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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Anime

Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series and sequel to Dragon Ball, adapting part of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series and sequel to Dragon Ball, adapting part of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. It follows Son Goku as an adult and his allies as they defend Earth from powerful enemies, while also tracking the growth of Gohan and other characters. The series originally aired in Japan on Fuji TV from 26 April 1989 to 31 January 1996, comprising 291 episodes.

Premise

Dragon Ball Z continues the story of Son Goku in adulthood, shifting the focus to large-scale battles against extraterrestrial, android, and magical threats. It also develops the arcs of Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, and other major characters.

Production and broadcast

The anime was produced by Toei Animation and first broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV from 1989 to 1996. Sources agree that the series comprises 291 episodes.

Franchise role

Dragon Ball Z is the sequel to Dragon Ball and is one of the central works in the broader Dragon Ball franchise. Later sequel and midquel series expanded the franchise beyond DBZ.

International reception

After being dubbed and distributed outside Japan, Dragon Ball Z became a long-running global pop-culture phenomenon. It is frequently cited as one of the most recognizable anime series worldwide.

Key facts

  • Dragon Ball Z is the second anime series in the Dragon Ball franchise.
  • The story begins five years after the end of Dragon Ball.
  • The series centers on Goku, his family, and his allies fighting enemies such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
  • It originally aired in Japan on Fuji TV from 26 April 1989 to 31 January 1996.
  • The series ran for 291 episodes.
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Canadian context

Dragon Ball Z was widely broadcast and dubbed internationally, including in Canada, where it became part of the broader North American anime boom.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dragon Ball Z?
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series that continues the Dragon Ball story and adapts part of Akira Toriyama’s manga.
How many episodes does Dragon Ball Z have?
The series has 291 episodes.
When did Dragon Ball Z first air?
It first aired in Japan on Fuji TV on 26 April 1989.
Who created the source material for Dragon Ball Z?
It is based on the Dragon Ball manga created by Akira Toriyama.
Who are the main characters?
The story mainly follows Son Goku, while also focusing on Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, and other allies.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z
    Supports: Premise, sequel status, five-years-later setup, main characters and enemies.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dragon-Ball-Z
    Supports: Description as Japanese anime series, source manga, worldwide popularity, original air period.
  3. Wikipedia (Polish) — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z
    Supports: Japanese title, Toei Animation production, original broadcast dates, 291 episodes.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball
    Supports: Dragon Ball franchise context and relationship to Dragon Ball Z.