The second crossover saw Toriyama partnering with Eiichiro Oda, the creator of "One Piece", to produce a special chapter titled "Cross Epoch".
2007: Goku Ranked as "Strongest Manga Character"
A 2007 Oricon survey, involving 1,000 participants, crowned Son Goku, the central protagonist of the "Dragon Ball" franchise, as the "Strongest Manga Character of All Time." Goku's relentless pursuit of strength and growth resonated deeply with fans, earning him widespread admiration.
2007: Dragon Ball: Music Collection Re-release
The "Dragon Ball: Music Collection," which served as the initial soundtrack for the original anime, saw a re-release in 2007.
2007: Re-release of Taiwanese Film
The unofficial Taiwanese live-action film "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" was re-released as an "Ultimate Edition" in 2007 with updated special effects inspired by Star Wars.
July 2008: Collectible Card Game Release
In July 2008, Bandai released the first set of Dragon Ball collectible cards in the United States. These cards featured scenes from the manga and anime, along with original artwork.
September 21, 2008: Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! Premieres
On September 21, 2008, a short film titled "Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!" debuted as part of the Jump Super Anime Tour, celebrating Weekly Shōnen Jump's 40th anniversary.
2008: English Release of "Dragon Ball: The Complete Illustrations"
In 2008, Viz Media published "Dragon Ball: The Complete Illustrations," marking the first and only English release of a volume from the Daizenshuu series.
February 2009: Toei Announces Dragon Ball Kai
In February 2009, Toei Animation announced a re-edited and remastered version of Dragon Ball Z called Dragon Ball Kai in celebration of its 20th anniversary. The series aimed to follow the manga more closely, eliminating filler content.
April 5, 2009: Dragon Ball Kai Premieres in Japan
On April 5, 2009, Dragon Ball Kai, a re-edited and remastered version of Dragon Ball Z, premiered in Japan on Fuji TV. It featured remastered footage for HDTV, rerecorded vocal tracks, and updated opening and ending sequences.
April 10, 2009: Dragonball Evolution Released
The American live-action film "Dragonball Evolution" premiered in the United States on April 10, 2009. Despite being meant to kickstart a series of sequels, the movie flopped at the box office and was met with harsh criticism for its unfaithful adaptation of the source material.
October 2009: Wicomico County Ban
In October 2009, Wicomico County Public Schools in Maryland instituted a ban on the "Dragon Ball" manga within their school district. The rationale behind this ban stemmed from the manga's portrayal of nudity, suggestive content involving children, and sexual innuendos between adults and minors.
2009: Dragon Ball Guide Books Released
In 2009, following the release of Dragon Ball Kai in Japan, four new guidebooks were released, focusing on both the manga and anime series. These included the two-volume "Dragon Ball: Super Exciting Guide" and the "Dragon Ball: Extreme Battle Collection."
2009: Premiere of Dragon Ball Kai
Dragon Ball Kai, a revised version of Dragon Ball Z, premiered in Japan in 2009.
November 11, 2010: Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans Released
On November 11, 2010, a remake of the Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans OVA, titled Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans, was released as a bonus feature for the Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 video game.
2010: More Guidebooks and an Artbook
In 2010, two more volumes of the "Dragon Ball: Extreme Battle Collection" were released, along with a new artbook called "Dragon Ball: Anime Illustrations Guide - The Golden Warrior." Notably, the "Extreme Battle Collection" referenced the original Dragon Ball Z series, even though Kai was airing at the time.
October 2011: Conclusion of Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock
"Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock", a three-chapter manga about Goku's father, finished its run in V Jump in October 2011.
2011: Dragon Ball Merchandise Sales
By 2011, the Dragon Ball franchise had generated $5 billion in merchandise sales.
2011: Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock Screened at Jump Festa
In 2011, a short animated adaptation of Naho Ōishi's Bardock spinoff manga, Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock, was screened at the Jump Festa 2012 event.
2011: Dragon Ball's Influence on Shonen Manga
In 2011, manga critic Jason Thompson highlighted the significant influence of Dragon Ball on the shonen manga genre. He called it "by far the most influential shonen manga of the last 30 years." This influence is evident in the works of many successful manga artists who cite Dragon Ball as a key inspiration.
2011: Dragon Ball: Most Influential Shōnen Manga
Manga critic Jason Thompson, in 2011, declared "Dragon Ball" as the most impactful shōnen manga of the preceding three decades. Thompson highlighted the series' evolution from a gag-filled adventure to a predominantly combat-focused narrative, setting a template for subsequent shōnen titles like "Naruto."
