Dragon Ball

About Dragon Ball (2001)

Dragon Ball, based on the manga series by Akira Toriyama, is an iconic Japanese anime television series that tells the tale of Son Goku from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the seven orbs known as Dragon Balls, which summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered.

Making / Production

The Dragon Ball series is produced by Toei Animation. Initially, it aired in Japan from 1986 to 1989. However, the series enjoyed ongoing popularity, resulting in various spin-offs including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. The 2001 references typically point to the dates of the English dubs and distribution in the western world.

Actors

• Sean Schemmel as Goku: Schemmel's performance of Goku emphasizes his naive, good-natured, and determined traits, perfectly capturing the essence of the character.
• Christopher Sabat as Vegeta: Sabat plays the proud Saiyan prince with an admirable intensity, contributing to his portrayal of Vegeta's evolution from villain to anti-hero.
• Stephanie Nadolny as young Goku: Stephanie brought to life the playful, innocent, and adventurous spirit of Goku's character in his early years.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The name "Dragon Ball" comes from the seven magical orbs Goku seeks, which have the power to call forth the dragon Shenlong who can grant any single wish.
• Frieza, one of the most iconic villains in Dragon Ball, was voiced in English by Linda Young and later by Chris Ayres.
• Dragon Ball is one of the top twenty highest-grossing media franchises of all time, having generated more than $20 billion in total franchise revenue.

Awards

Dragon Ball has received several awards for its animation and video game adaptations, including the "Anime Grand Prix" award amongst many others.

Quotes

• "Power comes in response to a need, not a desire. You have to create that need." - Goku
• "I do not fear this new challenge. Rather, like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it." - Vegeta
• "Kamehameha!" - Goku's iconic energy attack.

Music, Soundtrack

• "Makafushigi Adventure!" — the adventurous theme song that accompanies the Dragon Ball series.
• "Romantic Ageru yo" — the end credits theme song for the series.
• There are also numerous background scores and character-specific themes exploring various musical styles, enhancing the storyline and characters.