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Dragon Ball [ドラゴンボール] #20
Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 4: Goku vs. Vegeta
With the mighty Kaiô-ken amplifying his strength, Goku fights Vegeta in a desperate battle to save the world--only to find that the elite Saiyan warrior is even stronger than his new techniques! In desperation, Goku calls upon the Genki-dama, the "spirit ball," drawing power from the Earth, its people, plants, and animals. But alone, even Goku is not enough. The last worn-out survivors, Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe, must rush back into the fray to beat the unbeatable Vegeta...as their enraged foe vows to not only wipe out the human race, but destroy the planet Earth itself!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 1990
171 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
Akira Toriyama
1,920 books1,729 followersAkira Toriyama (鳥山明) was a Japanese manga artist and character designer. He first achieved mainstream recognition for creating the popular manga series Dr. Slump, before going on to create Dragon Ball (his most famous work) and acting as a character designer for several popular video games such as the Dragon Quest series, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon. Toriyama came to be regarded as one of the most important authors in the history of manga with his works highly influential and popular, particularly Dragon Ball, which many manga artists cite as a source of inspiration.
He earned the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen/shōjo manga with Dr. Slump, and it went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan. It was adapted into a successful anime series, with a second anime created in 1997, 13 years after the manga ended.
His next series, Dragon Ball, would become one of the most popular and successful manga in the world. Having sold 260 million copies worldwide, it is one of the best-selling manga series of all time and is considered a key work in increasing manga circulation to its peak in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Overseas, Dragon Ball's anime adaptations have been more successful than the manga and are credited with boosting anime's popularity in the Western world. In 2019, Toriyama was decorated a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to the arts.
In October 2024, Toriyama was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.
He earned the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen/shōjo manga with Dr. Slump, and it went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan. It was adapted into a successful anime series, with a second anime created in 1997, 13 years after the manga ended.
His next series, Dragon Ball, would become one of the most popular and successful manga in the world. Having sold 260 million copies worldwide, it is one of the best-selling manga series of all time and is considered a key work in increasing manga circulation to its peak in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Overseas, Dragon Ball's anime adaptations have been more successful than the manga and are credited with boosting anime's popularity in the Western world. In 2019, Toriyama was decorated a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to the arts.
In October 2024, Toriyama was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 15, 2021
THE. Best. Dragon Ball fight.
In fact when I think about it, this, and the earlier battle against Raditz, stand completely unique in the entirety of the manga canon - in that they both involve a desperate struggle against a superior foe, where weaker characters team up and break bones and shed blood but ultimately triumph... without anyone getting an enormous power-up in between to help them win instantly. You'd think there were more like this, but I can't think of any other.
Back in Dragon Ball, either the fight was completely one-sided from start to finish and the outcome never in question (usually with Goku as the winner or Yamcha as the loser), or the combatants are mostly equal in strength and need to get clever and tenacious and you'll never know who might win; in Z, meanwhile, you get these super-powerful demigods against whom the heroes have not a prayer of winning, until someone goes Super Saiyan or reveals another power-up and completely trounces them. Raditz and Vegeta are the only ones fitting in the golden middle-ground: the grit, the tenacity, the desperation, getting back up one final time, and ultimately bringing in the win.
And all of a sudden every other fight in the series just feels a little bit more hollow. I've made myself sad.
I'm serious. If you can think of any others like this, anything I've missed, comment on it. Let me know. These can't be the only ones, yet it really feels like they are.
In fact when I think about it, this, and the earlier battle against Raditz, stand completely unique in the entirety of the manga canon - in that they both involve a desperate struggle against a superior foe, where weaker characters team up and break bones and shed blood but ultimately triumph... without anyone getting an enormous power-up in between to help them win instantly. You'd think there were more like this, but I can't think of any other.
Back in Dragon Ball, either the fight was completely one-sided from start to finish and the outcome never in question (usually with Goku as the winner or Yamcha as the loser), or the combatants are mostly equal in strength and need to get clever and tenacious and you'll never know who might win; in Z, meanwhile, you get these super-powerful demigods against whom the heroes have not a prayer of winning, until someone goes Super Saiyan or reveals another power-up and completely trounces them. Raditz and Vegeta are the only ones fitting in the golden middle-ground: the grit, the tenacity, the desperation, getting back up one final time, and ultimately bringing in the win.
