Starting the Dragon Ball manga reading guide in the right order is simple. I recommend beginning with the original Dragon Ball, which tells the complete story across 42 volumes. Although the anime is split into Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, the original manga is one continuous series.
After that, I recommend moving to Dragon Ball Super, the ongoing sequel manga, which is currently collected in 24 volumes through Chapter 104. Optional stories such as Jaco the Galactic Patrolman and That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! add extra context and humor, but you do not need them to follow the main storyline.
Key Takeaways
- Read the original Dragon Ball manga from Volume 1 through Volume 42 before starting any sequel or spin-off. It is one continuous Japanese manga series, even though some anime and English editions divide it into Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
- Continue with Dragon Ball Super after Volume 42, reading its collected volumes in order. Super is an ongoing sequel manga currently collected through Volume 24 and Chapter 104, and it has differences from the anime.
- Treat Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha!, and Dragon Ball SD as optional companion or comedy stories. They add background, humor, or alternate interpretations but are not required for understanding the main plot.
- Following the main series in order preserves Goku’s development, the evolution of key rivalries, and the progression from a lighthearted adventure into a broader action and science-fiction story.
Original Dragon Ball Manga Order
For a straightforward Dragon Ball manga reading guide, I recommend starting with Volume 1 and reading through Volume 42 without skipping ahead. The story begins with Goku’s first journey and gradually expands through martial arts tournaments, the Piccolo conflict, and the battles that shape the rest of the series. This order lets you follow the characters, rivalries, and world as they develop naturally. It also shows how the series grows from a lighthearted adventure into a larger science fiction and action story.
The complete original manga covers the Piccolo Jr., Saiyan, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu arcs in that order. Some collected English editions label the earlier books as Dragon Ball and the later books as Dragon Ball Z, which can make the reading order seem more complicated than it is. In Japan, however, all of these arcs are part of one continuous 42-volume manga titled Dragon Ball. The change in labeling reflects how the anime and some international editions were presented, not a separate manga series.
I would treat the 42-volume run as the main story before moving on to related manga. Reading it from beginning to end makes Goku’s growth and the changing roles of his friends and enemies easier to understand. Afterward, Dragon Ball Super works as the next major manga series, while companion and comedy stories remain optional. For a first-time reader, the simplest order is the original Dragon Ball manga from Volume 1 through Volume 42, followed by Dragon Ball Super.
Dragon Ball Super Manga Order
For this Dragon Ball manga reading guide, I place Dragon Ball Super after the complete original Dragon Ball manga, which runs from Volume 1 through Volume 42. Japan treats that story as one continuous series, so there is no separate original Dragon Ball Z manga to read between them. Dragon Ball Super follows the events after Majin Buu’s defeat, while its main story takes place before the original manga’s final epilogue featuring Goku and Uub. This makes the clearest order Dragon Ball first, followed by Dragon Ball Super.
Dragon Ball Super currently has 24 collected volumes, with the manga reaching Chapter 104. I recommend reading the collected volumes in numerical order because each one continues the same main storyline, even when the arc changes. The Super manga also differs from the anime, so I treat it as its own version of the sequel rather than a panel-by-panel adaptation. Starting with Volume 1 gives new readers a clear introduction to the new conflicts, characters, and forms without requiring them to switch between different versions.
Optional companion manga can be read later, but none is required to understand Dragon Ball Super. Stories such as Jaco the Galactic Patrolman add background to the wider setting, while comedy and parody titles remain outside the main reading order. For a story-first approach, I would finish all 42 volumes of Dragon Ball before moving through Dragon Ball Super Volumes 1 to 24. This sequence follows the core timeline and makes the transition from the original ending to the modern sequel easy to follow.
Dragon Ball Side Stories And Spin Offs
I treat side stories as optional additions, not required steps in a Dragon Ball manga reading guide. First, complete the original Dragon Ball manga, Volumes 1 through 42, because it contains the main story in one continuous series rather than separate Japanese Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga. After that, I recommend Jaco the Galactic Patrolman as the most useful companion story because it acts as a prequel and adds background connected to the wider Dragon Ball universe. You can read Jaco before Dragon Ball, but reading it after the original series makes its connections easier to appreciate.
Dragon Ball: That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! is an entertaining parody spin-off, but it does not continue the official main plot. I would read it after finishing the original manga, especially if you already understand the major characters and events it references. Its short story follows a fan who wakes up in Yamcha’s body, creating an alternate take on familiar parts of the series. Skipping it will not leave gaps in the story, so readers focused only on the main storyline can safely leave it for later.
Dragon Ball SD is also optional because it retells major events in a simplified, humorous style rather than adding essential story developments. I see it as a light reread for younger readers or longtime fans, and you can start it whenever you want without affecting the main reading order. Other promotional manga, crossover chapters, and comedy pieces can usually be skipped because they were created to support specific releases or campaigns. For the clearest path, read the 42-volume original manga first, continue with Dragon Ball Super, and return to these side stories when you want extra humor, background, or alternate versions of the characters.
Read Dragon Ball Volumes 1–42
For the simplest Dragon Ball manga reading guide, I recommend starting with Dragon Ball Volumes 1 through 42. Together, these volumes tell the complete original story, from Goku’s first adventure to the final battle and its aftermath. There is no separate original Dragon Ball Z manga in Japan because Dragon Ball is one continuous 42-volume series. Some English editions divide the story into Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z to match the anime, but the reading order remains the same. After Volume 42, continue with Dragon Ball Super, beginning with Volume 1 and reading through the available volumes in order.
Once I finish the main story, I can explore the optional material based on my interests. Jaco the Galactic Patrolman works well as a prequel and companion story, while Dragon Ball: That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! is a nonessential parody spin-off. Dragon Ball SD and other promotional or comedy manga are also optional because they are not part of the main storyline. Reading these stories after Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Super keeps the central plot easy to follow. This approach gives new readers a clear starting point while leaving plenty of room to explore the wider Dragon Ball universe later.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the correct Dragon Ball manga reading order?
I recommend reading the original Dragon Ball manga first, starting with Volume 1 and continuing through Volume 42. After finishing that complete story, move on to Dragon Ball Super. Optional manga such as Jaco the Galactic Patrolman and That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! can be read afterward.
2. Is Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z one manga series?
Yes. In Japan, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z are part of one continuous 42-volume manga series. The split mainly comes from the anime and some English editions, so you should read Volumes 1 through 42 in order without treating Dragon Ball Z as a separate manga.
3. What story arcs are included in the original Dragon Ball manga?
The original 42-volume manga includes the Piccolo Jr., Saiyan, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu arcs. Reading them in order lets you follow Goku’s growth, the changing friendships, and the expanding world naturally. It also shows how the series develops from a lighthearted adventure into a larger action and science fiction story.
4. Should I start with the Dragon Ball manga or Dragon Ball Super?
Start with the original Dragon Ball manga before reading Dragon Ball Super. The first 42 volumes establish Goku’s history, the main rivalries, and the events that make the sequel easier to understand. Starting with Super can spoil important developments from the original story.
5. How many volumes of Dragon Ball Super should I read?
Dragon Ball Super is the sequel manga and is currently collected in 24 volumes through Chapter 104. I recommend reading it after the original 42-volume series and continuing in volume order. Since the manga is ongoing, more chapters and collected volumes may be released later.
6. Do I need to read Jaco the Galactic Patrolman?
No. Jaco the Galactic Patrolman is optional and is not required to follow the main Dragon Ball storyline. It adds extra background and connects to the wider world, so I recommend reading it after the original manga if you want more context. It works best as a side story rather than a starting point.
7. Where does That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! fit in the reading order?
That Time I Got Reincarnated as Yamcha! is an optional spin-off, not a required part of the main reading order. You can read it after the original Dragon Ball manga or after Dragon Ball Super if you prefer to finish the main storyline first. Reading the main 42-volume series beforehand will help you recognize the characters and setting.
