Dragon Ball Z (1989–2003)

Earth's defender Goku learns that he is from another planet. Now Goku and his allies must defend the planet from an onslaught of new extraterrestrial enemies.

Stars:

Jôji Yanami, Masako Nozawa, Christopher Sabat

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jôji Yanami	...	Narrator (280 episodes, 1996-2003)
Masako Nozawa	...	Son Goku (278 episodes, 1996-2003)
Christopher Sabat	...	Vegeta (267 episodes, 1996-2003)
Sean Schemmel	...	Goku (250 episodes, 1996-2003)
Doc Harris	...	Narrator (229 episodes, 1996-2003)
Mayumi Tanaka	...	Kuririn (223 episodes, 1996-2003)
Sonny Strait	...	Krillin (214 episodes, 1996-2003)
Brian Drummond	...	Vegeta (197 episodes, 1996-2003)
Ryô Horikawa	...	Vegeta (193 episodes, 1996-2003)
Terry Klassen	...	Krillin (192 episodes, 1996-2003)
Toshio Furukawa	...	Piccolo (188 episodes, 1996-2003)
Stephanie Nadolny	...	Gohan (181 episodes, 1996-2001)
Tiffany Vollmer	...	Bulma (173 episodes, 1996-2003)
Hiromi Tsuru	...	Bulma (165 episodes, 1996-2003)
Scott McNeil	...	Piccolo (165 episodes, 1996-2003)
Jillian Michaels	...	Goten (156 episodes, 2000-2003)
Kyle Hebert	...	Narrator (152 episodes, 1996-2003)
Kirby Morrow	...	Goku (134 episodes, 2000-2003)
Tôru Furuya	...	Yamcha (133 episodes, 1996-2003)
Mike McFarland	...	Master Roshi (133 episodes, 1996-2003)
Cynthia Cranz	...	Chi-Chi (130 episodes, 1996-2003)
Takeshi Kusao	...	Trunks (129 episodes, 2000-2003)
Daisuke Gôri	...	Gyuumao (128 episodes, 1996-2003)
Ted Cole	...	Yamcha (125 episodes, 1996-2003)
Naoko Watanabe	...	Puar (121 episodes, 1996-2003)
Hirotaka Suzuoki	...	Tenshinhan (114 episodes, 1996-2003)

Storyline

In the version that is shown on YTV in Canada, the story begins mid-way through the Dragon Ball Z series. Raditz, Goku's brother has traveled to Earth to find out why Goku has not yet destroyed the planet as he was supposed to do. But while as a baby, Goku was dropped (down a huge cliff) and forgot his real mission. Kakarot, Goku's real name battles his brother Raditzs along with former enemy Piccolo and friend Krillin. Meanwhile, Gohan; Goku's son reveals his hidden powers against Raditz and nearly kills Raditz. However Goku is killed in the end, but Raditz is eventually defeated by Piccolo. Before he dies, he tells them that two evil-saiyans even more powerful then he is, are on route to Earth. The remaining fighters, Krillin, Yamcha, Tein, and Chaotsu begin their training to battle the evil saiyans, while Piccolo takes off with Gohan to train him in using his new found power. Meanwhile, Goku has to make his way back on Snake Way to King Kai's where he trains himself in the secret ...

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Plot Keywords:

warrior | training | anti hero | anime | giant ape | 

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Taglines:

The Saiyans have returned...

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

DBZ

Company Credits

Production Co:

FUNimation Entertainment, Ocean Group, Toei Animation Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min 26 min (291 episodes)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Like in the previous series Dragonball, Dragon Ball Z has many naming conventions/jokes. Saiyans are all named after vegetables. Vegeta, both the prince, his king father and the Saiyan home planet (originally named Planet Plant), means Vegetable; Raditz is 'radish', and Kakkorotto is 'carrot'. The villain Freeza (originally Friezer) comes obvious, and his brother Cooler and their father King Cold. All Namekians born from the villain in Dragonball were named after instruments (Piccolo, Drum, etc.) The Briefs family were all named after underwear, Bulma meaning panties, Doctor Briefs himself, Trunks, and Bra. And of course, various characters named after foods. Oolong, as in the tea; Videl, like the onion variety; Ginger, obvious; Spice; Blueberry; Raspberry; Raisin; Almond; Apple; and in Dragonball there was an entire family (of about 12) named after desserts. The name Videl is actually an anagram of "Devil" because her dad is Mr. Satan (at least in the Japanese version).

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Goofs

English dubbed version: Early in the series, Raditz states that the planet Vegeta was destroyed three years prior to the beginning of the series. Later on, this is changed to twenty years (which is accurate to the original Japanese version). When they went back and did the "uncut dubbed" version that aired on Cartoon Network, they still used the inaccurate "three years" quote.

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Quotes

Vegeta: This doesn't concern you! This is between me and your circus clown of a father!
Goku: Circus clown. That's a new one.

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Crazy Credits

During the Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans "lost movie", there is a scene in the second part in which "fake" closing credits begin rolling, which are quickly cut off and the feature resumes after.

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Connections

Followed by Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Boku-tachi wa Tenchi Datta"
(ending song) (Original Japanese version)
Performed by Hironobu Kageyama
(Seasons 5 & 6)

User Reviews

Still a champion, even after all these years...

I once read in a DBZ magazine that many people viewed this as an animated soap opera, which is exactly what this is. And like any good soapie, its ADDICTIVE. It may not be as popular as it once was back in the long gone days of old, but it still holds up like a champ even today.

For a series thats more then 10 years old, it still manages to amaze us all with the colorful cast of characters (all three-freakin-hundred of 'em) and stunning battles, along with some captivating plots and decent character development thrown in for good measure.

The voice cast for both versions of the show is mighty impressive, even if Goku's Jap voice is, in a word, crap...Ocean Studios did a fine job with the first 53 eps, and FUNImation deserves good credit..Yes, ill admit it, I'm one of the few people on this whole planet who actually enjoy's FUNI's voice cast.

I will admit that i tend to lose interest when the fights drag ON AND ON AND ON AND ON etc *hints at Frieza Saga* but all in all this show, even if it is more action-oriented than its predecessor (Dragon Ball) and successor (Dragon Ball GT) is mighty addictive and even more enjoyable.

A full 10/10