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Dragon Ball [ドラゴンボール] #12
Dragon Ball, Vol. 12: The Demon King Piccolo
When Kuririn is killed by a lizard-like monster, Goku goes in search of the culprit and finds his most terrifying enemy yet: the evil Demon King Piccolo! Freed after centuries of imprisonment, Piccolo sends waves of monsters on a mission to find the Dragon Balls and destroy any martial artists who might oppose him. With his flying cloud destroyed, Goku finds himself lost in the jungle where he meets an unlikely new ally. Meanwhile, Kame-Sen'nin prepares a last-ditch plan to defeat Piccolo... but at what cost?
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 1988
122 people are currently reading
881 people want to read
About the author
Akira Toriyama
1,919 books1,727 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 123 reviews
June 12, 2025
EN This volume features the thrilling conclusion of the Tournament of the Strongest Under Heaven and marks the beginning of a brand-new arc: the battle against Demon King Piccolo.
As exciting as ever!
--
PT Este volume apresenta a emocionante conclusão do Torneio dos Mais Fortes debaixo do Céu e dá início a um novo arco: a batalha contra o Rei Demónio Piccolo.
Tão empolgante como sempre!
As exciting as ever!
--
PT Este volume apresenta a emocionante conclusão do Torneio dos Mais Fortes debaixo do Céu e dá início a um novo arco: a batalha contra o Rei Demónio Piccolo.
Tão empolgante como sempre!
May 17, 2021
This is where the fun and games end, and things become serious and dangerous and often quite horrific, for almost the entire rest of the series (barring maybe the Buu Saga right at the very end, and even that's debatable). Personally I'd call it a mixed blessing: there were some of the comedy bits that I did like.
But it does get really dramatic, too, and that I can't fault it for.
But it does get really dramatic, too, and that I can't fault it for.
May 2, 2024
Even with overpowered Goku, there's still a lot of drama as he loses the tournament for the second time!
Then, immediately after it's time for the first villain that's truly a world threat: King... Piccolo
Then, immediately after it's time for the first villain that's truly a world threat: King... Piccolo
August 26, 2014
I know it’s a little early to be mentioning the saiyans (nearly at Dragon Ball Z though!) but this volume of Dragon Ball suddenly went super-freakin’-saiyan!
The epic battle between Son Goku and Tenshinhan for the title of Strongest Under the Heavens is concluded (of course I won’t say who won!) then, without giving the reader a moment to catch their breath, Akira Toriyama kills off a major character!
Though completely depowered from his fight with Ten, Goku jumps onto Kinto’un (his flying cloud) with the Dragon Ball tracker to hunt down his friend’s killer - and gets thoroughly beaten for his rashness.
Enter: Piccolo the Demon King. A super-powerful sorcerer, Piccolo has been freed by Reich Pilaf from an enchanted rice cooker (wonderful detail) where he was imprisoned years ago by Master Roshi’s master. Now freed, Piccolo is taking out the world’s most powerful martial artists, so he can never go back to his prison, and hunting down the Dragon Balls to regain his youth.
One of the many strengths of the series is the way Toriyama introduces new characters at crucial moments and folds them perfectly into the Dragon Ball world. Piccolo showed up at just the right moment to give the series the shot in the arm it needed by being a powerful and evil adversary for Goku, while Lord Yajirobe, a savage who can nonetheless hold his own against Goku, joins the good guys as a much-needed ally.
Most of the Dragon Ball books have been rated “for everyone” but this is the first one I’ve noticed is rated “for teens”. This is definitely the darkest Dragon Ball book in the series so far, from murdering a series favourite (though I’m sure he’ll be back once Goku collects the Dragon Balls and asks Shenlong the Dragon God to resurrect his pal), to the way Yajirobe defeats his opponents, slicing them in half with his sword.
Also, a word of caution if you do read this, or any of the Dragon Ball books - do NOT read the contents page as the titles of the chapters give away major plot points ahead of time!
Vol 12 has the most awesome fight scene in the series so far - it’s not nearly as long or complex as the ones in the Strongest Under the Heavens fights but it is really satisfying because it means something. Goku catches up with his friend’s killer and DESTROYS him in a flurry of incredible moves. I think I read that whole scene without blinking once!
With the Demon King’s entrance, Dragon Ball has entered its darkest time and most exciting storyline yet. This volume really ramps up the pace of the series! And guess who’s coming back in the next book? The Hermit Meowster - fantastic!!
The epic battle between Son Goku and Tenshinhan for the title of Strongest Under the Heavens is concluded (of course I won’t say who won!) then, without giving the reader a moment to catch their breath, Akira Toriyama kills off a major character!
Though completely depowered from his fight with Ten, Goku jumps onto Kinto’un (his flying cloud) with the Dragon Ball tracker to hunt down his friend’s killer - and gets thoroughly beaten for his rashness.
