Dragon Ball: The Manga

The Basics

Title: Dragon Ball

Japanese Title: Doragon Boru

Author /Artist: Akira Toriyama

First Publication: 1984

Japanese Publisher: Weekly Shonen Jump /Sueisha

Number of Volumes: 11

American Publisher: Viz

Genre: Shonen, Comedy, Quest

The Story so Far...

Dragon Ball is an extraordinarily popular comedic manga that has spawned a worldwide media franchise. It tells one continuous story, breaking only for small subplots and side-adventures.

Dragon Ball is the first portion of a two-part story that follows the life of its protagonist as he matures from a small boy to a legendary fighter. The second part of the tale is known as Dragon Ball Z stateside. Though in Japan no distinction was made between the titles of the two, the first and second series are vastly different in plot and tone.

Goku is a young boy with a monkey tail, who lives in the forest with his beloved grandfather. After his grandfather passes away, Goku is left to fend for himself, though he doesn't at all mind his solitary life. Goku putters around doing what he likes, most of which includes eating and physical activity.

Goku's quiet life changes once a young inventor named Bulma happens to cross his path. She's on a quest to find and collect seven legendary talismans known as Dragon Balls. Legend states that if one assembles the complete set of seven balls, he or she will be granted one wish. It just so happens that Goku is owner of the Dragon Ball that Bulma is searching for.

For his own reasons, Goku decides to accompany Bulma on her quest. He has virtually no interest in asking for a wish or helping Bulma to get hers. He does, however, thoroughly enjoy action and adventure, and it soon becomes apparent that although he's only a tiny child, Goku may very well be one of the most powerful fighters in the world.

From this point, Goku and a befuddled Bulma embark on their quest to find the seven Dragon Balls. Along the way, they encounter a gallery of the wildest characters imaginable. These include a devious pig, a lecherous ninja master, and a woman who switches between good and evil with a sneeze, just to name a few.