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Dragon Ball

1986 – 1989Show1 season153 episodesTV-PG

Action & AdventureAnimation
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.5Rotten Tomatoes–87%

A pulse-pounding, awe-inspiring animated series about fantasy and pop culture, with standout world-building and visual style.

Good for family movie night · friends night · party vibe

Skip it if you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or big ideas.

Shows with

Episodes

1 season · 153 episodes · best: S1E101 "Budoukai Shuuryou! Soshite...!!" 8.8

Episodes

7.6

Story

Young Goku sets off on a quest with his teenage friend Bulma to find the seven Dragon Balls, which grant whoever possesses them a single wish.

Feels like

  • Classic Shonen Anime
  • Martial Arts Adventure
  • Fantasy Quest
  • Iconic Characters
  • Power Progression
  • Humorous & Action-Packed
  • Vibrant World-Building
  • Nostalgic & Enduring
  • Good Vs Evil

Cast

24 of 30 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Kazuhisa Takenouchi, Daisuke Nishio, Minoru Okazaki
Written by
Akira Toriyama, Keiji Terui, Toshiki Inoue
Produced by
Kenji Shimizu
Music by
Shunsuke Kikuchi

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

February 26, 1986 · April 19, 1989 · Ended

First aired
February 26, 1986
Last aired
April 19, 1989
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 153 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Content
Violence
Genres
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
53 countries

Tropes

Physical God, Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep", Shōnen +9

  • Physical God
  • Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"
  • Shōnen
  • Nemean Skinning
  • Worthless Treasure Twist
  • Renowned Selective Mentor
  • Civilians Are Irrelevant
  • Formula with a Twist
  • God Is Flawed
  • Only Evil Can Die
  • The Dreaded
  • The Dragon

12 of 556 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Dragon Ball?"

Questions about Dragon Ball

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Dragon Ball?

HuluCrunchyroll

In the United States, Dragon Ball streams on Hulu and Crunchyroll. You can rent or buy it from Fandango At Home. It also streams in 48 other countries.

Is Dragon Ball worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 8.5).

Is Dragon Ball okay for kids?

TV-PGViolence

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch Dragon Ball?

61 h

About 61 hours: 153 episodes in 1 season of about 24 minutes each, aired from 1986 to 1989.

Can I half-watch Dragon Ball?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

Will I feel good after watching Dragon Ball?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting series: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for hopefulness and 7 for wholesome.

Is Dragon Ball in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.