“Gokuu's alien brother Raditz reveals his Saiyan past and warns of an impending intergalactic war over the Dragon Balls.”
Dragon Ball Z
ドラゴンボールZ
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Gokuu's alien brother Raditz reveals his Saiyan past and warns of an impending intergalactic war over the Dragon Balls.
Five years after winning the World Martial Arts tournament, Gokuu is now living a peaceful life with his wife and son. This changes, however, with the arrival of a mysterious enemy named Raditz who presents himself as Gokuu's long-lost brother. He reveals that Gokuu is a descendant of the once powerful but now virtually extinct Saiyan race, whose homeworld was annihilated. When he was sent to Earth as a baby, Gokuu's sole purpose was to conquer and destroy the planet; but after suffering amnesia from a head injury, his violent and savage nature changed, and instead was raised as a kind and well-mannered boy, now fighting to protect others. With his failed attempt at forcibly recruiting Gokuu as an ally, Raditz warns Gokuu's friends of a new threat that's rapidly approaching Earth—one that could plunge Earth into an intergalactic conflict and cause the heavens themselves to shake. A war will soon be fought over the seven mystical Dragon Balls, magic objects that can grant any wish. Only the strongest will survive.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 225 sampled reviews
What 225 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.16 · split reception
6.1 pts
Recommenders 9.0 · others 2.8
↑ 0.15
Running avg · Nov 2007 → Jun 2026
- 10 “First anime to watch and is the most action filled one out there. Very long extensive story makes an episode seem like a day. Best action adventure anime ever made.”
- 10 “the entire dragonballz series is better than any new cartoon out there and the reason is that is because the show is great, the soundsare good, and it should be in the top 10.”
- 10 “Dragon Ball Z pure magic, crazy action and big superpowers. If you like your anime with people beating the crap out of other people (and other life forms) please give it watch!”
Watch Order & Related
Explore the Dragon Ball Z universe
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See all credits →Production slate
- Format 291 × 24′ eps × min
- Total runtime 116h 24m all episodes
- Aired Apr 1989 – Jan 1996 Spring 1989
- Source Tv media type
- Rated PG 13 - Teens 13 or older
- Ref. BS-0735 catalog
Produced by
- Fuji TV Producer
Licensed by
- Funimation Licensor