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Dragon Ball Omnibus #5
Dragon Ball (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 5
Akira Toriyama's groundbreaking, iconic, best-selling series now in an omnibus edition!
Dragon Ball introduces a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku (a wry update of the classic Chinese "Monkey King" legend), whose quiet life changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and Bulma could use the help of a certain super-strong boy...
The Fearsome Power of Piccolo
King Piccolo is all set for world domination, but first he needs to gather the seven Dragon Balls together to restore his youth. Goku and his friends are fighting to stop Piccolo, but things are looking grim for the good guys as Piccolo picks them off one by one.
Their only hope is a martial arts move known as the “Mafū-Ba,” a technique so powerful that it killed the last person who used it. But that won’t stop Kame-Sen’nin and Tenshinhan from trying it, even if it means forfeiting their own lives in the process!
Dragon Ball introduces a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku (a wry update of the classic Chinese "Monkey King" legend), whose quiet life changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and Bulma could use the help of a certain super-strong boy...
The Fearsome Power of Piccolo
King Piccolo is all set for world domination, but first he needs to gather the seven Dragon Balls together to restore his youth. Goku and his friends are fighting to stop Piccolo, but things are looking grim for the good guys as Piccolo picks them off one by one.
Their only hope is a martial arts move known as the “Mafū-Ba,” a technique so powerful that it killed the last person who used it. But that won’t stop Kame-Sen’nin and Tenshinhan from trying it, even if it means forfeiting their own lives in the process!
560 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
9 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Akira Toriyama
1,916 books1,726 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 31 reviews
May 14, 2024
An Awesome issue to start with the battle with King Piccolo, and just get better for there. The fights are grown in keep a bounds. Not just physically but in powers and technique as well. More fire balls and superhuman techniques, but also tempered with tactics. Great stuff. I love that there is always someone stronger, streak through the book. How far is Goku willing to get to save his friends, and is there no limit to Goku's potential. Another great collection of books in one great action and warrior spirit.
June 4, 2017
This is it. This volume contains some of the best Dragon Ball Has to offer. This gets the humor + badass epic fights done so well you know Akira was at the TOP of his game here. Goku has to face the unstoppable King Piccolo! The fight for the ages! Then we enter the FINAL tournament. It's on! Goku vs Tien, Krillian vs Piccolo! Let's fucking do it!
What I liked: Everything. Each volume gets better and better. King Piccolo is actually fearsome and Goku has to use everything he has to win. When the poor monkey boy lost everything he will give it his all to win, to save the day. The epic conclusion is one of the best ever. On top of that we get the last tournament's first few matches and they so good. Tien vs Goku is really great and just shows how much Goku has grown. Oh and the Chi Chi moment was fucking amazing and made me laugh so hard.
What I didn't like: Almost nothing. This is an amazing volume.
We're reaching the end of Dragon Ball with the next volume. It's sad I've reached the end so quick because I truly do love this series. Sure it has some bumps (Red Ribbon) but overall Dragon Ball is a blast and so fun! Everyone should give it a try, especially with this super cheap format!
What I liked: Everything. Each volume gets better and better. King Piccolo is actually fearsome and Goku has to use everything he has to win. When the poor monkey boy lost everything he will give it his all to win, to save the day. The epic conclusion is one of the best ever. On top of that we get the last tournament's first few matches and they so good. Tien vs Goku is really great and just shows how much Goku has grown. Oh and the Chi Chi moment was fucking amazing and made me laugh so hard.
What I didn't like: Almost nothing. This is an amazing volume.
We're reaching the end of Dragon Ball with the next volume. It's sad I've reached the end so quick because I truly do love this series. Sure it has some bumps (Red Ribbon) but overall Dragon Ball is a blast and so fun! Everyone should give it a try, especially with this super cheap format!
August 13, 2019
Amazing stuff!!
June 23, 2017
The story is starting to get good now! Can't wait to read the next volume!
January 14, 2022
3.5 stars
May 22, 2023
Sol, sommer og Dragon Ball - det fung'er bare do' 👌
March 18, 2024
This is the most action packed volume yet!
June 17, 2020
Defeated by the Great Demon King Piccolo after failing to avenge his best friend Kuririn, Son Goku hopes to gain more training from the cat martial arts master Karin. Meanwhile, the rest of Goku’s friends that have in their possession of five Dragon Balls, search for the remaining two, only to eventually confront Piccolo.
Considering Akira Toriyama plays the humour a bit with Piccolo’s gleeful evil, especially during a sequence that is similar General Zod’s infiltration to the White House in Superman II, Piccolo maintains his position as an all-powerful threat who can dispose of anyone and that’s before he actually does reclaim the Dragon Balls and gets his wish of regaining his youth, making him even more powerful.
As much as Muten-Rōshi and Tenshinhan try their best against Piccolo, it is ultimately Goku, who has to save the world as prophesised by the All-Seeing Crone. When Goku gets to Karin Tower along with Yajirobe, the cat cannot help him any further, other than to drink a special water that is poisonous to anyone who drinks it, but will grant great strength should the drinker survive. As much as we have a similar thing in this series about our hero needs to get this special thing to become even stronger, I can’t help to think that Toriyama is perhaps a Dune fan, based on the super water.
As Piccolo conquers the world (for a bit), Goku flies in on his flying cloud Kinto’Un and the battle for Earth begins. By this point in the series, Toriyama has proven himself as a master in illustrating action, but devoting seven chapters, the fight between Goku and Piccolo is one for the ages. For every hit, energy blast or even a city being demolished, you do feel the pain that both our hero and villain go through. It’s not a spoiler to say that Goku becomes victorious with one great final punch, but just before his death, Piccolo spits out one last egg that carries his son that is stronger and will avenge his father’s death and conquer the world.
Due to the dragon lord Shenlong was destroyed by Piccolo and thus making the Dragon Balls worthless, Goku journeys to find God, who not only has a sanctuary high above Karin Tower, but also created the Dragon Balls. Yes, God does exist in the world of Dragon Ball and after Goku has a brief but fun fight against the assistant deity Mr Popo when arriving at the sanctuary, God is revealed to be Kami-Sama, the good version of Piccolo. This is one of my favourite reveals as in order for Kami to be Earth’s Guardian, he had to purge himself of his evil counterpart, who caused chaos in the world below. With Piccolo’s spawn roaming around, if he was to be killed, so will Kami, which plays a big part in the next arc.
Three years have passed and after being trained by God himself, Goku is now a young adult after revealing himself to his friends, including those resurrected after Kami’s restoration of the Dragon Balls. I will miss kid Goku as he was this puny thing who didn’t always understand simple human decency, but was always willing to be strong enough to help those in need. Following a funny, but touching reunion with his friends, Goku as an adult is already welcoming as he’s excited to fight his friends who are competing in the 23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai.
You may think that yet another tournament is repetitive, but based on the finalists who compete, most of which we’ve seen in combat, so it was exciting to see these fighters with their own power levels that are greater than anyone else. Amongst the new fighters, you get a female warrior who goes up against Goku, who remains unnamed but it’s obvious when she’s revealed, leading to another witty reunion. However, the one contestant that Goku and the rest should fear is Piccolo Jr., who may not say much, but has a commanding presence with his purple clothing and white cape.
As the third fighting tournament of the series, this is what you want from a battle manga as all the fights feel distinct from one another with plenty of chapters devoting to each one. Although there is some humour, most notably the Yamcha versus Shen fight, Toriyama dials back on the goofiness from before as he treats the battles with a more serious tone, which will become a staple in the action of Dragon Ball Z. As the next volume will begin the DBZ phase, we still have the conclusion of this initial period of Dragon Ball, which will hopefully end on a high note.
Considering Akira Toriyama plays the humour a bit with Piccolo’s gleeful evil, especially during a sequence that is similar General Zod’s infiltration to the White House in Superman II, Piccolo maintains his position as an all-powerful threat who can dispose of anyone and that’s before he actually does reclaim the Dragon Balls and gets his wish of regaining his youth, making him even more powerful.
As much as Muten-Rōshi and Tenshinhan try their best against Piccolo, it is ultimately Goku, who has to save the world as prophesised by the All-Seeing Crone. When Goku gets to Karin Tower along with Yajirobe, the cat cannot help him any further, other than to drink a special water that is poisonous to anyone who drinks it, but will grant great strength should the drinker survive. As much as we have a similar thing in this series about our hero needs to get this special thing to become even stronger, I can’t help to think that Toriyama is perhaps a Dune fan, based on the super water.
