Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Dragon Ball

Original title: Dragon Ball: Doragon bôru
  • TV Series
  • 1986–1989
  • TV-14
  • 25m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
72K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,856
276
Tôru Furuya, Kôhei Miyauchi, Masako Nozawa, Mayumi Tanaka, Naoki Tatsuta, Hiromi Tsuru, and Naoko Watanabe in Dragon Ball (1986)
Home Video Trailer from FUNimation
Play trailer0:44
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Adult AnimationAnimeKung FuMartial ArtsShōnenSuperheroActionAdventureAnimationComedy

A naive but strong boy named Goku sets off to find seven mystical Dragon Balls, sparking a wild adventure filled with martial arts, quirky allies, strange foes, and a journey of growth acros... Read allA naive but strong boy named Goku sets off to find seven mystical Dragon Balls, sparking a wild adventure filled with martial arts, quirky allies, strange foes, and a journey of growth across a fantastical world.A naive but strong boy named Goku sets off to find seven mystical Dragon Balls, sparking a wild adventure filled with martial arts, quirky allies, strange foes, and a journey of growth across a fantastical world.

  • Stars
    • Masako Nozawa
    • Jôji Yanami
    • Brice Armstrong
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    72K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,856
    276
    • Stars
      • Masako Nozawa
      • Jôji Yanami
      • Brice Armstrong
    • 53User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #185
      • See the top 250 TV shows as rated by IMDb users

    Episodes153

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Videos2

    Dragon Ball
    Trailer 0:44
    Dragon Ball
    Dragon Ball (US Trailer)
    Trailer 1:53
    Dragon Ball (US Trailer)
    Dragon Ball (US Trailer)
    Trailer 1:53
    Dragon Ball (US Trailer)

    Photos413

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 407
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Masako Nozawa
    Masako Nozawa
    • Son Gokû
    • 1986–1989
    Jôji Yanami
    Jôji Yanami
    • Narrator…
    • 1986–1989
    Brice Armstrong
    Brice Armstrong
    • Narrator…
    • 1986–1989
    Stephanie Nadolny
    Stephanie Nadolny
    • Goku
    • 1986–1988
    Hiromi Tsuru
    Hiromi Tsuru
    • Bulma
    • 1986–1989
    Mayumi Tanaka
    Mayumi Tanaka
    • Kuririn…
    • 1986–1989
    Christopher Sabat
    Christopher Sabat
    • Yamcha…
    • 1986–1989
    Tôru Furuya
    Tôru Furuya
    • Yamcha
    • 1986–1989
    Naoko Watanabe
    Naoko Watanabe
    • Puar…
    • 1986–1989
    Kôhei Miyauchi
    Kôhei Miyauchi
    • Kamesennin Muten Roshi…
    • 1986–1989
    Mike McFarland
    Mike McFarland
    • Master Roshi…
    • 1986–1989
    Tiffany Vollmer
    Tiffany Vollmer
    • Bulma
    • 1986–1989
    Naoki Tatsuta
    Naoki Tatsuta
    • Oolong…
    • 1986–1989
    Mami Koyama
    Mami Koyama
    • Launch…
    • 1986–1989
    Bradford Jackson
    Bradford Jackson
    • Oolong…
    • 1986–1989
    Monika Antonelli
    Monika Antonelli
    • Puar…
    • 1986–1989
    Kenji Utsumi
    Kenji Utsumi
    • Announcer…
    • 1986–1989
    Laurie Steele
    • Krillin…
    • 1986–1988
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews53

    8.572.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Dragon Ball' conveys themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-improvement, emphasizing character growth and camaraderie. It blends action and comedy for a whimsical narrative, exploring Goku's evolution from a naive child to a martial arts genius. The series incorporates fantasy and science fiction elements, balancing humor with serious, dramatic moments in later arcs. While praised for its engaging story and character development, some critics find the pacing inconsistent and certain plotlines underdeveloped. Overall, 'Dragon Ball' is celebrated for its imaginative world and memorable characters.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10Adavis9492

    It's a good show.

