Dragon Ball Z (1989)
Original title: ドラゴンボールゼット
Dragon Ball Z is a 1989 Japanese-language animation series. It stars Masako Nozawa, Ryo Horikawa and Toshio Furukawa.
Goku has settled into married life with a young son when a warrior from the stars arrives to shatter the peace. Toei Animation's sequel to Dragon Ball adapts the back half of Akira Toriyama's manga, sending Earth's strongest fighters against ever-mightier invaders: alien conquerors, androids and gods of destruction. Between the escalating battles come training arcs, transformations and the signature charge-up of energy that powers each showdown. Loud, muscular and endlessly imitated, it set the shonen action template for a generation of fans across at least eighty countries worldwide.
Quick answers
What is Dragon Ball Z about?
Goku has settled into married life with a young son when a warrior from the stars arrives to shatter the peace. Toei Animation's sequel to Dragon Ball adapts the back half of Akira Toriyama's manga, sending Earth's strongest fighters against ever-mightier invaders: alien conquerors, androids and gods of destruction. Between the escalating battles come training arcs, transformations and the signature charge-up of energy that powers each showdown. Loud, muscular and endlessly imitated, it set the shonen action template for a generation of fans across at least eighty countries worldwide.
When was Dragon Ball Z released?
Dragon Ball Z was released on 26 April 1989.
How many episodes does Dragon Ball Z have?
Dragon Ball Z has 291 episodes across 9 seasons.
Where can I watch Dragon Ball Z?
Dragon Ball Z is available on Crunchyroll Premium, Crunchyroll Premium (Via Prime), Amazon and Fandango at Home.
Where to watch Dragon Ball Z
Stream: Crunchyroll Premium, Crunchyroll Premium (Via Prime)
Buy: Amazon, Fandango at Home
Official site
Cast
- Masako Nozawa as Son Goku / Son Gohan / Son Goten (voice)
- Ryo Horikawa as Vegeta (voice)
- Toshio Furukawa as Piccolo (voice)
- Mayumi Tanaka as Krillin / Uranai Baba (voice)
- Naoki Tatsuta as Oolong / Karin (voice)
- Joji Yanami as Dr. Briefs (voice)
- Naoko Watanabe as Puar / Chi-Chi (voice)
- Hirotaka Suzuoki as Tien Shinhan (voice)
- Miki Ito as Android 18 (voice)
- Hiroko Emori as Mama / Chaozu / Bulma / Bulla (voice)
- Mayumi Shou as Chi-Chi (voice)
- Toru Furuya as Yamcha (voice)
Similar series
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A few thoughts on Dragon Ball Z
The same shonen adrenaline runs across media. Toriyama's own comedy manga Dr. Slump shows his lighter, sillier side; Rurouni Kenshin trades ki blasts for swordplay with the same heart; Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle brings modern battle-anime spectacle to the big screen; and the Symphonic Suite AKIRA channels anime's epic scale into orchestral sound.
Shonen battle anime with escalating fights
Dragon Ball Z set the template: heroes power up, a stronger enemy arrives, and the next fight dwarfs the last. These action anime run the same loop of training, transformation and showdown. If Goku's charge-ups and tournament arcs are your comfort viewing, these keep the energy blasts coming across long, loud seasons.
Classic shonen and action manga to read
Akira Toriyama drew Dragon Ball, and its comedy-tinged action shows in Dr. Slump and the manga that followed his lead. These comics deliver the fights, gags and world-building at reading pace, the printed roots of the shonen boom Dragon Ball Z helped ignite. Ink versions of the energy you already love.
Monster-battling and tournament anime for all ages
Before the gods of destruction, Dragon Ball Z was kids gathering allies, leveling up and facing the next big bad. These anime keep that accessible thrill, sending young heroes into card duels, monster fights and tournaments. Bright, high-stakes adventure for anyone who caught the DBZ bug early and never quite shook it.
Epic action video games with huge showdowns
Dragon Ball Z is built on the buildup to one massive fight, and these games chase that same peak. Each drops you into sprawling worlds where combat escalates toward bosses the size of the screen. If the DBZ rush is the feeling you want with a controller in hand, start here.