Enter: Piccolo the Demon King. A super-powerful sorcerer, Piccolo has been freed by Reich Pilaf from an enchanted rice cooker (wonderful detail) where he was imprisoned years ago by Master Roshi’s master. Now freed, Piccolo is taking out the world’s most powerful martial artists, so he can never go back to his prison, and hunting down the Dragon Balls to regain his youth.
One of the many strengths of the series is the way Toriyama introduces new characters at crucial moments and folds them perfectly into the Dragon Ball world. Piccolo showed up at just the right moment to give the series the shot in the arm it needed by being a powerful and evil adversary for Goku, while Lord Yajirobe, a savage who can nonetheless hold his own against Goku, joins the good guys as a much-needed ally.
Most of the Dragon Ball books have been rated “for everyone” but this is the first one I’ve noticed is rated “for teens”. This is definitely the darkest Dragon Ball book in the series so far, from murdering a series favourite (though I’m sure he’ll be back once Goku collects the Dragon Balls and asks Shenlong the Dragon God to resurrect his pal), to the way Yajirobe defeats his opponents, slicing them in half with his sword.
Also, a word of caution if you do read this, or any of the Dragon Ball books - do NOT read the contents page as the titles of the chapters give away major plot points ahead of time!
Vol 12 has the most awesome fight scene in the series so far - it’s not nearly as long or complex as the ones in the Strongest Under the Heavens fights but it is really satisfying because it means something. Goku catches up with his friend’s killer and DESTROYS him in a flurry of incredible moves. I think I read that whole scene without blinking once!
With the Demon King’s entrance, Dragon Ball has entered its darkest time and most exciting storyline yet. This volume really ramps up the pace of the series! And guess who’s coming back in the next book? The Hermit Meowster - fantastic!!
December 15, 2020
This was a fun arc, we come to the end of the tournament with Tian vs Goku and its battle of the champions and fun things for Tian! Then Goku goes about his usual business when he finds Krillin is dead and thus enter PICCOLO! Its an epic battle between the two and a good one! We see him send two demons after Goku: Cymbal and Tamborine and he defeats them, meanwhile the battle between him and Goku starts and he loses seems like just showing the difference in their power and his real motive. Good volume, great art and beginning of a big arc!
April 11, 2021
All stars!!!
...Aargh I need the next volume THIS SECOND!
Fantastic fights, a villain I love to hate, stakes upped so high they seem to fly... What's not to love? I can't wait to see what happens next!
...Aargh I need the next volume THIS SECOND!
Fantastic fights, a villain I love to hate, stakes upped so high they seem to fly... What's not to love? I can't wait to see what happens next!
June 18, 2024
It’s cooking.
April 26, 2016
Approaching Z.
We're getting closer and closer people!
Awesomeness all around!
Can't stand to look at Piccolo like that... you know.. a bazillion years old. Creepy!
We're getting closer and closer people!
Awesomeness all around!
Can't stand to look at Piccolo like that... you know.. a bazillion years old. Creepy!
January 19, 2024
4⭐/5
Pierwsza od dawna część, w której nagle można zauważyć zmianę tonu opowieści. Do tej pory (prawie) wszystko dla Goku przebiegało sprawnie i kończyło się szczęśliwie, a całą opowieść można było opisać jako przygodowe, spokojne i dziecięce wybryki, tym razem jednak historia jest bardziej tajemnicza, mroczna i wręcz (momentami) przerażająca.
Nadal występują tu fragmenty, które nawet wielkiego fana mogą śmieszyć – jak chociażby absurdalne podbijanie stawki i przekonywanie, że zaraz wykorzysta się mocną technikę, która może każdego z miejsca zabić, by…nie dopuścić do całej akcji przez zwykłe zastosowanie deus ex machina (w tym wypadku zazwyczaj jest to rozmowa). Albo ponowne pojawienie się Pilafa (uwielbiam tego głupka),który nadal uważa, że będzie panował nad światem, choć nie ma żadnej stosowności, by do tego satysfakcjonująco dążyć. Ale momenty te nie są już aż tak nagminne, bo w tym zeszyciku atmosfera diametralnie się zmienia. Stawka jest o wiele większa, bo teraz bohaterowie nie toczą tylko pojedynków dla chwały, a chcą uratować cały świat przed wielkim zagrożeniem, które wróciło niemalże z zaświatów.
Przyznam szczerze, że mimo znajomości anime, zaskoczyłam się w kilku fragmentach brutalnych walk, śmierci i zniszczenia (zasmuciłam się, jak – MAŁY SPOILER – zniszczono obłok Kinto, naprawdę). Główny antagonista jest potężny (choć wiem, że do pięt nie dorasta dalszym przeciwnikom Goku), jednak metody jakie stosuje niejednokrotnie bawią i obrzydzają lekturę (chociażby potworki, które tworzy Piccolo – Tamburyn, Cymbał – wspaniałe nazewnictwo). W zeszyciku czytelnik poznaje kolejnych bohaterów, jestem pełna podziwu kreacji Żarłomira, który od samego pojawienia się skradł moje serduszko – jego imię idealnie pasuje i współgra z największą miłością Goku do jedzenia (do tego stopnia, że to właśnie zapach prowiantu zmusza młodego wojownika do wstania niemalże z grobu).
Zobaczymy, jak dalej pociągnięta zostanie historia – na ten moment jestem mocno zainteresowana. Ten tomik, z uwagi na zmianę całej atmosfery i motywacji Goku do sprawy złoczyńcy, uważam za niezwykle dobry i wciągający.
Pierwsza od dawna część, w której nagle można zauważyć zmianę tonu opowieści. Do tej pory (prawie) wszystko dla Goku przebiegało sprawnie i kończyło się szczęśliwie, a całą opowieść można było opisać jako przygodowe, spokojne i dziecięce wybryki, tym razem jednak historia jest bardziej tajemnicza, mroczna i wręcz (momentami) przerażająca.
Nadal występują tu fragmenty, które nawet wielkiego fana mogą śmieszyć – jak chociażby absurdalne podbijanie stawki i przekonywanie, że zaraz wykorzysta się mocną technikę, która może każdego z miejsca zabić, by…nie dopuścić do całej akcji przez zwykłe zastosowanie deus ex machina (w tym wypadku zazwyczaj jest to rozmowa). Albo ponowne pojawienie się Pilafa (uwielbiam tego głupka),który nadal uważa, że będzie panował nad światem, choć nie ma żadnej stosowności, by do tego satysfakcjonująco dążyć. Ale momenty te nie są już aż tak nagminne, bo w tym zeszyciku atmosfera diametralnie się zmienia. Stawka jest o wiele większa, bo teraz bohaterowie nie toczą tylko pojedynków dla chwały, a chcą uratować cały świat przed wielkim zagrożeniem, które wróciło niemalże z zaświatów.
Przyznam szczerze, że mimo znajomości anime, zaskoczyłam się w kilku fragmentach brutalnych walk, śmierci i zniszczenia (zasmuciłam się, jak – MAŁY SPOILER – zniszczono obłok Kinto, naprawdę). Główny antagonista jest potężny (choć wiem, że do pięt nie dorasta dalszym przeciwnikom Goku), jednak metody jakie stosuje niejednokrotnie bawią i obrzydzają lekturę (chociażby potworki, które tworzy Piccolo – Tamburyn, Cymbał – wspaniałe nazewnictwo). W zeszyciku czytelnik poznaje kolejnych bohaterów, jestem pełna podziwu kreacji Żarłomira, który od samego pojawienia się skradł moje serduszko – jego imię idealnie pasuje i współgra z największą miłością Goku do jedzenia (do tego stopnia, że to właśnie zapach prowiantu zmusza młodego wojownika do wstania niemalże z grobu).
Zobaczymy, jak dalej pociągnięta zostanie historia – na ten moment jestem mocno zainteresowana. Ten tomik, z uwagi na zmianę całej atmosfery i motywacji Goku do sprawy złoczyńcy, uważam za niezwykle dobry i wciągający.
December 28, 2024
Volume 12: Chapter 133-144
Arc 8: 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Saga - Tien Shinhan Arc
Arc 9: King Piccolo Saga
Tien Shinhan destroyed the ring. Both he and Goku fall on the ground. Tien Shinhan win the tournament after Goku is the first one to touch the ground. Krillin went inside to take Goku's 4-star Dragon Ball and Nyoibo. Suddenly, Krillin was killed by Tambourine, one of King Piccolo's henchmen.
Long ago, Master Roshi, Master Tsuru and Master Mutaito faced King Piccolo, the demon king. They managed to seal King Piccolo inside a pot using a technique, Mafuba. Pilaf and his henchmen released King Piccolo from the pot. Now, King Piccolo is searching for the Dragon Balk to become eternal youth and hunting down all martial artists.
Tambourine was assigned to kill the martial artists and Cymbal was assigned to collect the Dragon Balls. Goku who was lose fight against Tambourine meet Yajirobe. Yajirobe possesed the 1-star Dragon Ball. Goku and Yajirobe killed Tambourine and Cymbal. King Piccolo arrived and fights Goku. Goku lose the fight and King Piccolo take the Dragon Ball. At the same time, Master Roshi and others are collecting the Dragon Balls and they already have 5.
Arc 8: 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Saga - Tien Shinhan Arc
Arc 9: King Piccolo Saga
Tien Shinhan destroyed the ring. Both he and Goku fall on the ground. Tien Shinhan win the tournament after Goku is the first one to touch the ground. Krillin went inside to take Goku's 4-star Dragon Ball and Nyoibo. Suddenly, Krillin was killed by Tambourine, one of King Piccolo's henchmen.
Long ago, Master Roshi, Master Tsuru and Master Mutaito faced King Piccolo, the demon king. They managed to seal King Piccolo inside a pot using a technique, Mafuba. Pilaf and his henchmen released King Piccolo from the pot. Now, King Piccolo is searching for the Dragon Balk to become eternal youth and hunting down all martial artists.
Tambourine was assigned to kill the martial artists and Cymbal was assigned to collect the Dragon Balls. Goku who was lose fight against Tambourine meet Yajirobe. Yajirobe possesed the 1-star Dragon Ball. Goku and Yajirobe killed Tambourine and Cymbal. King Piccolo arrived and fights Goku. Goku lose the fight and King Piccolo take the Dragon Ball. At the same time, Master Roshi and others are collecting the Dragon Balls and they already have 5.
December 21, 2021
The match between Tenshinhan and Goku comes to a climactic finish that's both action-packed and hilarious, and before you can sit back and think about what you watched the next arc begins with some bloody beatdowns. The Demon King Piccolo arc is darker than all the previous ones, making Taopaipai look like Oolong. Some gross demon stuff, musically-themed demon henchmen, and a hunt for the dragon balls that isn't about fun and games, or personal debts, but an operation to save the world. It's cut-throat and a total change of pace but it's a menacing tone change from the rest of the series.
October 3, 2017
The 22nd World Tournament finally comes to a close with Goku yet again placing 2nd place against Tien. Which brings us to the end of the Red Ribbon Army Arc and brings us into the darkest Dragon Ball arc so far the Great Demon King Piccolo Arc. Past arcs kind of reeled you in but this one throws you in with the death of Krillin.
March 31, 2024
Bel volume! Ricordavo pochissimo questa parte e non vedo l’ora di andare avanti proprio perché non ricordo bene nemmeno ciò che viene dopo. Pensavo che nel manga la prima morte di Crillin mi avrebbe traumatizzata, ma sono così abituata a vederlo morire che quasi quasi nemmeno ci ho fatto caso. La saga ancora è sui toni più leggeri e divertenti e non è pesata come morte. Qui appaiono per la prima volta Yajirobei e Piccolo, per questo mi è piaciuto molto!
March 14, 2018
Piccolo ♥
June 30, 2023
chegada do maior vilão
December 21, 2023
Can't wait for Piccolo to get his glow up so he can become my favorite character again
February 3, 2025
Great next installment that doesn’t feel like #12 at all! This volume covers a lot - the end of the tournament, a shocking death (possibly the only one before death becomes meaningless in Dragon Ball lol), and the introduction of Yajirobe and the Demon King Piccolo! Growing up with DBZ, I was shocked to see in the anime that this Piccolo is an entirely different character. The quality of Toriyama’s work never falters, and I can understand more than ever how Dragon Ball became an international sensation. Looking forward to these final arcs!
September 3, 2024
Piccolo time one of the best volumes in DB
July 27, 2022
The Demon King Piccolo is introduced and he's a threat like none other for the gang, killing a dear friend to establish himself as a villain that needs to be dealt with quickly. This volume also introduces us to good ol' Yajirobe and his banter with Goku is innocent fun!
July 1, 2024
Super
April 20, 2016
Previously on Dragon Ball, Goku and Tenshinhan have reach the final round in the tournament and we are at the edge of our seat as to who will win this tournament. After using all their energies, Goku and Tenshinhan are exhausted and both fall from the sky and whoever reaches the ground last will win and sadly Goku lost by a technicality. Tenshinhan feels bad about Goku losing and offers to split the prize money but Goku instead ask if he could pay for his dinner since he is starving. Tenshinhan is utterly impress about Goku and learns that he needs to train harder in order to outmatch Goku. I was spoiled about Tenshinhan winning thanks to the internet but either way I am not mad because I feel like Goku shouldn't won for this fight especially when something epic is going to happen to finally conclude this series.
After the they established the agreement for dinner, horror strikes Goku and the gang when they discover that Kuririn was killed by a monster who was trying to steal Goku's dragon ball and succeeded. Goku loses it and decides to track the monster and kill it to avenge his friend. He forgets that his powers is wiped out and when he encounters the monster, he is knocked down and falls into what looks like a jungle/forest. When the lizard monster returns to his master we discovered that Pilaf was the one who tracked the dragon ball and resurrected this evil demon named King Piccolo.
Piccolo is extremely old and wants to capture the dragon balls so that way he can recapture his youth and become this monster who will destroy the earth. Pilaf resurrected him so that way they can recapture all the dragon balls successfully and if we Piccolo conquers the world the idea is he will get a percentage to Pilaf (which I highly doubt). When Goku wakes up, he meets another character by the name of Yajirobe who holds one of the dragon balls. Goku fights Yajirobe and discover he is a strong fighter but the fight is put off as Yajirobe attacks and kills the dragon that is trying to steal his dragon ball.
