This is a series where it all began. For most anime viewers, this could well be the first one that they watched and the one that always stayed in their memories.
Centered around a monkey-like fighter Goku, it follows his quest in finding all seven dragon balls which can make any wish you want. On his travels he meets Bulma, master Roshi, Krillin, Yamacha and many other friends and foes from which many will become friends later.
It truly is a jewel among anime and a classic manageable to watch even by all today’s standards. The animations may seem a little stiff and repetitive, but for that time it was ground breaking. What I enjoy is that manages to maintain its uniqueness and shows the true martial arts fights in their best color. Adventure filled with comedy and battles is what this story is.
Today it is usually overshadowed by its successor (Dragon Ball Z) but nevertheless should you want to find how it all began and if you want to find a series which is probably one of the most (if not the most) translated anime of them all, then this is the one for you, because the name Son-Goku will always stay remembered no matter how many years pass.

4.5/5

Mangaka: Akira Toriyama
Genres: Action, adventure, tournament
Anime director: Minoru Okazaki, Daisuke Nishio
Age rating: Teenagers (12+)
Episodes: 153
Original vintage: February 1986 – April 1989