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.)

With the (reluctant) help of the shapeshifting pig Oolong, Goku and Bulma have found almost all the Dragon Balls they need to get their wish! To get the sixth Dragon Ball, the fearsome Ox King sends Goku on a mission: to find Kame-Sen'nin, the Turtle Hermit, whose mighty powers can put out the raging fires of Fry-Pan Mountain! But the sleazy old martial artist might just make it more trouble than it's worth! Then, with the bandits Yamcha and Pu'ar on their trail, our heroes continue their quest for the seventh and final Dragon Ball. But can they get it from little Emperor Pilaf, who wants to use his wish to rule the world?!!