Dragon Ball Reading Order: Original Series + Dragon Ball Z — Complete Guide
The complete Dragon Ball reading order: start with the original Dragon Ball manga, then continue into Dragon Ball Z. All arcs mapped out with volumes and where to buy.
Dragon Ball Reading Order: Complete Guide
Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama is the manga that defined shonen action as we know it. The tournament arcs, the training montages, the power escalation — Dragon Ball invented the template that Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia all follow. Reading it is understanding where modern manga came from.
The short answer: Read Dragon Ball volumes 1–16 (original series), then continue directly into volumes 17–42 (Dragon Ball Z). They are one story. Read in numbered order.
⚡ TL;DR — The complete Dragon Ball reading order: start with the original Dragon Ball manga, then continue into Dragon Ball Z. All arcs mapped out with volumes and where to buy.
Dragon Ball at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Author | Akira Toriyama |
| Total Volumes | 42 (original run) |
| Status | Complete |
| Dragon Ball | Volumes 1–16 |
| Dragon Ball Z | Volumes 17–42 |
| Dragon Ball Super | Ongoing sequel |
| Time to read (DB + DBZ) | ~70–90 hours |
| Difficulty for beginners | Very Easy |
A Note on the Volumes
In Japan, Dragon Ball was published as a single manga series of 42 volumes from 1984 to 1995. Western publishers (especially Viz Media) split the series into two titles:
- Dragon Ball = Volumes 1–16
- Dragon Ball Z = Volumes 1–26 (which are actually volumes 17–42 of the original)
This causes confusion. Just know: it’s one story, read volumes 1–42 in order. When buying, look for “VIZBIG” editions that collect 3 volumes each and are cheaper per page.
Complete Dragon Ball Reading Order
[Dragon Ball] Emperor Pilaf Saga — Volumes 1–3
The beginning. A 12-year-old Goku lives alone in the wilderness with superhuman strength and a mysterious Dragon Ball. He meets Bulma, and their search for the seven Dragon Balls begins. This arc establishes Goku’s character — kind, naive, enormously powerful, and completely uninterested in material things.
Why it matters: If you skip this and start at DBZ, Goku feels like a generic muscle hero. This saga makes him one of the most likable characters in manga.
Tournament Saga — Volumes 3–6
Goku trains under Master Roshi and enters the World Martial Arts Tournament. The structure of competition-based power measurement that defines all of shonen manga gets established here. Krillin becomes Goku’s best friend.
Red Ribbon Army Saga — Volumes 6–13
Goku takes on a military organization searching for Dragon Balls. A longer adventure arc that introduces Android 8 (a prototype of the Androids who reappear in DBZ) and deepens the world’s mythology.
King Piccolo Saga — Volumes 15–18
The series’ tone shifts dramatically. An ancient demon takes over the world. This is where Dragon Ball stops being a fun adventure and becomes something genuinely dark and consequential. Goku faces his first truly unwinnable situation.
Key moment: The death that makes every reader realize Dragon Ball is capable of genuine tragedy.
Piccolo Jr. Saga — Volumes 18–21
A five-year time skip. Goku is now a teenager. The World Martial Arts Tournament returns for one final arc of the original series. One of the best tournament finales in manga.
Dragon Ball Z Reading Order
Dragon Ball Z begins at Volume 17 of the original Japanese numbering (Volume 1 of the Western “Dragon Ball Z” edition).
Saiyan Saga — DBZ Volumes 1–5 (Original vols 17–21)
Years have passed. Goku has a son, Gohan. Then alien invaders arrive — Saiyans — and reveal that Goku is not human. Everything changes. This saga redefines the scale of Dragon Ball and introduces Vegeta, who becomes the series’ most complex and beloved character.
Key moment: The reveal of Goku’s origins. Vegeta’s arrival.
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 1
Saiyan Saga begins here
Frieza Saga — DBZ Volumes 6–15 (Original vols 22–31)
The crew travels to another planet to fight the most powerful and evil ruler in the galaxy. The Frieza saga is where Dragon Ball Z becomes a global phenomenon. The transformation that ends this arc is one of the most famous moments in anime and manga history.
Key moment: The transformation at Namek — you’ll know it when you see it.
Androids & Trunks Saga — DBZ Volumes 15–18 (Original vols 31–34)
A visitor from the future warns of androids that will destroy humanity. Introduces Future Trunks, one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, and Cell in his first appearance.
Cell Saga — DBZ Volumes 18–24 (Original vols 34–40)
A perfect bio-engineered creature made from the DNA of every great fighter seeks to become the strongest being alive. The Cell Games tournament is arguably the best arc in Dragon Ball Z — high stakes, stunning battles, and Gohan’s moment that rivals any scene in shonen manga.
Key moment: The final battle of the Cell Games. Gohan’s transformation.
Majin Buu Saga — DBZ Volumes 24–26 (Original vols 40–42)
The final arc of Dragon Ball Z. An ancient magical being is revived and threatens to destroy all life. Some fans consider this the weakest arc; others love it for its emotional farewell to the characters. Either way, it closes one of the greatest manga series ever written.
Dragon Ball Super (Optional Sequel)
Dragon Ball Super is an ongoing sequel manga by Toyotarou, supervised by Toriyama before his death in 2024. It picks up after the events of DBZ and features entirely new story arcs not seen in the anime.
The manga is generally considered superior to the Super anime due to its original content. The Moro Arc and the Granolah the Survivor Arc are particularly praised.
Where to Buy Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Vol. 1
42 volumes total · Start here
💰 Best value: Dragon Ball VIZBIG Edition collects 3 volumes in one larger book at roughly 30% savings. Available for both Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
FAQ
Is Dragon Ball Super a sequel or a remake?
Dragon Ball Super is a sequel set after Dragon Ball Z. It is not a remake. Some Super arcs adapt the Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ films, but most content is original.
Who is Akira Toriyama?
Akira Toriyama (1955–2024) was one of the most influential manga artists in history. Dragon Ball redefined shonen manga and influenced virtually every major battle manga that followed. He passed away in March 2024. His legacy continues through Dragon Ball Super and the countless manga he inspired.
Why is the Dragon Ball Z anime so slow?
The DBZ anime was produced weekly to match the manga’s monthly chapters, so the anime frequently added filler scenes to avoid catching up to the manga. The manga tells the same story in roughly half the screen time. The manga version of the Frieza saga, for example, is about 15 volumes; the anime stretched it to over 30 episodes. If you want the pure story, read the manga.
What to Read After Dragon Ball
- Naruto — The direct spiritual successor to Dragon Ball’s shonen formula, with more emotional depth
- My Hero Academia — A love letter to Dragon Ball’s superhero energy with a modern twist
- One Piece — The greatest ongoing manga, with Oda openly citing Toriyama as his biggest influence
- Fullmetal Alchemist — A complete 27-volume masterpiece for readers ready for something more narrative-focused
Browse the full manga catalog or explore the best manga for beginners for more picks.
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