And all of a sudden every other fight in the series just feels a little bit more hollow. I've made myself sad.
I'm serious. If you can think of any others like this, anything I've missed, comment on it. Let me know. These can't be the only ones, yet it really feels like they are.
July 9, 2024
A great epic fight, as DBZ continues to up the ante.
What's interesting about this earlier story is Vegeta clearly outpowers Goku. He needed to be clever to outmaneuver him, and teamed up with others to win (even Gohan).
Weird how Vegeta gets redeemed after this, still for the time being what a villain he was...
It was also a good denouement to the alien Saiyan ape transformation thing, finally explaining it in what felt like a good conclusion planned since early Dragon Ball. Next, of course, comes the Super Saiyan era.
I do live the Frieza arc that comes next, but from then on its more about who has the higher power level in one-on-one fights of willpower. It's a different kind of story compared to when heroes found smart ways to defeat stronger bad guys.
Lastly, have to say that the manga reads so much faster compared to the famously slow anime. That can be good for impatient readers or a little disappointing for fans who watched it on TV first. Still, this was such an important volume for the history not only of Dragon Ball Z but for all Shonen genre!
What's interesting about this earlier story is Vegeta clearly outpowers Goku. He needed to be clever to outmaneuver him, and teamed up with others to win (even Gohan).
Weird how Vegeta gets redeemed after this, still for the time being what a villain he was...
It was also a good denouement to the alien Saiyan ape transformation thing, finally explaining it in what felt like a good conclusion planned since early Dragon Ball. Next, of course, comes the Super Saiyan era.
I do live the Frieza arc that comes next, but from then on its more about who has the higher power level in one-on-one fights of willpower. It's a different kind of story compared to when heroes found smart ways to defeat stronger bad guys.
Lastly, have to say that the manga reads so much faster compared to the famously slow anime. That can be good for impatient readers or a little disappointing for fans who watched it on TV first. Still, this was such an important volume for the history not only of Dragon Ball Z but for all Shonen genre!
September 11, 2014
This entire book is Vegeta vs Son Goku, Son Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe. It’s an incredible, epic, massive, completely over the top fight - and I loved it! It sounds like the worst kind of excess but it’s really not - it’s so much fun, really.
Goku unleashes wave after wave of kaio-ken before Vegeta transforms into the giant ape form we saw child Goku change into in the original Dragon Ball series. The entire book is them one-upping the other in each chapter. Goku does this super-amazing move and Vegeta will survive it with a wry grin on his face. Then Vegeta will try some deadly endgame move and Goku will survive it with a wry grin on his face. And so on.
To an outsider it must sound like the most tedious, repetitive drivel you’ll ever read and all I can say is, you have to read it to understand what I’m prattling on about. Somehow - in a book consumed with fighting and nothing else - the story holds your attention so you’re totally involved with it the whole time. You’re never thinking, oh, another world-ending move, eh? Let’s see how this’ll go down... You’re thinking HOLY CRAP ANOTHER WORLD-ENDING MOVE!? I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS WILL GO DOWN!! before wiping the froth from your mouth.
Gohan, Kuririn and Yajirobe all put in some great hits against Vegeta despite being massively outclassed while Goku barely makes it through the fight with his life. There’s added tension in the fact that once you’ve been resurrected by the Dragon Balls once, you can’t be resurrected again. Oh and also the Dragon Balls are gone! And those special beans Master Karin hands out to restore to health are gone too - thanks to Yajirobe!
The fourth book in the series is a completely first class martial arts comic. Dragon Ball Z - it’s something else, really. I can’t believe there are 22 more - and I can’t wait to read them!
Goku unleashes wave after wave of kaio-ken before Vegeta transforms into the giant ape form we saw child Goku change into in the original Dragon Ball series. The entire book is them one-upping the other in each chapter. Goku does this super-amazing move and Vegeta will survive it with a wry grin on his face. Then Vegeta will try some deadly endgame move and Goku will survive it with a wry grin on his face. And so on.
To an outsider it must sound like the most tedious, repetitive drivel you’ll ever read and all I can say is, you have to read it to understand what I’m prattling on about. Somehow - in a book consumed with fighting and nothing else - the story holds your attention so you’re totally involved with it the whole time. You’re never thinking, oh, another world-ending move, eh? Let’s see how this’ll go down... You’re thinking HOLY CRAP ANOTHER WORLD-ENDING MOVE!? I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS WILL GO DOWN!! before wiping the froth from your mouth.
Gohan, Kuririn and Yajirobe all put in some great hits against Vegeta despite being massively outclassed while Goku barely makes it through the fight with his life. There’s added tension in the fact that once you’ve been resurrected by the Dragon Balls once, you can’t be resurrected again. Oh and also the Dragon Balls are gone! And those special beans Master Karin hands out to restore to health are gone too - thanks to Yajirobe!
The fourth book in the series is a completely first class martial arts comic. Dragon Ball Z - it’s something else, really. I can’t believe there are 22 more - and I can’t wait to read them!
April 9, 2023
An awesome show down between Goku and Vegeta. Epic stuff. Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe step up to help as well against Goku's wishes.
A pretty simple beat-em-up volume. Really epic.
A pretty simple beat-em-up volume. Really epic.
August 8, 2022
One of the most iconic moments in all manga/anime as Goku and Vegeta go up against each other in a raging battle filled with destruction and chaos. There's not a dull moment in this battle where both sides exceed their limits and rejoice in their opponent's persistence and power.
From Goku becoming one with his Saiyan blood and using his kaio-ken in more ways than one to Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe trying to do their best to help despite their lives being at stake, this riveting volume is simply unforgiving and epic from cover to cover!
From Goku becoming one with his Saiyan blood and using his kaio-ken in more ways than one to Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe trying to do their best to help despite their lives being at stake, this riveting volume is simply unforgiving and epic from cover to cover!
April 21, 2021
All stars!!!
Let me catch my breath... I never imagined I'd be glued to pages of a shonen manga. Just fights, right? But having read all Dragon Ball volumes and seen Goku and co. grow and change, I learned to see the fights as a manifestation of who they are and what they represent. Somehow, all the potential cheesiness is disarmed with humor. Plus, the fights are simply amazing! I still don't seem to get any kind of battle fatigue, even with all those surprise world-ending moves - it's a testament to Toriyama's skill as a manga-ka that he can keep the tension so consistently high through a fight that basically lasts for a whole volume.
Let me catch my breath... I never imagined I'd be glued to pages of a shonen manga. Just fights, right? But having read all Dragon Ball volumes and seen Goku and co. grow and change, I learned to see the fights as a manifestation of who they are and what they represent. Somehow, all the potential cheesiness is disarmed with humor. Plus, the fights are simply amazing! I still don't seem to get any kind of battle fatigue, even with all those surprise world-ending moves - it's a testament to Toriyama's skill as a manga-ka that he can keep the tension so consistently high through a fight that basically lasts for a whole volume.
June 15, 2018
gohan love of learning he wants to be a great schoolar
January 5, 2025
I still remember watching these episodes on Cartoon Network over 20 years ago. I’m thoroughly enjoying being able to relive the excitement and suspense of yore.
December 18, 2025
Vegeta is a BITCH!
September 3, 2016
The battle between Goku and Vegeta rages on! I didn't realize how much stronger Vegeta is to everyone else. It's like he's invincible! The action has always been great in this series. It's one thing after another. I just want to see what happens next and how Vegeta will finally be defeated.
October 5, 2015
Best fight so far.
August 30, 2019
Phew, I hardly had a chance to breathe going through that. There isn't a moment where you feel like you can stop and even at the end of this volume I probably wouldn't have stopped if I had the next volume lying right next to me.
Goku and friends move at like a million miles an hour through the book and reading it feels about the same. There's guy punches and moments where you catch yourself holding your breath and the whole thing is really just brilliant. I'm so glad I finally, FINALLY, decided to get into this. It's been a blast and I'm excited to read more.
Goku and friends move at like a million miles an hour through the book and reading it feels about the same. There's guy punches and moments where you catch yourself holding your breath and the whole thing is really just brilliant. I'm so glad I finally, FINALLY, decided to get into this. It's been a blast and I'm excited to read more.
October 7, 2017
Goku and Vegeta's battle is a heated one. Both are Saiyan's and both have incredible power but Vegeta is nothing but fearsome. Goku pushes his body way past it's breaking point and it still isn't enought to take down Vegeta. Thankfully Gohan and Krillin arrive to give him some much needed assistance to bring Vegeta down. Even after all the fighting their still isn't a clear winner but with that we have reached the end of the Saiyan Arc.
February 7, 2023
Vegeta is even more prideful and vain than Goku. A true Saiyen at heart. Must sting to have your ass kicked by a 5yo of all people. And Goku really has a knack for making decisions based on his hubris.
November 30, 2019
Great Manga ~ Koala ^-^
June 30, 2025
Found volumes 4 - 7 of Dragon Ball Z at the library and thought, since I watched the anime up to this point, I’ll read it and omg the art is stunning. Simple but stunning.
November 24, 2021
This is the best fight in the series
October 27, 2016
Goku is fighting Vegeta because he wants to wipe the human race and destroy earth. Goku has reach hi limit. Vegeta is powering and the earth start shaking and it feel like a hurricane. Vegeta is beating Goku. Goku is doing the kaio-ken times 3.Goku surpass Vegeta's power. Vegeta get mad for Goku hitting him and making him bleed and trows a energy blast that is going to destroy earth. Then Goku does a KAMEHAMEHA with is his energy blast. Goku body its really damage because he put to much pressure. Vegetal is going to transform into a giant ape, but Piccolo destroyed the moon because the saiyan transformed into a giant ape when the full moon is out and can't control it. Then vegetal creates a energy ball to replace a moon so he can transform into a giant ape and destroy the earth.
Gohan feels that his father is in trouble and goes to the fight scene. Vegeta transform into the giant ape. Goku can't beat him so he blinds him for some minutes so he can do the henki-dama which is energy from all living things oceans and trees. Goku was able to gather enough energy and throw it to the giant ape, but it did not damage him because he was to close. Vegeta broke every bone in Goku's body and then Gohan and Krillin came and made a plan that they were going to distract Vegeta and Yajirobe was going to cut vegetates tail so he becomes human again.Then Gohan transform into a giant ape and lands on top of Vegeta as human and beats him, but Vegeta did not died and was about to get to his capsule when Krillin was going to kill him, but Goku stop him and let him go.
The person that changed the most was Gohan because in the begging he was really scare. He was scare of fighting. In the middle of the book he feels that his father is in danger and decides to go to the fighting place and help his father. Even though he knows that he can't defeat Vegeta. In the end of the book he transforms into a giant ape and defeats Vegeta.
I like this book because Gohan defeats Vegeta. one thing I don't like this book is that Vegeta breaks every bone in Goku's body. I also don't like is that they cut Vegeta's tail. Something I also like about this book is that Goku is becoming more powerful and that he does not give up.
Gohan feels that his father is in trouble and goes to the fight scene. Vegeta transform into the giant ape. Goku can't beat him so he blinds him for some minutes so he can do the henki-dama which is energy from all living things oceans and trees. Goku was able to gather enough energy and throw it to the giant ape, but it did not damage him because he was to close. Vegeta broke every bone in Goku's body and then Gohan and Krillin came and made a plan that they were going to distract Vegeta and Yajirobe was going to cut vegetates tail so he becomes human again.Then Gohan transform into a giant ape and lands on top of Vegeta as human and beats him, but Vegeta did not died and was about to get to his capsule when Krillin was going to kill him, but Goku stop him and let him go.
The person that changed the most was Gohan because in the begging he was really scare. He was scare of fighting. In the middle of the book he feels that his father is in danger and decides to go to the fighting place and help his father. Even though he knows that he can't defeat Vegeta. In the end of the book he transforms into a giant ape and defeats Vegeta.
I like this book because Gohan defeats Vegeta. one thing I don't like this book is that Vegeta breaks every bone in Goku's body. I also don't like is that they cut Vegeta's tail. Something I also like about this book is that Goku is becoming more powerful and that he does not give up.
April 2, 2020
Primera edición argentina, tomo 20 de 42: La súper batalla decisiva!!, con índice en pelotas pateadas por Gohan:
Capítulo 229 - La súper batalla decisiva!!
Capítulo 230 - El peligroso triple Kaioh Ken!
Capítulo 231 - Una batalla al borde del límite!
Capítulo 232 - "Luna"
Capítulo 233 - Podrá crear la genkidama?!
Capítulo 234 - Qué va a apsar?! La genkidama!!
Capítulo 235 - Son Goku al borde de la muerte!!
Capítulo 236 - Una leve resistencia
Capítulo 237 - Una vez más, la genkidama!!
Capítulo 238 - El destino de la genkidama!!
Capítulo 239 - Los guerreros moribundos
Capítulo 240 - La última apuesta!!
Gran colección de portadas XIX
Además, también se incluyen dos páginas de Presentación de personajes y Resumen y siete páginas de publicidades con lanzamientos de la época (abril 2011). Fue el primer tomo de varios que se imprimirían en España por motivos nunca aclarados del todo.
Capítulo 229 - La súper batalla decisiva!!
Capítulo 230 - El peligroso triple Kaioh Ken!
Capítulo 231 - Una batalla al borde del límite!
Capítulo 232 - "Luna"
Capítulo 233 - Podrá crear la genkidama?!
Capítulo 234 - Qué va a apsar?! La genkidama!!
Capítulo 235 - Son Goku al borde de la muerte!!
Capítulo 236 - Una leve resistencia
Capítulo 237 - Una vez más, la genkidama!!
Capítulo 238 - El destino de la genkidama!!
Capítulo 239 - Los guerreros moribundos
Capítulo 240 - La última apuesta!!
Gran colección de portadas XIX
Además, también se incluyen dos páginas de Presentación de personajes y Resumen y siete páginas de publicidades con lanzamientos de la época (abril 2011). Fue el primer tomo de varios que se imprimirían en España por motivos nunca aclarados del todo.
February 21, 2021
This was actually a pretty fun read, focusing on Vegeta vs Goku and all that goes on there, their fight is just epic, starting with Kaio-Ken and Vegeta's flash attacks and then the battle takes another form when they amp their strengths, Oozaru forms and Genki-dama and still Vegeta hanging on and when it feels like he will lose, his friends come to the rescue and then the whole stuff with Krillin attacking and Gohan assisting him and then the way they take him down or attempt to because he won't go down easily is the best parts. Great moments for Yajirobe also! I loved this chapter and its the best thing about this manga tbh! The art and coloring was just flawless and flows so transiently and the stakes have never been higher!
December 2, 2016
Actual Rating: 4.25
This was a great read. This series is a fast-paced adventure. I am really enjoying it. In this volume, Goku and Vegeta's battle continues. Goku is starting to get weaken because Vegeta has more strength. I really like how the pace and action never ceases. When one thing ends, another thing occurs. I wamt Vegeta defeated because he becomes a better version later on. I just want to know how he is defeated and I hope he is defeated soon. Overall, a great fourth volume.
This was a great read. This series is a fast-paced adventure. I am really enjoying it. In this volume, Goku and Vegeta's battle continues. Goku is starting to get weaken because Vegeta has more strength. I really like how the pace and action never ceases. When one thing ends, another thing occurs. I wamt Vegeta defeated because he becomes a better version later on. I just want to know how he is defeated and I hope he is defeated soon. Overall, a great fourth volume.
November 4, 2025
"Just as long as you can, body!!! Time for kaio-ken... times three!!!"
Date Read:2024.04.19
Date Read:2024.04.19
January 31, 2018
This book is about fighting Goku vs vegeta.My family would And freids would read this book age 8-30 years old .I would recommend this book because is about fighting bad people that try to destroy the world. 🌎
May 24, 2018
Edición argentina, tomo 20. Traduce los capítulos 229 a 240 y la Colección de portadas XIX.
November 22, 2018
Goku won and Vegeta died at the end .Watch at :
I hope you like it as i did .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uMcw...
I hope you like it as i did .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uMcw...
November 30, 2020
Son-Goku und der Sayajin Vegeta befinden sich abseits der Zivilisation in einem erbitterten Kampf. Während Son-Goku seine Kräfte immer mehr mobilisieren muss, scheint der Prinz des fremden Planeten keine Mühe damit zu haben, seine Angriffe abzuwehren. Als Vegeta schließlich wegen Son-Goku in die Bredouille gerät, erschafft er einen künstlichen Mond und endlich begreift Son-Goku, warum man ihm seinen Affenschwanz einst abnahm und warum er sich nie an Vollmondnächte erinnern kann. Denn Vegeta verwandelt sich in einen Weraffen und ist somit zehnmal stärker als Son-Goku selbst. Wieder einmal scheinen die Chancen auf einen Sieg für die gute Seite rapide gesunken zu sein. Doch dann eilen Kuririn, Son Gohan und Yajirobi ihm zu Hilfe.
Was für ein bildgewaltiger und vor allem kampflastiger Teil des Mangaklassikers. Akira Toriyama hat sich wieder einmal selbst übertroffen und man fragt sich, wo die ganze Kämpferei und vor allem die Stärke der Krieger wohl noch hinführen soll. Es scheint bald wirklich keine Steigerung mehr zu geben, doch wer Toriyama kennt, der kann sich sicher sein, dass er wohl immer und immer wieder einen Trumpf nachlegen wird. Son-Goku scheint in dem Band stärker als je zuvor, doch immer wieder muss unser Held begreifen, dass Vegeta scheinbar stärker als er ist und vor nichts zurück schreckt. Dass seine Freunde Angst haben in den Kampf einzugreifen, ist verständlich. Trotzdem versuchen sie Son-Goku zu unterstützen und Vegeta hinters Licht zu führen. Und was soll man zu diesem Gegner sagen, als dass er ein elender Kotzbrocken ist. Trotzdem ist er in seinem Stolz und seinem Ideenreichtum wirklich ein sehr interessanter Charakter. Es bleibt abzuwarten, in wie fern der Charakter auch im nächsten Band auftauchen wird. Doch ich denke, dass die Geschichte mit ihm als Gegner noch lange nicht abgeschlossen ist. Was mich an diesem Band sehr begeistert hat, ist die Erkenntnis von Son-Goku, warum der Mond so gefährlich ist und warum er sich nie an einen der Vollmonde erinnern kann. Hierbei greift Toriyama auch wieder auf seinen Großvater als Charakter zu, was ich persönlich sehr schön finde.
Für diesen Band spreche ich wieder meine absolute Leseempfehlung aus, wenn ihr sowieso Fans der Reihe seid. Solltet ihr nicht sehr viel Spaß an ausgiebigen Kampfszenen und eher wenigen Dialogen haben, so solltet ihr in diesem Falle die Finger davon lassen
Taschenbuch: 192 Seiten
Verlag: Carlsen (15. Februar 2001)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3551735603
ISBN-13: 978-3551735607
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 10 - 12 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 11,6 x 1,5 x 17,9 cm
Was für ein bildgewaltiger und vor allem kampflastiger Teil des Mangaklassikers. Akira Toriyama hat sich wieder einmal selbst übertroffen und man fragt sich, wo die ganze Kämpferei und vor allem die Stärke der Krieger wohl noch hinführen soll. Es scheint bald wirklich keine Steigerung mehr zu geben, doch wer Toriyama kennt, der kann sich sicher sein, dass er wohl immer und immer wieder einen Trumpf nachlegen wird. Son-Goku scheint in dem Band stärker als je zuvor, doch immer wieder muss unser Held begreifen, dass Vegeta scheinbar stärker als er ist und vor nichts zurück schreckt. Dass seine Freunde Angst haben in den Kampf einzugreifen, ist verständlich. Trotzdem versuchen sie Son-Goku zu unterstützen und Vegeta hinters Licht zu führen. Und was soll man zu diesem Gegner sagen, als dass er ein elender Kotzbrocken ist. Trotzdem ist er in seinem Stolz und seinem Ideenreichtum wirklich ein sehr interessanter Charakter. Es bleibt abzuwarten, in wie fern der Charakter auch im nächsten Band auftauchen wird. Doch ich denke, dass die Geschichte mit ihm als Gegner noch lange nicht abgeschlossen ist. Was mich an diesem Band sehr begeistert hat, ist die Erkenntnis von Son-Goku, warum der Mond so gefährlich ist und warum er sich nie an einen der Vollmonde erinnern kann. Hierbei greift Toriyama auch wieder auf seinen Großvater als Charakter zu, was ich persönlich sehr schön finde.
Für diesen Band spreche ich wieder meine absolute Leseempfehlung aus, wenn ihr sowieso Fans der Reihe seid. Solltet ihr nicht sehr viel Spaß an ausgiebigen Kampfszenen und eher wenigen Dialogen haben, so solltet ihr in diesem Falle die Finger davon lassen
Taschenbuch: 192 Seiten
Verlag: Carlsen (15. Februar 2001)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3551735603
ISBN-13: 978-3551735607
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 10 - 12 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 11,6 x 1,5 x 17,9 cm
September 27, 2025
A flawless climax.
Volume 4 of Z marks the climax of the first arc of the ‘sequel’ series, the Saiyan Saga. And within this book, we are given easily the best volume; easily the best fight; and easily the best antagonist of the whole series so far.
As the title suggests, this is Goku Vs Vegeta. This is the battle that spans the entire volume, and wow does it deserve a full book focus. While technically it’s all the one fight, it’s so dynamic (especially compared to the previous few) and each character involved brings so much to the table that it never EVER becomes any less than enthralling. The severity of the conflict is by far the greatest that there has been so far, as everyone really gets tested to their limits. And yet with everything going on, there is also an impressive amount of character growth/deconstruction on display. This is absolutely everything that the Saiyan Saga has been building towards. And even though the arc has been relatively brief, and I have had small problems throughout, this ending absolutely sells it for me. Man even just the tension of buying time to charge up an attack is executed far more effectively than I have ever experienced before. This is, without a doubt, one of the best fights I have consumed through any medium.
What really sells this conflict is the antagonist Vegeta. We haven’t spent much time focused on him previously as he has mostly remained on the sidelines so far, but wow he really shines as a dreadful villain. His Saiyan pride perfectly contrasts Goku’s motivations, and his strong emotions provide much needed characterisation to his overwhelming power. For all my complaints of Nappa being a fairly dull opponent to watch, Vegeta is 10x the level of quality and is a genuinely GREAT antagonist that I can definitely see becoming one of my favourites in the medium. From this volume alone, he already rivals Piccolo as my favourite character and I really hope he returns with this quality of writing.
And on the otherside of the fight, Goku obviously remains a really great protagonist, and I am thrilled by how much this fight challenged him, obviously physically, but even more so mentally. Here he is faced with many decisions and revelations and we are presented a side of him that honestly I wasn’t sure we would see. Along side Goku, his main allies in the fight are Gohan and Krillin, both of which added A LOT to this book and are very quickly rising in my character rankings. Everyone here is just amazing.
And thankfully the book concludes in a very satisfying way and the outcome feels absolutely earned. Honestly this is just absolute peak action writing and I hope this is a sign of the quality to come. But for now, this is definitely the best volume to come from the series and I’m so excited for whatever’s next. I read this this morning, and even though I’m writing this about 12 hrs later (busy day) it still remains on my mind.
Verdict: 10/10
Volume 4 of Z marks the climax of the first arc of the ‘sequel’ series, the Saiyan Saga. And within this book, we are given easily the best volume; easily the best fight; and easily the best antagonist of the whole series so far.
As the title suggests, this is Goku Vs Vegeta. This is the battle that spans the entire volume, and wow does it deserve a full book focus. While technically it’s all the one fight, it’s so dynamic (especially compared to the previous few) and each character involved brings so much to the table that it never EVER becomes any less than enthralling. The severity of the conflict is by far the greatest that there has been so far, as everyone really gets tested to their limits. And yet with everything going on, there is also an impressive amount of character growth/deconstruction on display. This is absolutely everything that the Saiyan Saga has been building towards. And even though the arc has been relatively brief, and I have had small problems throughout, this ending absolutely sells it for me. Man even just the tension of buying time to charge up an attack is executed far more effectively than I have ever experienced before. This is, without a doubt, one of the best fights I have consumed through any medium.
What really sells this conflict is the antagonist Vegeta. We haven’t spent much time focused on him previously as he has mostly remained on the sidelines so far, but wow he really shines as a dreadful villain. His Saiyan pride perfectly contrasts Goku’s motivations, and his strong emotions provide much needed characterisation to his overwhelming power. For all my complaints of Nappa being a fairly dull opponent to watch, Vegeta is 10x the level of quality and is a genuinely GREAT antagonist that I can definitely see becoming one of my favourites in the medium. From this volume alone, he already rivals Piccolo as my favourite character and I really hope he returns with this quality of writing.
And on the otherside of the fight, Goku obviously remains a really great protagonist, and I am thrilled by how much this fight challenged him, obviously physically, but even more so mentally. Here he is faced with many decisions and revelations and we are presented a side of him that honestly I wasn’t sure we would see. Along side Goku, his main allies in the fight are Gohan and Krillin, both of which added A LOT to this book and are very quickly rising in my character rankings. Everyone here is just amazing.
And thankfully the book concludes in a very satisfying way and the outcome feels absolutely earned. Honestly this is just absolute peak action writing and I hope this is a sign of the quality to come. But for now, this is definitely the best volume to come from the series and I’m so excited for whatever’s next. I read this this morning, and even though I’m writing this about 12 hrs later (busy day) it still remains on my mind.
Verdict: 10/10
not-gonna-read
August 6, 2025Despite myself not interested in Dragon Ball Z I do have a large amount of respect for the franchise.
As I said before in my review of Dragon Ball, this kickstarted the trends for later Shonen manga and that's something to admire about the entire Dragon Ball series. Shonen manga series have taken elements from the Dragon Ball series and use it for inspiration for their own work like battles, art, character design, and plot. I feel like I was a bit too old when I was first introduced to the starters of Shounen and Shojo. Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon were introduced to me a bit too late after I had started reading & watching series like InuYasha, Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Code Geass.
Again, I still think it's an admirable franchise despite my personal feelings towards it. (I don't hate it but I didn't love it either) It's extremely popular worldwide and for the anime to still be watched and loved to this very day I think that says a lot about it. There are many things to like and admire about it because of the legacy that it brought with its creation.
While I don't love Dragon Ball Z, it has done a lot for a very popular art form and will continue to be great and loved for years to come.
As I said before in my review of Dragon Ball, this kickstarted the trends for later Shonen manga and that's something to admire about the entire Dragon Ball series. Shonen manga series have taken elements from the Dragon Ball series and use it for inspiration for their own work like battles, art, character design, and plot. I feel like I was a bit too old when I was first introduced to the starters of Shounen and Shojo. Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon were introduced to me a bit too late after I had started reading & watching series like InuYasha, Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Code Geass.
Again, I still think it's an admirable franchise despite my personal feelings towards it. (I don't hate it but I didn't love it either) It's extremely popular worldwide and for the anime to still be watched and loved to this very day I think that says a lot about it. There are many things to like and admire about it because of the legacy that it brought with its creation.
While I don't love Dragon Ball Z, it has done a lot for a very popular art form and will continue to be great and loved for years to come.
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