    I have watched this show and i guarantee its good. Well it may start off a little slow but it gets really good. It's child friendly and adults will enjoy it too. Like Dragonball Z and Dragonball Gt it will keep your interest. The fighting and powers of the warriors can keep children and adults all over the world amused. The show does have a little bit humor to it than the other two series, but thats what it was originally created for. The humor doesn't stop the show from having a good plot. Throughout the show they have great adventures and they always meet new allies and villains. To the last comment, I wouldn't say that your comment wasn't true, but I don't want to say it was true. The creators have made special uncut versions, but those must be bought on DVD or VHS. The edited version airs on television. They just wouldn't put extreme adult content on a show for children. So, what if a few of the characters like girl magazines and one is obsessed with females its all part of the humor. There are no female body parts that are revealed in the show, not even on the uncut versions. So, when i was reading the last comment I figured that the person who wrote must be misjudged. Watch the edited version. If you are not offended by anything enjoy the uncut version which is more adult oriented.
    9Aaron1375

    Dragonball matches up quite well with Z.

    I do not know if my tastes have changed over the years, but once I used to say by far the best incarnation of Dragonball was Z. However, upon watching this entire series on DVD uncut I now have to say that this one is equal or maybe a notch or two above Z. Though I can still say quite easily that GT is the worst of the bunch as while this one needed a continuation, Z did not. This one follows the young boy Goku as it chronicles his friendships and adventures while finding the mythical dragonballs that number seven and when gathered together summon the dragon, Shenron to grant one wish. The show started out as more of a comedy, a comedy with at times quite perverted humor in it. As the show progressed though it would more and more rely on action to the point that near the end of the show it closely resembled Z, most of the pervert nature of the show would be gone near the end. Why? I have no idea, but it would make a reappearance here and there near the end, but nothing like it was in the beginning. In fact, Z and GT would see virtually no humor of this type with the exception of Master Roshii. This show is sort of made up of three adventures involving the dragonballs. After each of these adventures there was a world martial arts tournament story. The first adventure involves a plucky teen named Bulma finding Goku and the two end up going on an adventure to find the dragonballs. They meet Yamcha here as well as Oolong and Puar. They also meet the nefarious Emperor Pilaf who has to be the funniest villain in the dragonball universe. This story would become Goku training under Master Roshii and meeting Krillan during the world martial arts phase. Then the Red Ribbon Army would be next as would be the meeting of Goku and Tien. Finally, Goku would have to face off against the evil King Piccolo in both the adventure and the tournament. Then for some reason the show keeps going on about five more episodes than it really needed to. Still, this one was fun and the fighting would become really cool near the end.
    8Rectangular_businessman

    The beginning of a legend

    The first (and the best, in my opinion) Dragon Ball series.

    Very underrated to this very day , being often overlooked in order to focus only in the events from Dragon Ball Z...But honestly, skipping the original Dragon Ball as a whole, if anything lessens all the enjoyement the sequel series could have.

    If I have started watching Dragon Ball Z without having seen Dragon Ball first (Like many fans from the United States did) I would have been completely lost, completely unable to follow the story and the way the characters interact.

    In Dragon Ball we are able to witness the very beginning of Goku's journey and how he meet his friends, and the way he kept improving himself as a fighter. The emotional impact of the deaths of some characters in the first arc of Dragon Ball Z is largely connected with the original series.

    Piccolo's transition from villain to hero is not as good without having the chance of seeing how he firstly appeared in the series as the main antagonist. (And honestly, is the most convincing redemption arc from Dragon Ball, along with the change of heart Tenshinhan had)

    Some people dismiss the series simply because of its whimsical nature, focusing mostly in the "serious" parts (Like the Frieza and Cell saga), but being fun and whimsical is precisely one of the biggest charms Dragon Ball as whole has, opposed to other, more dramatic fighting shonen anime, including those series inspired by Dragon Ball.

    Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super have tried to capture the same kind of charm the original series had, without success.
    10rohithhn

    GOAT anime

    One of the best and underrated anime, so many people just skip og dragon ball and watch dragon ball z But this is one of the best anime I have ever seen 🔥
    Evil_Chihuahua

    Good show, but read the Manga first

    As a fan of Manga and Anime, I really enjoyed the Dragonball TV series, but I thought it could have done a lot better, but before I get to that, let me just explain one thing about the show.

