“Dragon Ball” debuted as a manga in 1984 and was quickly adapted into an anime. The Adventures of Goku gained enormous popularity, establishing itself on the international scene and becoming a phenomenon throughout the 1990s.
However, the series reached a significant turning point when it came time to tell Goku’s story as an adult. The young warrior who had faced countless dangers was now married. Akira Toriyama needed a way to connect Goku to younger generations while still keeping him as a main character.
This led to the idea of giving Goku a son. However, the new phase of the anime required a title, as the manga itself kept the name “Dragon Ball” until “Dragon Ball Super”. So, the legendary mangaka had to find suitable titles for the continuation of Goku’s story.
First Name Ideas Before “Dragon Ball Z”
Before deciding on “Dragon Ball Z,” Akira Toriyama considered several other names:
- “New Dragon Ball”
- “Dragonball 90”
- “Dragon Ball: Wonder Boy”
- “Dragon Ball: Gohan’s Big Adventure”
Luckily, none of these names were well received by Toei Animation, the studio producing the anime at the time, so they were ultimately rejected.
How was “Dragon Ball Z” born?
The name “Dragon Ball Z” was not born out of a desire to appeal to Generation Z, nor was it intended to indicate the purpose of the series because Z is the last letter of the alphabet: both are incorrect assumptions.
The truth is that when brainstorming titles, “Dragon Ball 2” was written in an outline. One of the designers mistakenly interpreted the “2” as a “Z” and created a logo that everyone liked. This is how “Dragon Ball Z” came to life.
By keeping “Dragon Ball” in the title, the sequel maintained brand continuity and seamlessly connected the two series.
The impact and legacy of “Dragon Ball Z”
As we know, “Dragon Ball Z” became the direct sequel to the original “Dragon Ball”. However, it introduced a change in tone and focus, considering that:
- The story expanded to include intense battles and the exploration of power levels.
- It delved into the Saiyan heritage, introducing iconic characters like Vegeta and exploring Goku’s extraterrestrial origins.
- The narrative has evolved to include galactic-scale threats, such as the tyrant Frieza, androids, and Majin Buu.
Unlike the original series, the mystical Dragon Balls have gone from being a central plot element to a backdrop for a larger, more epic narrative.
The series’ influence is monumental, cementing its position as one of the greatest anime of all time. It has left a lasting legacy, inspiring numerous spin-offs, games, films, and a devoted global fan base even decades after its release.
Source: GK
