Dragon Ball – History, Heroes, Anime & Collectibles
Forty years on from the first page, Dragon Ball is entering a new era – its first without its creator. Here is the history, the characters, what returns in 2026, and what is worth owning in Dragon Ball collectibles.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
The history: a monkey-tailed boy and seven orbs
In 1984 Akira Toriyama began a comic adventure loosely inspired by the Chinese epic Journey to the West: a boy with a monkey's tail searching for seven magical orbs.
It did not stay a comedy for long. Dragon Ball became the template on which the entire shonen genre was built – Naruto, One Piece and dozens of others owe it their structure.
Why this matters to collectors: Dragon Ball has the most active figure market of any anime. Banpresto has released new lines every month for decades. A collector never finishes – and the manufacturers know it.
The series, in order
The beginning. Goku as a child, the search for the orbs, more comedy than combat.
The series that became a global phenomenon. Saiyans, Frieza, Cell, Buu.
From 2015. Gods of Destruction, parallel universes, Ultra Instinct.
2024. An original story in which Goku and his friends are turned into children.
GT also exists, but was not based on a Toriyama manga – which is why many fans treat it separately.
The characters
The protagonist. The character with more figures than any other in anime.
The Saiyan prince – the most popular character after Goku.
The antagonist who defined what a shonen villain could be.
The second tier – each with a substantial following of their own in collectibles.
What is happening now – the first era without Toriyama
The creator's death
Akira Toriyama died on 1 March 2024, aged 68. He designed every character and wrote every arc of Dragon Ball across forty years.
Daima – his final work
Dragon Ball DAIMA began in October 2024, marking the series' fortieth anniversary. It was an original story written by Toriyama himself, with his own character designs – and it aired after his death. In it, Goku and his friends are shrunk into children and travel to a new world.
The return of Super
In January 2026, at the anniversary event Genki Dama Matsuri, it was announced that the Dragon Ball Super anime is returning – for the first time in eight years. It begins with a remake of the first arc, Beerus / Battle of Gods, and will then adapt the Galactic Patrol arc, finally moving the story past the Tournament of Power.
The manga
It remains on indefinite hiatus following Toriyama's death. Toyotaro, the illustrator who worked alongside him, published a special chapter in 2025, but the series has not resumed.
Dates move – we update this guide whenever something changes officially.
What is worth collecting
- Banpresto figures: the Grandista, Maximatic and other lines – the most widely stocked choice, with new releases every month.
- Bandai Ichibansho & S.H. Figuarts: higher detail and articulation, for a serious display.
- Dragon Balls & props: sets of the seven crystal orbs, scouters and radars.
- Funko POP: a large range, including rare exclusives.
- Manga & merchandise: volumes, t-shirts, mugs, keyrings.
Gift guide
A Banpresto Goku figure – recognisable and affordable.
A set of the seven orbs, play figures, t-shirts.
Ichibansho, S.H. Figuarts, large statues.
Keyrings, mugs, small figures, a manga volume.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dragon Ball Super coming back?
- Yes. It was announced in January 2026 that the anime returns after eight years – first with a remake of the Beerus arc, then adapting the Galactic Patrol arc. The manga, however, remains on indefinite hiatus.
- What is Dragon Ball Daima?
- An original 2024 series marking the franchise's fortieth anniversary, in which Goku and his friends are turned into children. It was Akira Toriyama's final work and aired after his death. It is a separate story, outside the Super continuity.
- What order should I watch Dragon Ball in?
- Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball Super. Daima can be watched separately. If you are in a hurry, many people start directly with Z – though you lose how the characters were built.
- Where can I find authentic Dragon Ball collectibles in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
- Are your Dragon Ball figures genuine?
- Yes. Everything comes from authorised distributors – Banpresto, Bandai and other official manufacturers.
