Overview of the Dragon Ball Franchise Spin-Offs
- The Dragon Ball universe offers a wealth of spin-offs that delve into different facets of the franchise.
- Among these spin-offs are anime adaptations like Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super, which further enrich the series’ lore.
- Parodies and crossovers, such as Neko Majin and That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha, provide a humorous twist on the original stories.
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Dragon Ball is a monumental franchise that has captivated audiences for over four decades, seamlessly evolving from a simple adventure narrative into a complex universe filled with formidable aliens and epic battles.
As the franchise’s lore continues to expand, numerous spin-offs and adaptations have emerged, each exploring various elements of Dragon Ball. With such a vast array of content available, fans may find it challenging to keep track of what is out there. Therefore, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of these offerings.
Exploring Manga Adaptations of Anime Media
This section covers spin-offs primarily associated with the anime adaptations.
Dragon Ball GT Anime Manga
|
Start of Serialization |
2014 |
|
End of Serialization |
2023 |
|
Volumes Published |
3 |
|
Magazine |
Saikyou Jump |
Unlike traditional manga adaptations, this rendition of Dragon Ball GT utilizes existing scenes from the anime, reworking them into a comic format with added dialogue. This approach results in a fully colored presentation that captures the essence of the original series, appealing to fans of both the anime and manga formats.
Dragon Ball Special — Jump Super Anime Tour 2008
|
Start of Serialization |
March 2009 (Part 1) |
|
End of Serialization |
April 2009 (Part 2) |
|
Author |
Although Oishi |
|
Magazine |
V-JUMP |
This special narrative, directed by Yoshihiro Ueda and released in 2008 during the Jump Super Anime Tour, takes place two years post-Buu Saga. It introduces Vegeta’s brother, Tarble, and features foes from Frieza’s past in a charming tale titled Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!.
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ Prelude Manga
|
Start of Serialization |
May 2015 |
|
End of Serialization |
June 2015 |
|
Author |
Toyotaro |
|
Magazine |
V-JUMP |
This brief three-chapter manga encapsulates the narrative of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, where the villain Frieza seeks vengeance against the Z warriors under the direction of Tadayoshi Yamamuro.
Dragon Ball Super – Adaptation and Sequel
|
Start of Serialization |
2015 |
|
End of Serialization |
Ongoing |
|
Author |
Toyotaro (with oversight from Akira Toriyama) |
|
Volumes Published |
23 |
|
Magazine |
V-JUMP |
Dragon Ball Super initially mirrored the anime’s storyline, launching concurrently with the series. After the anime’s conclusion, the manga not only continued the narrative but also introduced new arcs, often adapting content from the movies. This ongoing series is viewed as the legitimate continuation of the original arc, although its status may change with the introduction of upcoming stories like Dragon Ball Daima.
The Galactic Patrol Series
The Galactic Patrol series encompasses narratives focused on the Galactic Patrol, tasked with maintaining law and order across the Milky Way, often facing humorous challenges.
Sachie-chan Good and Jiya One-Shots
|
Start of Serialization |
2008 (Sachie-chan) |
|
End of Serialization |
2010 (Yesterday) |
|
Authors |
Masakazu Katsura and Akira Toriyama |
|
Volumes |
1 |
|
Magazine |
Jump SQ / Shonen Jump |
These one-shot stories stem from a collaborative effort between Akira Toriyama and renowned creator Masakazu Katsura, serving as an early exploration of the Galactic Patrol concept. Although distinct stories, they were compiled into a single volume released in 2014.
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman
|
Start of Serialization |
July 2013 |
|
End of Serialization |
October 2013 |
|
Author |
Akira Toriyama |
|
Volumes Published |
1 |
|
Magazine |
Shonen Jump |
Written solely by Toriyama, this storyline takes place approximately 11 years before the events of the original Dragon Ball. The plot centers around Jaco, a Galactic Patrolman who arrives on Earth to confront a Saiyan, leading to a series of unexpected adventures.
Crossover and Parody Tales
This section explores the dynamic blend of humor and crossover that has arisen within the Dragon Ball franchise.
Neko Majin — A Dragon Ball Parody
|
Start of Serialization |
1999 |
|
End of Serialization |
2005 |
|
Author |
Akira Toriyama |
|
Volumes Published |
1 |
|
Magazine |
Shonen Jump |
Neko Majin stands out as a humorous take on the Dragon Ball universe, particularly known for the Neko Majin Z arc, where it parallels Dragon Ball’s familiar scenarios. This parody series showcases Toriyama’s playful twist on the characters’ adventures.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha
|
Start of Serialization |
2016 |
|
End of Serialization |
2017 |
|
Author |
dragongarow LEE |
|
Volumes Published |
1 |
|
Magazine |
Shonen Jump+ (Digital) |
One of the most recognized parodies, this series follows a Dragon Ball fan from our world who is reincarnated as Yamcha. Fully aware of his tragic fate in the original storyline, he strives to alter his destiny and avoid his fateful demise.
Crossovers with One Piece and KochiKame
|
DB & KochiKame Release Date |
September 2006 |
|
DB & One Piece Release Date |
December 2006 |
|
Authors |
Akira Toriyama & Osamu Akimoto / Akira Toriyama & Eiichiro Oda |
|
Magazine |
Shonen Jump |
The Dragon Ball x KochiKame crossover features Ryo, the central character from KochiKame, navigating Namek during the Frieza Saga, balancing his police work with the unique challenges of a different universe. Conversely, the Dragon Ball x One Piece crossover, titled Cross Epoch, depicts characters from both franchises attempting to reach a gathering hosted by Mr. Satan.
Various Dragon Ball Spin-Off Mangas
This section focuses on additional spin-offs that don’t neatly fit into the previously defined categories.
Illustrated Stories Featuring Piccolo, Vegeta, and Trunks
|
Start of Serialization |
1989 (Small) |
|
End of Serialization |
1993 (Trunks) |
|
Authors |
Takao Koyama, Aya Matsui, Minoru Maeda |
|
Magazine |
Jump Gold Selection / Bardock – The Father of Goku |
Produced by the anime team, these illustrated stories debuted in Dragon Ball-themed Jump Gold Selection editions during the 1990s. Although not traditional manga, they feature several side narratives enhanced with illustrations by Minoru Maeda, such as Piccolo’s transformation into a mentor for Gohan and Vegeta’s backstory.
Manga Related to Dragon Ball Games
A multitude of games based on Dragon Ball have led to several related manga publications. Here are some noteworthy examples:
- Dragon Ball Fusions
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- DesPo FighterZ
- Dragon Ball Heroes (including various sub-series)
- Dragon Ball Super Divers
The most recognized of these is the Dragon Ball Heroes series, which inspired the Super Dragon Ball Heroes anime. The first manga, DBH: Victory Mission, was serialized by Toyotaro from 2012 to 2016, alongside additional chapters in 2024 featuring a character named Beat.
Dragon Ball SD – A Child-Friendly Remake
|
Start of Serialization |
2010 |
|
End of Serialization |
Ongoing |
|
Author |
Although Oishi |
|
Volumes Published |
11 |
|
Magazine |
Saikyou Jump |
Dragon Ball SD serves as a simplified, chibi-style retelling of the original manga, tailored for younger audiences with simplified language. Although primarily a remake, author Naho Oishi sometimes includes additional narratives, enriching the overall content, such as adaptations from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods.
VIZ Media holds the licensing rights for the Dragon Ball manga and its spin-offs in the United States, although some titles may not be available in English.
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