"Dragonball" started in Japan as a comic in the 1980s as the manga comic in "Shonen Jump" magazine and was created by Akira Toriyama. The first installment of the cartoon ran for 153 episodes. "Dragonball Z" appeared as the story shifted to a new era, the Z was added to the Dragonball title by Toei Animations. "Dragonball Z" first appeared in Japan in April 1989,but did not air in the USA until 1996. The final installment in the trilogy is "Dragonball GT."
"Dragonball Z" tells the story of Goku and his five-year-old son Gohan, the series is split into four sagas titled Freeze saga, Freeze Saga-Namek, Cell Saga and Boo Saga. The series takes place over a number of years during which Gohan becomes an adult and by the end of the series has a five-year-old daughter. Goku and his friends battle an alien race called the Saiyan who wish to destroy the earth.
There are 17 movies and made for TV movies in the "Dragonball" franchise, 13 of these movies are based around the "Dragonball Z" sagas. There are a number of video games available in the "Dragonball Z" franchise, these are spread over a number of formats including Nintendo DS, Playstation 2 & 3, Gameboy Advance and Xbox 360.
The character Goku is the hero of the "Dragonball" trilogy, Goku is the most powerful warrior on Earth. As the story develops, it is revealed that Goku is from an alien race called the Saiyan who are Goku's archenemies. Goku was sent to Earth as a baby in order to destroy the planet, a head injury scrambled his programming. Goku has now turned to good in order to protect the Earth from the Saiyon.
Dr. Gero is an evil science genius who is Goku's enemy in the Dragonball Z installment. Dr. Gero controls Androids who he sends to destroy Goku. In order to become more powerful Dr. Gero becomes Android 20, the most vicious and determined Android of all who never gives up in his pursuit of Goku.
The "Dragonball" franchise is one of the most successful Anime franchises of all time making over $3 billion around the world. There are over 500 episodes in the trilogy with "Dragonball Z" the longest running consisting of 291 episodes. The "Dragonball" creator, Akira Toriyama, retains creative control over the franchise okaying character designs and plot developments.