The series was serialized as 519 individual chapters in the magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from Decemto June 5, 1995. Along his journey, Goku makes several friends and battles a wide variety of villains, many of whom also seek the Dragon Balls. The story follows the adventures of Son Goku from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the seven orbs known as the Dragon Balls, which summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered. Cover of the first Dragon Ball tankōbon volume released in Japan.ĭragon Ball is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama.