List of eyecatches

The following is a list of eyecatches. An eyecatch (アイキャッチ, aikyatchi) is generally used to tell the viewer what TV show they are watching. It appears before and after a commercial break.

Dragon Ball

The umbrella eyecatch

Emperor Pilaf Saga - Red Ribbon Army Saga (episodes 1-42)

Before the commercial break, Son Goku (in his blue attire) spins a typical Japanese bamboo umbrella at high speed. Oolong (in his Communist Party of China uniform) tosses each of the Dragon Balls onto the fan and Goku keeps the fan spinning while the Dragon Balls roll in place. After a moment, Oolong bows his head in defeat towards the camera.

After the commercial break, Oolong is the one (very) enthusiastically spinning the umbrella, though at a slower rate than Goku, while Goku chucks the Dragon Balls onto the umbrella. The Dragon Balls either roll or bounce off the fan and Goku puts his arms behind his head, smiling at the camera while Oolong brings the umbrella to a stop, gaining a serious, slightly peevish look.

During the episode "The Grand Finals", FUNimation added vocalizations such as Goku's laughter and Oolong's disappointment to the eyecatches. This is the only episode in this bunch to have anything but music during the eyecatch.

Red Ribbon Army Saga - Piccolo Jr. Saga (episodes 43-153)

The power pole eyecatch

Before the commercial break, Goku (in his Turtle Hermit outfit) is spinning his Power Pole to one side, a determined but happy look on his face as he stares at a relaxed Master Roshi. He swings his staff towards the Turtle Hermit and Roshi blocks it with his staff while jumping into the air with a little grin on his face. The collision between staves happens right on the first clap of the eyecatch tune.

After the commercial break, Goku is staring at Roshi in slight confusion as Roshi rapidly whirls his staff over his head, going from one foot to the other as he does so, a ridiculous grin on his face. Goku extends his staff after a moment of this and pokes Roshi in the head right as the Chinese cymbol in the eyecatch tune gongs. Roshi's head vibrates (like a gong) and he stumbles off-balance, but then grins his toothy grin again.

During the episode "The End, the Beginning", sound was added to the eyecatch intro and outro such as laughter and the sound of staves colliding.

Dragon Ball Z

Vegeta Saga - Great Saiyaman Saga (episodes 1-199)

The father and son eyecatch

Before the commercial break, Goku (Adult) is seen sitting with his back to the viewer, legs and arms crossed. After a moment, he turns his head around towards the viewers and grins, then another moment later little Son Gohan pops up from his left, holding his arm. They both smile as the Dragon Ball Z logo pops up in the upper left-hand corner.

After the commercial break, little Gohan is right up against the screen, a big smile on his face. He runs away from the screen and Goku appears, picking him up in one arm. The two then give a casual wave to the viewing audience.

Great Saiyaman Saga - Kid Buu Saga (episodes 200-291)

The car eyecatch

Before the commercial break, Gohan and Videl drive across the screen inside a little toy car with 'Satan' and '666' written on the side as a reference to Videl's family's satanic names. The car then drives back across from the other side and comes to a stop. Son Goten then pops out from under the car and picks the car up. The background then changes into a grassy meadow with a palm tree.

After the commercial break, King Kai is driving around in his car with Bubbles with the same background and music used in the previous commercial. King Kai then hits Goku with the car, but the car breaks. The background then changes into a grassy field.

Dragon Ball GT

Black Star Dragon Ball Saga - Baby Saga (episodes 1-26)

The star eyecatch

Before the commercial break, a star zooms into the left side of the screen. Chibi versions of Goku, Pan, and Trunks are all riding on top of their spaceship towards the star. Goku reaches for the star and Pan waves her arms in excitement. Giru then pops out of the star with his arms raised and starts laughing while Goku looks disappointed.

After the commercial break, a star zooms into the right side of the screen with chibi versions of Goku, Pan, and Trunks riding on top of their spaceship towards it. Goku once again reaches for the star, but this time the star explodes into hundreds of stars. Goku has his arms raised excitedly while Pan and Trunks look bewildered.

Baby Saga - Shadow Dragon Saga (episodes 27-64)

The Dinosaur eyecatch

Before the commercial break, Trunks, Chichi, Videl, Son Goten, Krillin, Bulma, Pan, Son Gohan, and Mr. Satan are seen loading and getting into a car. Son Goku then tries to get in the car while riding atop a dinosaur's head. The car inadvertently gets crushed, and everyone except Chichi looks slightly amused.

After the commercial break, Trunks fixes the car and everyone gets back inside the car with Goku riding on the hood. The car then drives forward, showing the dinosaur with tears in his eyes waving at the car.

FUNimation's eyecatch

FUNimation replaced all of the eyecatches in Dragon Ball GT with their own eyecatches. The first part is Goku charging up to full power at Super Saiyan 4. The second part is Goku as a Super Saiyan (in Kid stage with his shirt destroyed) using a Kamehameha.

Dragon Ball Kai

Episodes 1-4

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Gohan bowing on one side and Goku's "Ossu" greeting on the other.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Piccolo and Goku on one side and Raditz on the other, all ready for battle.

Episodes 5-8

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Bulma waving and Krillin peaking over the diagonal on one side, while Master Roshi holds a beer and Turtle looks on happily on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Goku (dead) on one side and King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory on the other, ready to begin the training.

Episodes 9-12

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show the Z Warriors ready for battle, with Tien, Yamucha, and Chaozu on one side and Krillin, Gohan, and Piccolo on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Nappa and the Saibaiman on one side and Vegeta on the other, ready for battle with the Earthlings.

Episodes 13-17

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Goku using the Kaio-ken on one side and Vegeta grinning confidently on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Goku laying in pain, supported by Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe on one side and a severely damaged Vegeta on the other.

Episodes 18-20

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Bulma and Kami's space ship on one side and Gohan and Krillin on the other side, all ready to head to Planet Namek.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Vegeta all angry on one side and his rival Cui grinning on the other.

Episodes 21-23, 25-26

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Freeza in his hover chair on one side and Zarbon and Dodoria on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show himself on one side and his spaceship headed toward Namek on the other.

Episodes 24, 27-28

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma on one side and Dende and Namekians from his village on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Tien, Piccolo, Yamucha, and Piccolo on one side, all of which have arrived to recieve special training from King Kai, who is shown on the other side.

Episodes 29-32

Goku fires a Kamehameha that splits the screen diagonally to show the Ginyu Force, with Captain Ginyu and Jeice on one side and Recoome, Guldo, and Burter on the other side.

Goku throws a Ki Blast that splits the screen diagonally to show Krillin and Gohan on one side and Vegeta on the other side, all severely damaged from their battle with the Ginyu Force on Planet Namek.