Dragon Ball canon is a term used to describe the various levels of "truth" in the fictional Dragon Ball universe of Akira Toriyama. These levels of canon are closely stacked: there are almost no instances of events in the manga not appearing in the anime, for example. This article presents, in descending order of "truth", the various sources of information about the Dragon Ball universe. In the context of fiction, the canon of a fictional universe comprises those novels, stories, films, etc. ... The Three Graces, here in a painting by Sandro Botticelli, were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility in Greek mythology. ... Dragon Ball tankōbon volume 1 (Japanese version). ... Akira Toriyama Akira Toriyama (鳥山 明 Toriyama Akira, born on April 5, 1955 in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist. ... For other uses, see Manga (disambiguation). ... Anime ) is a medium of animated cartoons originating in Japan, with distinctive character and background aesthetics that visually set it apart from other forms of animation. ...

The Manga

Dragon Ball

In the universe of Dragon Ball, the highest level of canon is the manga Dragon Ball. Published in Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan, the comic was both written and drawn by Akira Toriyama. As such, it represents the ultimate and correct vision of his world as it was presented to his readers. Fortunately, the manga itself is relatively free from direct contradictions, though there are certainly some topics open for debate. Weekly Shonen Jump, issue 40 (Japanese version) Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ Shūkan Shōnen Janpu), with a circulation of over 3 million, is one of the longest-running, weekly manga compilations in Japan. ...

Although Viz Communications is thought to do a good job translating the manga into English by fans, the final and authoritative source is the original Japanese comic. Viz, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a major American manga publisher. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Kanzenban Rerelease

In the 2002-04 rerelease of the Dragon Ball manga (called the Kanzenban, or "complete edition"), Akira Toriyama rewrote the final four pages of the series. However, this change has no impact on the storyline. (Son Goku gives Kintoun to Uub at the conclusion of the series, rather than carrying the boy on his back.) Flying Nimbus is a Flying Cloud That Goku and Later Gohan and Goten Travel On. ... Uub can refer to: Ununbium Uubu, a Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z character This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

The only change significant to the story in the re-release is that the date of the Cell Game is changed to the 26th of May, from the 17th of "M." This was done to remove a noticeable contradiction in the series, specifically that if the Jinzōningen arrived on May 12th and at least 10 days elapsed between then and the start of the Cell Game, a date of May 17th for the latter event would be impossible. (Alternative theories, such as the month after May in the Dragon Ball universe starting with the letter "M", now appear to hold no weight.) The Cell Games, is a fictional event in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball Z. It was a one-time-only tournament similar to that of the Tenkaichi Budôkai competition, but was managed by Cell: a hideous creation of Doctor Gero who...

Dr. Slump

Prior to writing Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama wrote a separate weekly humor manga for Shonen Jump called Dr. Slump. It featured the adventures of an inept inventor and his android daughter Arale in Penguin Village. During the Red Ribbon Army Saga, Son Goku and General Blue wind up in Penguin Village and are assisted by characters from the previous series. North American edition of Volume 1, featuring Arale. ... Arale on the cover of the U.S. version of Arale Norimaki (則巻アラレ Norimaki Arare) is the main character in the manga series Dr. Slump, voiced by Mami Koyama. ... The Red Ribbon Army Saga is the third saga from the fictional anime Dragon Ball. ...

Dr. Slump itself is not meant to be taken seriously, as it contains references to the real world, as well as generally "implausible" events such as the earth being cut in half (in a comedic fashion). While the characters in Dr. Slump exist as cameos in the Dragon Ball universe (and vice versa in the 90s Dr. Slump manga, anime and movies), it is debatable at best whether the Dragon Ball universe is truly compatible with the world portrayed in Dr. Slump. The term Real World or real world may mean: the stage of life that one enters after completing ones schooling, as in the sentence, After students enter the real world, they may not be able to sleep late as often as they did while in school. ...

Neko Majin Z

Long after finishing up with Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama has written a short series of one-shot comics that parody Dragon Ball. Called Neko Majin Z (because it stars a cat-warrior named "Z"), it features several characters from or inspired by Dragon Ball. (For example: the Saiyan Onio and his wife, Freeza's son Kuriza, Z's rival Neko Majin Usagi and even appearances by Vegeta, Majin Buu and Goku.) Neko Majin Kanzenban, collecting the entire series, published in April 2005 by Shueisha. ... The Saiyans, or Saiya-jin (サイヤ人) are a fictional race in the Japanese anime and manga Dragon Ball and its sequels. ... Freeza (FUNimations dub: Frieza), is a fictional character in the manga Dragon Ball/(US only: Dragon Ball Z) and the anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. In the series, Freeza is the leader of an empire which spans at least seventy-nine planets, and likely many more. ... Kuriza is a fictional character from the manga Neko Majin Z, a parody of Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama. ... Vegeta or Prince Vegeta is a fictional character in the manga and anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. He is a Saiyan warrior, voiced by Ryô Horikawa in the original Japanese version, Brian Drummond for the first two seasons of the FUNimation English dub, and Christopher Sabat in... Boo (Buu in the English anime and video games) is a fictional character in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. Boo is the most powerful enemy faced by the Z Fighters in the series. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

Because the manga is intended as a parody of Dragon Ball, most fans do not consider it a sequel and do not consider the events canonical. That has not prevented the characters of Neko Majin Z from appearing in Dragon Ball fan fiction or Kuriza from showing up in some Dragon Ball Z video games and being included in character lists by some fans. Computer and video games A screenshot of Tetris for the Nintendo Game Boy A console game (better known as a video game) is a form of interactive multimedia used for entertainment, which consists of a moveable image displayed on a screen that is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld...

The Anime

The second highest level of canon in Dragon Ball is the two anime series based on the comic: Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. This anime series significantly "fill out" the plot of the Dragon Ball comic with many extended sequences. This is due largely to the comic and the anime being produced in parallel; it was often necessary for the anime to add filler material to keep from getting ahead of the manga. These extended sequences often fill out the backstory, but frequently are contradicted by events later in the manga. Dragon Ball is the first part of the anime adaptation of the Dragon Ball manga written by Akira Toriyama and published in Japan in the Weekly Shonen Jump manga anthology comic. ... Dragon Ball Z is the long-running sequel to the anime Dragon Ball. ...

Most fans consider the events in the anime to be somewhat canon, unless they are directly contradicted by events later in the series. Again, the original Japanese version is considered the authoritative source for anime canon, as the English dubs introduce inconsistencies and misinformation that further muddle the story.

TV Specials

There are two Dragon Ball Z television specials, which aired as special double-length episodes during the normal course of the series. The Dragon Ball Z television specials are noteworthy in that their content (for the most part) does not contradict the manga. The Bardock special contradicts the manga only in that Goku appears happy (rather than violent and bloodthirsty) at the end, and Bardock himself later appeared in a two-panel stint in the manga. The Trunks special was actually based on a special chapter of the manga, though it presents an alternate version of certain events in that chapter (namely, it alters when Trunks was able to achieve Super Saiyan, for dramatic effect). Bardock: Father of Goku is a Dragon Ball Z movie, which is part of the Dragon Ball Z series. ... Resistance to Despair!! The Remaining Super-Warriors, Gohan and Trunks (Japanese: 絶望への反抗!! 残された超戦士・悟飯とトランクス, Rōmaji: Zetsubō e no Hankō!! Nokosareta Chō-Senshi • Gohan to Torankusu) is an hour-long TV-Special (#2) that is part of the Dragonball Z series of anime. ... Broly as Super Saiyan 1 A Super Saiyan ), often abbreviated as SSJ, is a special advanced and powerful state of the Saiyan race in the manga /anime of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT. There are at least four levels of the state, each more powerful than...

There is one Dragon Ball GT television special, which is grouped with that series in terms of canon level.

Garlic Jr. Saga

The Garlic Junior Saga is an interesting exception to most of the filler used in the anime and its level of canon is disputed. Like much of the other filler, it does not include situations described in the original manga. However, it is a direct sequel to events from the first Dragon Ball Z movie, Dead Zone. It details a second attempt by Garlic Jr. to take over the world and also features other elements which are more difficult to rationalize in the anime such as the appearance of Son Gohan's pet dragon from Movie #3, Haiyaa Dragon. Kuririn's Girlfriend Maron is also introduced in this saga, and she returns in the Android Saga. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Japanese box art Return my Gohan!! is the 1st DBZ movie. ... Garlic Jr. ... Chinese dragon, colour engraving on wood, Chinese school, 19th Century A dragon is typically depicted as a large and powerful serpent or other reptile, with magical or spiritual qualities. ... This is a list of fictional characters from the Dragon Ball manga and anime ( ), including the Dragon Ball Z movies ( ). Following each characters bio are external links that focus on the corresponding character. ... Kuririn (クリリン), Kulilin, or Krillin in the English anime is a fictional character in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z, and the anime Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT. In the early Harmony Gold English Dragon Ball dub from the 1980s, he is known as Bongo. ... This is a list of fictional characters from the Dragon Ball manga and anime ( ), including the Dragon Ball Z movies ( ). Following each characters bio are external links that focus on the corresponding character. ... The Androds Saga is a short period in the fictional anime series Dragon Ball Z. It features the first 5 Androids built by Dr. Gero, who are released and wreak havoc on the world. ...

Because it does not have the level of contradictions found in other movies, some fans consider both the Garlic Jr. Saga and Dead Zone to have "happened" within the anime canon. This remains, however, a controversial topic. Dead Zone is considered to take place shortly before the start of Dragon Ball Z, but two problems arise when fitting it into the flow of the series: given that the Dragon Balls are used in the film, Son Goku is alive, and Son Gohan is still very young, it must happen at least a full year before Goku is revived (and thus before the start of the series); on the other hand, Son Gohan is known to the characters in the movie, where he was unknown to them in the series itself. Thus, claims of canonicity are contentious at best. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Son Gohan, or simply Gohan in the English anime, is a fictional character in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z by Akira Toriyama and the anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. He is a Halfbreed Saiyan. ...

Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball GT was an original sequel series to Dragon Ball Z, based on the manga by Akira Toriyama. Toriyama did contribute some material early on, such as character designs for the leads, their spaceship, and some of the aliens, but for the most part, it was the work of Toei Animation. The author himself has had no problems with the series, and has publicly stated on a number of occasions that he liked it and considers it something of a "sidestory." This view is shared (though usually with far less goodwill toward the series) among many fans. Dragon Ball GT ) is the sequel to the anime Dragon Ball Z, but is the only series that is not based on a manga by Akira Toriyama. ... Toei Animation (東映アニメーション Tōei Animēshon) is a Japanese animation (anime) studio owned by the Toei Company. ...

Regardless of the creator's influence, a number of plot holes make the series difficult to classify as canon. These include, but are not limited to:

• Son Goku's immature behavior in his child form, despite retaining his adult memories and strength.
• Trunks and Son Goku not using Super Saiyan as often as they ought to, in fights where it would easily allow them to win.
• Vegeta growing (and then shaving off) a mustache, when Saiyans are previously stated to only have hair that grows in a set pattern, to a certain length. (There is no previous evidence of Vegeta shaving in the series, though his father, when depicted in the anime, had a mustache and beard.)
• Freeza and Cell being immortal in Hell, when in the final chapters of the manga it was revealed that someone dead can indeed be killed again, apparently totally destroying them.

Thus, Dragon Ball GT is often considered a non-canon "epilogue" to the main plot that takes place after the events of Dragon Ball Z. Broly as Super Saiyan 1 A Super Saiyan ), often abbreviated as SSJ, is a special advanced and powerful state of the Saiyan race in the manga /anime of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT. There are at least four levels of the state, each more powerful than... Saiyan, or Saiya-jin (サイヤ人) in the original Japanese anime and manga, refers to a fictional race from the Planet Vegeta in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. The name is an anagram of yasai, which is Japanese for...

The Daizenshuu

The final component which most fans consider to be canonical information is the several daizenshuu which were released only in Japan. These "Perfect File" books are reference guides to the series and often contain character and attack names and other clarifiations which are not present in the manga or anime themselves. There are no current plans to release these books in the US and they are out of print even in Japan.

Many fans however question how canon the actual books are. The books were not actually written by Akira Toriyama, though he was consulted on several parts.

The Movies

Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z each had a number of movies made, generally two each year (one each for the spring and summer recesses from school). While it is possible to relate the movies to a relative time period within the series itself, they often contradict, make impossible, or completely replace the normal flow of the series. Several movies have relatively few such conflicts, but none are completely free of them except 9 (Bojack Unbound). The movies are generally considered to be "sidestories" or "what if?" situations based on (or in a parallel universe to) the series, but not part of the series itself.

The "OVA"

Commonly believed to be an OVA, "Plot To Destroy the Saiya-jin!" is actually the strung together cutscenes of a Playdia game released as a movie. It is generally considered lower than the movies on the canon scale, though it is noteworthy in that its villain, Dr. Raichii, was more or less rehashed into Dr. Mu for Dragon Ball GT. Original Video Animation (OVA) is an acronym used in Japan for anime titles that are released directly to retail sale, without prior showings on TV or in theaters. ... A cut scene or cutscene (sometimes also referred to as a cinematic) is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no control. ... The Bandai Playdia console The Playdia was a video game console released in 1994 by Bandai. ...

The Games

At the very bottom rung of canon is the world of video games and collectible card games. These games usually are designed and built by people with little affiliation with the series itself and may contain inaccuracies. Computer and video games A screenshot of Tetris for the Nintendo Game Boy A console game (better known as a video game) is a form of interactive multimedia used for entertainment, which consists of a moveable image displayed on a screen that is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld... Collectible card games (CCGs), also called customizable card games or trading card games, are played using specially designed sets of cards. ...

Notes on Translations

There are a large number of inconsistencies between the various English translations of the series with respect to character names and translations. Many fans do not agree which of the translations have the "correct" spelling and Romanization of names. Other solutions, such as using a standard Hepburn romanization, tend to make name puns and some of the fun of the series more obscure. As long as there are Dragon Ball fans, there will be arguments over the correct English names. Japanese writing Kanji 漢字 Kana 仮名 Hiragana 平仮名 Katakana 片仮名 Uses Furigana 振り仮名 Okurigana 送り仮名 Romaji ローマ字 The Hepburn romanization system (Japanese: ヘボン式, Hebon-shiki) was devised by the Reverend James Curtis Hepburn to transcribe the sounds of the Japanese language into the Roman alphabet for his Japanese–English dictionary, published in 1867. ...

Although not universally agreed upon, the Viz Communications translations of the manga are a generally accepted source of "correct" names. Their translation is more direct than the anime translation and they have the advantage of working directly in a textual medium so that spelling is never in question. Of course, even that translation is imperfect and cannot be accepted as completely authoritative ("Mr. Satan," for example, is the original name of a character that was changed to "Hercule" by Viz). The Viz translations also have a tendecy of mixing Chinese and Japanese names (using "Chi" instead of "Ki" for example). Viz, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a major American manga publisher. ...