As Piccolo conquers the world (for a bit), Goku flies in on his flying cloud Kinto’Un and the battle for Earth begins. By this point in the series, Toriyama has proven himself as a master in illustrating action, but devoting seven chapters, the fight between Goku and Piccolo is one for the ages. For every hit, energy blast or even a city being demolished, you do feel the pain that both our hero and villain go through. It’s not a spoiler to say that Goku becomes victorious with one great final punch, but just before his death, Piccolo spits out one last egg that carries his son that is stronger and will avenge his father’s death and conquer the world.
Due to the dragon lord Shenlong was destroyed by Piccolo and thus making the Dragon Balls worthless, Goku journeys to find God, who not only has a sanctuary high above Karin Tower, but also created the Dragon Balls. Yes, God does exist in the world of Dragon Ball and after Goku has a brief but fun fight against the assistant deity Mr Popo when arriving at the sanctuary, God is revealed to be Kami-Sama, the good version of Piccolo. This is one of my favourite reveals as in order for Kami to be Earth’s Guardian, he had to purge himself of his evil counterpart, who caused chaos in the world below. With Piccolo’s spawn roaming around, if he was to be killed, so will Kami, which plays a big part in the next arc.
Three years have passed and after being trained by God himself, Goku is now a young adult after revealing himself to his friends, including those resurrected after Kami’s restoration of the Dragon Balls. I will miss kid Goku as he was this puny thing who didn’t always understand simple human decency, but was always willing to be strong enough to help those in need. Following a funny, but touching reunion with his friends, Goku as an adult is already welcoming as he’s excited to fight his friends who are competing in the 23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai.
You may think that yet another tournament is repetitive, but based on the finalists who compete, most of which we’ve seen in combat, so it was exciting to see these fighters with their own power levels that are greater than anyone else. Amongst the new fighters, you get a female warrior who goes up against Goku, who remains unnamed but it’s obvious when she’s revealed, leading to another witty reunion. However, the one contestant that Goku and the rest should fear is Piccolo Jr., who may not say much, but has a commanding presence with his purple clothing and white cape.
As the third fighting tournament of the series, this is what you want from a battle manga as all the fights feel distinct from one another with plenty of chapters devoting to each one. Although there is some humour, most notably the Yamcha versus Shen fight, Toriyama dials back on the goofiness from before as he treats the battles with a more serious tone, which will become a staple in the action of Dragon Ball Z. As the next volume will begin the DBZ phase, we still have the conclusion of this initial period of Dragon Ball, which will hopefully end on a high note.
May 9, 2021
As a fan of DB I will admit that most of my experience at this point with it is in the sections after Goku and Chi-Chi get married. I’m still catching up on his younger days. That’s one of the reasons I decided to pick this one up at the library. I liked all the information that they had in this one and how even if you hadn’t read the previous mangas they gave you enough information so that you didn’t feel lost. I had never seen how Chi-Chi and Goku came together and this manga covered it. It was so funny and fit the couple completely.
As a side note: for those not familiar with manga they are a Japanese graphic novel. These originally came out in the 1980s. I did want to point out one thing I did notice about both the time period and the culture. In this manga there are a few characters that are stylized to look like the stereotype of Native Americans. I just want people to be aware of this this because many times people only see ‘white’ people as making stereotypes of other cultures, but this is a good example that shows how all cultures are ’guilty’ of stereotyping. This is actually a good subject for people to look into if they are interested in either DEI or JEDI movements. It’s interesting how a manga can be political or be a social commentary even when it isn’t trying to be. Just food for thought.
As a side note: for those not familiar with manga they are a Japanese graphic novel. These originally came out in the 1980s. I did want to point out one thing I did notice about both the time period and the culture. In this manga there are a few characters that are stylized to look like the stereotype of Native Americans. I just want people to be aware of this this because many times people only see ‘white’ people as making stereotypes of other cultures, but this is a good example that shows how all cultures are ’guilty’ of stereotyping. This is actually a good subject for people to look into if they are interested in either DEI or JEDI movements. It’s interesting how a manga can be political or be a social commentary even when it isn’t trying to be. Just food for thought.
May 31, 2023
Some of the best combat so far. Getting ready for Z to begin.
March 5, 2024
Awesome. It feels like every volume has a Tenka'ichi Budokai tournament and normally I would agree that has to get stale...Looking back I almost forgot the majority of the volumes contain younger Goku and friends versus Piccolo. That's how invigorating the 23rd tournament is! The series is one giant snowball. To its incredible success and then somewhat to its detriment. As I've mentioned in a previous review, the gap is now astronomical. The other characters are achieving the same feats as Goku when he was three years younger. I mean, Roshi doesn't even bother to enter. I doubt he would make it past the preliminaries.