2011: Blu-ray and Dragon Box Sets
The release of Blu-ray boxed sets for Dragon Ball Kai began in 2009 and concluded in 2011. Additionally, Funimation started releasing their version of the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Box sets in 2009 and finished in 2011, replicating the "Dragon Book" guides from the Japanese releases.
January 2012: Dragon Ball Achieves 25 Million DVD Sales in US
By January 2012, the Dragon Ball anime series had sold over 25 million DVD units in the United States.
December 2012: Release of V Jump Issue Announcing Dragon Ball Full Color Edition
The February 2013 issue of V Jump, released in December 2012, announced that parts of the Dragon Ball manga would be fully colored and re-released.
2012: Dragon Ball Merchandise Sales in Japan
In 2012, the Dragon Ball franchise generated ¥7.67 billion ($96.13 million) from merchandise sales in Japan.
February 4, 2013: Start of Dragon Ball Full Color Edition Release
The release of the Dragon Ball full color edition, grouped by story arcs, began on February 4, 2013.
February 2013: Announcement of Dragon Ball Full Color Edition
The February 2013 issue of V Jump announced that parts of the Dragon Ball manga would be fully colored and re-released.
April 7, 2013: Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special!! Airs
On April 7, 2013, a two-part hour-long crossover special, Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special!!, aired, featuring Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Toriko.
May 9, 2013: Chōzenshū Series Concludes
The four-volume Chōzenshū (超全集) series, condensed versions of the Daizenshuu with updated information, concluded its release on May 9, 2013.
2013: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Released
In 2013, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods was released in Japan as a full-length feature film and received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. It was the first Dragon Ball film to have deep involvement from original creator Akira Toriyama.
2013: Release of Jaco the Galactic Patrolman and Bonus Dragon Ball Chapter
The final chapter of Akira Toriyama's 2013 manga, "Jaco the Galactic Patrolman", revealed its connection to the Dragon Ball universe. Its collected volumes included a bonus Dragon Ball chapter about Goku's mother.
2013: Toriyama's Comments on Dragon Ball's Success
In 2013, Akira Toriyama commented on the global success of Dragon Ball, stating his surprise and that his main goal was to entertain Japanese boys.
2013: Dragon Ball's Impact on Superhero Films
Filipino-American storyboard artist Jay Oliva credited Dragon Ball Z as a major inspiration for his work on the 2013 Superman film "Man of Steel." This influence is particularly noticeable in the film's dynamic action sequences.
2013: Toriyama's Ideal Goku
Akira Toriyama stated in 2013 that his ideal choice for a live-action Goku would have been a young Jackie Chan, highlighting Chan's martial arts skills and charisma as a perfect fit for the character.
2013: Dragon Ball Online Servers Shut Down
In 2013, the servers for Dragon Ball Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, were shut down in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
July 4, 2014: Conclusion of First Phase of Dragon Ball Full Color Edition Release
The release of the first 20 volumes of the Dragon Ball Full Color Edition, covering chapters from 195 onward, concluded on July 4, 2014.
April 28, 2015: Dragon Ball Super Announced
On April 28, 2015, Toei Animation announced Dragon Ball Super, the first all-new Dragon Ball television series in 18 years.
2015: Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle Released
The mobile game Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle was launched in 2015.
2015: Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Released
In 2015, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' was released in Japan as a full-length feature film and received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. Like Battle of Gods, it also had deep involvement from Akira Toriyama.
2015: Premiere of Dragon Ball Super
The anime midquel series, Dragon Ball Super, premiered in 2015.
2015: Goku Day Established
May 9th was officially declared "Goku Day" in Japan in 2015 by the Japan Anniversary Association. The date was chosen because the numbers five and nine can be pronounced as "Go" and "Ku" in Japanese.
2015: Premiere of Dragon Ball Super
"Dragon Ball Super," a new addition to the "Dragon Ball" anime franchise, premiered in 2015. This series, set within the main continuity, would delve into the adventures of Goku and his companions following the events of "Dragon Ball Z," further expanding the lore of the "Dragon Ball" universe.
March 4, 2016: Completion of Dragon Ball Full Color Edition Release
The release of the Dragon Ball Full Color Edition, covering the first 194 chapters, was completed on March 4, 2016.
May 13, 2016: Start of Dragon Ball Sōshūhen Edition Release
The release of the Dragon Ball sōshūhen edition, aiming to recreate the manga's original serialization, began on May 13, 2016.
December 2016: Start of Dragon Ball Side Story: The Case of Being Reincarnated as Yamcha
"Dragon Ball Side Story: The Case of Being Reincarnated as Yamcha", a spin-off manga by Dragon Garow Lee, began in Shōnen Jump+ in December 2016.
