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... (In Japan, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were originally a single 42-volume series. VIZ Media's Dragon Ball contains vols. 1-16 of the original Japanese Dragon Ball, from the beginning of the series to the climax of Goku's last fight with Piccolo.)

As the "Strongest Under the Heavens" martial arts tournament draws to a close, only Goku, Piccolo, and Shen--the disguised Kami-sama--remain! But even a god is no match for Piccolo's new powers, and soon Goku finds himself fighting...alone... in a battle which will decide not just who is strongest, but who or what will rule the world! The audience flees for their lives as the struggle shakes the heavens apart in the gripping conclusion of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball!