Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z Are the Same Manga
There is no difference in story between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga. In Japan, creator Akira Toriyama wrote one continuous series simply called “Dragon Ball,” which ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995 across 42 collected volumes. The split into “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z” only exists in the English-language release published by Viz Media.
If you have been wondering whether you are missing part of the story by picking up one title instead of the other, you can relax. Every chapter, every panel, and every plot point is identical to the Japanese original. The only thing that changed is the name on the spine.
Why Viz Media Split the Title in Two
When Viz Media brought the manga to the United States, the Dragon Ball Z anime was already a cultural phenomenon thanks to its broadcast on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block. Millions of American viewers knew the name “Dragon Ball Z” long before they ever picked up a manga volume. To capitalize on that built-in recognition, Viz decided to split the English release into two distinct titles.
The first 16 volumes kept the original “Dragon Ball” name and cover Goku’s childhood adventures: his training under Master Roshi, the Red Ribbon Army saga, and the World Martial Arts Tournaments leading up to his final battle against Piccolo Jr. The remaining 26 volumes were rebranded as “Dragon Ball Z” and renumbered starting from Volume 1. These pick up right after a time skip, beginning with the arrival of Raditz and Goku’s discovery that he is a Saiyan warrior from another planet.
There is no gap between the two titles. Dragon Ball Z Volume 1 starts exactly where Dragon Ball Volume 16 ends. If you read them back to back, the story flows seamlessly — because it was always one story to begin with.
A Quick Volume Map
The Japanese “Dragon Ball” volumes 1 through 16 correspond to the English “Dragon Ball” volumes 1 through 16. Japanese volumes 17 through 42 correspond to the English “Dragon Ball Z” volumes 1 through 26. Nothing was added, removed, or rearranged in the process.
Where Should Beginners Start Reading?
This depends entirely on what kind of experience you are looking for. Both starting points are perfectly valid, and neither one is “wrong.”
Option A: The Complete Experience (Dragon Ball Vols. 1–16 First)
Starting from Volume 1 of “Dragon Ball” gives you the full picture. You meet Goku as a wild, tail-sporting kid living alone in the mountains. You watch him stumble into friendships with Bulma, Krillin, and Yamcha. You see him train under Master Roshi, fight in his first martial arts tournament, and slowly grow from a naive child into one of the strongest fighters on Earth.
These early volumes have a very different tone from what most people associate with Dragon Ball Z. The humor is slapstick, the stakes are lower, and the story leans heavily into adventure and exploration. If you enjoy watching a character grow from nothing into a legend, start here. Every emotional payoff in the later “Z” chapters hits harder when you have seen where these characters came from.
Dragon Ball Complete Box Set: Vols. 1-16
Option B: The Action-Heavy Route (Dragon Ball Z Vols. 1–26)
If you grew up watching Super Saiyan transformations on television and want to relive those moments in Toriyama’s original artwork, jumping straight into “Dragon Ball Z” Volume 1 works just fine. The story provides enough context in its opening chapters for you to follow along without reading the earlier volumes first.
The “Z” portion is where the series shifts into large-scale science fiction battles. You get the Saiyan Saga, the journey to Planet Namek, the terrifying arrival of the Androids, the Cell Games, and the final showdown with Majin Buu. The pacing is faster, the stakes are world-ending, and the fights are some of the most iconic in manga history.
One thing to keep in mind: certain character relationships — especially Goku’s bond with Krillin and the rivalry with Piccolo — carry more weight if you have read the original Dragon Ball volumes. But you will not be lost without them.
Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set: Vols. 1-26
The Best Way to Collect the Entire Series
If you plan to read the full story from beginning to end, the two complete box sets are the most practical way to do it. Buying all 42 volumes individually at retail price adds up quickly. The box sets bundle every volume together at a significant discount and ship in a sturdy, illustrated box designed for shelf display.
Each box set also includes bonus items that are not available with individual volumes. Past editions have included exclusive mini-posters and collector’s booklets with additional artwork. For anyone starting a manga collection, these extras add genuine value beyond just saving money.
The Dragon Ball box set covers Volumes 1 through 16 and the Dragon Ball Z box set covers Volumes 1 through 26. Together, they contain the entire story — all 42 volumes — with nothing left out. If you already own some individual volumes and want to fill in the gaps, buying single volumes still works, but for a fresh start the box sets are hard to beat on value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dragon Ball Z a sequel to Dragon Ball?
No. In the original Japanese publication, there is only one manga called “Dragon Ball.” The “Z” label was added by Viz Media for the English release to match the anime branding. The story is continuous with no break between the two titles.
Do I need to read Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
You do not need to, but it enriches the experience. The “Z” portion provides enough context to follow the plot on its own. However, character backstories and emotional arcs land with more impact if you have read the original 16 volumes first.
How many volumes are there in total?
The complete story spans 42 volumes. In the English Viz Media release, these are divided into 16 “Dragon Ball” volumes and 26 “Dragon Ball Z” volumes.
Are the box sets worth it compared to buying volumes individually?
For most readers starting from scratch, yes. The box sets offer a lower per-volume cost, come with bonus collectible items, and provide a clean storage solution. If you only want a specific saga, individual volumes give you more flexibility.
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