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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A must read if you want to read one of the greatest manga series ever. A young Goku mrets Bulma and starts a life-changing journey to search for the seven wish granting Dragon Balls. The pair meet many other characters along the way, which all have varying personalities and in some cases connections. Highly funny, retelling of The Monkey King.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Half cute, half creepy. A lot of this has not aged well.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Like many early 2000s kids, I grew up on Dragon Ball. Well, actually, I was only 6 when OG Dragon Ball aired on Cartoon Network. So, my memories of the show are hazy.
That's one of the reasons I decided to try the manga because, unlike DBZ ( which I know like the back of my hand, thanks to all the video games and various media), I'm pretty unfamiliar with the OG series. Yes, the games and even DBZ have OG characters and callbacks, but I never had the same familiarity.
Dragon Ball Vol. 1 has smaller encounters between characters and 'villains.' While not as action-packed and high-stakes as the start of DBZ, it does allow for a lot of comedy. Some of the funniest moments are because of kid Goku's naivete and enthusiasm- there are times when he has no idea what's going on, but he's having a blast just being on the adventure.
I am looking forward to reading vol.2.
I recommend it- four stars! (Ironic, I know)
Sidenote- Yes, It's more perverted than I thought. So, parents should be advised to check it before picking it up for younger kids.
That's one of the reasons I decided to try the manga because, unlike DBZ ( which I know like the back of my hand, thanks to all the video games and various media), I'm pretty unfamiliar with the OG series. Yes, the games and even DBZ have OG characters and callbacks, but I never had the same familiarity.
Dragon Ball Vol. 1 has smaller encounters between characters and 'villains.' While not as action-packed and high-stakes as the start of DBZ, it does allow for a lot of comedy. Some of the funniest moments are because of kid Goku's naivete and enthusiasm- there are times when he has no idea what's going on, but he's having a blast just being on the adventure.
I am looking forward to reading vol.2.
I recommend it- four stars! (Ironic, I know)
Sidenote- Yes, It's more perverted than I thought. So, parents should be advised to check it before picking it up for younger kids.
To spare myself the hassle of writing 42 separate reviews, I will write one for the series here.
When I first started reading and watching Dragon Ball, it was as "that prequel to Dragon Ball Z." But as I got further in both series, I began to appreciate the original Dragon Ball series a lot more. It is far more nuanced and original than DBZ is, and I definitely enjoyed that. See, each arc of DBZ is essentially the same, with no real character growth. In the original, everyone grows in strength and character after each section.
During the course of Dragon Ball, villains pose real threats while we can also gain real help from friends. Characters like Yamcha or Tien, who become overshadowed in DBZ, are major players in this series. Part of the problem with DBZ is the concept of Saiyans, and their just being the strongest period. Without that crutch, Goku has to train and learn just as much as his friends, and that creates a much more interesting dynamic.
When I first started reading and watching Dragon Ball, it was as "that prequel to Dragon Ball Z." But as I got further in both series, I began to appreciate the original Dragon Ball series a lot more. It is far more nuanced and original than DBZ is, and I definitely enjoyed that. See, each arc of DBZ is essentially the same, with no real character growth. In the original, everyone grows in strength and character after each section.
During the course of Dragon Ball, villains pose real threats while we can also gain real help from friends. Characters like Yamcha or Tien, who become overshadowed in DBZ, are major players in this series. Part of the problem with DBZ is the concept of Saiyans, and their just being the strongest period. Without that crutch, Goku has to train and learn just as much as his friends, and that creates a much more interesting dynamic.
This is one of those pieces whose popularity baffles me. A) The writing is weak, B) the story is just bizarre, and C) I sort of like it anyway, thus can vaguely wrap my head around the fact this thing has become a phenomenon of sorts.
On a side note, I think it's a cultural issue, but I was a little appalled by the humor in this. I felt it ran a bit...tawdry...considering the target audience is likely kids. That of course could be due to the fact I'm a puritanical American, thus unfamiliar with what is considered age appropriate humor in Japan.
On a side note, I think it's a cultural issue, but I was a little appalled by the humor in this. I felt it ran a bit...tawdry...considering the target audience is likely kids. That of course could be due to the fact I'm a puritanical American, thus unfamiliar with what is considered age appropriate humor in Japan.
Read through the entirety of Dragon Ball. It's okay. I mostly liked the comedy stuff like the Red Ribbon Army ninja, but the later fights are pretty cool too.
Want to dip into Z and figure out whether I actually like it after so much time has passed.
Want to dip into Z and figure out whether I actually like it after so much time has passed.
This is where it all started! The very first volume of Dragon Ball has 11 chapters, and tells the story of how Son Goku met Bulma, and they started a journey to search for the Dragon Balls.
First of all, this series has very little to do with Dragon Ball Z, structure-wise. Dragon Ball is a light adventure manga with some cool influences and a very interesting, fun world. Instead of Power Levels and epic fights, this is way more focused on comedy and exploration, with just a few short fights here and there. And, to tell the truth, I kinda like it more this way.
A fun start to one of the biggest shonen manga that exists.
First of all, this series has very little to do with Dragon Ball Z, structure-wise. Dragon Ball is a light adventure manga with some cool influences and a very interesting, fun world. Instead of Power Levels and epic fights, this is way more focused on comedy and exploration, with just a few short fights here and there. And, to tell the truth, I kinda like it more this way.
A fun start to one of the biggest shonen manga that exists.