The same monster comes to steal it afterwards but gets killed thanks to Goku and Yajirobe and when Piccolo feels their death, he personally comes and wonders how they were defeated and goes into this epic battle with Goku. Along the way, the gang decides to find all the dragon balls to resurrect his Kuririn and pursuing this goal rather quickly. Will Goku defeat Piccolo or will he sacrifice himself for humanity? We won't find out until next time on Dragon Ball.
After the they established the agreement for dinner, horror strikes Goku and the gang when they discover that Kuririn was killed by a monster who was trying to steal Goku's dragon ball and succeeded. Goku loses it and decides to track the monster and kill it to avenge his friend. He forgets that his powers is wiped out and when he encounters the monster, he is knocked down and falls into what looks like a jungle/forest. When the lizard monster returns to his master we discovered that Pilaf was the one who tracked the dragon ball and resurrected this evil demon named King Piccolo.
Piccolo is extremely old and wants to capture the dragon balls so that way he can recapture his youth and become this monster who will destroy the earth. Pilaf resurrected him so that way they can recapture all the dragon balls successfully and if we Piccolo conquers the world the idea is he will get a percentage to Pilaf (which I highly doubt). When Goku wakes up, he meets another character by the name of Yajirobe who holds one of the dragon balls. Goku fights Yajirobe and discover he is a strong fighter but the fight is put off as Yajirobe attacks and kills the dragon that is trying to steal his dragon ball.
The same monster comes to steal it afterwards but gets killed thanks to Goku and Yajirobe and when Piccolo feels their death, he personally comes and wonders how they were defeated and goes into this epic battle with Goku. Along the way, the gang decides to find all the dragon balls to resurrect his Kuririn and pursuing this goal rather quickly. Will Goku defeat Piccolo or will he sacrifice himself for humanity? We won't find out until next time on Dragon Ball.
September 8, 2017
Este tomo comienza con el final del 22do Tenkaichi Budokai (con un final como siempre muy inesperado), pero es muy relevante porque en el se nos presenta a un personaje muy importante en la mitología de Dragon Ball: Piccolo Daimaoh. Es el primer enemigo realmente fuerte y que parece "invencible", al punto que cuando vi Dragon Ball por primera vez, me daba un poco de miedo, con su aspecto alienígena y lo fría de su actitud. También en este tomo continúa la tendencia de relegar al humor al segundo plano y aumentar la "seriedad" del manga, hay muertes y violencia mucho más explícita.
May 11, 2022
Piccolo is here!! And things just got way more intense! The stakes are high and things are not so easy for our characters any more! I really appreciate the badass-ness of our main characters, and I also appreciate how with every arc, they face something even worse so they just have to train even harder. Loooove that shit.
December 17, 2021
Goku is an eccentric monkey-tailed boy with superhuman strength and boundless energy. His life of peaceful solitude is interrupted one day when he meets Bulma, a feisty young lady on the hunt for mysterious wish-granting orbs known as Dragon Balls. Accompanied by a group of zany companions, the two team up on a grand adventure full of all kinds of intense battles, dangerous villains and whacky hijinks.
Now this was a blast of nostalgia! Dragon Ball was the first anime I ever watched as a dorky little toddler. I remember watching it every week with my big brother. I watched the reruns multiple times and owned all the Budokai and Tenkaichi fighting games. I developed a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Dragon Ball Z throughout my middle school years. While I don't like the series nearly as much as I once did, I'm very thankful toward this series for introducing me to the wonderful world of anime and manga. After Dragon Ball, I watched Ghibli, Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Inuyasha, Fullmetal Alchemist, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket and dozens of others. I then went on to discover some of my all time favorite series like Berserk, Naoki Urasawa's Monster, Gantz, Battle Royale, Attack on Titan, Vagabond, Blade of the Immortal, Parasyte, Goodnight Punpun and more. Dragon Ball made me a fan of this medium and it felt great to re-experience the series from beginning to end for the first time in twenty years.
The story and characters are simple, but the series is easy to read, hilarious and wholesome in spite of the constant action. The series starts off as a raunchy, self-aware slapstick comedy full of fourth-wall breaking, sexual innuendos and surprisingly dirty jokes. This series was definitely edgy for its time considering it was geared towards a young audience. A lot of the perverted humor and gag comedy wouldn't fly too well with modern sensibilities, but it can be pretty funny for people who don't get offended easily and can handle some outdated mannerisms and attitudes from the past.
While the series does start off as a comedy gag reel, it slowly develops into a more serious streamlined plot with better written characters and villains. The story never really blooms into anything worth writing home about, but it remains consistently entertaining and fun to read. The interactions between Goku and his pals is always funny, even the way he plays around with his enemies is comical. If I remember as well as I think I do, I believe the maturity of the story and characters improve much more in the sequel series which I'll eventually get around to reviewing at some point. The original Dragon Ball ends on a great battle sequence that sets up the more serious tone of Dragon Ball Z.
My only major complaint about the overall story is the Dragon Balls make things way too convenient and removes the stakes and consequences of literally everything. If a major character dies they can just be wished back. This removes any sense of drama or tension from the battles and the consequences of the villains actions becomes moot. The series doesn't take itself too seriously and often pokes fun at itself, but the way the Dragon Balls are utilized are just a little too much in my opinion. Even comedies need a certain amount of suspension and stakes to make me care about what's going on.
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Now this was a blast of nostalgia! Dragon Ball was the first anime I ever watched as a dorky little toddler. I remember watching it every week with my big brother. I watched the reruns multiple times and owned all the Budokai and Tenkaichi fighting games. I developed a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Dragon Ball Z throughout my middle school years. While I don't like the series nearly as much as I once did, I'm very thankful toward this series for introducing me to the wonderful world of anime and manga. After Dragon Ball, I watched Ghibli, Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Inuyasha, Fullmetal Alchemist, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket and dozens of others. I then went on to discover some of my all time favorite series like Berserk, Naoki Urasawa's Monster, Gantz, Battle Royale, Attack on Titan, Vagabond, Blade of the Immortal, Parasyte, Goodnight Punpun and more. Dragon Ball made me a fan of this medium and it felt great to re-experience the series from beginning to end for the first time in twenty years.
The story and characters are simple, but the series is easy to read, hilarious and wholesome in spite of the constant action. The series starts off as a raunchy, self-aware slapstick comedy full of fourth-wall breaking, sexual innuendos and surprisingly dirty jokes. This series was definitely edgy for its time considering it was geared towards a young audience. A lot of the perverted humor and gag comedy wouldn't fly too well with modern sensibilities, but it can be pretty funny for people who don't get offended easily and can handle some outdated mannerisms and attitudes from the past.
While the series does start off as a comedy gag reel, it slowly develops into a more serious streamlined plot with better written characters and villains. The story never really blooms into anything worth writing home about, but it remains consistently entertaining and fun to read. The interactions between Goku and his pals is always funny, even the way he plays around with his enemies is comical. If I remember as well as I think I do, I believe the maturity of the story and characters improve much more in the sequel series which I'll eventually get around to reviewing at some point. The original Dragon Ball ends on a great battle sequence that sets up the more serious tone of Dragon Ball Z.
My only major complaint about the overall story is the Dragon Balls make things way too convenient and removes the stakes and consequences of literally everything. If a major character dies they can just be wished back. This removes any sense of drama or tension from the battles and the consequences of the villains actions becomes moot. The series doesn't take itself too seriously and often pokes fun at itself, but the way the Dragon Balls are utilized are just a little too much in my opinion. Even comedies need a certain amount of suspension and stakes to make me care about what's going on.
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November 30, 2020
Son Goku kämpft beim großen Turnier in der westlichen Hauptstadt gegen Tenshinhan, den ehemaligen Schüler des Herrn der Kraniche. Es scheint fast so, dass die beiden gleich stark sind, doch schließlich unterliegt Son Goku Tenshinhan. Als die Freunde gemeinsam zum Essen gehen wollen, um ihre Kämpfe zu feiern, bemerkt Son Goku, dass er seine Sachen vergessen hat. Kuririn erklärt sich bereit diese zu holen, doch er kehrt nicht wieder zurück. Mit Erschrecken müssen die Freunde feststellen, dass Kuririn ermordet worden und der Dragon Ball gestohlen worden ist. Für Son Goku ist klar, dass er Rache für den Verlust seines Freundes will. Doch ihm stellt sich ein schwerer und vor allem grausamer Gegner in den Weg. Denn der Oberteufel Piccolo wurde von Prinz Pilaf und seinen Schergen aus seinem Verließ frei gelassen. Nun will er mit Hilfe der Dragon Balls zu mehr Macht kommen und dafür ist ihm jedes Mittel recht. Während der Teufel auf der Suche nach den Dragon Balls ist, beauftragt er seine Schergen die Teilnehmer des großen Turniers zu töten, da diese die einzigen Gegner sind, die eventuell das Mafuba beherrschen, eine Technik, die den Teufel bereits einmal in einen Reiskocher gebannt haben und damals vom Meister des Herrn der Schildkröten mit dem Leben bezahlt wurde. Die Freunde müssen sich beeilen, wenn sie die Dragon Balls vor dem Teufel finden wollen.
Wieder einmal hat Akira Toriyama es geschafft der Geschichte rund um Dragon Ball einen völlig neuen Stempel aufzudrücken und spinnt die Story fantastisch und vor allem spannend weiter. Ein neuer Gegner ist aufgetaucht, an dem der kleine Son Goku ordentlich zu knabbern hat. Doch die Freunde halten zusammen und zeigen wieder einmal, wie wichtig Freundschaft sein kann. Der Verlust Kuririns trifft den kleinen Kämpfer schwer und er will Rache, was verständlich ist. Hals über Kopf bricht er auf und muss bald feststellen, dass ein übereiltes Handeln ihn durchaus den Kragen kosten kann. Doch Son Goku wäre ja nicht Son Goku, wenn er nicht beweisen würde, dass er durchaus sehr zäh sein kann. Und selbst in dieser schweren Zeit schafft er es, sich mit einem neuen Mitstreiter anzufreunden, der ihm aus der Patsche hilft. Dass Toriyama die Figur des Kuririn hat sterben lassen, finde ich persönlich ganz schade, hoffe aber, dass sich die Freunde durch die Dragon Balls den kleinen Kerl wieder mit ins Boot holen können.
