Dragon Ball Z
The Dragon Ball franchise consists of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT and is one of the most successful anime trilogies. The Dragon Ball franchise initiated in Japan as a Japanese comic or "Manga" in the 1980's. Since that time, it has exploded into an international phenomenon spawning over 500 episodes, 17 movies/features and generating over $3 billion in related merchandising sales. This immensely popular franchise has hit number one in many countries including the United States, Japan, France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Mexico.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku, who along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil. The action packed adventures are entertaining and reinforces the concept of good versus evil. Dragon Ball Z teaches valuable character virtues such as teamwork, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball franchise, was involved in the concept, approval and character designs for Dragon Ball Z, as well as Dragon Ball GT. Dragon Ball began as a comedy, but soon the fighting took over. Dragon Ball ran 153 episodes becoming more serious with every episode. Dragon Ball Z, the second part of the Trilogy consists of 291 episodes. The series first appeared in Japan in April of 1989 and ended in January of 1995. Dragon Ball Z arrived in the U.S. in 1996 and continues today. Dragon Ball GT is the third and final installment in the series and consists of 64 episodes. The Dragon Ball franchise has also generated 17 movies and made-for-TV features. There are three Dragon Ball movies, 13 for Dragon Ball Z and one for Dragon Ball GT. All of which have been among the top-rated anime releases in the United States.
FUNimation Entertainment has returned to the beginning of Dragon Ball Z. The first 63 episodes have been remastered and rerecorded, and were recently released the as Ultimate Uncut Special Edition. Now fans can see Dragon Ball Z the way it was meant to be seen, with additional never before seen footage and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.