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Dragon Ball

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Dragon Ball is a massive Japanese media franchise created by Akira Toriyama. It began as a manga, which is a type of Japanese comic book. Toriyama serialized the story in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995. The series follows the life of Son Goku. He grows from a young child into a powerful adult. The story is known for its martial arts battles and high-speed action. It has become one of the most successful media franchises in history.

Weekly Shōnen Jump No. 51 (Dec. 1984) is the first appearance of Goku. Cover art by Akira Toriyama
Weekly Shōnen Jump No. 51 (Dec. 1984) is the first appearance of Goku. Cover art by Akira Toriyama

The narrative begins when Goku meets a teenage girl named Bulma. She encourages him to join a quest to find seven Dragon Balls. These are magical orbs that can summon a dragon named Shenlong. When all seven orbs are gathered, the dragon grants a single wish. As Goku travels, he trains in various martial arts styles. These include karate and Wing Chun, a form of kung fu. He meets many friends, such as Kuririn, and eventually discovers his alien heritage. He is actually a member of the Saiyan race.

Wiki DragonBall Earth
Wiki DragonBall Earth

Toriyama built this world using many different cultural inspirations. He was a fan of Hong Kong martial arts films. He drew inspiration from actors like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The plot is loosely modeled on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Toriyama even used the concept of genies from The Arabian Nights. He designed the setting to feel like a fictional version of Asia. He looked at many cultures, including Japanese, Indian, and Indonesian. For example, the island for the Tenkaichi Budōkai tournament is modeled after Bali.

Db TCI
Db TCI

The franchise has grown through many different stages of animation. Toei Animation produced the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z series. These were broadcast in Japan between 1986 and 1996. There is also a sequel called Dragon Ball GT. Later series include Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima. A revised version called Dragon Ball Kai was also released. This version follows the manga more closely by removing filler. Filler is extra material that is not in the original comic. The studio has also produced 21 animated feature films.

Dragon Ball Z arcade conversion kit by Banpresto
Dragon Ball Z arcade conversion kit by Banpresto

Dragon Ball has reached an incredible level of global success. The manga's 42 collected volumes have sold over 160 million copies in Japan alone. It has been published in more than 40 different countries. The anime has been broadcast in over 80 countries. This popularity has led to many types of merchandise. Fans can buy action figures, trading cards, and video games. It is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. This success shows how much people enjoy the characters and the story.

Toriyama used specific techniques to develop his characters and scenes. He often had characters fight in uninhabited locations. This made it easier to draw fights without drawing many buildings. He also designed many powerful characters to have small statures. This went against the idea that strong characters must be large. When Goku becomes a Super Saiyan, his hair turns blonde. Toriyama chose this because it was easier for his assistants to draw. He also gave Goku a piercing glare inspired by Bruce Lee. These creative choices helped define the look of the series.

The series has had a deep impact on global popular culture. It is credited with increasing the popularity of Japanese animation in the West. Many professional artists, musicians, and filmmakers cite it as an inspiration. Even other manga artists say it influenced their own work. The story even expands into a vast multiverse. This multiverse contains twelve different universes. These universes are ruled by deities like the Kaioshin and Gods of Destruction. The entire system is watched over by a being named Zeno. This complex world continues to inspire people around the world.

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Weekly Shōnen Jump No. 51 (Dec. 1984) is...
File:Dragon Ball Z arcade conversion kit by Banpresto.jpg
Dragon Ball Z arcade conversion kit by...
File:Db TCI.jpg
Db TCI.jpg
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