# INTRO DRAGON BALL WOLD By [Capsule corporation](https://paragraph.com/@capsule-corporation) ยท 2022-02-07 --- **INTRO** Akira wrote the series shortly after he gained success with the manga _Dr. Slump_ in 1980. The comedy gave him the clout to pursue _Dragon Ball_, and the artist jumped at the chance to publish his new story. While _Dragon Ball_ is known for its over-the-top action, the series did not always focus on that. The manga was less about Super Saiyans and more about mythical hijinks when it debuted. Loosely inspired by the Chinese tale _Journey to the West_, _Dragon Ball_ began as a playful mix between comedy and slapstick action before later chapters delved into more intense action sequences. ![Photo Toei Animation](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/87d042616a8abd521ae40b800e485983fb61e3ade9822a4ebf8183bf1609a2d3.jpg) Photo Toei Animation Dragon Ball ----------- When [_Dragon Ball_](https://comicbook.com/category/dragon-ball/) hit shelves, readers ate up the series and critics praised its complex stories. As such, Toei Animation quickly secured animation rights to the series and premiered its anime adaptation in February 1986. _Dragon Ball_ covers the first 159 chapters of the manga in about 153 episodes. The series ran for more than three years, and it only ended to divide Akira's story into two distinct eras. The original series followed protagonist Son Goku as a child in search of seven wish-granting items known as Dragon Balls. Trained in martial arts, Goku begins traveling world to acquire the mystical objects and fights with lots of baddies along the way. ![Photo Toei Animation](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/a8893db1fc672e443e87df3e93fa812a0dd16c79f4302d341148b2efc3c670de.jpg) Photo Toei Animation **DRAGON BALL Z** Shortly after Dragon Ball ended, Toei Animation began work on its sequel Dragon Ball Z. The second series debut the same month that predecessor ended and introduced fans to a more serious, action-packed story than they had seen before. Dragon Ball Z follows an older Goku as he and his comrades known as Z Fighters defend the planet against nefarious, overpowered villains who seek to destroy it. The series also introduces a second generation of characters to fans. For instance, Goku now has kids of his own named Gohan and Goten who he trains. When it comes to popularity, Dragon Ball Z reigns supreme in the fandom. This show is the one which grabbed the attention of foreign audiences and led ushered in a new era of anime lovers. ![Photo Toei Animation ](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/d240317947204fd65fb6cc5e7612b01885e15d5ffa5363248879968b326bc47b.jpg) Photo Toei Animation Dragon Ball GT -------------- If you talk about _Dragon Ball GT_ with fans, you may want to speak lightly. Opinions about the show are varied to say at the least since its canonicity has been questioned ever since it premiered in 1996. _Dragon Ball GT_ is a sequel to the Dragon Ball Z series. The show is set five years after the latter ended and sees Goku turned back into a child. The hero then travels across the universe to find the Black Star Dragon Balls which deaged him, and they also run into an adversary who is bent on ending the Saiyan race during their travels. Most fans tend to frown upon _Dragon Ball GT_. Unlike its contemporaries, this anime is not based on any manga created by Akira; Instead, it tells an original story conceived by Toei Animation. As such, diehard _Dragon Ball_ lovers argue that show is not considered canon to the overall franchise though Akira has referred to _Dragon Ball GT_ as a "side story" of the original anime. ![Photo Toei Animation](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/00afa1093be96e786108251bd8099a9b0026a2fd3819fff3f1525dd5c1cae96b.jpg) Photo Toei Animation Dragon Ball Kai --------------- After the dismal reception of _Dragon Ball GT_, Toei Animation refrained from rolling out any new series. However, they did go ahead and rerelease [_Dragon Ball Z_](https://comicbook.com/category/dragon-ball-z/) under the new name _Dragon Ball Kai_. Toei Animation created the remake in honor of the franchise's 20th anniversary. And, of course, the overhaul would hopefully make fans forget the bad taste that _Dragon Ball GT_ left in their mouths. The studio took the original _Dragon Ball Z_ series and digitally traced over the animations to make the show look more contemporary. _Dragon Ball Kai_ also removed content from the sequel which wasn't sourced from Akira's manga. The move ultimately cut _Dragon Ball Kai_ down to 167 from 291, and fans were pleased to see much of that filler go. ![Photo Toei Animation](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/68c39dcf95f25760f426eab4a2eb120829d0b3085b51c368e538896f15cb7886.jpg) Photo Toei Animation Dragon Ball Super ----------------- Once _Dragon Ball Kai_ ended, fans were left in a perpetual limbo. No one knew whether Toei Animation would produce another series after _Dragon Ball GT_ failed to impress audiences. But, after an 18-year wait, the company finally came through and released a much better series titled [_Dragon Ball Super_](https://comicbook.com/category/dragon-ball-super/). _Dragon Ball Super_ acts a sequel to [Dragon Ball](https://comicbook.com/category/dragon-ball/) Z and takes place after Goku's planet is at peace. The hero and his friends have all but returned to their normal way of life when another intergalactic threat comes knocking at their atmosphere. The so-called God of Destruction is eager to take on Goku after hearing about the hero's strength, and the baddie is willing to end the universe to do so. While the anime is not based off any of Akira's manga, he did create the series. The artist also provided character designs for Toei Animation to use as inspiration, and fans have been grateful for Akira's return. Since the show debuted, more than 151 episodes. Currently dragon ball super continues its events in the manga drawn by Toyotaro. ![Photo Toei Animation](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7a727a3834e93e26c10e338882582c538d6758083ebaac3f37464b4f726f57bf.jpg) Photo Toei Animation Capsule corporation. --- *Originally published on [Capsule corporation](https://paragraph.com/@capsule-corporation/intro-dragon-ball-wold)*