Dragon Ball
Akira Toriyama's manga series following Son Goku's adventures as he searches for the seven Dragon Balls and battles increasingly powerful opponents. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984 to 1995.
- Genre:
- バトル / 冒険 / SF
- Medium:
- Manga / Anime / Film
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Dragon Ball — Timeline27 events
Birth of Kakarot (Son Goku)
Kakarot is born to Saiyan warriors Bardock and Gine. Classified as a low-power fighter, he is sent to Earth by space pod shortly after birth.
— Age 737 is documented in the official 'DRAGON BALL Chronology' (Toriyama pamphlet). Also referenced in the Bardock TV special.
Goku Meets Bulma — Dragon Ball Quest Begins
Goku, raised in the remote Mount Paozu, encounters Bulma, who is searching for the Dragon Balls. Together they set off on a quest to gather all seven, marking the beginning of the main story.
Vol.1 1Ch. — Manga volume 1, chapter 1. Age 749 confirmed by official chronology.
Meeting Oolong and Yamcha
During their Dragon Ball quest, Goku and Bulma encounter Oolong, a shape-shifting pig, and desert bandit Yamcha with Puar. Though initially hostile, Yamcha and his companion eventually join the group.
Vol.1 — Manga volumes 1–2. Age 749 per official chronology.
Training Under Master Roshi
Goku and Krillin become Master Roshi's disciples and build physical strength through unconventional everyday labor training over roughly eight months before entering the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament.
— Manga volumes 2–3.
21st World Martial Arts Tournament
After training under Master Roshi, Goku and Krillin compete in the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Earlier the same year, Emperor Pilaf attempts to use the Dragon Balls but is foiled.
— Age 750 per official chronology.
Red Ribbon Army — Muscle Tower Destroyed
Goku single-handedly storms Muscle Tower, the Red Ribbon Army's northern fortress, to reclaim a stolen Dragon Ball. With help from Android 8, he defeats every floor commander and routs the garrison.
Vol.3 — Manga volumes 3–5. Age 750 per official chronology.
Showdown with Mercenary Tao — Ascending Korin Tower
After an initial defeat by Mercenary Tao, the world's deadliest assassin hired by the Red Ribbon Army, Goku climbs Korin Tower, receives sacred Senzu Beans from the hermit Korin, and defeats Tao in a rematch.
Vol.5 — Manga volumes 5–6. Tao is officially born in Age 459, making him ~291 at his appearance. Age 750 per official chronology.
Baba's Battles — All Seven Dragon Balls Gathered
To learn the location of the remaining Dragon Balls, Goku's group battles five fighters chosen by Fortuneteller Baba. The final opponent is revealed to be Grandpa Gohan in disguise, reuniting Goku with his late grandfather.
Vol.7 — Manga volumes 7–8. Age 750 per official chronology.
Red Ribbon Army Headquarters Destroyed
With all seven Dragon Balls in hand, Goku storms the Red Ribbon Army's main base alone against the full might of the organization. He defeats Commander Red, Staff Officer Black, and the rest, dismantling the criminal army.
Vol.8 — Manga volumes 8–9. Age 750 per official chronology.
22nd World Martial Arts Tournament — Tien Shinhan Wins
Tien Shinhan, disciple of the Crane Hermit, competes in the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. He defeats Goku in the final by destroying the ring itself, winning the aerial contest. Tien then resolves to abandon the assassin's path.
Vol.9 — Manga volumes 9–11. Age 753 per official chronology. Tien is approximately 20 years old at this point.
Krillin Killed by Tambourine — King Piccolo's Rise
Freed from his magical seal, King Piccolo deploys his offspring Tambourine to systematically kill martial artists; Krillin is among the victims. Enraged, Goku pursues Tambourine and defeats him.
Vol.11 — Manga volumes 11–12. Age 753 per official chronology. Krillin's death fuels Goku's drive to confront King Piccolo.
Resurrection and Defeat of King Piccolo
King Piccolo is freed from his magical containment and sets out to conquer the world. Goku faces him alone and defeats him after a grueling battle.
— Age 753 per official chronology. Corresponds to manga volumes 12–17.
23rd World Martial Arts Tournament — Goku Marries Chi-Chi
Goku battles Piccolo Jr. in the final of the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament and wins. He then marries Chi-Chi, fulfilling a childhood promise.
— Age 756 per official chronology. Manga volumes 16–17.
Raditz Arrives — Goku and Piccolo Team Up
Raditz, Goku's older brother, arrives on Earth, revealing Goku's Saiyan origins. Goku and longtime rival Piccolo join forces; Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon strikes both Raditz and Goku, killing them together.
