Best Dragon Ball Manga: Box Sets and Single Volumes
Every way to read Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super in English, from complete VIZ box sets to budget 3-in-1 volumes and single books.
4 picks · Published
Top picks at a glance
Dragon Ball Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16)
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Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–26)
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Dragon Ball (3-in-1 Edition)
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Dragon Ball Super (Manga Series)
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| Product | #1Dragon Ball Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16)Best way to start the saga | #2Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–26)Best for DBZ fans | #3Dragon Ball (3-in-1 Edition)Best budget way to read | #4Dragon Ball Super (Manga Series)Best for continuing the story |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our rating | ||||
| Price | $$$ | $$$$ | $ | $$$ |
| Covers | Dragon Ball (original series) | Dragon Ball Z (Saiyan to Buu arcs) | Dragon Ball (original series) | Dragon Ball Super |
| Volumes | 16 | 26 | 3 per book | 1–24 (ongoing) |
| Pages | 3,112 | 5,104 | 576 (Vol. 1) | 4,688 (Vols. 1–24) |
| Extras | Double-sided poster, collector’s booklet | Collector’s box + premium items | None | None |
| List price | $169.99 | $279.99 | $16.99 (Vol. 1) | $11.99 per volume |
| Buy | Check pricefor Dragon Ball Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16) (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–26) (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Dragon Ball (3-in-1 Edition) (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Dragon Ball Super (Manga Series) (opens in a new tab) |
The picks, reviewed
VIZ MediaDragon Ball Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16)
All 16 volumes of Akira Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball, following kid Goku from his first meeting with Bulma through the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, in one collector box.
Pros
- The complete original series in one purchase
- Exclusive double-sided poster and collector’s booklet with trivia and a Toriyama interview
- Sturdy display box looks great on a shelf
Cons
- Big up-front cost; single volumes let you start smaller
- Covers
- Dragon Ball (original series)
- Volumes
- 16
- Pages
- 3,112
- Extras
- Double-sided poster, collector’s booklet
VIZ MediaDragon Ball Z Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–26)
All 26 volumes of Dragon Ball Z, from the Saiyan arrival through Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu, in one complete box set.
Pros
- Every DBZ arc in one set
- Collector’s display box with bonus premium items
- Pairs with the Dragon Ball box set for the full 42-volume story
Cons
- The most expensive set here
- Covers
- Dragon Ball Z (Saiyan to Buu arcs)
- Volumes
- 26
- Pages
- 5,104
- Extras
- Collector’s box + premium items
VIZ MediaDragon Ball (3-in-1 Edition)
Three original Dragon Ball volumes in each thick book. It is the cheapest per-volume way to read the series, and you can buy one book at a time.
Pros
- Three volumes per book at a low price
- Buy one at a time, with no big box-set commitment
Cons
- Thicker books are harder to read flat
- Covers
- Dragon Ball (original series)
- Volumes
- 3 per book
- Pages
- 576 (Vol. 1)
- Extras
- None
VIZ MediaDragon Ball Super (Manga Series)
The official sequel manga, drawn by Toyotarou from Akira Toriyama’s story, picking up after the Buu saga with Beerus, Whis, and the multiverse. Grab volumes 1–24 as one set, or fill gaps one book at a time.
Pros
- Continues directly after Dragon Ball Z
- Volumes 1–24 available together as a 24-book set
- Single volumes for filling in a collection
Cons
- The set is a bundle of single volumes, not a VIZ collector box
- Some early single volumes (1, 2, 4) are hard to find on their own
- Covers
- Dragon Ball Super
- Volumes
- 1–24 (ongoing)
- Pages
- 4,688 (Vols. 1–24)
- Extras
- None
Which Dragon Ball manga should you buy?
- Starting fresh and want it all? Get the Dragon Ball box set, then the Dragon Ball Z box set. Together they cover the whole original 42-volume story.
- On a budget? The 3-in-1 editions collect the same original story three volumes at a time for much less per volume.
- Already read the classics? Dragon Ball Super continues the story volume by volume.
Dragon Ball vs. Dragon Ball Z
In Japan it’s one continuous manga. VIZ splits it in English: Dragon Ball (volumes 1–16) follows kid Goku, and Dragon Ball Z (volumes 1–26) starts when the Saiyans arrive. You need both for the complete story.
What about Dragon Ball Daima?
Dragon Ball Daima is an anime series, and there’s no English manga edition yet. For Daima merchandise, see our Dragon Ball figures guide, which includes the S.H.Figuarts Daima Goku.