Dragon Ball Z

1989 • TMDB 8.4 • 9 seasons • Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Overview

Years after the original Dragon Ball, Goku is a married father living in peace on Earth, but that peace never lasts long. Dragon Ball Z follows the Z Fighters as they face one world-ending threat after another: the ruthless Saiyan warriors, the galactic tyrant Frieza, the bio-engineered monster Cell, and the ancient, chaotic Majin Buu. Between battles, the series slows down for training, rivalry, and family, building a cast that grows from children into legends. Its power-ups, transformations, and marathon fights became the blueprint for modern shonen anime, and its story of effort, loyalty, and never giving up still resonates decades later. Across 291 episodes, Dragon Ball Z turns a martial arts adventure into a saga about protecting home at any cost.

Creator and Main Cast

Dragon Ball Z continues Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga, airing on Fuji TV from 1989 to 1996. The voice cast includes Masako Nozawa as Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Son Goten (291 episodes), Ryo Horikawa as Vegeta (291 episodes), Toshio Furukawa as Piccolo (291 episodes), and Mayumi Tanaka as Krillin and Uranai Baba (291 episodes).

Seasons Snapshot

Dragon Ball Z ran for 9 seasons and 291 episodes on Fuji TV, from April 26, 1989, to January 31, 1996, plus 10 specials. The saga breakdown: Saiyan Saga (39 episodes, 1989), Namek Saga (35 episodes, 1990), Frieza Saga (33 episodes, 1991), Androids Saga (32 episodes, 1991), Cell Saga (26 episodes, 1992), Cell Games Saga (29 episodes, 1992), World Tournament Saga (25 episodes, 1993), Majin Buu Saga (34 episodes, 1994), and Kid Buu Saga (38 episodes, 1995).

Why Watch Dragon Ball Z?

Dragon Ball Z is the anime that defined a generation of action storytelling. Its villains escalate in unforgettable fashion, its heroes train, fail, and rise again, and its iconic moments, from Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation to the father-son Kamehameha, are part of pop culture itself. The long sagas reward patience with payoffs that still land, and the mix of humor, heart, and spectacle makes it easy to see why the series remains a gateway anime for new fans and a comfort watch for longtime ones.

Trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube: Dragon Ball Z Series – OFFICIAL Trailer

Where to Watch

In the US, Dragon Ball Z streams on Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Availability was checked against JustWatch US listings on October 29, 2026, and may change over time.