Still a great series. I'm likely to finish out the whole thing. On to the next!
Still a great series. I'm likely to finish out the whole thing. On to the next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
This is sooo good! Hard to put down.
I mentioned earlier that I didn't like the tournaments. But at least there's no killing.
On another note, so many inspirations for Naruto and Ghostfighter! Ahhh will the comparisons never end!?
As always, I like the subtle attacks to paepal politicians/leaders.
---
It would not do for any man to begin saying, "Well, if things get bad, God will fix it." In the end, earthlings must depend on their own powers to find their way through. Even the dragon balls make you prove yourself for your one miracle.
- Kami-sama
I mentioned earlier that I didn't like the tournaments. But at least there's no killing.
On another note, so many inspirations for Naruto and Ghostfighter! Ahhh will the comparisons never end!?
As always, I like the subtle attacks to paepal politicians/leaders.
---
It would not do for any man to begin saying, "Well, if things get bad, God will fix it." In the end, earthlings must depend on their own powers to find their way through. Even the dragon balls make you prove yourself for your one miracle.
- Kami-sama
July 31, 2017
More fun action in these volumes, with Goku facing off against the demon king Piccolo to save the world. Their final battle is pretty amazing, full of the awesome shonen manga pacing that works so well, with the hero seeming to be defeated before pulling out one final move and destroying the bad guy. Then when it's over, we get a jump forward in time as Goku and all the other characters train and level up their skills so they can get more awesome in time for the next Budokai Tenkaichi tournament, in which, it turns out, a resurrected Piccolo will be a contestant who Goku will presumably meet in the final round. Fun stuff, as always. On to the next set of volumes!
August 21, 2019
This series keeps running into the same problem Superman comics have, the question of “how do you keep things tense when the hero is virtually indestructible?”. This round of volumes skirts around that again and then powers up Goku even more. Who knows how this will affect the series in the long run. Still, the characters are a lot of fun, and I love the pacing and staging of the fights. Top of the line ridiculous action.
May 28, 2023
Loved it. The first 2 books in this volume were dealing with Piccolo at the height of his power, and the last was yet another Budokai tournament. I love how quickly these volumes go by. Super quick reads.
June 8, 2017
Read for work.
August 13, 2017
Glad as I am to have these 3-in-1s to read... they're still WAY too short! Toriyama is an excellent storyteller, and I think the translation came out pretty well also.
June 9, 2019
This one was manageable.
Read
October 28, 2019great
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2020
My favourite volume so far of the five I’ve read. I highly recommend! Can’t wait to read vol 6.
August 22, 2022
Incredible.
April 5, 2023
A masterpiece! What a volume! What a fight!
April 6, 2023
once again, I'm always impressed by this storyline! Akira does it so well and I am excited for the journey ahead.
June 1, 2024
3.5 stars.
November 6, 2022
Omnibus 5 containing books 13, 14 and 15. Chapters 145 to 180. Great fun as ever!
August 22, 2025
This compilation volume ends the Piccolo Jr. arc and goes into the Saiyan arc, but I'll keep my thoughts here to the Piccolo Jr. arc.
Here we have another time jump, and now Goku isn't a little kid anymore. He's not tall, but he's tall-er (unlike Krillin). I think his proportions slightly increased in the series so far, but this time it's dramatic. Luckily his iconic hair makes him recognizable (was Toriyama trying to fool the readers too by having him wear a turban?)
The whole of this arc is the Tenkaichi Budokai, and the individual fights here are fun and engaging. Various characters and plotlines resurface, such as Chichi (who said she would marry Goku at the very start of the series and now here she is) and a cyborg Tao-paipai (dude was exploded, but whatever, I guess we never saw a body).
It all culminates in the Piccolo Jr. v Goku battle, which is just choreographed excellently.
One issue that's bothered me is way back when we first meet Tien, we see he knows this special technique that allows him to fly. This is a big deal, and it's a huge advantage for Tien in the match back then. But Goku and Krillin just don't bother to learn the technique. We end up watching them do all sorts of weird shenanigans to pseudo-fly. Goku shoots a kamehameha out his feet like a rocket. It's silly, but it's so unnecessary since we know these fighters are capable of learning the technique. It's never explained why they didn't bother, which is annoying because it still causes such a disadvantage, and for no good reason.