Der Charakter des Piccolo gefällt mir sehr gut, er sieht für mich eher aus wie ein Alien - aber wird der Rolle als Oberteufel durchaus gerecht, dass er gerade von dem nervigen Pilaf freigesetzt wird, hätte ich so nicht gedacht. Vor allem hätte ich nicht damit gerechnet, ihn noch einmal zu sehen. Es bleibt weiterhin spannend und ich muss sagen, dass Dragon Ball immer mehr zum Suchtfaktor wird.
Taschenbuch: 192 Seiten
Verlag: Carlsen (22. Mai 1998)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 355173304X
ISBN-13: 978-3551733047
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 10 - 12 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 11,6 x 2 x 17,6 cm
Wieder einmal hat Akira Toriyama es geschafft der Geschichte rund um Dragon Ball einen völlig neuen Stempel aufzudrücken und spinnt die Story fantastisch und vor allem spannend weiter. Ein neuer Gegner ist aufgetaucht, an dem der kleine Son Goku ordentlich zu knabbern hat. Doch die Freunde halten zusammen und zeigen wieder einmal, wie wichtig Freundschaft sein kann. Der Verlust Kuririns trifft den kleinen Kämpfer schwer und er will Rache, was verständlich ist. Hals über Kopf bricht er auf und muss bald feststellen, dass ein übereiltes Handeln ihn durchaus den Kragen kosten kann. Doch Son Goku wäre ja nicht Son Goku, wenn er nicht beweisen würde, dass er durchaus sehr zäh sein kann. Und selbst in dieser schweren Zeit schafft er es, sich mit einem neuen Mitstreiter anzufreunden, der ihm aus der Patsche hilft. Dass Toriyama die Figur des Kuririn hat sterben lassen, finde ich persönlich ganz schade, hoffe aber, dass sich die Freunde durch die Dragon Balls den kleinen Kerl wieder mit ins Boot holen können.
Der Charakter des Piccolo gefällt mir sehr gut, er sieht für mich eher aus wie ein Alien - aber wird der Rolle als Oberteufel durchaus gerecht, dass er gerade von dem nervigen Pilaf freigesetzt wird, hätte ich so nicht gedacht. Vor allem hätte ich nicht damit gerechnet, ihn noch einmal zu sehen. Es bleibt weiterhin spannend und ich muss sagen, dass Dragon Ball immer mehr zum Suchtfaktor wird.
Taschenbuch: 192 Seiten
Verlag: Carlsen (22. Mai 1998)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 355173304X
ISBN-13: 978-3551733047
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 10 - 12 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 11,6 x 2 x 17,6 cm
not-gonna-read
August 6, 2025Okay I'm just going to get out there and say this but . . . I don't much care for Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z.
Now let me make this perfectly clear. This doesn't mean that I think that the manga or anime of the Dragon Ball franchise is bad. Far from it. I think there's a lot of things to admire about the Dragon Ball franchise. In fact, a lot of famous manga artists have received inspiration from this Shonen manga series. And those artists have written some manga that has increased in popularity all around the world such as Kishimoto's Naruto, Kubo's Bleach, and Oda's One Piece. Which is ironic because those are manga series I really enjoy. Each of these manga take an element from the Dragon Ball series and use it for inspiration for their own work like battles, art, character design, and plot.
In a nutshell, this series was kinda of a bore for me but to be fair I kind of expected that from a late 80's-early 90's manga. It has all the elements that you would expect from a manga published in that time frame. The plot is very simple, the action is very cheesy, the comedy is a bit overdone, the characters are simply designed but memorable, and the art definitely has a 90's art style when it comes to the expression of the characters.
The only character I cared for (and remembered) was the main character Goku. He's innocent and the typical hero whose strong and has a good heart but not very bright. He's willing to help his friends because he has a strong will that brings out his powers. There's a lot of things to like about this character and what's more interesting is that you can see different characters from other manga that resemble a few traits from Goku that basically became a norm for main leads in Shonen manga. The few examples that I can come up with at the top of my head are Luffy from One Piece, Naruto from Naruto, and Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star who mostly portrays the 'manly' appearance and strength that Goku possesses and displays within the series.
With all that's been said, I still think it's an admirable series despite my personal feelings towards it. 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. So there are some things to like and admire about it because of the legacy that it brought with its creation.
So if you're going to take something from this review, just remember the fact that Dragon Ball has done a lot for a very popular art form and will continue to be great and loved for years to come.
Now let me make this perfectly clear. This doesn't mean that I think that the manga or anime of the Dragon Ball franchise is bad. Far from it. I think there's a lot of things to admire about the Dragon Ball franchise. In fact, a lot of famous manga artists have received inspiration from this Shonen manga series. And those artists have written some manga that has increased in popularity all around the world such as Kishimoto's Naruto, Kubo's Bleach, and Oda's One Piece. Which is ironic because those are manga series I really enjoy. Each of these manga take an element from the Dragon Ball series and use it for inspiration for their own work like battles, art, character design, and plot.
In a nutshell, this series was kinda of a bore for me but to be fair I kind of expected that from a late 80's-early 90's manga. It has all the elements that you would expect from a manga published in that time frame. The plot is very simple, the action is very cheesy, the comedy is a bit overdone, the characters are simply designed but memorable, and the art definitely has a 90's art style when it comes to the expression of the characters.
The only character I cared for (and remembered) was the main character Goku. He's innocent and the typical hero whose strong and has a good heart but not very bright. He's willing to help his friends because he has a strong will that brings out his powers. There's a lot of things to like about this character and what's more interesting is that you can see different characters from other manga that resemble a few traits from Goku that basically became a norm for main leads in Shonen manga. The few examples that I can come up with at the top of my head are Luffy from One Piece, Naruto from Naruto, and Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star who mostly portrays the 'manly' appearance and strength that Goku possesses and displays within the series.
With all that's been said, I still think it's an admirable series despite my personal feelings towards it. 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. So there are some things to like and admire about it because of the legacy that it brought with its creation.
So if you're going to take something from this review, just remember the fact that Dragon Ball has done a lot for a very popular art form and will continue to be great and loved for years to come.
December 15, 2024
Everyone talks about how sudden the shift is from comedy to drama in this volume, and I think it’s too sudden. Kuririn has such a lame death, which is part of what fuels Goku’s anger, but we don’t even really have any time to mourn him. We know immediately that he will be revived somehow.
So many retcons… in one chapter, Tenshinhan gives a perfectly valid reason as to why he wouldn’t join the Turtle gang, and then completely changes his mind in the next. Toriyama sacrificed character consistency for convenience. Of course, he has to join them, but his entire outlook as a person is changed over the course of one day.
Kinto-un actually gets killed this time, even though it was established previously in the Red Ribbon saga that it can’t be destroyed. JUST PICK ONE AND STICK WITH IT!
And as much as I like Yajirobe, there should be no way that he survives any of Goku’s attacks. In the previous volume, Goku one-shots a world champion martial artist named Panpoot. Panpoot was renowned for being a champ of different tournaments, and people feared him. If Goku could take him out in one attack, why is Yajirobe not even phased when Goku hurls him into a boulder?
I do like the serious tone though. Goku actually loses for once. The stakes have been raised and I don’t mind it.
So many retcons… in one chapter, Tenshinhan gives a perfectly valid reason as to why he wouldn’t join the Turtle gang, and then completely changes his mind in the next. Toriyama sacrificed character consistency for convenience. Of course, he has to join them, but his entire outlook as a person is changed over the course of one day.
Kinto-un actually gets killed this time, even though it was established previously in the Red Ribbon saga that it can’t be destroyed. JUST PICK ONE AND STICK WITH IT!
And as much as I like Yajirobe, there should be no way that he survives any of Goku’s attacks. In the previous volume, Goku one-shots a world champion martial artist named Panpoot. Panpoot was renowned for being a champ of different tournaments, and people feared him. If Goku could take him out in one attack, why is Yajirobe not even phased when Goku hurls him into a boulder?
I do like the serious tone though. Goku actually loses for once. The stakes have been raised and I don’t mind it.
September 24, 2018
Here we go! The beginning of the end of the original Dragon Ball run! Kuririn is mysteriously murdered when he runs back to grab Goku's staff. The only clue is a crudely drawn symbol that translates to "demon"; Kami Senin knows the symbol from his youth as that of Demon King Picolo's sign! Appears Pilaf and gang weren't out of the picture yet as they revived the evil lord to finally get revenge on the people who've defeated them. Goku apparently hasn't learned enough self-control yet as he rushes headlong to face the demon alone. We meet Yajirobe who proves to be a decent enough fighter when it comes to taking down a minion. Son Goku is decimated in his first encounter with Piccolo and asks Yagirobe to take him to Korrin's Tower.
It was definitely a more exciting volume to see after so many opponents, Goku still has farther to push himself. He's learned a lot so far but hasn't quite mastered everything yet. The series has progressed from cheap potty jokes to this very serious final battle. I'm looking forward to seeing how the end resolves.
It was definitely a more exciting volume to see after so many opponents, Goku still has farther to push himself. He's learned a lot so far but hasn't quite mastered everything yet. The series has progressed from cheap potty jokes to this very serious final battle. I'm looking forward to seeing how the end resolves.
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