Dragon Ball Z - A Milestone Of Japanese Anime

Blending aliens and martial arts may seem like an impossible thing to do, but Japanese author Akira Toriyama has done just that in the highly popular manga series, Dragon Ball Z.

Originally part of the Dragon Ball manga series, Dragon Ball Z follows the character Goku, who is part of an alien race called the Saiyans. He has lived his entire life on earth, training to protect it from invaders. In this series, he is once again faced with protecting earth from evil creatures who want to do it harm, but this time he has someone who he can trust at his back, his son Gohan.

While young Goku was the hero and lead character of the original Dragon Ball manga, Gohan is now the lead in Dragon Ball Z. Half Saiyan, half human, Gohan is constantly at battle with his own internal anger, and throughout most of the series this is a main plot point. Many people (both characters in the manga and readers of it) believe that Gohan could be the strongest character ever, but his strength is tied in when he is angry or frightened. In the first volume, a four year old Gohan is able to injure his evil uncle Raditz when Goku is in trouble. But despite his great powers and abilities, Gohan is still a child, and all children have to go to school. In scenes that are universal to children all over the world, Gohan is pressured by this mother to do his homework.

This series isn't only about fighting and death; it wouldn't be as popular is it is if that was all it had. Dragon Ball Z is about love; love for yourself, love for your family, love for your friends. Gohan loves himself, his family, and his friends too much to turn to anger and let his power take over. Piccolo, too, is motivated by love. Once an enemy of Goku, the two join forces to defeat evil. After Goku dies and is transported to train in the afterlife, Piccolo trains Gohan and they form a bond so strong that it leads to Piccolo dying in order to save his young friend. Gohan then goes out of his way to restore Piccolo.

The constant battle between good and evil is another reason why this manga series is so popular all over the world. Adolescent men in particular love the action and fight scenes, but both men and women of all ages can appreciate a thrilling tale where good is pitting against an evil creature.

The science fiction elements involving creatures from other planets and space ships are popular in many manga series, but Dragon Ball Z offers more of a walk on the line between action and humour. There are times where characters lose limbs in gory fight scenes, and other times when characters can say something so funny that the reader laughs out loud.

Dragon Ball Z offers many volumes of great reading material for people of all ages. You don't have to be a fan of comics, graphic novels, or other manga series to be able to appreciate the wonder of the series


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