Eventually this is resolved because they just start flying at some point (they must've learned the technique off page). In Dragon Ball, fighters have a tendency to pick up a technique just by seeing it once or twice. Kinda BS, but it also makes for good callbacks.
The end of Dragon Ball was pretty good. But I think Z will be better.
Here we have another time jump, and now Goku isn't a little kid anymore. He's not tall, but he's tall-er (unlike Krillin). I think his proportions slightly increased in the series so far, but this time it's dramatic. Luckily his iconic hair makes him recognizable (was Toriyama trying to fool the readers too by having him wear a turban?)
The whole of this arc is the Tenkaichi Budokai, and the individual fights here are fun and engaging. Various characters and plotlines resurface, such as Chichi (who said she would marry Goku at the very start of the series and now here she is) and a cyborg Tao-paipai (dude was exploded, but whatever, I guess we never saw a body).
It all culminates in the Piccolo Jr. v Goku battle, which is just choreographed excellently.
One issue that's bothered me is way back when we first meet Tien, we see he knows this special technique that allows him to fly. This is a big deal, and it's a huge advantage for Tien in the match back then. But Goku and Krillin just don't bother to learn the technique. We end up watching them do all sorts of weird shenanigans to pseudo-fly. Goku shoots a kamehameha out his feet like a rocket. It's silly, but it's so unnecessary since we know these fighters are capable of learning the technique. It's never explained why they didn't bother, which is annoying because it still causes such a disadvantage, and for no good reason.
Eventually this is resolved because they just start flying at some point (they must've learned the technique off page). In Dragon Ball, fighters have a tendency to pick up a technique just by seeing it once or twice. Kinda BS, but it also makes for good callbacks.
The end of Dragon Ball was pretty good. But I think Z will be better.
July 20, 2014
Vol. 13: Piccolo Conquers the World - Whoa! Things are pretty serious now as we come to the final volumes of the original series. Not a lot of humour now as it's become quite dark and tense as the demon Piccolo takes control. More of our heroes die and all the tough guys try their hand against Piccolo. Both he and Goku have increased their strength and the volume ends with a major, major battle between the two. Good stuff! (5/5)
Vol. 14: Heaven and Earth - Beginning exactly where we left off the battle between Piccolo and Goku continues and takes up a large part of this volume. Goku is so strong he hardly takes any hits at all until finally Piccolo lets loose with everything he's got. After the battle, ends are tied up and this current arc comes to a close. Goku is sent to Heaven for more training and 3 years go by until everyone meets up again at the "Strongest Under the Heavens" contest again. This goes quickly and the volume ends with the final rounds about to start. Very fast-paced page-turning read. (5/5)
Vol. 15: The Titanic Tournament - The penultimate volume! Complete and utter battles as the finals of the contest get underway. Everyone has special attacks and some have secret identities. Fantastic pairing off for the duels and I love when our friends have to battle each other so it ends up with us really not knowing who is going to win the round. Quite a bit of excitement mounts as the last battle with the Demon Son is abruptly stopped mid-battle as the Volume ends. Looking forward to the last volume! (5/5)
Vol. 14: Heaven and Earth - Beginning exactly where we left off the battle between Piccolo and Goku continues and takes up a large part of this volume. Goku is so strong he hardly takes any hits at all until finally Piccolo lets loose with everything he's got. After the battle, ends are tied up and this current arc comes to a close. Goku is sent to Heaven for more training and 3 years go by until everyone meets up again at the "Strongest Under the Heavens" contest again. This goes quickly and the volume ends with the final rounds about to start. Very fast-paced page-turning read. (5/5)
Vol. 15: The Titanic Tournament - The penultimate volume! Complete and utter battles as the finals of the contest get underway. Everyone has special attacks and some have secret identities. Fantastic pairing off for the duels and I love when our friends have to battle each other so it ends up with us really not knowing who is going to win the round. Quite a bit of excitement mounts as the last battle with the Demon Son is abruptly stopped mid-battle as the Volume ends. Looking forward to the last volume! (5/5)
July 8, 2021
My original plan was to stop when I reached Piccolo. Not that I considered the rest of the story not worth it. But more because I can get caught in an eternal loop of Dragon Ball! So that's passed, since I'm already settings the "bar" on "I have to at least finish the original Dragon Ball first cycle" (42 books). However, hope I stop there, since there's a ton more books out there.
Now for the review: fun, silly, and filled with great moments. I don't have one single thing to say bad about it.
Now for the review: fun, silly, and filled with great moments. I don't have one single thing to say bad about it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews