Dragon Ball began in 1984 as a manga by Akira Toriyama, inspired by Chinese folklore and Dr. Slump. It evolved from a comedy-adventure into a high-octane martial arts franchise. The story spans decades of anime (1986–present), including Dragon Ball, Z, GT, Super, and Daima, following Son Goku from childhood to intergalactic protector.
Dragon Ball remains one of the most influential and popular media franchises globally, spanning over 40 years since 1984, with over 420 million copies of the manga sold worldwide. Son Goku consistently ranks as the most popular character, supported by a massive, multi-generational fan base that has sustained the franchise through the original manga, DBZ, Dragon Ball Super, and continuous.