    DRAGONBALL IS NOT A KIDS SHOW! Some of the content of the show is not suitable for children, particularly the uncut Japanese version. The English translation does try to clean it up a bit, but it still contains some things anyone under 10 shouldn't be exposed to. For example, one character (Oolong) attempts to "have his way" with another while she sleeps (although in the English version he was just after the Dragonballs) and in several episodes we see some of the male characters nude.

    OK, that's cleared up, so what's the show about? The series is based on the manga by Akira Toriyama, which was based on a Chinese legend, and follows the Adventures of Son Goku, a child with incredible powers. Goku meets Bulma, a 16 year old girl, who is looking for the Dragonballs, magical relics that, when all 7 are united, can summon Shenlon (Shenron in the English versions), who can grant 1 wish. Goku agrees to give Bulma his Dragonball (which he calls "Grandpa as it is the only thing he has that reminds him of his Grandpa, Son Gohan) only if he can join her. But they are not the only ones after the Dragonballs.

    While Dragonball offers some entertainment (although it does get better as it goes along), the Manga was far better. This maybe because the manga series was just straight-ford, while the anime goes of the track a bit with pointless episodes that weren't featured in the manga. That and the extra scenes that try to develop the characters we don't really care about.

    Apart from that, the series is fun and never takes itself seriously. Any Dragonball Z fans who haven't seen Dragonball should do so.

    More like this

    Dragon Ball
    8.5
    Dragon Ball
    Dragon Ball Z
    8.8
    Dragon Ball Z
    Dragon Ball Z
    8.8
    Dragon Ball Z
    Dragon Ball Z Kai
    8.3
    Dragon Ball Z Kai
    Dragon Ball GT
    6.8
    Dragon Ball GT
    Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
    7.6
    Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
    Dragon Ball Z Abridged
    9.1
    Dragon Ball Z Abridged
    Super Dragon Ball Heroes
    6.6
    Super Dragon Ball Heroes
    Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
    7.4
    Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
    Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
    7.1
    Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
    Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
    6.7
    Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
    Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming
    6.5
    Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the episode in which Bulma, Goku, and Oolong are camping out in the desert, there is a scene in which a nude Bulma looks out the window, and glare covers her bare breasts. Contrary to popular belief, this scene is not edited for the dub. The glare is there in all versions, uncut Japanese included.
    • Goofs
      When Master Roshi is introduced he knows nothing about the Dragon Balls. Yet later in the series, he tells Goku and company an extremely detailed story about their origin.
    • Quotes

      [Japanese opening song]

      Singer: Grab them in the hands! Dragon Ball! / One of the world's most thrilling secrets / Hunt those down! Dragon Ball! / One of the world's most pleasant miracles / This world is a huge treasure island / That's right, right now, Adventure! / The chest is tightened excitedly in love, dreaming lots of various colors / Somewhere in this world it's glowing / Let's go and find those, boy, striking out the ghosts and goblins / We'll also fly on the cloud machine today / Let's try, try, try, mystical adventure / Across the sky and over the mountains / Let's fly, fly, fly, great adventure / The wonderful trip has begun! / Grasp them in your hands! Dragon Ball! / One of the world's most tough chances / Chase those down! Dragon Ball! / One of the world's most enjoyable dramas / This world is a huge treasure island / That's right, right now, Adventure!

    • Crazy credits
      The closing credits are a montage of images based on covers from the "Dragon Ball" manga.
    • Alternate versions
      The French version, distributed across most of Europe during the 90s, reinterpreted or outright deleted several scenes in an effort to make the series suitable for their intended audience, young kids. Most famously, much of the perverted antics of Master Roshi and a great deal of crass jokes were rewritten, but the animation was often left intact. This has lead to the animation at times clearly showing that the characters were thinking "dirty" thoughts, even though the dialogue itself was more kid-friendly. For example, Yamcha's fear of seeing naked women was twisted into him being afraid of shampoo. However, several similar gags were actually kept and only slightly toned down.
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of Dragon Ball Z (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Dragon Ball
      Written by Alessandra Valeri Manera

      Performed by Max Longhi and Giorgio Vanni

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ16

    • How many seasons does Dragon Ball have?Powered by Alexa
    • Why is there two entries for Dragon Ball (1986) series?
    • Is Hollywood making a live-action Dragonball movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 1986 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • TOEI Animation Co., Ltd
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Dragonball
    • Production companies
      • Bird Studios
      • Toei Animation
      • Toei Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.