Vol.17 — Manga volumes 17–18. Age 761 per official chronology; Raditz's arrival is dated October Age 761.
Goku's Death and Training on King Kai's Planet
Goku sacrifices himself when caught by Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon during the fight against Raditz. After death he travels Snake Way and trains under King Kai, mastering new techniques.
— Early Age 762. Manga volumes 18–20.
Saiyan Invasion — Vegeta and Nappa Arrive on Earth
Saiyans Vegeta and Nappa invade Earth, killing several of Goku's allies. Goku returns after training on King Kai's planet and ultimately repels the invasion after a fierce battle with Vegeta.
— Age 762 per official chronology. Manga volumes 18–23.
Journey to Namek — Zarbon and Dodoria
Unable to use Earth's Dragon Balls to revive the fallen, Krillin and Gohan travel to Planet Namek. Frieza's elite henchmen Zarbon and Dodoria terrorize the Namekians while gathering Dragon Balls; Vegeta also moves independently on Namek.
Vol.24 — Manga volumes 24–27. Age 762 latter half per official chronology.
Battle Against the Ginyu Force
Frieza's elite Ginyu Force — Recoome, Burter, Jeice, Guldo, and Captain Ginyu — arrives on Namek. Goku uses the Kaio-ken to defeat most of them, but Ginyu's Body Change temporarily traps Goku in a weakened body.
Vol.27 — Manga volumes 27–30. Age 762 per official chronology.
Frieza's Final Form — Krillin Killed — Super Saiyan Awakening
Frieza transforms to his final fourth form and kills Krillin with a psychic explosion. Goku's grief and rage trigger the legendary Super Saiyan transformation, turning the tide. Namek explodes; Goku is presumed dead along with Frieza.
Vol.30 — Manga volumes 30–33. Super Saiyan first achieved in Age 762 per official chronology. Frieza's final form is one of the series' landmark moments.
Battle on Namek — Confrontation with Frieza
Goku and allies travel to Planet Namek to use its Dragon Balls. They clash with Frieza, who seeks dominion over the planet. Goku awakens as a Super Saiyan and overwhelms Frieza.
— Events within Age 762. Manga volumes 24–33. The Super Saiyan awakening is one of the series' defining moments.
Future Trunks Appears — Frieza Defeated
A young Super Saiyan from the future, Future Trunks, effortlessly cuts down the cyborg-enhanced Frieza and King Cold before they can reach Earth. He delivers heart medicine and a warning about the Androids to Goku, then returns to his own time.
Vol.33 — Manga volumes 33–34. Age 764 per official chronology. Future Trunks's first appearance.
Birth of Trunks
Trunks is born to Vegeta and Bulma. His future counterpart's time-travel visits to the past later establish the existence of divergent timelines in the Dragon Ball universe.
Vol.35 — Age 766 per official chronology. Manga volumes 35–36.
Androids 17 and 18 Activate — Cell Emerges
Androids 17 and 18 activate and kill their creator Dr. Gero. Cell, a bio-android from the future, appears in his larval first form and begins absorbing humans to fuel his evolution.
Vol.36 — Manga volumes 36–38. Age 767 per official chronology. The Androids activate on May 12, Age 767 per official records.
Android and Cell Saga
Androids created by Dr. Gero and the bio-android Cell threaten Earth. Goku and Gohan train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Gohan, awakening as a Super Saiyan 2, defeats Perfect Cell.
— Age 767 per official chronology. Manga volumes 34–42.
25th World Tournament — Babidi and Vegeta's Majin Transformation
The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament brings Goku back for a single day. Sorcerer Babidi infiltrates the venue, and Vegeta willingly accepts the Majin spell to force a showdown with Goku. Their battle's energy contributes to Majin Buu's revival.
Vol.40 — Manga volumes 40–41. Age 774 per official chronology. The 25th Tournament is dated May 7, Age 774 in official records.
Battle Against Majin Buu
Babidi revives Majin Buu, devastating Earth. Goku transforms to Super Saiyan 3, and ultimately a Spirit Bomb powered by the energy of all living beings destroys Buu.
— Age 774 per official chronology. Final arc of the manga.
28th World Martial Arts Tournament — Goku Departs with Uub
Ten years after Buu's defeat, the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament is held. Goku meets Uub, the pure reincarnation of Majin Buu, and departs with him to train — the final scene of the original manga.
Vol.42 519Ch. — Age 784 per official chronology. Final chapter of the manga (chapter 519, volume 42).
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