As a young adult, Goku meets his older brother, Raditz, who tells him that they come from a warrior race of extraterrestrials called Saiyans. The Saiyans had sent Goku to Earth to destroy it, but his ship crashes upon arrival. Goku fell into a deep ravine and lost all memory of his mission. Goku refuses to help Raditz continue the mission, after which he begins to encounter others who want to battle him, such as the Saiyan prince Vegeta. He also encounters Frieza, who is considered to be one of the strongest beings in the universe, after which Goku begins training his first child, Son Gohan, to be his successor. Years later, a group of soldiers from the Red Ribbon army known as androids appear to kill Goku. Another android, Cell, absorbs Androids #17 and #18 from the Red Ribbon army to increase his power, then fights Goku and Gohan, resulting in Goku's death. Goku decides to stay dead for seven years to train in the Other World. When he returns, he is drawn into a battle for the universe against an extraterrestrial named Majin Buu. Joined by Vegeta and Gohan, the evil half of Buu is destroyed and the Good Buu (Mr. Buu) settles down with them. Ten years later at a martial arts tournament, Goku meets evil Buu's human reincarnation, Uub. At the end of the series, Goku takes Uub away on a journey to train him as another successor.
Dragonball Z first aired on Toonami in 1998 when Moltar was originally its host. Tom was Toonami's host after Moltar. There are 291 episodes.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 27, 2010
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One of the most famous anime series of all time. Mostly for its extreme length and colorful array of characters. The basic plot covers the adventures of Goku and his friends as they battle ever more powerful enemies to protect the Earth/Universe etc....

The name comes from the seven magical balls that the characters usual gather together in order to get their wishes granted, usually something along the lines of bringing people back to life.

Apart from being somewhat repetitive (what show doesn't follow a trend?)it is actually a very decent and original show drawn in a very humorous style by the original artist. One of the best things to come out of the 80's.

Usually scorned by the general public and anime purists because of its mainstream overexposure and americanization by dubbing companies. Most anime fans will claim it was their stepping stone to move onto bigger and better things just not to sound like total n00bs ignoring the fact that DB/Z is in fact widely popular in Japan and since 2004 began making a large comeback. It provided influence for today's best animes such as One Piece and Naruto. Most will contest that, however, rightfully popular, Dragonball Z will probably be around longer than their silly Inuyasha or "deeper" animes.
OH NOES!! I missed DBZ today!! The episode where Goku was supposed kick somebody's ass!!
by your mom last night July 2, 2005
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an anime that would probably be much more popular if not for american censorship
by Anonymous August 20, 2003
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a great show that has been "Americanized" by the most vile group EVER...the FCC!! censoring out the blood, gore and foul images and/or language made it worse..but it was still a good show
Gohan...you must bounce the spirit bomb back at Vegeta!
by James F Lowe June 2, 2004
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Now messed up because of the over-editing done by funi. Pretty good if you watch it undubbed.
by Anonymous June 25, 2003
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A popular anime' series that made japanese animation mainstream in the west. Dragonball Z introduces interesting characters with depth often driven by emotion to the limit. The story is more complicated then it first appears and would not be totally understood by younger viewers. Through the most part the series follows the main hero Goku, his family and friends who end up often becoming the underdog in the battle against a greater evil driven power. Which is always satisfying to behold when good finally is trumphiant.
Dragonball Z is amazing.
by Daniel Carvalho June 13, 2004
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a very good anime show, but dubbed and edited for cartoon network in america, i say it should get its own network, and only be translated, not edited!!!!!!
by Adam September 17, 2003
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