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Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are here for the September installment of their TV retrospectives. This time they’re discussing two shows, Dragon Ball, celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Japanese premiere and the 20th of its first time on Toonami, and Dragon Ball Z, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its U.S. premiere.
Dragon Ball premiered in Japan in 1986 and was later succeeded by Dragon Ball Z in 1989. Both anime are based on the manga Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama. The more action-focused Dragon Ball Z found success in the United States first, debuting in syndication on September 13, 1996, before eventually moving to Cartoon Network’s Toonami block. Its series finale aired on April 7, 2003. Dragon Ball premiered on Toonami on August 20, 2001, with its finale airing on December 1, 2003.
Dragon Ball follows the martial artist Goku from boyhood till manhood, after which Dragon Ball Z picks up with grownup Goku and introduces his son Gohan. It’s during his adulthood that Goku learns that he’s an alien from another planet, taking the previously fantasy story into science fiction. Both shows feature an array of memorable characters, including Goku’s friends Bulma and Krillin, his rivals Piccolo and Vegeta, and the evil Frieza. A key element of both series is the Dragon Balls, which summon a wish-granting dragon when all seven are gathered.
Goku has had many voices. His most famous in English is Sean Schemmel (Pokémon). As a boy he voiced by Stephanie Nadolny (OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes), who also voices Gohan as a child. Christopher Sabat (My Hero Academia) plays both Vegeta and Piccolo. The Pop Break interviewed Schemmel and Sabat for the premiere of the movie Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’.
Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were vital in cementing anime’s popularity in the United States and around the world. They have spawned video games, animated and live action movies, the follow-up series Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball Z Kai, a re-edit of DBZ closer to the manga. With Dragon Ball Super expecting another movie next year, the franchise is alive and well.
Aaron and Josh talk about both series’ premieres, as well as the shows’ plots, characters, action, and humor. The brothers also discuss the Dragon Ball franchise’s place in their childhood and its enduring legacy.
For a podcast on another martial arts show, you can listen to Josh and Aaron talk about the finale of Jackie Chan Adventures.
