See Dragon Ball with new eyes. This book is your cultural tour guide of Dragon Ball, the world’s most recognized anime and manga series. Over 11 years in development, at over 2,000 pages, and featuring over 1,800 unique terms, Dragon Ball Culture is a 7 Volume analysis of your favorite series. You will go on an adventure with Son Goku, from Chapter 1 to 194 of the original Dragon Ball series, as we explore every page, every panel, and every sentence, to reveal the hidden symbolism and deeper meaning of Dragon Ball. In Volume 1 you will discover the origin of Dragon Ball. How does Akira Toriyama get his big break and become a manga author? Why does he make Dragon Ball? Where does Dragon Ball’s culture come from? And why is it so successful? Along the way you’ll be informed, entertained, and inspired. You will learn more about your favorite series and about yourself. Now step with me through the doorway of Dragon Ball Culture.
Son Goku's adventure begins! Join me in Dragon Ball Culture Volume 2, as we travel along with Goku on his epic journey for greater strength. With each step that Goku takes, you'll discover more of the hidden spirituality and symbolism in Dragon Ball that makes the series so successful. You'll see how author Akira Toriyama synthesizes Chinese culture, Western technology, and Buddho-Daoist philosophy to create a series that speaks to your humanity. Not because of the action or the humor, but because it reminds you of what it means to be alive. Along the way you'll learn of Goku's ancient origin. You'll hear how the legend of a wild monkey-man begins in India, evolves across 2,000 years of Chinese and Japanese history, and leads to the Goku you know and love. I'll walk you through the journey from the first page to the last. And by the time we're done, you will be an expert on Dragon Ball's culture. Volume 2 explores Chapters 1 to 23 of the Dragon Ball manga. So let's take our first step with Goku!
Goku meets god! In Dragon Ball Culture Volume 6, we’ll reunite with Goku as he ascends to heaven, trains with Kami for 3 years, and battles the reincarnated Demon King Pikkoro! When Goku reaches heaven he is greeted by the always-controversial Mister Popo. But who is Mister Popo, and why does he look so strange? His ancient cultural origin will finally be revealed! From there we’ll explore Kami’s roots in Japanese Shinto and Chinese Buddhism. You’ll discover how Kami and Pikkoro are related on a spiritual level, how reincarnation works within the Dragon World, and what it means for the new demon king to be the ‘son of the father who was cast down from heaven.’ Afterward, we’ll enter the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai! But will Goku’s friends recognize him, and will he be strong enough to persevere?! Who is this green-skinned man who calls himself “Ma Junia,” and why is he such a grave threat to Goku and the world?! Discover the amazing truth behind these new characters, with surprising mystery’s and reveals from your old friends, as we take a cultural tour through the final volume of the original Dragon Ball manga! It’s a battle of life and death, and Goku’s the only one who can save us!! Volume 6 explores Chapters 162 to 194 of the Dragon Ball manga. It’s time to face god!
A comprehensive hardcover art book in a collector’s slipcase, showcasing the work of Akira Toriyama’s best-selling manga series, Dragon Ball. A comprehensive art book showcasing manga art, additional promotional material, creator commentary and notes/sketches/posters, from throughout the history of the original Dragon Ball series, all featured in a beautifully slipcased hardcover book with a dust jacket. Featuring stunning full-color artwork, exclusive creator commentary and rarely seen sketches, Dragon Ball: A Visual History is the definitive journey through the artwork of one of the most influential and popular manga series of all time, Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball.
Goku goes west! His grand adventure begins anew as his martial arts master tells him to travel the world to increase his power. But what will happen when this naïve boy enters the real world and meets people who want to harm him? Will he be able to find his grandpa's 4-Star dragon ball, or will the villainous Red Ribbon Army get to it first?! In Dragon Ball Culture Volume 4, you'll discover the origin of the Red Ribbon Army in Western cinema. You'll see how author Akira Toriyama brings Western concepts into his Eastern world and fuses them together, creating the Dragon World that we know and love. And you’ll learn how monster movies, witches, and magical dragons mix together to tell a story about a young boy with a dream of becoming stronger. Volume 4 explores Chapters 54 to 112 of the Dragon Ball manga. So let's hop on our magic cloud and head west with Goku!
Based on the much-beloved Dragon Ball manga, this series will introduce a whole new audience to the fantastic adventures of Goku and his friends. For the first time ever, young Goku is exploring the world beyond his quiet forest home, training all the while to be as strong as he can be. From flying clouds to wish-granting dragons, Goku's new life is filled with more wonder and adventure than he ever could have imagined! The Adventure Begins! Deep in a forest untouched by civilization, Goku lives a simple life. He trains hard every day, just like his grandpa taught him, never giving a thought to the wide world beyond his home. But when a stranger arrives with curious machines and tales of a wish-granting dragon, Goku's simple life is turned upside down. Now, for the first time, he's venturing outside his forest, on a quest for the seven mythical Dragon Balls. Is the world ready for Goku? And more importantly, will there be enough to eat?
In the aftermath of his battle with Goku, Vegeta retreats from Earth, vowing revenge. In search of a way to resurrect their dead friends, Kuririn, Gohan, and Bulma go into space in search of Namek--Piccolo's home planet where the Dragon Balls were originally made. But Namek has become a battleground, where evil emperor Freeza and his minions are slaughtering the peaceful Namekians to fulfill Freeza's wish for immortality! Stranded on a planet full of enemies, the three astronauts radio back to Earth...but "help" comes from an unexpected source as Vegeta turns against his former master Freeza in order to get the Dragon Balls for himself! -- VIZ Media
With a foreword from Christopher Sabat and Sean Schemmel, Dragon Soul: 30 Years of Dragon Ball Fandom is a grand celebration of the world's greatest anime and manga and it's momentous 30th Anniversary. Join me on a global adventure in search of the 7 dragon balls, as we head west toward Japan, the birthplace of Dragon Ball. Along the way we'll meet 81 fans from 25 countries who will share their Dragon Ball story. From artists to authors, collectors to philosophers, we'll hear their Dragon Soul and discover how Dragon Ball changed their lives. Includes over 100 images. We'll meet such famous fans as Lawrence Simpson (MasakoX) from Team Four Star, Malik from Dragon Ball New Age, Salagir from Dragon Ball Multiverse, MMA fighter Marcus Brimage, YouTube celebrities SSJGoshin4, Nelson Junior (Casa do Kame), and film critic Chris Stuckmann, famous cosplayers "Living Ichigo," Atara Collis, and Jah'lon Escudero, the creators of Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope, Twitter star @Goku, authors Patrick Galbraith, Nestor Rubio, and Vicente Ramirez, and dozens more. Joining us will be 27 professionals from 7 countries, including American voice actors Chris Sabat (Vegeta), Sean Schemmel (Goku), Chris Ayres (Freeza), Chris Rager (Mister Satan), Mike McFarland (Master Roshi), Chuck Huber (Android 17), Kyle Hebert (Son Gohan), Jason Douglas (Beerus), Chris Cason (Tenshinhan), FUNimation employees Justin Rojas, Adam Sheehan, and Rick Villa, Dragon Ball Z composer Bruce Faulconer, Dragon Ball manga editor Jason Thompson, Canadian voice actors Peter Kelamis (Goku) and Brian Drummond (Vegeta), Latin American voice actors Mario Castaneda (Goku), Rene Garcia (Vegeta), Eduardo Garza (Krillin), French voice actor Eric Legrand (Vegeta), French journalist Olivier Richard, Spanish voice actors Jose Antonio Gavira (Goku), Julia Oliva (Chichi), and manga editor David Hernando, Danish voice actors Caspar Philllipson (Goku) and Peter Secher Schmidt (Freeza), and Brazilian voice actor Wendel Bezerra (Goku). Gather your belongings, jump on your magic cloud, and embark on a grand adventure, in Dragon Soul: 30 Years of Dragon Ball Fandom!
Son Goku is the greatest hero on Earth. Five years after defeating the demon king Piccolo, he's grown up and had a family--he's married, and he has a child, Son Gohan. But what is the real reason for Goku's incredible strength? A visitor from outer space arrives bearing terrible news--Goku is an alien, and the visitor, Raditz, is Goku's brother! When Raditz turns out to be a ruthless killer, Goku must fight his incredibly strong brother to save his family and the entire human race. A surprising alliance may be Earth's last hope: Goku will team up with his old enemy Piccolo...archenemies united to save the world! -- VIZ Media
