Earth (also known as the
Dragon World) is a
fictional planet inhabited by humans, demons, extraterrestrials, and the like being the main setting for the bulk of the plot of the
Dragon Ball manga, the
Dragon Ball anime,
Dragon Ball Z, as well as
Dragon Ball GT. It is also the setting for two other manga by
Akira Toriyama:
Dr. Slump and
Neko Majin Z.
Characteristics
Earth is very advanced (though the
Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z saga takes place in the 700s
A.D.; see Age system below). Flying vehicles, capsules that can shrink inanimate objects down to pocket size, robots, and other near-future
Sci-Fi staples are common-place on Earth. The architecture is also more advanced. The buildings are usually rounded, often employing spherical or ovoid sections held aloft by a cylindrical stem. Certain elements of magic also coexist with the advanced science.
Politically, Earth has a planet-wide
monarchy. It is divided into 43 "sectors", led by the
King of the Earth. The dating system is also quite different. While the length and divisions of the year seem to be identical to the
Gregorian Calendar, years are reckoned by the Age system (エイジ
Eiji, interpreted as the Christian
A.D.). The standard currency is
Zeni, which is mostly mentioned at the
World Martial Arts Tournament.
In the
Dragon Ball universe, all planets benefit from an appointed
deity. Throughout most of series, the God of the Earth is
Kami, but later that position was given to
Dende after Kami had fused with
Piccolo. Because both Kami and Dende are
Namekians, they have the ability to create seven
Dragonballs, which can grant wishes if all seven are collected. These wishes are used regularly throughout
Dragon Ball for many various things, usually bringing people back to life. Earth itself is wished back into existence a number of times through this method.
Inhabitants
Dragon World is primarily dominated by
humans. With the exception of the uncommon hair colors and occasionally odd features (ranging from longer lifespans to
werewolfism, to
Tenshinhan's third eye) and abilities,
Dragon Ball humans are identical to their real-life counterparts. Humans in
Dragon Ball seem to be able to utilize or be affected by certain elements of
magic. Toriyama himself has admitted to lack of forethought or planning when it comes to the details of
Dragon Ball's story, which accounts for some of the strange occurrences.
[2] Due to the biological similarities
Saiyans have to humans, the two species are able to interbreed, producing
hybrids.
When compared to other species of
Dragon Ball, humans are significantly weak. It is said that a single
Saiyan infant would be capable of destroying the general population on its own. However, a select few humans have learned to use
ki and are among the strongest beings in the universe. Even with such abilities, this select group of humans are still considerably weaker than many aliens with the same
ki-manipulation abilities. As stated in the
manga, it's possible for any human to use their
ki and gain powers like the
Z Fighters. For example,
Son Gohan easily teaches
Videl how to use
ki to fly.
Though less common, intelligent
anthropomorphic (and sometimes non-anthropomorphic) animals such as
Oolong and
Pu'ar are integrated into the population and are well-adjusted and are also accepted as people (this is similar to fairy tale animals in
European fiction, such as the
Three Little Pigs,
Puss in Boots, etc.). Even so, the anthropomorphic population sees a drastic and noticeable decline over the course of the series.
Creatures and devices used on Earth also vary greatly, as is common in works such as
Dragon Ball.
Dinosaurs and other extinct creatures in the real world still roam the Dragon World freely, while the characters fly around in futuristic levitating cars and houses that can be shrunk down to convenient travel-sizes.
Map of the Dragonball Z Earth.
I REALLY hope they incorporate all of that into the Live Action Dragonball Z movie. If they put all this in the movie it could become truly unique similar to how Star Wars is in a universe all its own.