Story Arcs

As with most anime/manga, DragonBall's storyline is divided into numerous story arcs. These arcs are roughly based upon specific villains or events that occur. Below we have listed each series divided into their respective story arcs. We've provided a quick synopsis for each arc, and listed the episodes that comprise them. Click the screen shot to the left for an episode by episode break-down of the arc or click the series title for a complete episode listing of the entire series. The complete series pages include episode titles, rating shares, airdates, and we've even marked all episodes that are partially/completely filler. We've also included any TV Specials that aired during the series run. DragonBall (153 Episodes) February 26, 1986 (#001) ~ April 19, 1989 (#153) Son Goku arc February 26, 1986 (#001) ~ May 21, 1986 (#013) In search of the 7 dragonballs, Bulma crosses paths with a mysterious young boy by the name of Son Goku. Realizing Goku's strenght, she convinces him to join her in search of the dragonballs. Along the way they encounter many friends and foes, all in search of the same thing... the dragonballs. 21st Tenkaichi Budoukai arc May 28, 1986 (#014) ~ September 3, 1986 (#028) Training has begun at the Turtle Hermit School, and two new students have joined... Goku and Krillin. As their training concludes, they travel to the 21st Tenkaichi Budoukai to compete with the greatest fighters in the world. Little do they know that their teacher, Master Roshi, has disguised himself as a competitor to defeat his students. Red Ribbon Army arc September 10, 1986 (#029) ~ July 1, 1987 (#068) The ruthless Red Ribbon Army is on the hunt for the dragonballs, and they're using any means necessary to get them. Goku must take on the entire Red Ribbon Army to get his grandfather's four-star-ball back. Unfortunately for Commander Red and his army, Goku is no ordinary boy. 22nd Tenkaichi Budoukai arc July 8, 1987 (#069) ~ February 17, 1988 (#101) Master Roshi's students head to compete in the next Tenkaichi Budoukai, but a surprise awaits them. Master Roshi's rival has brought his students to compete as well, and they're out for blood. As the matches heat up, they must fight for their master's honor and their own lives. Piccolo Daimao arc February 24, 1988 (#102) ~ November 2, 1988 (#132) Krillin is found dead after the Budoukai, and it soon becomes all to clear that Piccolo Daimao has once again returned. He ravages the Earth in search of the dragonballs to regain his youth. With his newfound youth, Piccolo begins his reign over Earth and the only one standing in his way... is Goku. 23rd Tenkaichi Budoukai arc November 9, 1988 (#133) ~ April 19, 1989 (#153) Goku's training with Kami-sama has ended, and the time has come to confront Piccolo once again. The preliminary rounds of the Tenkaichi Budoukai begin, and as predicted Piccolo arrives. Fighting his greatest battle yet, Goku must now defeat the demon Piccolo to save everything that is good and right; he must save the world once again. DragonBall Z (291 Episodes, 2 TV Specials) April 26, 1989 (#001) ~ January 31, 1996 (#291) Saiya-jin arc April 26, 1989 (#001) ~ February 7, 1990 (#035) Goku and Piccolo face-off against Goku's brother, but they soon find they must face their fiercest opponents yet... the Saiya-jin's! They are a warrior race with a Prince hell bent on using the dragonballs to gain eternal life. With Goku dead, the Z Senshi must train harder than ever to prepare for the Saiya-jin's arrival on Earth. Freeza arc February 14, 1990 (#036) ~ January 29, 1992 (#125) Following the Saiya-jin battle, our heroes head to Piccolo's home planet, Namek, in search of new dragonballs. Unfortunately, the most dreaded villain in the universe, Freeza, is also searching for the dragonballs. After joining forces with Vegeta they take Freeza head on, with Goku attaining a Saiya-jin form not seen for a millenia. Artificial Human arc February 5, 1992 (#126) ~ September 1, 1993 (#199) The Red Ribbon Army has returned, in the form of Artificial Humans?! Dr. Gero has created the greatest killing machines known to man and their target is... Goku!! While fighting the Artificial Humans, new levels of Super Saiya-jin are once again attained, and Goku says goodbye to the Earth and his friends. Majin Buu arc September 8, 1993 (#200) ~ January 31, 1996 (#291) The demon known as Buu was created five million years ago by the dark mage Bibidi. Now his son's back and has released Majin Buu again in hopes of conquering the Universe in his fathers name. With the help of the East Kaioshin and fusion, Goku and Vegeta must take on Majin Buu to save the entire Universe. DragonBall GT (64 Episodes, 1 TV Special) February 7, 1996 (#001) ~ November 19, 1997 (#064) Dark Dragonball arc February 7, 1996 (#001) ~ August 21, 1996 (#022) Five years have passed and all is peaceful around the world as Goku and Uub finish their training in Heaven. However, this peace soon ends as Pilaf makes a terrifying wish, transforming Goku into a child. The rush is on to retrieve all 7 dark dragonballs from around the Universe before the Earth and it's inhabitants are destroyed. Baby arc August 28, 1996 (#023) ~ March 5, 1997 (#040) While searching for the dark dragonballs, Goku and Co. encounter Dr. Myuu and his greatest project Baby. Being the lone survivor of the Tsufuru-jin race, Baby swears revenge on all Saiya-jins, innocent or guilty. As friends turn to foe, Goku must fight the ones he loves to destroy Baby and return the Earth to peace, but is SSJ3 enough?!? Super No. 17 arc March 12, 1997 (#041) ~ June 4, 1997 (#047) In Hell, Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu combine forces to create the ultimate Artificial Human, Super No. 17. Goku rushes to Hell to stop the evil duo, but in his haste he is trapped with some old foes, Cell and Freeza. With Goku trapped in Hell, the Earth's forces must deal with the Artificial Human's assault. Goku must find a way out of Hell before all of Earth is lost. Evil Dragon arc June 11, 1997 (#048) ~ November 19, 1997 (#064) With each wish of the dragonballs, a dark force has gathered within them. As a result of their misuse, the Evil Dragons are born. Feeling responsible for this new threat, Goku sets off with Pan and Giru to confront the Evil Dragons and regain the dragonballs. With the Universe threatened, Goku must save it... one final time!

Synopsis/Images by: Hujio