The Legacy of Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama, debuted in 1989. It’s a continuation of Dragon Ball, which was inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West. Toriyama’s love for kung fu films heavily influenced the series' intense martial arts action.

The iconic Super Saiyan transformation was initially planned to be an end-of-series power-up. Toriyama designed it with blonde hair to save time on inking. The form’s green eyes were inspired by Toriyama's admiration for foreign models.

Apart from the main series, there are lesser-known TV specials. 'Bardock: The Father of Goku' and 'The History of Trunks' provide backstories that enrich the DBZ universe, offering fans a deeper understanding of pivotal characters and events.

Masako Nozawa, a legendary voice actress, has voiced Goku since the original Dragon Ball series. Surprisingly, she also voices Gohan and Goten. Nozawa's dedication to the role has earned her a Guinness World Record for the longest time voicing a character.

Dragon Ball Z has influenced countless creators and media. It popularized long-running battle shonen series and inspired works like Naruto and One Piece. Its memorable characters and epic battles have left an indelible mark on global pop culture.

Goku's fighting style was inspired by Bruce Lee, while Vegeta's stance mirrors that of a ballet dancer.