2016: "Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4D" Debuts
In the summer of 2016, Universal Studios Japan unveiled a new attraction named "Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4D." This attraction, showcasing a fight between Goku and Freeza, is unique for its use of CGI animation, a departure from the typical animation style of the Dragon Ball series.
January 13, 2017: End of Dragon Ball Sōshūhen Edition Release
The release of the 18-volume Dragon Ball sōshūhen edition concluded on January 13, 2017.
2017: Dragon Ball Surpasses 30 Million DVD and Blu-ray Units Sold in US
As of 2017, the Dragon Ball anime series had sold more than 30 million DVD and Blu-ray units in the United States.
2017: "Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai" Debuts
Another Dragon Ball attraction opened at Universal Studios Japan in the summer of 2017. Titled "Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai," this attraction features a battle between the heroes and Broly.
March 25, 2018: Dragon Ball Super Ends
On March 25, 2018, Dragon Ball Super concluded its run after 131 episodes.
2018: Goku in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
In 2018, Goku made his first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, showcasing the character's popularity in American culture.
2018: Dragon Ball Super Finale Draws Massive Crowds in Latin America
In 2018, public screenings of the Dragon Ball Super finale drew massive crowds, filling public spaces and stadiums in cities across Latin America.
2018: Super Dragon Ball Heroes Anime Announced
In 2018, an anime to promote the Super Dragon Ball Heroes card and video game series was announced.
2018: Dragon Ball Super: Broly Released
In 2018, Dragon Ball Super: Broly was released in Japan as a full-length feature film and received a limited theatrical release in the U.S.
2018: Dragon Ball References in Marvel Films
In 2018, "Black Panther" featured a costume design for Erik Killmonger that resembled Vegeta's armor from Dragon Ball Z. Actor Michael B. Jordan, a Dragon Ball fan, acknowledged the potential influence of the anime on the costume's design.
2018: Conclusion of Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super ended its run in 2018.
2018: Dragon Ball FighterZ Released
Dragon Ball FighterZ, a fighting game developed by Arc System Works, was released in 2018. This game earned substantial praise from fans and critics alike for its fast-paced 3v3 battles and impressive visuals. The game received accolades like Best Fighting Game of 2018 at The Game Awards and boasts a large eSports following. Commercially, the game sold over 4 million units on various platforms.
2018: Bandai's Dragon Stars Action Figure Sales
As of 2018, Bandai had sold over 1 million Dragon Stars action figures across the Americas and Europe.
2018: Premiere of Super Dragon Ball Heroes
"Super Dragon Ball Heroes," an anime promotional series based on the arcade game of the same name, premiered in 2018. This series, like "Dragon Ball GT," ventures into alternative continuities separate from the main storyline, showcasing a variety of characters and scenarios that deviate from the canonical narrative.
May 2019: Toriyama Awarded French Knighthood
Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, was awarded the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in May 2019. This prestigious honor recognized his contributions to the arts, especially the impact Dragon Ball had on popularizing manga in France.
2019: Goku's Continued Parade Appearances
Goku continued to appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2019, further cementing his presence in mainstream American celebrations.
2019: Dragon Ball References in Comics and Animation
The influence of Dragon Ball extended to Western comics and animation in 2019. Tony Stark: Iron Man #11 included references to Dragon Ball Z, and several comic book artists, including André Lima Araújo and Dexter Soy, cited Dragon Ball as a major inspiration for their work on Marvel and DC Comics.
2019: More Dragon Ball Influence in Marvel
The visual effects for Captain Marvel's Binary powers in the 2019 film drew inspiration from Dragon Ball Z, showcasing the anime's continued influence on the aesthetics of superhero films.
2021: Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle Reaches 350 Million Downloads
By 2021, the mobile game Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle, first launched in 2015, achieved a milestone of over 350 million downloads worldwide.
2021: Goku Returns to the Parade
Goku made a return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021 after a one-year hiatus, indicating the enduring popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise.
2021: Dragon Ball Reference in "Shang-Chi"
The 2021 Marvel film "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" included a direct reference to Dragon Ball Z when a character called one of Shang-Chi's techniques a "Kamehameha fireball." The film's director, Destin Daniel Cretton, confirmed Dragon Ball Z as an inspiration for the film's final fight scene.
2022: Goku's Fourth Parade Appearance
Goku made his fourth appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022, becoming a regular fixture in the event and further solidifying his place in American pop culture.
2022: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Released
In 2022, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released in Japan as a full-length feature film and received a limited theatrical release in the U.S.